Hastsal Minar

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About Hastsal Minar

Location: It is located in a small village of western Delhi.
Construction of the minar (or tower) was finished in 1634 during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
It is also known as Mini Qutab Minar.
Among the locals, it is also known as Hastsal Ki Laat and Kaushal Minar.
Architecture
- It was constructed using lakhori bricks and clad with red sandstone.
- The minar is 17 metres (five storeys) tall, standing on a square platform and with an octagonal body.
- A staircase inside the five-storey tower led to the domed Chhatri pavilion at the top.
- It has three storeys, each with a reducing diameter, and is accessible through a narrow staircase
Shah Jahan utilised Hastsal as one of his hunting lodges during the 17th century.
Present condition:
- In 2018, the minaret was deemed as Grade A in heritage value and was given the permission to be conserved under Phase IV of Delhi government’s project to protect lesser-known monuments in the capital.

Q1) What are Lakhori bricks ?

These are also known as Badshahi bricks, Kakaiya bricks, Lakhauri bricks which are flat, thin, red burnt-clay bricks, originating from the Indian subcontinent that became an increasingly popular element of Mughal architecture during Shah Jahan, and remained so till early 20th century.

Source: Hastsal Minar: Shrouded in mystery, a Mughal-era symbol of glory now a picture of neglect