Right here stands the Palam Shiv mandir. This temple echoes with tales from centuries past. Are you ready to explore its story?
Let’s step back in time. Palam village is a relic of Dhilli. Dhilli was founded by the Tomars. The ancient name of Palam is Palamba. Some historians believe Raja Soni founded Sonepat. He was the 13th in descent from Arjuna.
The village thrived during Mohammad bin Tughlak’s reign. The Moorish traveler Ibn Battuta visited in 1333. He stayed in Delhi until 1342. He was appointed Chief Qazi. Battuta described Delhi as magnificent. He noted its mosques and walls were unmatched. He observed the king was repopulating it. This was after his failed capital transfer to Daulatabad. Yet he felt it was almost a desert.
Battuta said the greatest city had the fewest inhabitants. This contrasts with today’s Delhi. It is bursting and extends to remote villages.
One landmark of Palam village is a mosque. It was supposedly constructed by Ghaznafar around 1528 AD. This may be the only Babar reign structure left in Delhi.
The mosque is built of small bricks. It has three arched openings. These lead to a small prayer chamber. Small minarets with domes sit on the roof’s corners. Persian and Arabic inscriptions exist. They give the construction date as 935AH.
It is believed Ghaznafar rebuilt the mosque. Or another masjid existed in the village. This called for inspection by Ibn Battuta. His travelogue gives an honest account of Mohammad Tughlak’s reign. Batuta was a keen observer.
Palam was also known for its baoli or step-well. A Sanskrit inscription dates to 1276. It occurred during Balban’s reign. He was one of the Slave rulers. This suggests Palam was significant then.
Even during Shah Alam II’s rule, Palam was a key suburb. The saying went: Sultanat-e-Shah Alam, Az Dilli ta Palam. This meant Shah Alam’s empire stretched from Delhi to Palam. This was a poignant remark about the blind emperor’s domain.
Today Palam Shiv mandir stands as a reminder. It connects us to Palam’s rich history. It shows us its spiritual significance. May your visit bring you peace and reflection.