This is the dargah or shrine of a Central Asian mystic by the name of Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, who was the disciple and successor of Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. Bakhtiyar Kaki was a prominent Sufi saint who spread the message of love in pre-Mughal Delhi, and his shrine in Mehrauli is revered by thousands to this day. The area is a royal necropolis today, since many later royals chose to be buried near the saint. The marble domes on the left are part of the Moti Masjid, built by later Mughal king Bahadur Shah I.
It is believed that the Qutb Minar was named after this saint of Mehrauli.
Thanks to Shalabh for this lovely photograph!
To learn more about this series and see more pictures of this incredible city, check out this link.
A Date With Delhi 
wonderful…i did not know about this ..even after living in this city and visiting mehrauli for so many times!!
http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
Sushmita,, it’s a complex worth visiting, for there’s not just the Dargah which is interesting. You’ll find graves of many royals, the Moti Masjid, and remains of Bahadur Shah’s summer palace, called Zafar Mahal.
Loved the compo and mood in the pictures!!
Thank you Dheeraj, and welcome to this blog 🙂
The shrine is quite old. It has been mentioned in Ibn Battuta’s memoirs.
Qutb means ‘axis’ or ‘pivot’ in Arabic. Every Sufi congregation had a ‘qutb’- a leader the local mystics could turn to for spiritual and religious guidance. Qutbuddin( qutb ul deen- pivot/axis of the ‘deen’ or faith) was one such ‘qutb’ who was active in Delhi. He received the appellation kaaki on account of the silver pieces called ‘kaak’ he distributed to the poor. Bakhtiyar Kaaki is considered by many to be the guardian saint of Delhi.
Thanks, Naushirvan, for the interesting information you’ve added for our readers. Didn’t know the meaning of ‘Qutb’- fascinating!