Anang Tal Lake

Why in news?

• The Anang Tal lake has been declared a Monument of National Importance through a gazette notification by the Ministry of Culture.

About Anang Tal Lake:

• It is located in South Delhi. The lake is situated to the north of Jog Maya temple and approximately 500 metres to the northwest of Qutub Complex.
• The lake is claimed to have been built by a Tomar King, Anangpal II in 1060 AD.
• The lake is said to have been a place of a general resort, but now it is dried up and used for cultivation.
• It is also said Alauddin Khalji, in 1296-1316 AD, utilised the water of this tank when he built (Qutub) minar and extended the Qutub-ul-Islam mosque.

About Anangpal Tomar:

• Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
• He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually became Delhi.
  • Evidence about the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of Masjid Quwaatul Islam, adjacent to Qutub Minar.
• Multiple inscriptions and coins suggest Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of present-day Delhi and Haryana in between the 8th-12th centuries.
• He had built the city from ruins and under his supervision, Anang Tal Baoli and Lal Kot were constructed.
• Anangpal Tomar II was succeeded by his grandson Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • Delhi Sultanate was established in 1192 after Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat in the Battle of Tarain (present-day Haryana) by the Ghurid forces.

How national monuments are declared?

• Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958, National Monuments are the ancient monuments and all archaeological sites and remains which have been declared to be of national importance by:
  • The Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Act, 1951
  • Section 126 of the State Reorganization Act, 1956
  • Declared by the Central Government through notification in the official gazette

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements:

1. Anangpal II is known to have established and populated Delhi in the 11th century.

2. Anangpal II was defeated in the Battle of Tarain by the Ghurid forces

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

                               A

">Answer