"Build the well here"

Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish of Delhi was a very pious person and a true devotee of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. The word “Iltutmish” derives from the Turkish word “Altotmish” which means the consolidator of power.

Shamsuddin Iltutmish was the son of Ailom Khan, the famous leader of Turkistan. Because of his superior qualities, Shamsuddin Iltutmish was dearly loved by his father. This created jealously in his brothers. The brothers treated Shamsuddin Iltutmish exactly the same way that Hazrat Yusuf (alaihe assalam) was treated by his brothers. One day, the brothers sold Shamsuddin Iltutmish to a horse trader in Bukhara. After being sold several times, Shamsuddin Iltutmish came to Delhi. He was purchased by Qutub uddin Aybak, the then viceroy of Delhi. This is how Shamsuddin Iltutmish came within the corridor of the royal power in Delhi.

Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish ascended to throne in 1210 AD. The Sultan once expressed his desire to build a well. The Sultan, accompanied by his attendants, went around searching for a suitable place to build the well. He selected a place where the “Shamsi well” is currently located. After the Sultan had selected the place, he decided to sleep upon his prayer rug at night to know whether the spot he selected was right.

Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish was blessed with an auspicious dream during the night. In the dream, he saw an individual of great beauty and radiance. The individual was on horseback and was accompanied by other men. The great individual called Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish and asked: “What do you want?” At this the Sultan replied: “I want to build a very big well.” At this time, some one said: “He is the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). Submit your wishes before him.” Hearing this, Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish fell to the blessed feet of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). This is the spot where the shamsi well is currently located. As the horse of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) struck its feet in the dream, water came out immediately from the ground. The Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) then stated: “Oh Shams! Build the well here. This place will produce water of such superior quality that will not be available any where else.”

Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish woke up afterwards. He went to the place and found that water was coming out of the very spot that he had seen in the dream.

Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (rahmatullahi alaihe), the spiritual mentor of Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish, writes in the book “Faoayedus Salekin” that the well brought two distinct blessings. First, the well brought the barakah of the blessed feet of the Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa sallam). Second, the place subsequently came to house the holy graves of some very pious Muslims. The souls of some martyrs have also been reported to have seen here.

Shamsi well was built in 627 Hijri. The well is situated in between two mountains. The entire town gets its water from the well.