Qutb-ud-din Aibak's Tomb

Many would have walked around the busy streets of Anarkali in Lahore buying or window shopping. But perhaps few would have known that in one of the streets of Anakarli Bazaar lies buried Emperor Qutb ud Din Aibak, considered to be the first Muslim ruler of South Asia and builder of the famous Qutab Minar in Delhi, which is considered as the tallest brick minaret in the world.

Qutb-ud-din Aibak was born in Turk family of Central Asia. As a child he was captured sold as a slave, but was lucky to be purchased by one of the chieftains of Nishapur, who treated him like one of his own sons. Aibak received good education and was trained in the field of archery and horsemanship. However, upon death of chief Qazi, he was sold once again by the sons of the dead chief. As the luck would have had it, the famous Muhammad Ghauri bought him and became an instant favourite of his new master because of his exceptional character and qualities. Thereafter, Aibak steadily rose through the ranks and eventually became a General. Like Ghauri, Aibak performed his greatest deeds while still a subordinate.

He was responsible for most of the conquests of Northern India and was appointed as Ghauri’s Viceroy to Delhi. When Ghuri died in 1206, the Turkish Amirs and Generals elected Aibak as the new Sultan. It was he who shifted the capital first from Ghazni to Lahore, and then from Lahore to Delhi, and thus is considered as the first Muslim ruler of South Asia.