Chor Minar also known as "Tower of Thieves" is a minaret located about 200m southeast of the Idgah. It is situated near the Aurobindo Marg in Hauz Khaz area of the south of Delhi. It is a rubble built tapering tower that rises from a stand. It is also provided with a staircase in its interior. Chor Minar probably has been built during the Khaliji period. The monument has more than 200 holes in it. This makes the name of the structure more significant. It was construction by the Ala-ud-din Khilji of the Khiliji Dynasty. The Chor Minar, thus, represents the architectural style of the Khilji style.
According to the history Chor Minar is the place where the heads of thieves (chor), who were caught and beheaded, used to be placed in these holes for the loyal people to see. It was done to discourage others from engaging in theft. However, there are some people who say that the heads were displayed for the Mongolian people who had settled down here with the Khilji ruler. The Mongolian settled down in a nearby region of Delhi that is presently known as `Mongolpuri". It is said that about 8000 Mongol prisoners were executed in the year 1305 during the raid of Ali beg and Traghi and their heads were displayed here.
It took almost 3 decades for the construction of Chor Minar. It is said that it was favourite place of the rulers of the Khilji Dynasty for the execution of the prisoners who were captured for commitment of crime. Presently the Chor Minar in modern Hauz Khas is in a dilapidated state due to demolition and encroachments. It is for this reason that the building and the 200 holes are in damaged state. During various wars and invasion the structure was greatly damaged by the foreign rulers.
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