It's not as lucky as its more famous cousin. While the Qutub Minar is celebrated across the world for being the world's tallest minaret, the 17-metre high Hastsal Minar, a tower in red sandstone and brick in West Delhi's Hastsal village near Nangloi, doesn't ring a bell for many.
The minaret was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1650 as a hunting lodge. A narrow staircase leading up to the top of the minar and the tunnel connecting it to the baradari (entertainment hall meant to relax) are the highlights of this structure.
One of the stories revolving around its name is that the place used to be submerged in water and elephants used to rest here, and that's how it got its name ‘Hastsal'— from haathi (elephant) and sthal (place).
Years of neglect and anonymity have rendered the building dilapidated. The pillar is a sad story of continuing neglect and apathy.
The tinge of sadness can't be missed in the voice of 83-year-old Gulab Singh, a resident of the village. “Since my birth, I have been seeing this minar in the same condition. A lot of people visit the minaret but nothing happens.”
Hari Ram Solanki, another local who lives in close proximity of the structure rues, “I have written three letters to the Delhi government and Archaeological Survey of India too requesting them to undertake renovation and maintenance of the minaret, but no action has been taken. On the initiative of the signature campaign led by the villagers, ASI has employed a watchman but there is no proper guardroom or space for him to sit.”
