It was built during the Tughlaq dynasty in the 14th Century. It served as a multi-purpose building: as a dam which had wooden gates that could be lowered and pulled up by pulleys to stop or allow the water flow as per need. This water was thought to have magical healing powers; Roshan Chirag used it for his prayers. It was an important defence structure as well where archers used to lie waiting for the enemy. It was also a part of the wall which joined the cities of Lalkota and Siri to form the city Jahanpanah.

The place, an important part of our heritage, is falling to pieces. If the monument is not repaired, we would lose a significant part of our history. Later we visited the Khirki Mosque built in 1380 AD. It was named so as it had several khirkis (windows) there. It is the largest of the covered mosques in Delhi. The western wall is blank as it faces Mecca. The roof was made of four parts.

We must urge the authorities to repair them and also stop defacing them.
RACHITA GARG, VIII-A

A walk to the past
We were taken to the Khirki Village which is at Saket but there were no sign-boards and no proper entrance. It was a well-fortified area built by Mohammad Tughlaq around the 14th Century, which was earlier two cities — Siri and Lalkota. Under the threat of Mongols he built a fortified wall of Jahanpanah and a room for guards to protect the fort. The construction was very different and included materials like limestone mixed with mortar to make it strong. Adjacent to the room were seven bridges through which water passed and flowed into the dam, which is now a huge dry pit. Sufi saint Roshan Chirag Dehli used to pray in the water. People believed the water to be sacred. There was also a large mosque which has 85 domes. It was abandoned years ago.

... contd.