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Kaushik and Pari had a school project on Qutub Minar
in Delhi. Their father was taking them to it. ‘Before we reach, what do you
know about the Qutub Minar?’ Father asked. ‘It is the tallest brick tower in the world,’ said
Pari. ‘It is 73 metres high and has five levels,’ said
Kaushik. ‘Who build it?’ Father asked. ‘Qutub ud din Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi,’
replied Pari. ‘Why did he build it?’ father asked. They were silent. ‘We will have to ask Qutub-d-din,’
said Kaushik. ‘Hmmm…,’ said Father. ‘What more?’ ‘There are other buildings around the tower,’
replied Pari, ‘like the tomb of Alla-ud-din Khalji and a mosque…’ ‘And an iron pillar which never rusts,’ added
Kaushik. When they reached the Qutub Minar. Father bought
entry tickets. They walked through a large arched gateway. The tall, red
tower was built on a red brick platform with carvings and beautiful
balconies. The last level was built of marble. There was a garden but very
few trees. The children clicked a few pictures of the Minar. Father sat on a bench and said, ‘Buzz your time
bands on your wrists. You have thirty minutes to go back to Qutub-ud-din
Aibak’s time which is…’ ‘…1192 because he began building the Qutub Minar
then,’ said Pari excitedly. Both the children pressed their bands and said,
‘1192!’. A flash of light. Kaushik and Pari were in an area
with lots of trees. Many people were walking around. Some carried building
tools, others had boxes of bricks on their heads and there were many bullock
carts filled with sand and mud. Everyone was going towards a red brick
platform with a half-built wall. ‘Children!’ said a deep voice behind them. ‘What are
you doing here?’ Kaushik and Pari saw a tall man, wearing long red
robes with gold flowers, frowning at them. The man had a beard and wore a
funny pointed cap. The children were also wearing long kurtas and trousers. ‘We…we have come to meet Sultan Qutub-ud-din Aibak.’
Kaushik said. ‘I am the Sultan. Why do you want to meet me?’ ‘We wanted know about this building,’said Pari. ‘Alright,’ agreed the Sultan, ‘But be quick because
I don’t have time to waste.’ ‘Why are you building it, Your Majesty?’ asked Pari. ‘I have finally defeated the last Hindu King. Now
the Delhi Sultanate is mine. I want to build this Minar to mark my victory
and a mosque to give thanks to Saint Qutubuddin Kaki.’ ‘How tall will the Minar be?’ ‘I have planned for five levels. They are building
the first one. I must go. I don’t have much time,’ said the Sultan, hurrying
away. ‘Kaushik, let’s go back,’ said Pari. Her fingers
lightly pressed their time bands. But they did not go back. ‘Look, the Minar is complete till the second level.
They are now building the third level,’ exclaimed Pari. ‘See there are more men and more bricks around it,’
said Kaushik. ‘Kaushik, I think we have travelled some years after
Sultan Qutub’s time,’ said Pari. ‘Look! Another man wearing a shining turban is
giving orders to the men,’ Kaushik pointed to a dark man with a beard. ‘Let
us hide behind him and hear what he is saying.’ They crept up behind the man. The man said, ‘Be quick! My father-in-law, Sultan
Qutub-ud-din Aibak only built the first level before his death. I, Sultan Shams ud-Din
Iltutmish, must complete the Minar.’ ‘Oh! So, Sultan Qutub really did not have much
time,’ remarked Pari. Their bands began to buzz. Thirty minutes were over.
The dark Sultan turned. Both children pressed their Time Bands hard and said,
‘2019!’. A flash of light and they were back at the bench.
Father asked, ‘Well?’ ‘We did not see the last level of the Qutub Minar
being built,’ said Pari. ‘We know that Sultan Qutub build only the first
level and Sultan Illutmish build three more levels.’ ‘Actually, the last level was build by another
Sultan of Delhi called Firoz Shah Tughlak,’ said Father. ‘Do you know enough
about the Minar for your project?’ ‘Yes!’ said the children. ‘Let’s go home,’ said Father. |
