Mehram Serai
 | This article, Mehram Serai, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
मेहरम की सराये | |
 | |
| 28°33′53″N 77°7′8″E / 28.56472°N 77.11889°E | |
| Location | Mehram nagar, Delhi, India |
|---|---|
| Type | Caravanserai |
| Completion date | 1639 CE |
Mehram ki Serai is a 17th century caravanserai listed as a protected monument by the ASI, located on the land owned by the Ministry of Defence in the north-east corner of IGI airport.[1] It was built by Mehram Khan,[1] an eunuch and keeper of Jahangir's harm.[2]
Etymology
The name can be translated as "Inn of Mehram". The term Mahram itself means unmarriageable kin with whom marriage or sexual intercourse would be considered haram (illegal in Islam) or people from whom purdah is not obligatory or legal escorts of a woman during journey longer than a day and night (24 hours).[3] In this context Mehram meant the eunuch named "Mehram Khan", a close escort and confidant who can freely talk and meet with women in king's harem.[1]
History
According to the convener of INTACH Delhi, Swapna Liddle, the Mehram Ki Serai caravanserai for the comfort of travelers and eponymous Mehram Bazaar were built by an eunuch, Mehram Khan, who was an incharge of mughal harem during the reign of Jahangir.[1][2] It was built at a distance of 7 kos (22.4 km) from the mughal city.[1] Mehram nagar village, that later came up near it, has a double-storey pointed-arch vaulted gateway with large wooden door.[1]
In 1622 CE Shah Jahan (known as prince Khurram at that time) raised an army with the support of Mahabat Khan and marched against his own father emperor Jahangir and mother Nur Jahan. Mehram Khan, Fidai Khan, Motamid Khan (official court chronicler)[4][5] and Kheleel Beg, were apprehended based on the evidence of Mirza Rustam and one more witness, after being accused of holding a secret correspondence with rebellious Shah Jehan.[2] Those two witnesses were executed by Fidai Khan, and Mehram Khan was absolve of any wrongdoing by Fidai Khan.[2] Later in 1639 CE, Mehram Khan built the serai and bazaar, both named after himself.
Architecture
The caravanserai, with chhatris above and octagonal vaulted cambers below on four corners, is built of rubble masonry and mughal lakhori bricks. The complex also has a baradari (open doors pavilion with 12 doors, 3 in each direction), 2 wells, an enclosure wall with 3 gateways, garden in the enclosure and a water channel coursing through the middle of the enclosure.[1]
Conservation
By 2016, the dilapidated monument had been severely vandalised, two out of original four chattris and only one out of 3 original gates of enclosure survived, enclosure wall was broken at several places, both the wells had dried up, water channels was mostly buried under rubble, garden was overgrown with shrubs.[1]
In 2016 Government of Delhi's Department of Archaeology in collaboration with INTACH commenced the conservation, one of the 2 missing gateway was rebuilt, both wells and parts of the water channel were restored. With 40% work completed, it came to a halt in May 2017 after Defence Ministry stopped the work as no permission was taken from the Defence Ministry for conserving the monument standing on the land owned by Defence Ministry.[1] Subsequently efforts were being made by the Delhi state archeology department and local MLA to obtain the permission from Defence Ministry to complete the remaining work of this still dilapidated and abandoned monument.[1]
External links
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "17th century inn lies in ruin as Delhi govt, defence ministry squabble.", Hindustan Times, 23 Nov 2017.
- ^ a b c d Francis Gladwin, 1788, "The History of Hindostan, during the reigns of Jehángir, Sháhjehán, and Aurungzebe.".
- ^ 5538: Who are the mahrams in front of whom a woman can uncover?| Islam Question and Answer General Supervisor: Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid| Published Date: 1999-11-24| Accessed date: 19 February 2017
- ^ Qazwini. fol. 233a translated by Begley and Desai (1984), page 14.
- ^ * Koch, Ebba. The Complete Taj Mahal: And the Riverfront Gardens of Agra (Hardback) (First ed.). Thames & Hudson Ltd. pp. 288 pages. ISBN 0-500-34209-1., page 18.
 | This article relating to archaeology in Asia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about an Indian building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| This article, Mehram Serai, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
- Pending AfC submissions
- Pending AfC submissions in article space
- Asian archaeology stubs
- Indian building and structure stubs
- Tourism in Delhi
- Tourist attractions in Delhi
- Monuments and memorials in Delhi
- Ruins in India
- Caravanserais in India
- Architecture of Delhi
- Government buildings completed in the 17th century
- Buildings and structures in Delhi
- AfC submissions by date/23 November 2017