Rao Petarah's Temple, Delhi 1858

Photograph of Rao Petarah's Temple, Delhi, taken by Dr. John Murray in 1858. The photograph shows a section from the Quwwat al-Islam mosque, part of the complex in South Delhi that includes the Qutb Minar. The complex was first begun by Qutb-u’d-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty, and was added to by many subsequent rulers. The Quwwat al-Islam mosque was built in 1192. Inscriptions record that spolia from 27 Jain and Hindu temples that were torn down for its creation. Pillars from the destroyed temples were reused and the Hindu images were plastered over with geometric designs. Over time, the plaster has fallen away revealing the original Hindu carvings. This may explain why the caption refers to the building as a temple instead of a mosque created out of Hindu architectural material.

Source: British Library

Iron Pillar at Qutb Minar Complex, Delhi - 1858

Photograph of Iron Pillar in the Qutb Minar complex in Delhi from 'Murray Collection: Views in Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad and Benares' taken by Dr. John Murray in 1858 after the Uprising of 1857. The Qutub Minar complex was initiated by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Slave Dynasty in Delhi (1206-90), to celebrate the onset of Islamic rule in India in 1192. The Iron Pillar, with a height of 7.2 m and diameter of 32 cm, is dated to the Gupta period with Sanskrit inscriptions from the 4th or 5th century. This pillar was taken from a Vishnu temple and placed at this site before the construction of the complex. The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, in the background, contained within the complex is one of the earliest extant in India and is a fine example of Islamic architecture employing Islamic principles of accurate construction and geometric ornamentation, but utilising Indian building traditions.

Source: British Library

Jumma or Jama Masjid, Delhi - 1858

Photograph of Jami Masjid in Delhi from 'Murray Collection: Views in Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad and Benares' taken by Dr. John Murray in 1858 after the Uprising of 1857. Jami Masjid, in the background, was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1666) between 1650-1656 and based on the architectural style of Agra's Jami Masjid (c.1648). "Three bay-wings flanking the central domed chamber of the prayer hall are here preceded by two continuous galleries separated by the transverse block of the central pishtaq (high portal). The front corners of the prayer hall are accentuated by two high minarets crowned in the typical Mughal fashion by domed chhatris (umbrella shaped pavilions)."

Source: British Library

Water Gate of Red Fort, Delhi - 1858

Photograph of Water Gate in Delhi from 'Murray Collection: Views in Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad and Benares' taken by Dr. John Murray in 1858 after the Uprising of 1857. The Water Gate, the south eastern gate to the Red Fort or Lal Qila, was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1658) for his new city Shahjahanabad. The Water Gate was another entrance to the fort.

Source: British Library

St. James's Church - Delhi 1858

Photographer: Robert and Harriet Tytler
Source: British Library
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