Question

Hauz-I-Sultani, built by sultan Iltutmish, was a huge______________
A.Mosque
B.Palace
C.Garden
D.Reservoir

Answer 1

Hint: Hauz-I-Shamsi or Hauz- I- Sultani was built by the Iltutmish sultan in the kingdom of Delhi, near a place called Mehrauli. According to the legends, the decision of making this structure was told by the great prophet Muhammed Nabi in the Sultan’s dream. The monument played a great role in Delhi’s basic necessities for a long time.

Complete answer:
Hauz-I-Shamsi or Hauz- I- Sultani was built over the Shamsi Talab in order to reserve water in the Kingdom by the Great Iltutmish. The name of the structure literally means ‘sunny water tank’. Iltutmish was the ruler of Delhi sultanate in 1230 CE . The structure of the reservoir consisted of a red stone dome situated over twelve huge pillars on the south-west corner of the pond. The water in the tank is believed to be sacred and later multiple graves of Muslim saints were kept there.
According to the popular belief, the concept of water reservoir arrived from a dream in which the sultan was instructed by Muhammed Nabi, other beliefs are surrounded by the same dream, in which saint Khawaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki indicating the same particular location, where the hoof print of Muhammad's horse was imprinted, for the construction of a water tank, over the water tank the structure is known as Jahaz Mahal and this served as the main source of water in the region.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: The domed pavilion (pictured) on top of the structure was constructed by Iltutmish in order to print the footprint of his horse and is situated in the middle of the tank under a double storeyed structure made of red sandstone supported on twelve pillars. It could only be reached by boat (now a foot bridge exists). This pavilion was the site of the original stone on which the footprint of Muhammad's horse was printed. Since then, it has been dropped but replaced by a new one. The water contained in the tank was deemed holy in view of its religious significance. On the outskirts of the reservoir, many prominent emperors and saints have been buried.