Malcha Mahal
2022 MAY 3
Preliminary >
Art and Culture > Architecture > Archaeological sites
Why in news?
- The Delhi government is about to renovate the 14th century monument Malcha Mahal.
About Malcha Mahal or Wilayat Mahal:
- It was built in 1325 by the then Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
- It was a Tughlak era hunting lodge in the Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi
- It later became the residence of the descendants of the Nawab of Awadh.
- It came to be known as Wilayat Mahal after the self-proclaimed "Begum Wilayat Mahal" of Awadh, who claimed to be a member of the Royal family of Oudh who was reportedly given the place by the Government of India in May 1985
About Feroz Shah Tughlaq:
- He was the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty that ruled over Delhi from 1320 to 1412 AD.
- Feroz Shah Tughlaq was in power from 1351 to 1388 AD.
- He was the one who started the imposition of Jaziya.
- ‘Jaziya' or 'Jizya' implies a per capita yearly taxation historically levied in the form of financial charge on permanent non-Muslim subjects of a state governed by Islamic law to fund public expenditures of the state.
- He provided the principle of inheritance to the armed forces where the officers were permitted to rest and send their children to the army in their place. However, they were not paid in real money but by land.
- The British called him the ‘father of the irrigation department’ because of the many gardens and canals that he built.
PRACTICE QUESTION:
Consider the following statements regarding ‘Malcha Mahal’:
1. It was a Tughlak era hunting lodge located in Deccan region
2. It was built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
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
Answer