Musharraf's visit to Qutub Minar, a truly memorable affair

A visit to Qutub Minar was the last item on the itinerary of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf before leaving for Karachi today, and the best came in the end for it was not only pleasurable, emotional and awe-inspiring, but also took him back to alleys of history, when it was just one united India. After completion of official business in the country, the organisers of Gen Musharraf's visit to India had left viewing of the highest brick minaret of the world, the last item on his agenda before leaving for Pakistan. What went into this reasoning is difficult to say, but it worked out quite well. His visit to India, where he was born, became truly memorable.

This was apparent from the General's body language, for he was completely relaxed and seemed to enjoy every moment of his time at the Qutub Minar, While the General had visited the country several times before in his life, it was the first time that he was seeing the Qutub Minar.

It had a telling effect on him. ''I always wanted to see Qutub Minar. But last time when I came to India, I didn't get enough time to visit the monument. This time when I could find time, I made it a point to come here,'' Gen Musharraf told a large number of reporters, who were there to cover his visit to the famed monument. From Taj Palace, where he was staying, to Qutub Minar, the route was dotted with high security personnel. Shops on the roads leading to the minaret were shut down for security reasons. The General, who arrived in a cavalcade, was at the Minar for about half-an-hour. Despite the fact that the General arrived at 1300 hrs, the weather was pleasent. While the sun shone bright, there was a pleasent breeze. It is spring time in India, when flowers blossom. The Minar itself was closed to the public some years ago. The General went around the lush green lawns surrounding it, admired everything around him and appeared a little disappointed that it was time for him to leave. There is an old famous Punjabi saying: "that one who has not seen Lahore, is as good as not being born at all." The quote was probably coined when Pakistan and India were one country. But now they are two separate entities. What is true of Lahore also holds good for Qutab Minar. Anyone on a visit to Delhi, would miss something quite remarkable if he did not see the Qutub. Even in night when it is lit and all doors to the monument are closed, people go there to see its enthralling beauty. In fact, it is linked to the very essence of what India's capital stands for-- its grandiose monuments and its rich history being central to it. Qutub-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation for Qutub Minar in 1199 AD and his successor and son-in-law Shamsu'd-Din- Iitutmish completed the structure by adding three more storeys. Standing at 72.5 meters, it is the highest stone tower in India. Its base diameter is 14.3 meters and its top diameter is 2.7 meters. It has 379 steps leading to its top storey. The lower three storeys are made using red sand stone and the top two with marble and sand stone. There are many tales about the reason the Qutub Minar was built.

Some say that it was constructed as tower of victory to declare the might of Islam. Some others hold the view that it might have been used as a tower for defence. Quwwat-ul-Islam, a mosque constructed by Qutub-ud-din in 1198, is part of the Qutub complex. The cavalcade later left for the IGI Airport, where Gen Musharraf left by a chartered flight for Karachi. The motorcade and the manner in which it moves appears to carry with it the legacy of the British empire. This is the strange saga of life. For some, the best is reserved for the end.

-- (UNI) -- 09DI32.xml

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