Qutub Minar is built from the remains of temples : Historian Irfan Habib

Historian Irfan Habib (Credits – OpIndia)

New Delhi – The history of Qutub Minar is etched on Qutub Minar itself. It is made up of the remains of temples. Who knows what’s underneath ? It is said that there is something under the Jama Masjid. Now destroy all such structures. Destroy the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Destroy the Jama Masjid and see what you get, said writer and historian, S. Irfan Habib while talking to the Aaj Tak news channel.

Views presented by Irfan Habib –

Temples were demolished and mosques built

History has never denied that temples were demolished and mosques built. All these things are recorded in history. The claims that everything is being said and known for the first time are fabricated. Once the entire structure is demolished, everything will come out. No need to argue so much. (Why isn’t Habib telling all this to Muslim parties ? – Editor)

Aurangzeb used to demolish temples and build mosques to show his authority

Everything is being said for the first time, this claim is false. Historians have found evidence that temples were razed and mosques built. If you look at history, you will notice that there are many rulings against Aurangzeb, where historians have mentioned that temples were razed and mosques were built in their place.  Aurangzeb used to demolish temples and build mosques to show his authority. (Aurangzeb was razing temples not to show authority, but to attack Hindus and to annoy them, this is true history. – Editor)

There is no Shivling in Gyanvapi Mosque, only a fountain

How can that be Shivling ? How could the Shivling not be destroyed in the Gyanvapi Mosque for 400 years? If the Muslims wanted, they could have destroyed the Shivling, but the Muslims respected and cared for it. (The Mughals could not destroy that Shivling, so they made it a place to wash their hands and feet, it will be a permanent insult, this is history, why doesn’t Habib say that ? – Editor) It’s just a fountain. Fountains will be there in large mosques. The pond around the mosque is for wazoo (washing hands and feet before namaz). Fountains are installed for beautification. (Did fountains exist 400 years ago ? Did they have electricity then ? There is no mechanism for running the fountain near the Shivling in Gyanvapi. Why doesn’t Habib mention this ? – Editor)

Editorial viewpoint

Qutub Minar is not made of any relics, it is the original structure built by a Hindu King. Historians and archaeologists call it the ‘Sun Pillar’. Why doesn’t Habib say that a mosque was built from the remains of 27 temples demolished in this area  ?