Page:The Architecture of Ancient Delhi Especially the Buildings Around the Kutb Minar 1872 by Henry Hardy Cole.djvu/122

 So The Kuib Minar. only contain verses from the Koran. The first story contains six bands ; but the letters in the first one have become obliterated, and when repairs were effected a correct restoration was not made. Only this can be recognised by Syud Ahmed : " Amir-ul- Amra Sipah, Salar Juliliil Kubir ;" ' and these are the recognized titles of Kutb-ud-din, so that probability is thus lent to the assertion that the base of the tower was commenced by him. The second band speaks in terms of praise of Mozuffur, Moiz-ud-din, Muhammad Bin Sam. The occurrence, here and in the fourth line, of this name, which is that of Kutb-ud- din's sovereign master, is quite in accordance with this theory. The third line contains verses from the Koran. In the fourth line is set forth the praise of Moiz-ud-din Abulmozuffur Maha mm ed Bin Sam. The fifth line consists of the ninety-nine names of " God Almighty." The sixth bine contains verses from the Koran. Although it is reasonable to assume that Kutb-ud-din commenced the basement of the Minar, the great work of completing it fell to the share of his brother-in-law Altamsh and the column is consequently connected with his name in particular. On the entrance-doorway facing the north is written : — " The Minar of Sultan Shams- ud-din Altamsh, having been injured, was repaired during the reign of Sikunder Shah son of Bahlol, by Futeh Khan, son of Khawas Khan in a. h. 909 = 1503 a. d." In the second story there are two bands. The first line contains the name and praise of Sultan Sharus-ud-din Altamsh. The second fine contains verses from the Koran respecting the summons to prayer on Friday. Over the doorway facing the west, outside the first gallery, is written, " That Sultan Shams-ud-din ordered the completion of the Building." T) ., There is one band inscription in the third compartment which contains the praise of 1 Thomas's " Pathan Kings of Delhi," page 2-t. "There is a further record of his active participation in the erection of these buildings, on the defaced lower hand of the Minar immediately over the foundation course where his recognised titles are still legible." Second St iry.