Delhi is a city of rich history and heritage with several monuments - some well-preserved and others ignored and in shambles. The history of some of these old structures is known while for others it's still a mystery. MetroMela takes you on a tour of some known and unknown monuments located on the north Delhi Ridge.

Asoka Pillar
The Asoka Pillar is right across the main entrance of Hindu Rao Hospital in Delhi. The pillar originally dates back to 3rd century BC and was relocated to Delhi from Meerut in the 14th century by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. The monument is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and stands about 10 meters high. The pillar has Asoka’s teachings and instructions inscribed on it and these are written in Prakrit and Brahmi script. The history of the pillar has been etched into a stone here which stands beside the pillar.

Mutiny Memorial/ Ajitgarh
Walk down a little further from the Asoka Pillar and you would come across the Mutiny Memorial which is called as Jitgarh and Ajitgarh. The structure, which is near Pul Bangash in Delhi,  is assumed to be a church by many ignorant people but it is actually a memorial which was erected in the memory of the British soldiers who lost their lives during the 1857 revolution. The area around this memorial is serene and calm and attracts a number of morning joggers and those who wish to meditate. The maintenance of the monument is undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Kushk-i-Shikar/ Pir Ghaib and Baoli
There are two amazing heritage sites inside the premises of Hindu Rao hospital which itself was the home of William Fraser and then Hindu Rao. If you walk into the premises then you would come across the Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s hunting palace, known as Kushk-i-Shikar and a baoli nearby which supplied fresh water to this hunting palace. Both these sites are protected by the ASI.

Getting to the baoli is a bit difficult as the steps leading downstairs are broken. Even if you do manage to get closer to the reservoir, the strong stench of urine would definitely stop you. The ASI would be starting with the repair work soon but at present parts of this baoli are covered with vegetation.
 
A few steps away is the Kushk-i-shikar or Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s hunting palace. Now only a part of the palace remains which is popularly referred to as the Pir Ghaib which means 'Disappearing saint'. It is believed that a Sufi saint once inhabited one of the two rooms that remain here today. He liked to keep to himself and used to worship at this room here and one day he just disappeared. Since then the palace is more popularly known as Pir Ghaib and people still come to pray here and light incense sticks in respect of the saint. The other room in the palace is believed to be used for astronomical instruments and is therefore is also referred to as observatory.

Chauburji Mosque and Flagstaff Tower
At a little distance you have the Chauburji Mosque and the Flagstaff Tower. It is believed that when the 1857 revolt started in Delhi, then the British women and children came here at the Flagstaff tower to protect them from the attack. This was the highest point in ridge area and therefore this tower was used for mounting the British flag.

The Chauburji on the other hand, is believed to be a part of the hunting palace and dates back to the 14th century. More additions were made to the monument later on and some people confused it for a mosque as well. The ASI has restored both these monuments and therefore they appear to be in good shape now.

There are many such small monuments like these in Delhi which are lesser known to people but showcase our real heritage. All these monuments mentioned here played an important role during the 1857 revolt but are yet ignored by most of us. If you are a history lover then your lesson in Delhi’s heritage is incomplete without a visit to all these places.