The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently informed the Supreme Court about two important old buildings in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. These buildings are special to many Muslim visitors who go there every day to pray at the Ashiq Allah Dargah and Chillagah of Baba Farid, a respected Sufi saint from the 1300s.
In a report to the Supreme Court, the ASI mentioned that an inscription on Shaikh Shahibuddin’s tomb (Ashiq Allah) indicates it was built in 1317 AD. They explained that changes made to these structures for repairs or restoration have changed how we view their history. The ASI noted that this tomb is near the old fort of Prithviraj Chauhan and is within a 200-meter area where special rules apply according to Indian laws for ancient monuments. Any work done here needs permission from the right authorities.
Both sites are popular with visitors. At the Ashiq Dargah, people light lamps hoping for their wishes to come true. They visit Chillagah to rid themselves of bad spirits and negative energy. These places hold deep religious meaning for many people in the community, as stated in the ASI’s report.
The Supreme Court was addressing a request from Zameer Ahmed Jumlana, who is asking for the protection of these historic religious structures, including the 13th-century Ashiq Allah Dargah. He is concerned because the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) plans to demolish these buildings under the claim of removing illegal structures without considering their historical value. Jumlana has taken his case to the Supreme Court after a February 8 ruling by Delhi’s High Court, which said a committee led by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor could look into the situation. Jumlana believes that this committee is not the right place to judge how old these structures really are.
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