Hijron Ka Khanqah

Hijron ka Khanqah
Hijron Ka Khanqah – Wall Mosque and Tombs
Religion
AffiliationIslam
DistrictNew Delhi
ProvinceDelhi
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMosque and Tombs
LeadershipSikander Lodi
Year consecrated15th century
Location
LocationNew Delhi
CountryIndia, India
Hijron Ka Khanqah is located in Delhi
Hijron Ka Khanqah
Shown within Delhi
Hijron Ka Khanqah is located in India
Hijron Ka Khanqah
Hijron Ka Khanqah (India)
TerritoryDelhi
Geographic coordinates28°31′19″N 77°10′43″E / 28.52194°N 77.17861°E / 28.52194; 77.17861
Architecture
TypeMosque and Tomb
MaterialsSandstone

Hijron Ka Khanqah is an Islamic monument located in Mehrauli, South Delhi, India. The literal meaning of Hijron ka Khanqah is a "Sufi spiritual retreat for eunuchs", with the word hijron (plural of hijra) more widely referring to a specific community of transgender women throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the many monuments located in the Mehrauli village within the Archeological Park. It is maintained well by the Hijras of Turkman Gate, in Shahjahanabad (present day Old Delhi) who are in possession of this 15th-century monument since the 20th century.[1][2][3]

Hijron Ka Khanqah is a pre-Mughal, Lodi period, monument dated to the 15th century known for the serene atmosphere that exists at the monument where some eunuchs of Delhi were buried during the Lodi dynasty's reign.[1][2][3] It is also said that Hijras of Turkman Gate who own this monument now visit the place on religious days to distribute food to the poor.[2]

Khanqah is Persian word. It connotes a religious edifice where Muslims of Sufi religious order assemble to achieve spiritual peace and character building.[4]

  1. ^ a b Peck, Lucy (2005). Delhi -A thousand years of Building. New Delhi: Roli Books Pvt Ltd. p. 234. ISBN 81-7436-354-8. Retrieved 25 July 2009. Page 234: --narrow entrance to the Hijron ka Khanqah (15th c) on the left. This wall mosque dates from the Lodi period but became the burial ground for the Delhi eunuchs. It is beautifully maintained and is surprisingly tranquil place, just off the main road {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c Mehta, Vinod (2006). Delhi & NCR City Guide. Outlook Publishing (India)Private Limited. p. 317. ISBN 81-89449-04-4. ;;;This is a Lodi period Mosque and Khanqah or convent, which in the early twentieth century came under the possession of the hijras or the eunuch community of the Tukman gate area in Shahjahanabad. The Hijras still possess it and visit Mehrauli on religious occasions to distribute langar to the poor. The Khanqah also has tombs of several Hijras including one said to be of a hijra known only as Miyan Saheb. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b Aparna Das. "Retreating into the Sufi's shadow". Express India. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  4. ^ "Khanqah". Kosmix. Retrieved 1 August 2009.[permanent dead link]