Hauz-i-Shamsi

Hauz-i-Shamsi (literally “sunny watertank”) also called Shamshi Talab is a water storage reservoir or tank built by Iltutmish of the Slave Dynasty in 1230 CE, at a location revealed to him in a dream by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. A palace called the Jahaz Mahal was built on the eastern edge of the same reservoir during the Lodi dynasty period in the 16th century as a retreat or Inn for use by pilgrims. Also at the edge of Hauz is the tomb of 17th-century Persian writer in the Mughal court, Abdul-Haqq Dehlavi. The monuments are situated in Mehrauli, Delhi. Kindly WhatsApp us for Delhi Darshan Agra bus, car, cab tour hire rental from Mehrauli will provide you with city sightseeing.

Stone slab depicting imprint of Muhammad’s horse’s hoop According to Sharma: “A red stone domed pavilion resting on twelve pillars located near the south-western corner of the tank, but originally believed to have been situated in its centre, is identified with the pavilion built by Iltumish. The original stone with hoof print is believed to have been removed, the present stone being a later renewal. The waters of the tank are regarded as sacred, and several graves of Muslim saints lie around it.”

Another version of the legend linked is that Muhammad appeared in a dream not only to Iltumish but also to the Muslim sufi saint KhawajaQutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki indicating the same particular location, where the hoof print of Muhammad’s horse was imprinted, for the construction of a water tank. Since drinking water supply was acute in the newly founded capital of Iltumish (the first medieval city of Qila Rai Pithora of Delhi) a tank was dug at the location indicated in the dream, which resulted in water jetting out from a spring source. It was, thereafter, named as Hauz-i-Shamsi, and Khawaja, the saint who divined it, came to be known as Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki or simply ‘Kaki’. The name Kaki was attributed to him by virtue of this keramat (miracle). The Khawaja died in 1235 AD. He is buried in Mehrauli (near the Qutab Minar) and it is inferred that Qutub Minar was also named after him. His dargah or tomb is considered one of India’s oldest and revered shrines. His exalted divinity has also been extolled by Moinuddin Chishti who had said:

Kaki was such an exalted divine person that even Moinuddin Chishti had decreed that those coming to seek his blessing should first pay homage to the former. The practice is still adhered to.

Location:

Hauz-i-Shamsi, Aam Bagh, Khandsa Colony, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi Google Map Location

History:

A popular legend narrated is of Iltumish’s dream in which Muhammad directed him to build a reservoir at a particular site. When Iltumish inspected the site the day after his dream, he reported to have found a hoof print of Muhammad’s horse. He then erected a pavilion to mark the sacred location and excavated a large tank (reservoir) around the pavilion to harvest rain water. You may include this tourist attraction in your Delhi Tour Packages.

Tourist Attractions Nearby:

• Qutub Minar
• Lotus Temple
• Butterfly Park
• Rajokri Forest
• Tomb of Balban
• Qila Rai Pithora
• Jain Mandir Dadabari
• Garden of Five Senses
• Jamali Kamali Mosque
• Mehrauli Archaeological Park
• Gurudwara Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Important Information:

• “Best Time to Visit Delhi“
• “Places to Visit in Delhi“
• “Delhi Agra Bus Tour“
• “Delhi Tour Packages“
• “Delhi Bus Tour“

Other Options:

You may opt for Delhi VIP Tours or Delhi Darshan Cab Booking as well. Kindly WhatsApp us for Delhi Darshan Agra bus, car, cab tour hire rental from Hauz-i-Shamsi Mehrauli will provide you with city sightseeing.

The above-mentioned information may change from time to time. If you find any change in details, then kindly contribute with the latest information. Delhi Darshan has created this page for general information. So, that visitors to the city can get maximum output from their trip.