The Dargah Qadam Sharif or Shrine of the Holy Foot
Author: Metcalfe, Sir Thomas Theophilus (1795-1853)
Medium: Ink and colours on paper
[From 'Reminiscences of Imperial Delhi’, an album consisting of 89 folios containing approximately 130 paintings of views of the Mughal and pre-Mughal monuments of Delhi, as well as other contemporary material, with an accompanying manuscript text written by Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe (1795-1853), the Governor-General’s Agent at the imperial court. Acquired with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund and of the National Art-Collections Fund.]
The Durgah Qudum Shureef or Shrine of the Holy Foot is situated about one mile to the N.W. of Dehly. It is so denominated from a Slab within the Building said to bear the impression of the Foot Print of the Mohummudan Prophet Mahomet.
The Tradition is that in the time of the Emperor Feroze Shah about five centuries ago, a celebrated Devotee and a Disciple of the Emperor’s was deputed to Mecca (to which all true Mohummudans are bound to make one Pilgrimage, if they hope for Salvation) to obtain from the Caliph of that place a Khillut or Dress of Honor.
The Boon was granted, and in addition as a mark of high consideration the Slab in question was also consigned to the care of the Devotee.
[The Dargah Qadam Sharif or Shrine of the Holy Foot. The tomb of was built by Freoz Shah Tughlaq (r.1351-88) for himself, but when his son Fateh Khan died in 1374, he interred him in the tomb. Over the grave of the Prince was a stone bearing a footprint (qadam) of the prophet, which according to tradition was brought to India for Firoz Shah Tughlaq, by his spiritual guide.]
Inscribed: naqsha-i dargah-i qadam-i sharif ast. Mazhar ‘Ali Khan.
It was brought to Dehly. The Emperor and all his Nobles proceeded to a Distance of 15 Miles from the City to do Honor to this precious Relic. It was escorted with much Pomp and finally deposited by order of the Emperor in the Royal Treasury. Subsequently, the Prince Futteh Khan, a son of the Emperor having been permitted to select from the Treasury what he deemed most Valuable, claimed possession of the Relic. The Emperor refused to bestow it, considering it as his own exclusive Property but decreed that is should be placed over the Remains of the one who should first demise.
To the Prince’s lot it fell and the Emperor fulfilled his Promise and around the Grave has arisen this celebrated Shrine commenced by