Indian Columbus

Hazrat Dastagir Sahib Dargah, nestled along the modern-day Dr. Natesan Road in Mylapore locality in Chennai, holds a tale of mystical origins. Hailing from a Turkish lineage, Hazrat Dastagir Sahib was a scion of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, where he first drew breath. After traversing the length and breadth of the country, he found his resting place in Chennai. In an eerie premonition, he foretold his own passing, instructing his disciples not to perform the customary funeral prayers led by an Imam. Legend has it that, upon his passing in 1752, Hazrat Dastagir Sahib appeared in ethereal form to conduct his own funeral rites, a sight witnessed by awe-struck devotees. In 1789, the Nawab of Arcot commemorated his memory by erecting a magnificent dargah atop his sacred burial ground. Amongst the devotees who frequent this revered site, the renowned Indian cine music director, A R Rahman, finds solace in prayer. A peculiar charm of the dargah is the presence of numerous cats and kitte...

Madurai is the Temple City of India. In addition to the famous Meenakshi temple, there are many ancient temples at every nook and corner of the city, which is well known. However, most of us might not know that Madurai has an old mosque dating back to the 13th century. Kazhimar Big Mosque , called  Kazhimar Periya Pallivasal  in Tamil and Qadi Taj al-din, is the oldest mosque in Madurai. This mosque is located on Kazhimar Street, a small street that branches out near the Bus Stand. The mosque is traditionally believed to have been built in  1284 CE . It is said that Sayid Jamal Aldin, a descendant of Prophet Mohammad, was sent from Egypt as Qazi (the religious arbitrator) for Malabar in the 13th century CE. His son,  Qadi Sayyid Taj al-din , became the Qazi of Madurai. He built Big Mosque as a thatched structure originally. As per the legend, the Pandya King of Madurai donated the land and permitted Qazi to construct the mosque. (Who was that Pandya King? There...

Note:  Thanks to Mr. Kombai Anwar, a Chennai-based historian. Although I have visited this site and the photographs are mine, the historical details in this post are based on the article written by Anwar in The Hindu newspaper dated 15th June 2017. Santhome, which has become a part of the current Chennai city, was under the control of the Portuguese in the 17th century CE. In 1646 CE, the Golconda forces, under the leadership of Mir Jumla, attacked Santhome. Syed Shah Badrudin was a soldier of the Golconda cavalry. He climbed up the flagstaff and brought down the Portuguese flag. He also replaced it with the flag of Golconda. It is believed that he was attacked from behind by the Portuguese soldiers. Badrudin was injured very bad. He still managed to travel back on his horse to Pallavaram and finally collapsed there. The legend says that his head was severed, and he picked up his fallen head and traveled to Pallavaram. Badrudin was buried at the site where he collapsed. It is ...

Pallavaram, a prominent locality near Chennai, holds a historical secret within its name. Derived from the ancient settlement of Pallavapuram, which dates back to the 7th century CE during the Pallava period, this locality boasts a rich heritage. During this era, the renowned Pallava Emperor, Mahendravarma Pallava I, left his architectural mark on several locations, including Mamallapuram and Trichy. In the early 7th century CE, he oversaw the construction of a cave temple in Pallavapuram, now known as Pallavaram. This cave temple earned the name "Pancha Pandava temple" and featured five cells facing the southern direction, complemented by six imposing pillars at the entrance. It is believed that the three central cells were dedicated to the deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, while all the cells were meticulously carved from a protruding rock formation. Over the years, the cave temple was taken over, and a Dargah now occupies the site, erasing much of its original identi...

Wallajah Mosque, often referred to as the Big Mosque, graces the Triplicane (Tiruvallikkeni) locality of Chennai. With its rich history, it stands as one of the city's oldest and most renowned mosques. Situated along Triplicane High Road, this majestic mosque was erected in 1794 CE in loving memory of Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, the Nawab of Arcot. Notably, the mosque's construction is a marvel, crafted entirely from granite without the use of iron or wood. Its design boasts two minarets that pay homage to Mughal architectural style. The mosque complex encompasses a spacious prayer hall, a meticulously maintained tank, and an expansive courtyard, which is nearly as vast as the mosque itself. The grand entrance steps leading to the mosque span an area nearly equivalent to the mosque's size. Within this complex lies the Durgah of Hazrat Malikum Ulma Bahrul Uloom, a venerated Muslim saint and scholar who lived approximately three centuries ago. Alongside his tomb, you...

Are You Familiar with Amir Khusrow and the Spiritual Legacy of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki? If you're acquainted with the renowned Sufi poet and musician Amir Khusrow, then you've likely encountered the name of his spiritual guide, Nizamuddin Auliya. Going further back in the lineage, Nizamuddin's spiritual mentor was Fariduddin Ganjshakar, and Fariduddin's guide was none other than Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki. This article delves into the historical significance of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki's dargah (shrine) in Delhi, India's capital known for its rich heritage. History Khwaja Qutbud-Din Bakhtyar Kaki, also known as Qutb-Sahib, was a prominent Sufi saint and scholar of the Chishti order hailing from Delhi. Instrumental in expanding the influence of the Chishti order from Ajmer and Nagaur to Delhi, he was born in Persia in 1173 CE and arrived in India alongside the early Muslim conquerors. His life unfolded during the rule of Ilttumish of the Slave dynasty, and he pas...

Delhi, the capital city of India, is renowned for its vast array of monuments, boasting approximately 1300 in total. While Qutb Minar stands as one of the most well-known, this discussion aims to shed light on a few lesser-known monuments nestled within the serene confines of Mehrauli Archaeology Park in Delhi, situated near Qutb Minar. Mehrauli Archaeology Park, a tranquil enclave in Delhi, hides numerous overlooked monuments. Adjacent to Rajon ki Baoli, there lies a tomb from the Lodi period. Poised on a spacious plinth, the tomb features an arched entrance leading to an exquisite flat-domed structure. Despite the scattered graveyards on the site, the historical details of this monument remain elusive. Similarly, a dargah, situated a short distance from the Rajon ki Baoli monument, adds to the enigma of Mehrauli Archaeology Park. The origins and history of this ancient dargah remain shrouded in mystery. Happy travelling.