[Reader-list] Origin and Growth of Hzt Nizamuddin Basti: 3rd posting

[naveid pasha]

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Giyaspur Se Hazrat Nizamuddin tak
This is the study of the origin and development of a settlement, of the socio-economic factors affecting the lives of the people there. An attempt to understand an Urban Structure, its morphology....

The origin of Nizamuddin is obscure, but it is believed to be the personal territory or domain of Giyas-ud-din Balban (1266-1287), the last of the Slave Kings. It was created along with Lal Kot, the first Muslim capital. Balban named the area Giyaspur after himself. He built the palace called Lal Mahal and the surrounding fortifications.
The next stage of developments is associated with the Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin, a Sufi saint of the Chishti order. He chose the area very near Balban’s palace, a flat piece of land which he called Chabutara Yaran, as his meeting place. Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) built the Jamat Khana mosque as he was a disciple of the saint. The saint made some modifications and additions in the area. He constructed the baoli (stepped well) and extended the existing gateway to relate to the baoli. Both these acts are of mystic significance to the local people, but they also demonstrate a vision which was the key factor for the village’s subsequent growth and development. When he died, he was buried in the Chabutara Yaran, as he had desired in his lifetime. This added to its importance and soon the area acquired a new identity, Nizampur after the saint.
The village gradually developed, more people came and settled and came to be known as Nizamuddin. The village was embellished by subsequent dynasties of kings and important people by buildings. Feroze Tughlak made the Kali Masjid, a semi covered mosque. Other buildings of interest are the tomb of Ataga Khan, the tomb of Telangani and the Chausath Khamba, the tomb of Mirza Aziz Kokantash. Nizamuddin has the most outstanding collection of Islamic Architecture ranging over a period of 700 years. The buildings vary in visual appearance and material, but yet retain homogeneity.
The post Independence period brought a great deal of change to Delhi. The influx of refugees from West Pakistan and there resettlement began the trend of migration to the capital. This rapid rate of population growth caused concern which led to the preparation of the Master Plan for Delhi. The Master Plan declared Nizamuddin a slum to be cleared. The village was red-lined along its existing boundaries, and development proposals were made for the land immediately outside this confined area. The Delhi Development Authority acquired the surrounding land. People relying on the land for agriculture lost their livelihood. The new surrounding development meant that the village could not grow as it had in the past. This led to a marked change in the village structure. The old walls were broken down and new shops were built which opened to the outside. The value of the land in the village increased due to its proximity to central hub of Delhi. This led to demolition of buildings and new high rise construction. This, in turn, caused two new problems: first, the loss of heritage by demolition of buildings, and second, the new buildings spoil the skyline of the historic area. In the past, the size of the building related to their relative importance, resulting in an interesting skyline of domes. The new construction is not only out of scale, but it is also incompatible in the materials used and final visual appearance.
The next series of problems within the village were attributed to the general problems of Delhi, one being that of migration. The Muslims from the rural areas of adjoining states are attracted to Nizamuddin. As it is a Muslim neighbourhood, the new arrivals find it the most appropriate area in which to settle. Many of the monuments and dilapidated buildings provide shelter, which is cheap and inexpensive accommodation.
The other problem relates to large scale building projects in Delhi. The area near the village of Nizamuddin saw the construction of two flyovers, an open air stadium and numerous office blocks and housing complexes. All of these Government projects require massive labour. This scale of construction brings more migrants from the rural areas. As each project takes a considerable period of time, the labourers settle. The population of Nizamuddin grew without control because of the construction projects in the vicinity.