Qutub Minar, in reality an amazing astronomical observatory Merustambh built by Acharya Varahmihir !

Many a times Muslims proclaim their right on Qutub Minar; however the reality about who built it, what is the structure about is detailed in this article.

Acharya Varahmihir was the creator of many astronomical instruments and observatories. Here an attempt is being made to prove that the Merustambh in Mehrauli, Delhi, was indeed an amazing astronomical observatory of Varahmihir. Towards this attempt, we need to understand the necessity of its creation, the timeline of its creation, its structure, its broken part, its history and all the aspects of its architecture and the evidences in detail.

Qutub Minar

 

1. Cruel Qutubuddin carrying out genocide of Hindus and building mosques after destroying the Hindu temples

According to the history text ‘Tabkat-e-Nasiri’, the little finger of Qutubuddin was cut. Therefore, he was known as ‘Aibak’ (handicapped by hand). As per another historical text ‘Taj-ul-Maasir’, Qutubuddin Aibak was destroyer of nonbelievers (Hindus). He killed the idol worshippers with sharp swords and destroyed their families. He established Mosques and Madrasas, in the places of worship of idols and pictures of Deities. His acts were so heinous that people also forgot about the battles fought in Naushera, Rustam and Hatimtai.

From 1206 till 1210, the acquired territory of Hindustan by Muslims was known as Sultanate. In these 4 years, Qutubuddin spent most of his time running from place to place for suppressing the rebellion. During this period, he went to Ghazni twice, remained busy in small and big battles and later died after falling down from a horse while playing chovgan (A form of polo on horseback) in Lahore in early November 1210.

 

2. Not a single historian gives credit to Qutubuddin for building Qutub Minar

None of the historians across the world have given Qutubuddin the credit for building the so called Qutub Minar. Famous historian and the former judge of Jammu and Kashmir, R. B. Kanwar Sen, has authored and published an elaborate book on this subject. He has clearly mentioned in the book that, ‘Qutubuddin Aibak has nothing to do with this Minar’ (Qutubuddin Aibak, the first muslim ruler of Delhi, was not the author or founder of Qutub Minar.) Going by the similarity in the name, even if it is assumed that he has built this Minar, still many questions arise such as, ‘When did he began to build it ? How many people worked on it ? Who were the craftsmen ? How much did it cost ? When did it complete ? And It has not been mentioned in the dates of the chronological order of Qutubuddin Aibak as to how did the ancient ‘Garudstambh’, that dates back to 240 BC, appear inside the walls of this Minar ?’

 

3. Muslim historians giving credit of ‘Qutub Minar’ to Qutubuddin

‘Qutub’ is an Urdu word, and it means ‘Dhruv’ (Pole star) and the simple and clear meaning of Qutub Minar is ‘Dhruvstambh or a pillar to see the Pole star’. The meaning of Qutub Minar in Arabic language is also ‘a pillar to see or view the lunar asterism’ which means that this Hindu pillar was being used to observe the lunar asterisms. Therefore, in local language it was called as ‘Qutub Minar’. Even today the magnetic compass equipment providing the direction installed in the ship and submarine is called as ‘Qutubnama’ or ‘Qutubghadi’ in the local language. Muslim historians connected this simple word with ‘Qutubuddin’ and in the half-sleep state gave the credit of ‘Qutubminar’ to Qutubuddin.

Astrologer Dr. Jitendra Vyas

 

4. Idols of many Deities being found after an archeological excavation at so-called Qutubminar in Delhi; but secretly making them disappear

The original form of Merustambh was not how it looks like now, but it was quite huge. To understand the 27 constellations there were 27 constellation halls on all the four sides of it and to construct them, billions of rupees in today’s valuation were spent then. This pillar was famously known with various names like ‘Vijaystambh’ (Pillar of Victory) of King of Delhi – Pruthviraj, ‘Suryastambh (Pillar of Sun)’, ‘Vedhstambh (Observatory Pillar)’, ‘Vikramstambh (Pillar of King Vikramaditya)’. In 1976, archeological excavation of so-called Qutub Minar at Delhi was conducted. Many idols of Deities were found during the excavation. Few of them appeared from the base and few of them were found in the walls. During that time, the Minister of Archaeology and Archive was a Muslim and also the member of Congress party. After checking the records of Qutub Minar one more proof we get to know is that, many Hindu Kings and Muslim Sultans have repaired it from time to time; however nowhere it has been recorded that the name of this structure is ‘Qutub Minar’ and similarly nowhere there is a record of Qutubuddin being the original creator of this building. With both of these aspects, he (the Minister) did not feel it appropriate to find the proofs of Qutub Minar being a Hindu monument. Nonetheless, the idols of Hindu Deities that were found during the excavation were taken away and misplaced.

 

5. Famous historian Late P. N. Oak registering complaint to the then Head of Archeology Department and President of India about the foul play of disappearing of idols found during excavation

Famous historian Late P. N. Oak had registered complaint by writing many letters in March 1987 and in 1988 to the then Head of Department of the Archeology, Jagatpati Joshi and the President of India Shankar Dayal Sharma; however, both kept quiet about it. From all the above proofs it is evident that Sultan of Mamluk dynasty, Qutubuddin had nothing to do with Qutub Minar and is not associated with it. A destroyer like Qutubuddin can never be the creator of this (such a great monument).

 

6. ‘Garudstambh’ being built in the vicinity of Qutub Minar using the purest form of iron in the world called ‘Pitwa’ iron

Considering the period of construction of Merustambh, it is definite that, the Merustambh is an unparalleled example of Hindu architecture built with lot of thinking, elaborate planning, in an unhurriedly manner and under the supervision of a Hindu Emperor. The then Emperor has built it with lot of love giving the required support of wealth and time for the construction. The iron used in the construction of Garudstambh, present in the vicinity of so-called Qutub Minar, is the purest form iron available in the world called as wrought iron. This pillar constitutes of 99.72% iron, 0.08% carbon and 0.119% phosphorous. This iron pillar never gets a scratch and dust does not accumulate on it. Even after thousands of years it has not been affected by storms, rains and heat. It is an excellent example of ‘Indian Metallurgy’ in the entire world. There is no match for it anywhere in the world. The process to create the Vajralep (Indelible paste) in the squad of metals, which does not deteriorate in 10 million years, is mentioned in the ‘Vajralepadhyay’ (Sub-chapter explaining the making of Vajralep) mentioned in the verses from 1 to 8 in chapter 57 of the Holy text ‘Bruhat Samhita’ written by Varahmihir.

 

7. ‘Merustambh’ – an outstanding example of Hindu architecture

Dr. D. S. Trivedi, famous historian and archeologist, Dr. D. S. Trivedi has written a research text called ‘Qutub Minar or Vishnudhvaj’. The proof given in it simply cannot be denied. According to the research paper, Qutub Minar is an unique example of Hindu architecture, built by Hindu Emperor Samudragupta in 280 BC. With the reference of this research text, connoisseur of history Sir Ramaswami Iyar has elucidated that Samudragupt had built 3 observatories during his rule. The first one was Miharavali (Mehrauli) in Delhi, the second was in Gaya (State of Bihar) and the third one was Feroz Kha (in Turkey). In this place (Miharavali) the Lohstambh (An Iron Pillar aka Vishnustambh) made in the fourth century AD was installed during the kingdom of his (Samudragupta’s) son Chandragupta Maurya.

 

8. The stone inscriptions written in Sanskrut and Divine symbols related to Hindu Dharma being found during the excavation of Qutub Minar

The stone inscriptions written in Sanskrut and the royal symbols of Kamdhenu (Divine wish-fulfilling Indian Cow) as well as Varah (3rd incarnation of Shrivishnu in the form of a Boar) carved on the red colored stones were found during the excavation of Qutub Minar. There is an extreme intolerance and hatred towards cow and varah in Islam. Symbols like an Indian cow, Swastik, Ghanta (Bell), Vishnu, Garud (Eagle), trees, toran (An archway or festoon) made up of leaves and flowers and ornamental or flowery design will not be seen on any mosque in India or anywhere else in the world. This is because there were no trees, beautiful animals and birds, no leaves (or flowers) and similarly there was also no architectural tradition of depicting or picturing these things, in the region where Islam originated. Over the time it became the tradition and thereby not creating a sculpture or inscription of a living animal became a rule in Islamic architectural practice. The archeological department of India has published a book on Delhi wherein on page 55, it is mentioned that as per the text ‘Janashruti’, Qutub Minar was built by the last Emperor of Delhi, Pruthviraj Chouhan, where his daughter used to go and see the origin of river Yamuna in its entire form and used to worship the river every day. The external form of this Minar resembles Islamic architecture and the Hindu architectural style is seen in it in abundance. Regarding this, the stone inscriptions written in Devanagari script found in Qutub Minar and the rocks of the temples are itself the proof of this reality.

Acharya Varahmihir

 

9. Qutub Minar being known as a Hindu structure till the end of 14th century AD, i.e., till the end of Firozshah Tughlaq’s rule

The above illustration from the Archeological Department of Govt. of India is extremely important and surprising and it serves as a guiding lighthouse to advance this research paper. A record can be found on the third floor of Qutub Minar which reads ‘पिरथी निरप: स्तम्भ, मलिकदीन कीरतिस्तम्भ सुलत्राण उल्लाउद्दीन की जय स्तम्भ ।‘.

In ‘पिरथी निरप:’, only the mention of King Pruthviraj Chouhan is intended, whose rule was from 1175 to 1193. This record proves all the claims about the construction by Muslim rulers as false. As per the opinion of famous archeologist and judge R. B. Kanwar Sen this ‘Jai stambh (Pillar of a Victory)’ which is an excellent example of Hindu architecture, was built by Emperor Vishaldev Vigraharaj, a descendent of Chouhan dynasty, during his victory of Delhi. Another inscription can be found on the 5th floor entrance of Qutub Minar. It refutes the false claims of all Muslim rules and conveys the real name of the building. Therefore, this inscription is most important and it can be clearly read even today.

‘ओ स्वस्ति श्री सुरित्राण फेरोजशाहि विजयराते संवत् १४२५ वरिष्ठ फाल्गुण सुदि ५ शुक्रदिने मुकरो जीर्णाेद्धार कृतं श्री विश्वकर्माप्रासादे सुत्रधारी चाहडदेवपाल सुतदोहित्र सुत्रपाल: प्रतिष्ठा निष्पातित उदैगज ९२’

In the above inscription Qutub Minar is addressed as the ‘Vishvakarma Prasad’. With this it is clear that this huge building was not considered to be the creation of Muslims until the end of 14th century AD and till the ruling of Firozshah Tughlaq, on the contrary it was considered as a Hindu building. The son of Chahad-devpal, K Dohitra did the restoration and instating of this building on 14th February 1370.

 

10. Elegant design of Qutub Minar akin to the surface of Meru or the petals of lotus in Shriyantra is an exceptional example of Hindu architecture !

From the architectural point of view, if one climbs to the iron pillar on the top floor of Qutub Minar and looks down like a bird, then one is able to see the elegant design of Qutub Minar in the form of surface of Meru or the Shriyantra like petals of lotus. There is a 16 yards deep and 16 yards wide lotus shaped atrium at the bottom. Then one can view one lotus emerging from another and thereafter the 3rd, 4th, and 5th lotuses. This is an incomparable example of the Hindu architecture. The 12 directions of Qutub Minar denote the 12 rashi (Zodiac signs) and 7 parts denote the 7 heavens. Some intellectuals have modeled this Qutub Minar as per the model of Mount Meru as per Bhagvat Mahapuran and have mapped the distance in the unit of ‘Yojan’ (Distance of about 8 miles) with the unit of yards in the shlokas (Holy verses).

 

11. Verses from Quran being engraved on all four sides of Merustambh to give it an appearance of Islamic structure

In Arabic language, the pole star is called as ‘Qutub’ and pillar is called as ‘Minar’. In Sanskrut language, the ‘Dhruv’ is also called as ‘Meru’. At the end, Qutub Minar is Arabic translation of Merustambh itself. To prove that it is an Muslim creation, Muslims engraved verses from Quran and false praises of Muslim sultans on all four sides of Merustambh. However, Muslim historian Sir Sayyid has honestly written in ‘Asar-us-Sanadid’ that this Minar is not a creation of Muslims but a Hindu bhavan (Mansion) built in the era of Rajput rulers. As per Hindu architecture, entrance of each Hindu Temple is East facing and the idols of the Deities in the temple are placed in the direction of sunrise. As per Muslim architecture, entrance of the mosques is always West facing, in addition, Muslim architecture is based on the rule that ‘A Muslim will always face towards the direction of Kaaba (towards West) while paying namaz’; whereas Qutub Minar does not face the West.

 

12. Characteristics of an astronomical observatory and principles of shadow prove that Qutub Minar is a Merustambh

So far it is clear that Qutub Minar is not an Islamic building. Identification marks of any of the excellent temples are seen here. One has to follow the pole star in order to know the direction, to locate the constellations, to understand the planets and their unions properly. As per the rules of Astrology, the entrances and windows of all astronomical observatories should face the North. This Minar also faces North, which means it is an observatory.

As per the Astrological principles, the bend or angle of this Minar has been towards the South direction similar to the ancient Jantar Mantar and Karma-klay machine in Delhi. This is the main reason behind the fact that on the longest day which occurs on 21st June, the shadow of this huge Minar does not fall on ground. Experts discovered this and on 21st June 1970, a team of journalists and astrologists inspected it from practical aspects. It was then accepted as truth and the news about these findings were published in many newspapers.

The reason for shadow not falling on earth on 21st June is that, on 21st June the Sun is about 23-30° at the North from median. The latitude of Merustambh is 28°-30°-38°. During the creation of its center line a tilt was given towards the South by 5°-1°-28°. Therefore, its shadow does not fall on earth on that day. On 23rd December, meaning on the shortest day, the shadow of this Minar is observed to be three times longer. On this day, the length of the shadow is recorded to be 280 feet. With this evidence it is clear that Qutub Minar is nothing else but an astronomical observatory of Varahmihir created based on the style of ‘Panchasiddhantika’.

 

13. Merustambh (so called Qutub Minar) is related to Varahmihir in various ways

13 A. Mehrauli is the place where Acharya Varahmihir used to live !

Merustambh is in Mehrauli. Mehrauli is the distorted word. The pure word is, ‘Mihir + Aalay = Mihiralay’, which means that the place in which Acharya Varahmihir used to reside is called as ‘Mihiralay’. The definition given by Dr. D. S. Trivedi is bit different. He believes that the pure word is ‘Mihirawali’. The meaning of ‘Mihir’ is Sun and the meaning of ‘awali’ is queue, the way Deep + Awali = Deepawali. Similarly, the meaning of Mihirawali is, the ‘observatory to view Sun and other constellations’ and over here this is the meaning that is expected. If we get deeper into this then as per the analyst Bharat, the person having the radiant intellect like Sun is called as ‘Mihir’. There must be a unique and exceptional brain in this Universe behind the creation of this glorified observatory that represents exemplary Hindu architecture.

13 B. Merustambh not being created by anyone else other than Varahmihir

On 21st June 1984 my Guru Dr. Bhojraj Dwivedi had inspected Qutub Minar along with his classmate and expert friends Pandit Jagannath Bhasin, Pandit Jagannath Bharadwaj, Pandit Satyaveer Shastri and the great Veer Thulli. They all observed a huge courtyard akin to a dried lake around all the four sides of the Minar. In fact, this pillar was built in the center of a big lake. This was done with the intent that a clear reflection of planets and constellations could be seen in the clear water of this lake at night and similarly during the daytime, the Sun could be observed through its reflection without straining the eyes. Indeed, this planning would not have been done by anyone other than Mihiracharya. Pandit Mayaram has clearly stated that, this observatory only belonged to Varahmihir.

13 C. Merustambh itself being the university and observatory of Varahmihir

One needs to traverse to the highest plateau in the region to calculate the rising and setting time of Sun, Moon and other planets, to view the union of planets and separation, shrinking and conflicts of planets etc. This is the reason behind the height of Qutub Minar being 106 feet. If it was built just as a curiosity or for fun; then it should have definitely had a place or a facility to enjoy in that manner; but this is not the case. This means that this Merustambh itself is the university and observatory of Varahmihir. Process to squad the metals and of Vajralep have been mentioned in the verses 1 to 8 in chapter 57 of the Holy text ‘Bruhat Samhita’ and these procedures did not let the temple courtyards, idols, pillars and wells deteriorate for 10 million years. Probably this technology itself have been followed in (Garud-dhvaj) iron pillar.

13 D. Varahmihir having leveraged various technologies in creating Merustambh

It is mentioned in the verses 10 and 11 of chapter 13 of Panchasiddhantika that, during the 6 longest days in a year when the Sun is at the highest point of the horizon at 12 pm, at that time the shadows of the tallest buildings do not fall on earth. Based on this principle, it was possible to find the longest day of the year through practical examination of the shadows of the buildings that are leaning towards the South by 5°. The mention of this point is not found in any of the ancient Holy texts like Naradsamhita, Gargsamhita, Bruhat Parashar, Horashastra, Brugusamhita, Aaryabhattiya, Satyajatakam, Bruhadyavanajatak, etc., other than by Varahmihir. Varahmihir has used this technique completely while building Merustambh, which has also been proved through actual examinations.

 

14. Merustambh in Mehrauli itself is an observatory of Varahmihir

Varahmihir has described ‘Meruparvat (mount Meru)’ in ‘Panchasiddhantika’ again and again. This Meruparvat could be the Merustambh itself. Also in the Prasaadlakshan chapter of Bruhat Samhita, Varahmihir has at first described the procedure of creating ‘Merupraasad’ (Courtyard of Meru). Architecture expert Guptakal has also proclaimed that no one else yet has been like Varahamihir. This stambh is the creation before the Christ and Varahmihir was born before its creation. Finally, through the medium of this Merustambh we get strong indications of the residence of Varahmihir, his field of work, his technique, his talent and his time frame. Through all these strong evidences, it proves that, Merustambh in Mehrauli itself was an observatory of Varahmihir.’

— Astrologer Dr. Jitendra Vyas, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. (1st October 2012)

(A research paper presented in the 46th ‘All India Oriental Conference’ at Kashmir University, Shrinagar in October 2012)