Chor Minar, New Delhi, Delhi India

Chor Minar or we say the “Tower of Thieves” is a minaret which is situated near to the Aurobindo Marg in Hauz Khaz area of the south of Delhi. It is having more than 200 holes in it which makes its name more meaningful. The construction of this minaret was done by the Alaudiing khiliji of the khiliji dynasty which made the style of architecture in the khiliji style.

About 200m southeast of the Idgah is the Chor-Minar, a rubble-built tapering tower, rising from a stand and provided with a staircase in its interior. It was built probably during the Khalji period.

Chor Minar as the name suggests is the 'Tower of Thieves' that was erected during the 13th Century AD. It is situated in the Hauz Khas area of South Delhi just near Aurobindo Marg and easily reachable by local auto rickshaws and taxis.

Chor Minar was built during the reign of Ala-ud-din Khilji aka Ali Gurshap, who was the second Sultan of the Khilji dynasty that ruled between 1296 and 1316. Ala-ud-din married his cousin sister and daughter of Jalal-ud-din who was the Sultan that ruled over Delhi since 1290. His original name is Ala-ud-din Ghiljai as per the Pashto language however, it translate as the name 'Khilji' due to the lack of letters as per the Arabic and Dari language. His uncle Jalal-ud-din appointed his nephew as the Governor of Kara which is a small town near Allahabad but Ala-ud-din was too ambitious to accept such a small post and in 1296, he killed his uncle to remove him from his way and marched from Kara to Delhi with Jalal-ud-din's head stuck to a pike and in the meantime his uncle's younger son, Rukn-ud-din Khilji ascended the Throne with the consent of his mother, Malika Jahan. After receiving this information, on 3rd October 1296, Ala-ud-din blinded Rukn-ud-din and imprisoned his aunt, Malika Jahan.

Throughout his rule in Delhi, Ala-ud-din Khilji looted all the wealthy nobles, blinded, killed and imprisoned a few. In 1297, he also attacked Gujarat with his Generals, Nusrat Khan and Ulugh Khan and looted Temples including Somnath Temple and broke the Shiva Lingam statue into pieces and carried it to Delhi. The King of Jalore in Rajasthan named Kanhad Dev Songara assisted by Muhammad Shah who was a General of the Khilji Army raged a battle with Ulugh Khan and won the Statue back. King Songara purified the statue with the Ganges River and re-established it within numerous Temples in Jalore.

Later, after the war, Muhammad Shah shifted to Ranthambore with Hammir and Ulugh Khan along with Nusrat Khan under the orders of Ala-ud-din attacked Ranthambore in 1299. They marched into the town with 80,000 soldiers to plan an attack on Hammir but were badly defeated by Hammir's Army. Nusrat Khan was killed and Ulugh Khan fled to Delhi. Ala-ud-din wanted to avenge this defeat and planned another attack in 1301 which lasted for a long period. Despite trying every effort to plunder the Fort of Hammir, Ala-ud-din could not defeat him and resorted to strike a deal instead. Hammir suspected this sudden act but decided against resorting to war after both his councillors, Ranmal and Ratipal, also counselled against it. Hammir sent both of them to the Camp of Khilji to check on the diplomatic deal but Ala-ud-din bribed them and retrieved all the required information about Hammir which consequently led to the fall of Ranthambore. Ala-ud-din conquered Gujarat and made sure to brutally punish all the families of his Rebels.

In 1303 AD, Ala-ud-din Khilji also attacked Chittor which claimed to be one of the most historic epic battles that is remembered even today as it was a result of Khilji's lust and desire for Rani Padmini, Queen and wife of King Rawal Ratan Singh known for her beauty, grace and bravery as she was also known to be an excellent swordsperson.

The Chor Minar came into existence as a 'Tower for beheading Thieves' as per the local inhabitants where heads of thieves were stuck to pikes and displayed on the spears through 225 holes that were especially made for this very purpose on this Tower. Others also state that Ala-ud-din Khilji slaughtered numerous Mughals in their current settlements to stop them from joining other Mughal settlements, which is known today as 'Mongolpuri' existing in Delhi and displayed their heads on this Tower. Many believe that this Pillar exudes a very creepy vibe that still reeks with the blood of those numerous dead heads and is a sure treat and curious site for those seeking lost ghost tales.

In 1305, Ala-ud-din raided Ali Beg, Targhi and Tartaq along with 8,000 Mughal prisoners and killed them. They were beheaded and their heads were also displayed on Chor Minar. Tourists can visit this 'Tower of Thieves' on all days and preferably between 1000 hours and 1700 hours.

On its outdoor there are several circular holes of unascertained use. It is supposed that the heads of thieves (chor), who were caught and beheaded, used to be placed in these holes to deter others from engaging in theft, from which it also derives its name. 

The Chor Minar took about 3 decades to get whole construction. About the Chor minar it is said that it was the only place liked the Khiliji dynasty for the execution of the prisoners that were captured from some crime. The Chor Minar in modern Hauz khas has got a lot of demolition and encroachments due to which all of its more than 200 holes have suffered a major destruction. The renovation work is need to this medical time period building which is staying standing high on its feet.

The history of Chor minar reviles that this was the place where the head of thieves were displayed to the loyal people through the holes in the minaret although some people said that it was for the Mongolian people who made a settlement with the khiliji ruler. The Mongolian settled them in a nearby region of Delhi which is now a day’s known as”Mongolpuri”. About 8000 Mongol prisoners were executed during the raid of Ali beg and Traghi in the year 1305.