History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c24.21

c24.21

In 1303 'Alāuddīn encamped outside Delhi to give battle to the Mongol invader Targhī. After his success the Sultān built, on the site of his camp, an imperial palace known as the Qasr-i-Hazār Sitūn. This name was given to it because of the large number of pillars utilized in its construction. It is said that while the palace was under construction, a large number of Mongol prisoners of war who had come in the train of Gang, were sent to Delhi by imperial officers. They were trampled to death under the feet of elephants and a tower of their skulls was raised in front of this palace. The Qasr must have been as magnificent and beautiful as the other buildings of 'Alāuddīn; but unfortunately its complete destruction renders it difficult even to locate its site with any amount of certainty.¹¹