Tughlaq-era Dam structure - Satpula

Context: Satpula is located east of the Khirki Masjid, that is integral to the compound wall of the medieval fourth city of the Jahanpanah in Delhi.

About Satpula: 

• Built in 1340 by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq (1325-1351) of the Tughlaq dynasty, the dam served two purposes:
  • Providing a reliable source of water for irrigation, and acting as a defence against possible intruders (such as Mongol invasions). 
  • Served as a boundary wall for Jahapanah, the fourth city of Delhi.
• The dam got its name from the seven arches through which water used to flow from a canal originating from the Aravalli. 
• During British rule, the stream over which the dam was built was diverted, which reduced the water body to a mere drain flowing on one side.
• Spiritual significance: 
  • Sufi saint Nasiruddin Mahmud (popularly known as Chirag Dehlavi/Chirag-e-Dilli) used to live nearby.
  • People used to believe that the canal water had healing properties.
  • For centuries, the area used to host a Diwali mela.
• Why was the dam built?
  • During the rule of Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, the economic conditions of the Delhi Sultanate was in distress: 
    • Due to very high expenses incurred on the war campaign in Deccan.
    • Also, due to the Sultan establishing his southern capital at Daulatabad (in 1329). 
    • Between 1334 and 1344, repeated droughts caused famines, adding to the suffering of the people.
  • Urgent solutions had to be found. 
    • One of the viable options planned was of building the Satpula, the seven arches bridge or gate-controlled dam, to tap the water resources of the local  stream feeding the Yamuna River.
    • This brought large areas of land under controlled irrigated agriculture to grow food crops. 
• Structure:
  • Built using quartz (stone found in the Aravalli).
  • It has been constructed in stone masonry.
  • The eleven bays consist of eleven water tunnels and these are located at different levels, with seven main bays at the lowest level.
  • When built, wooden vertical gates made of heavy boards were operated by a rope and pulley arrangement to control flow of water. 
• It connected four principal cities: the Qila Rai Pithora, Siri, Tughlaqabad, and Jahanpanah. 

About Khirki Masjid: 

• Built by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah, the prime minister of Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351–1388). 
• It is constructed in Jahanpanah city. 
• There are no specific inscriptions on the Mosque on its construction date. The name of the builder is inscribed on the eastern gate of the Mosque as 'Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah'. 
• Structure: 
  • There are four open courtyards encircled by arcades.
  • The main gate, leading to the qibla on the western wall, has a projecting mihrab.
    • Qibla wall is the wall in a mosque that faces Mecca.
    • Mihrab is a niche in the qibla wall indicating the direction of Mecca
  • Arch windows with perforated screens or jalis  known as ‘Khirkis’, are seen on the second floor.
  • The mosque's walls are of rubble masonry construction with plastered surface on the outside. 

Seven Cities of Delhi: 

• Indraprastha:
  • As per the mythology, the city of Indraprastha, which is believed to be around the Purana Qila area, was founded by the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata.
  • Mentioned in ancient texts like the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
  • Buddhist texts mention Indraprastha as Indapatta. 
• Qila Rai Pithora:
  • Anangpal Tomar founded Delhi of Lal Kot in 1052.
  • Chauhan kings of Ajmer conquered Lal Kot in 1180 and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora.
• Siri:
  • It was built by Alauddin Khilji and expanded by subsequent rulers.
  • He constructed Siri between 1297 and 1307 to defend India and Delhi against Mongol raids.
  • Structures inside the Siri fort: Hauz Khas reservoir; Hazar Sultan palace.
  • Subsequent rulers expanded the city with other urban centres like Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, and Firozabad.
• Tughlaqabad:
  • Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq founded the fortified city of Tughlaqabad in the 14th century.
  • Walled city included seven rainwater tanks.
• Jahanpanah:   
  • The fourth city of Delhi established in 1326–1327 by Muhammad bin Tughlaq.  
  • To address the constant threat of the Mongols, the Sultan, built the fortified city of Jahanpanah, which subsumed the Adilabad fort and also all the establishments lying between Qila Rai Pithora and Siri Fort.
  • Partially surviving structures: Bijay Mandal, Begumpur Mosque, Serai Shaji Mahal, Lal Gumbad, Baradari.
  • The accounts of Ibn Battuta’s mention that, Lal Kot (Qutb complex) was then the urban area and Siri was the military cantonment.
• Firozabad:
  • Built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, near the Yamuna River. 
  • Included Firoz Shah Kotla.
• Sher-garh or Purana Qila:
  • Humayun built the city of Dinpanah. 
  • But he was ousted by the Suri Dynasty in the Battle of Chausa and the Battle of Kannauj.
  • Sher Shah Suri demolished it and renamed it Shergarh or Dilli Sher Shahi.
  • It is known as Purana Qila now.
• Shahjahanabad:
  • Shahjahanabad was founded by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
  • Famous monuments: Red Fort and the Jama Masjid.

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