KUTUB MINAR AND MONUMENTS AROUND IT

a)
Unknown Photographer
Great Arch and Iron Pillar at the Kutub Minar
Circa 1890s
Silver gelatin mounted on card
8.6 x 11 in (21.5 x 27.5 cm)

Frontal view of an ornately carved stone arch in ruins and a slender pillar topped with a decorated capital.

This photograph shows the screen of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. The screen, which is often referred to as the 'Great Arch', is 6.7 metres wide and 16 metres high. An inscription on the central arch states that it was built in 1199 by Qutbuddin Aibak.

It was one of the first Islamic monuments to be built by Hindu craftsmen in India. The craftsmen used the traditional method of laying blocks of stone horizontally and rounding the sides of individual stones to create the curve of the arch. The screen was ornately decorated with carved calligraphy and repeating scroll-like designs.

The pillar on the left is made of pure iron. It is 7.2 metres high (93 cm of which is below ground) and was brought to this spot from elsewhere. It carries a Sanskrit inscription which records that it was erected by King Chandra, a devotee of the god Vishnu. The king has now been identified as Chandragupta II (AD 375-413) and the pillar is dated to the 4th century. (V & A Museum)

b)
Unknown Photographer
Kutub Minar Showing Inscriptions on Kutub Minar
Circa 1870s
Albumen print mounted on card
11 x 8.6 in (27.5 x 21.5 cm)

c)
Unknown Photographer
Hindu Temple and Colonnade near Kutub Minar
Negative number 154
Circa 1870s
Albumin print mounted on card
8.5 x 11 in (21.2 x 27.5 cm)

d)
Unknown Photographer
Kutub Minar, Full View
Circa 1870s
Albumin print mounted on card
10 x 7.5 in (25 x 18.7 cm)

e)
Unknown Photographer
Ala-Ud-Din's Gate, Delhi, Near Kutub Minar
Signed in negative number 64 Ala-ddin's Gate, Delhi
Circa 1890s
Silver gelatin mounted on card
8.5 x 11.5 in (21.2 x 28.7 cm)

(Set of five)

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be shipped unframed and will be sold in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each photograph.