Kos Minars

The Kos-minars, erected during reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir are the earliest known examples of the 'road milestones' in the Indian History. In 1619 AD, Emperor Jahangir ordered Bakir Khan, the Fauzdar of Multan, to erect a minaret at every Kos (a distance of 2 miles and approximately 3.22 kms.) on the old imperial route. Kos-minars are plastered solid bricks structures standing on a square platform. Each minar soars from a tapering octagonal base.

Kos Minars became an institution during the rule of the Mughals that Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan, following in their predecessor’s footsteps added to the existing network of Kos Minars. In the north they were extended as far as Peshawar and in the east to Bengal via Kannauj. Over the years these road monuments have gone into a state of disrepair and are almost lost in obscurity. Along India's old highways, particularly the Grand Trunk Road, one still finds Kos Minar.

There is a huge market around the tower and hawkers are in continuous effort to take over the land. Thus, the tower is declared as a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act. The monument has been cleaned and renovated but further conservation is needed.