Tomb of Alauddin Khilji: Desolate, simple and a reminder that power does not accompany you after death.

Delhi has so many beautiful tombs of lesser mortals than the most powerful ruler of his time namely Alauddin Khilji.

In the entire history of Islamic rule in India Alauddin Khilji was one of the most powerful ruler and he extended his dominion all over the country. His administration was harsh in punishments and he created even Chor Minar to hang the heads of those who were killed as punishment.

He was so ambitious that he wanted to create a tower of the double the size of the Qutub Minar and he even started the work on his project. Today his incomplete Minar in the complex lies in ruins, only one storey of which had been created in his life time. Obviously nobody followed on his work. His creations Alai Darwaza of course is beautiful structure of his time and one of the mosque he built at Nizamuddin also shows his capabilities. 

His tomb at the Qutub complex is one of the simplest tomb anywhere in Delhi and does not do justice to his name and fame and stature. 

When you look at his simple grave you get reminded that life is a great leveller and it is not necessary that your work and power succeed your death. Today he lies totally neglected and it is seen that thousands of visitors who flock to the Qutub complex most of them do not find it worthwhile to even have a look at his tomb.

To me this tomb and the adjacent Alai Madarsa which he created to spread Islamic learning is very important and I spent quite a bit of time there during my last visit. 

The mighty hero of his time virtually lies in utter neglect in the magnificent heritage of Qutub complex.