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    Mausoleum of Shad-e (or Shadi) Mulk Aga in Shah e Zinda, Samarqand

    Mausoleum of Mahmud Pahlavon in Khiva, Uzbekistan

    The tomb of Baba Rukn al-Din Shirazi, Takht-i Fulad, Isfahan, Iran

    The Summer Mosque of the Arc in Khiva, Uzbekistan

    Shrine of Sheikh Zainuddin Bobo in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

    The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

    Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

    Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

    AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

    AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

    Helical stepwell in Pavagadh area of Gujarat

    Islam Khoja ensemble in Khiva,Uzbekistan

    Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

    Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

    Lord Buddha statue in Chandigarh Museum

    Akbar’s Inscription in The Ranakpur Jain Temple

    Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

    Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

    Vijai Stambh in Chittorgarh Fort

    The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

    The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

    Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

    Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

    Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

    Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

    Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

    Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

    Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

    Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

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      Mausoleum of Shad-e (or Shadi) Mulk Aga in Shah e Zinda, Samarqand

      Mausoleum of Mahmud Pahlavon in Khiva, Uzbekistan

      The tomb of Baba Rukn al-Din Shirazi, Takht-i Fulad, Isfahan, Iran

      The Summer Mosque of the Arc in Khiva, Uzbekistan

      Shrine of Sheikh Zainuddin Bobo in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

      The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

      The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

      Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

      Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

      AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

      AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

      Helical stepwell in Pavagadh area of Gujarat

      Islam Khoja ensemble in Khiva,Uzbekistan

      Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

      Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

      Lord Buddha statue in Chandigarh Museum

      Akbar’s Inscription in The Ranakpur Jain Temple

      Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

      Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

      Vijai Stambh in Chittorgarh Fort

      The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

      The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

      Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

      Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

      Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

      Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

      Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

      Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

      Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

      Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

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      Hijro’n ki khanqaah, Mehrauli

      inHazrat-E-Dilli
      0
      Eunuchs are  historically males who are castrated  (without their consent) so that they can perform a  specific social function. This function normally was guarding the harem, be in service to the rulers and noblemen, work in administrative capacity and even become treble singers.
      Except for the last, the reason why eunuchs were preferred for the the other services was that they were no threat to the women of the harem, and since they had no chance of marraige or having children it was presumed they would have less reason to be corrupt.
      Some of them assumed great positions of authority but most of them lived on the fringes of society. 
      In modern day India they are relegated to the fringes and eke out a living by singing and dancing at childbirth and sometimes weddings. Many are seen begging at traffic signals and generally threatening to invoke a curse if they do not get alms.
      So it was was a real pleasure to find this beautiful khanqaah ( a spiritual retreat) for eunuchs or hijras as they are called in India. 
      This is an oasis of solitude in the busy streets of Mehrauli village near Jahaz Mahal. It is kept locked and is opened on request.
      An interesting thing is the low doorway. We were told it is so everyone enters the khanqaah with a bowed head.

      zindagii baap kii maanind sazaa detii hai
      rahm-dil maa kii tarah maut bachaane aayii

      “Life punishes you  like a strict father
      Death came as a as a saviour like a merciful mother”
      Sufi saints have always been known for their inclusiveness, humanity and healing touch.
      It is said that Sufi saint Hazrat Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki had made one oF the eunuchs in his times his sister. He fondly called her Aapa.
      This place was given to them by the saint. The prominent green grave is where she is buried. 
      Though officially it belongs to the eunuchs at Turkman Gate , Old Delhi and its under their maintenance , they come only on festivals to offer tribute and celebrate and hold langars ( dustribute free food) . 
      The   50 graves are each kept in pristine condition by Shripal a gujar whose family has been the traditional caretakers of this khanqaah.
      Tamanna dard e dil ki ho to kar khidmat faqeeron ki,
      Nahi milta ye gohar badshahon kay khazeeno mein

      If you desire true solace, then serve the mendicants
      You will not find this jewel in the king’s treasure house
      He told me he comes every morning with his children to do service here of cleaning and burning the chiragh at night. Since traditionally in India hijras are associated with festivities during chilbirth that no prayer for children goes unanswered here. 
      dil kaa gila falak kii shikaayat yahaan nahiin
      vo mehrbaan nahiin to koi mehrbaan nahii
      n

      No laments of the heart, no complaints work here
      If He doesnot shower mercy on you, no one else will

      Considering the decay in most of the medieval buildings i have seen in Delhi, this beautiful mihrab tells the tale of the loving care this khanqaah gets.

      The history, culture and architecture across India portrays tolerance, irrespective of gender and religion. The need of the hour is to reinstill for all citizens, including those of the LGBT community in India, the same respect and space that was enjoyed in the past.
      This article appeared in Pragati Magazine
      http://pragati.nationalinterest.in/2014/02/hijron-ki-khanqaah/

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      Rana Safvi

      Come, explore and fall in love the Beauties of Delhi (Dilli ki Ranaiya’n) and the World with me, Rana Safvi

      I have a masters in medieval history from the prestigious Centre for Advanced Studies, Dept. of History, AMU. A firm believer in our Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb, I am passionate about gaining and sharing knowledge and these days I am doing it via the social media platform.

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      © 2018 Rana Safvi - A blog Exploring Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb of India, website handcrafted by Abu Sufiyan.