| Firoz Minar | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | Tower |
| Etymology | Named afterSaifuddin Firuz Shah |
| Location | Gaur,West Bengal, India |
| Nearest city | Malda |
| Coordinates | 24°52′25″N88°07′50″E / 24.8737°N 88.1305°E /24.8737; 88.1305 |
| Height | 26 metres (85 ft) |
| Built | 1489 |
| Governing body | Archaeological Survey of India |
Firoz Minar (also known asFiruz Minar) (English: Tower of Firoz/Firuz) is a five-storeyed tower situated atGaur,West Bengal, India. It was built by SultanSaifuddin Firuz Shah of theHabshi dynasty between 1485 and 1489. It was built in theTughlaqi style of architecture. Although the first three storeys aredodecagonal, the final two are circular in shape.
Firoz Minor is located one kilometre away from theDakhil Darwaza at the city ofGaur. Gaur is at a distance of 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) from the city ofMalda and is situated at theMalda district in the Indian state ofWest Bengal.[1]
The minar was built by SultanSaifuddin Firuz Shah of theHabshi dynasty. The construction started in 1485 and ended in 1489.[1] Colloquially, the tower is referred to as Pir Asa Mandir and Chiragh Dani.[2] The tower also commemorates Firuz Shah's victories in the battlefield.[3] According to tradition, Firuz Shah threw the chief architect from the topmost storey as he was not satisfied with the minar's height and wanted it to be taller.[4]
The minar resembles theQutb Minar of Delhi.[1] Of the Firoz Minar's five-storeyed structure, the first three stories aredodecagonal and the next two circular in shape.[5] The tower is 26 metres (85 ft) high and its circumference is 19 metres (62 ft).[1] A spiral 73 step staircase leads to its top.[2] Although there was a dome at the topmost storey, it was replaced by a flat roof due to restoration work.[3]
The minar is built inTughlaqi architecture and there areterracotta works on its walls.[1] The tower sits on top of a masonryplinth.[6]