 |
| |
The Illustrated London News
August 8, 1857
| THE KOTUB MINAR |
| "This celebrated wonder of the district of Delhi is placed nine miles south of the capital. It is thus described by Mr. Thornton, in his recently-published 'Gazetteer of India':- "It tapers regularly from the base to the cupola, which, according to Franklin, is capable of containing a dozen persons. The exterior is for a great part of the height adorned by fluting, there being twenty-seven projections, alternately round and angular. The column is surrounded by four balconies or galleries, supported by large stone brackets, and having small battlements, which, while they have an ornamental effect, afford some slight security to those who venture on such a giddy footing. |
| "In 1803 the column was injured by lighting and earthquake; and either from the causes, or from the more gradual influence of time, many stones on the west side have been displaced, so as to cause a vertical crack in the staircase and central pillar. A British officer of engineers has repaired the damage to a considerable extent, and has performed the task with great architectural skill. According to Bacon, the undertaking was a very bold one, as a very large portion of the masonry at the base of the pillar must have been removed before the new could be substituted. 'The native masons,' he observes, 'generally a most hardy and adventurous set, were with the greatest possible difficulty brought to put their hands to the labour.'" |