Navrang India

entrance, Kathgola Palace, Kathola WB. TripAdvisor

Kathgola (also known as Katgola) is a suburb in the city of Murshidabad, West Bengal and was once the capital of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa during the reign of the Nawabs of Murshidabad.

Kathgola Palace Wikipedia

Kathgola Palace, in Kathgola Gardens is a beautiful, palace steeped in history and is a major tourist attraction. It is frequently featured in many TV serials, media reports, etc. A four-storeyed impressive palatial palace with an ornamented facade, valuable paintings, mirrors and priceless furniture, besides a small pond and a baoli - step well. it was in this palace, a decisive and important political event took place before the battle of Plassey (1757) that put the British East India Company on the pedestal under the clever military leadership of Robert Clive. Years later, this grave event had its repercussions, leading to the complete control over Bengal, part of Bihar and Orissa by the wily British. The British economy that was in doldrums then saw its gradual ascendancy decades later. The same political event taken place here opened the Pandora's box and the Indian political scenario changed drastically marked by complete domination of the English company over the Indian subcontinent in the later centuries, fall of so many rich Indian kingdoms and the emergence of British Imperialism.

Here at Kathola palace, William Watts and Walsh met Mir Jafar, a relative of Nawab of Bengal, three days after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and had discussion concerning payment of money stipulated by them before the battle was fought.

Kathgola Palace, Kathola WB.youtube.com

William Wattsshowalter.blogspot

William Watts (c. 1722 – 4 August 1764) was chief of the Kasimbazar (or Cossimbazar) factory (now West Bengal) of the British East India Company and was quite conversant with Bengali, Hindustani and Persian languages. Robert Clive appointed him as a representative of the company to the Nawab's court at Murshidabad and asked him to hatch a secret plan to overthrow Nawab Siraj Ud Daulah, who was hostile to the company's interests and to install a favourable (puppet) Nawab on the throne. Dissident Amirs of the Murshidabad Durbar,

Mir Jafar(left)and his eldest son,Mir Miranen.wikipedia.org

including Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh and Yar Lutuf Khan were of help to William Watts, as they had poor relationship with Nawab Siraj.

William Watts played a pivotal role in the grand conspiracy to throw Siraj Ud Daulah who was at loggerheads with the English company. On 5 June 1757 he personally visited Mir Jafar and obtained his oath of allegiance before the war. The EIC awarded Watts £114,000 from the Nawab's treasury and made him the Governor of Fort William on 22 June 1758 for the successful execution of the conspiracy with Mir Jafer.

Mir Jafar Ali Khan Bahadur (c. 1691–5 February 1765) conspired with Watts, betrayed Nawab Siraj and became the first Nawab of Bengal with support from the British East India Company. His betrayal and selfishness was widely considered the beginning of British imperialism in India and was a key factor in the eventual British domination of vast areas of the subcontinent. Siraj ud-Daulah, the previous Nawab of Bengal along with his army, were defeated and killed in the Battle of Plassey by the British and Mir Jafer's betrayal was unpardonable.

http://navrangindia.blogspot.in/2014/11/william-watts-whom-robert-clive-made.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathgola

GPO, Cooch Behar, West Bengal. coochbehar.nic.in

http://sapost.blogspot.in

List of Heritage Buildings owned by India Post

Circle

Name of Heritage Building
Bihar

Patna General Post Office, Bhagalpur Head Post Office, Postal Training Centre Darbhanga

Image
Delhi

New Delhi General Post Office,
Image result for new delhi gpo
Delhi General Post Office
Image result for delhi gpo
Himachal Pradesh

Mandi Head Post Office, Chhotta Shimla, Shimla General Post Office, Ambedkar Chowk
Post Office, Kasauli Post Office.
Maharashtra

Mumbai General Post Office, Nagpur General Post Office, Director Accounts Postal Nagpur, Pune General Post Office, Panaji Head Post Office.
Punjab

Amritsar Head Post Office.
Karnataka

Postal Training Centre in Mysore, Divisional Office Bellary, Circle Office in Bangalore.
Kerala

Circle Office in Trivandrum.
Tamilnadu


Chennai General Post Office, Udhagamandalam Head Post Office, Nagapattinam Head
Post Office.
Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi City Post Office, Varanasi Head Post Office, Lucknow General Post Office, Circle Office in Lucknow, Agra Head Post Office.
West Bengal

Return Letter Office in Kolkata,

TripAdvisor

Darjeeling Head Post Office, Cooch Behar Post Office, Kolkata General Post Office, Baruipur Head Post Office, Behrampur Head Post Office, Alipore Head Post Office, Diamond Harbour Head Post Office, Mud Point Post Office, Khejoori Post Office.http://sapost.blogspot.in/2015/05/stamp-issued-on-indian-postal-heritage.html

Ooty among postal
heritage buildings...
but not Chennai G.P.O.
(By Nidhi Adlakha. Based on the blog postings by Vincent D’Souza, V. Sriram, Sridhar Joshi, Sashi Nair, Revathi R. and Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan.)
creation of Cooch Behar Division.
The stamps to be released by the Postal Department
on postal heritage buildings.

Delhi GPO is among the very few buildings of India Post which has been given the status of “Heritage Building” by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is in close proximity to historical Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Opened in 1855, the Post Office was given permanent status in 1865 and it started functioning in the present building in 1885. The land for Delhi GPO was purchased in 1870. The GPO has a floor area of 45,457 sq.ft. It is considered a representative structure of the British period.

There were releases of two special covers during Madras Week, one at the Heritage Lovers’ exhibition organised by D.H. Rao (on left), and the other at the Association of British Scholars’ Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Shimla GPO on the Mall, established in 1883 on the site of a house known as Conny Lodge, is one of the oldest Post Office buildings in the country. During the Raj, Shimla was the summer capital and the GPO acquired pre-eminence due to its crucial role in ensuring effective receipt and despatch of Government mail (“Walayati Dak”).

The GPO building is mainly a timbered structure with a tin roof. It is a three-storey building. An interesting element of its design is six large, hollow pillars of stone and brick that “traversed its height”. Till 1920, firewood was used to warm the building in winter and enable the postal staff to perform their duties. The building is an excellent example of English hill architecture.

On September 21, 1972, a fire on the first floor of the beautiful building burnt most of the old records. The building was soon renovated and its centenary was celebrated in 1983. In 1992 this building was declared one of the country’s Heritage Post Office buildings.

Udagamandalam (Ooty) GPO. www.google.co.in

GPO Cooch Bihar www.google.co.in

Cooch Behar HPO: The Post & Telegraph Office of Cooch Behar State was opened in 1875 under the administrative control of Rangpur Postal Division. The Cooch Behar Post Office initially functioned in the building situated in the Purana Post Office Para. Today, it covers 8893 sq. ft. Maharaja Nriprendra Narayan built the present Head Post Office building and, during his regime, there were one telegraph office and five Post Offices in Cooch Behar State. On bifurcation of Rangpur Division, Jalpaiguri Division was created and, later, the Cooch Behar Division was created on bifurcation of Jalpaiguri Division on April 16, 1979.

GPO Cooch Bihar www.google.co.in

GPO, Cooch Behar, West Bengal. coochbehar.nic.in

Nagpur GPO, considered the mother institution in the Postal Circle of the Central Province, is housed in a majestic Victorian building, once the seat of the erstwhile Postmaster General of CP & Berar. Built on a sprawling 9.5 acre located in the Civil Lines area of the city, the double-storey building was built in 1916-21 with a plinth area of 26,622 sq.ft. The complex also has the Postmaster’s quarters and a huge garden.

The structure is made of load bearing brick walls, steel columns, beams and ribs encased in lime concrete and plastered in lime internally with pitched roof in country tiles and battens. The exteriors make use of exposed bricks (painted red) and buff coloured sandstone. The main structure is flanked by wide verandahs and is provided with Tuscan columns. A Roman arch in the Central Tower topped by a pavilion of 12 columns supports a Clock Tower and a flagmast. The alternating bands of brick and sandstone used at corners give the building its Neo-Georgian touch, but is interspersed with large semicircular stone screens (jalis) reflecting the Eastern stonecraft of India. The clock, which still works, some antique post boxes, its fire-fighting equipment and the mixed styles of architecture make this building unique.
ground floor has pillars and arches in sequence.
Postal heritage buildingsThe pillars on the ground floor have magnificent carvings which enhance its beauty. The first floor of the building has 25 rooms. A stone embedded on the main gate of the GPO dates the construction of the building to 1929-1932.
... but not Chennai G.P.O.
http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2020%20No%2010/ooty-among-postal-heritage-buildings.html

The idol of Sarawati in a procession/travel.manoramaonline.com

Above image: The festivities officially begin with three deities – Saraswathi, Kumaraswami and Munnuttinanka setting out on a three-day journey, covering 60km to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala from Padmanabhapuram palace, now in Tuckalay, Tamil Nadu. At Navaratri Mandapam, the deities will be kept for nine days and after the festival, they will be reverentially brought back to Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari district ...................

Goddess Saraswathi on the elephant, Kumaraswami and Munnuttinanka follow on palanquins. Photo: Rinku...

Read more at: http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/essential-kerala/two-states-three-gods-faith-navarathri-thiruvananthapuram-padmanabhapuram-deities.ht

Navarathri the nine day festival (in the month of September and October), dedicated to the Hindu Goddesses Saraswathi, representing knowledge and wisdom, Lakshmi wealth and Durga, courage and power assumes much importance at Padmanabha Swamy Temple.Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala and on nine nights it is celebrated with bhakti and religious fervor. The venue is Navarathri Mandapam located on the right side of the East Gopuram of the famous Temple, the richest one in the world.

Navaratri Mandapam, Thiruvanthapuram swathithirunal.in/

Tradition has it that in the 13th century Saint Kambar Who wrote Kamba Ramayanam in Tamil gifted the idol of goddess Saraswathi to his disciple, Chera King on condition that the deity would be worshipped every year during Navrathri. Later, the Chera kingdom became Venad and Travancore. As promised by the early Chera king, the tradition of celebrating Navaratri continues to day by the king's descendants. Earlier till 1834 the Saraswathi mandapam in the Padmanabhapuram Palace complex was the venue for this festival.

Long ago the royal family shifted the capital from Padmanabapuram, now in Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthpuram. However, the rulers of Travancore made special arrangement to bring Saraswati idol in a grand procession from the temple at Padmanabhapuram palace in Tamil Nadu to their new capital during Navaratri festival time and the idol would be kept in the specially built Navaratri Mandapam at the temple. Besides, the sword,
kept in

Pamanabhapuram palace, TN thehindu.com

Upparika Malika in the Pamanabhapuram
palace will also be taken to the temple at Thiruvanthapuram after reverentially kept at the feet of Padmanabhapuram Thevarkattu Saraswathi Amman Temple. During the10 day festival pujas will be conducted amidst chanting of Vedic mantras by the pundits and priests.

Since Maharajah Swathi Thirunal (1813-1846) was a patron of arts, dance, etc., and was keenly interested in Classical music, the main attraction of the festival was music concerts (Katcheris) in the evenings. The ruler himself composed songs - Swathi Thirunal Keerthanas in nine ragas for the festival. They are quite famous even to day. Carnatic music vocalists like Semmangudi Srinivasa Aiyar, Ariyakudi Ramajnuja Ayyengar and others excelled in them. First three days are dedicated to Saraswathi, second three days Lakshmi is worshiped and last three days Devi Durga is worshiped.

The Navarathri Mandapam, the main venue of the concert is a nicely carved wooden building and during the festival days it is well decorated with flowers, etc. Countless oil lamps are lit in this place and elsewhere in the temple. No electric lights are used in the concert hall which provides soothing ambiance for the performers. The audience is not allowed to applaud by way of clapping their hands as Navaratri Mandapam is part of a venerated temple. Women singers were not allowed either to do Katcheri (concert) or sit in the audience in the past. Thanks to late Amma Maharani Sethu Parvathy Bayi (1896-1983), Since 2006, women have been allowed to perform and attend the concert. However, there is a strict dress code being followed. Men should wear vesti / dhoti or mundu. Women should wear sari and girls pavadai-dhavani

Padmanabha swamy temple, Thiruvanathapuram. Halo Backwater

Late Maharani Parvathy Bayi was also instrumental in changing the format of the concert by inviting well-known musicians from other parts of the states. The music concerts will be from 6 pm till 8 pm sharp, Earlier local musicians called Mullammodu Bhagavathars will sing Thodaya Mangalam every day from 5.30 pm till 6 pm. This tradition has been in vogue for a pretty long period. Violin and flute solos and Gottuvathyam were allowed after 2006.

One interesting aspect of this concert is in those days, the tricky technique of acoustics in a concert hall was not well-known. However, here to have reasonably good acoustics, a series of earthen pots of various sizes re kept above to the ceiling. They are tied by rope to their open necks that face downward. The mouths of the pots are of different sizes and are not uniformly arranged. The thickness of the pot varies. They act as sound reflectors and cut down the echoes. The earthen pots provide equal distribution of sound in the hall and produce reined sound.

Annamacharya kriti was made famous by the late Bala Muralikrishna. Every year the Swathi Thirunal kritis would reverberate here in the near-by Kuthiramalika in the first and second week of January every year. All stalwarts of Carnatic music from Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Karnataka and Kerala performed here over a period of several decades.

http://www.swathithirunal.in/rlinsti/navarathrimand.html

Adhinathji temple,Kathgola Gardens,W. Bengal en.wikipedia.org


Adinathji temple, Kathgola gardens.W. Bengal Holiday Hotspot

Adhinathji temple, Kathgola, Murshidabad, WBTrekEarth

Kathgola is a suburb of Murshdabad, once the capital of Bengal Bihar and Orissa and the Murshidabad Nawabs were the rulers. It is rich in time-honored monuments. A fine-looking, impressive Adinath Temple also known as Kathgola Temple is in the Kathgola Gardens and is being visited by lots of tourists. Dedicated to Bhagawan Adishvar, the idol in padmasana posture is an ancient one, about 900 years old, but the temple was built in 1933 by one Lakshmipat Singh Dugar, a business man of repute. He belonged to Rajput Chauhan dynasty and was known for his credibility and integrity. The idol in the sanctum is a 90 cm white in color. There are 17 other images of Jain Tithankaras and other deities. Known for its amazing architecture, the temple has fine onion-shaped large Mogul-style domes and dadabari dedicated to jain saint Jinadutta Suriji Maharaj adjacent to the Adinath Temple. The dadabari has a pair of Charans of Guru Jinadutta Suriji Maharaj, and it is believed, was built at the same time when the main temple came up. The temple is in the midst of a beautiful garden, close to historical Kathgola palace, and a small zoo. This place used to be a lumberyard before the palace was built, hence the name kath (wood) and gola (warehouse). The temple has fine Rajasthani-style sculptured images, jain paintings, Mosaic flooring and stained glass doors. Wall plastering seems to be in local style. As in all Jain temples, inside it is unusually calm and the quiet ambiance induces the visitors to relax for a while before getting on with their mundanelives.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathgola


Wasef Manzil, Mushidabad, WB. TripAdvisor

Wasef Manzil, Mushidabad, WBAlamy

Sayyid Sir Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur (7 January 1875 – 23 October 1959), the Nawab of Murshidabad during 1906–1959 was educated at Sherborne School, Rugby School and later at Trinity College. He succeeded his father Hassan Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur at his death on 25 December 1906. He built Wasif Manzil (also known as Wasef Manzil and New Palace) under the supervision of Mr. Vivian, officer of the Public Works Department of the Nadia Rivers Division and Surendra Barat, a Bengali engineer. It was here he resided and is close to the Hazarduari Palace. It is built on the Nizamat Fort Campus between the campus's Dakshin Darwaza (south gate) and the Hazarduari Palace. The June 12 1897 earthquake damaged the building, resulting in the fall of second floor. The building underwent major repair work, but the caved in second floor was not rebuilt. The landscaped garden no longer exists now.

Sir Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur iWikipedia

With small turrets at corners, the building gives a false image of castle. The palace has been designed to look a little like a castle with small corner turrets on the corners. Presently it is being maintained by the ASI, the palace's semi-circular pediment has the Nawabs of Murshidabad's coat of arms on it. The garden, in the front enclosed within the beautiful iron railing, has a fountain and several marble statues The main entrance to the building is a fine archway with iron doors. Inside the palace there are marble statues and also a beautiful stairway made of marble. Now, it is a single-story structure completed in 1904.

The other near-by attractions are Hazarduari Palace, Chawk Masjid, Nizamat Imambara

kkkkkkkkkkkkkk


St. Mary's Forane Church,Chalakudy. TurnbackToGod.com

St. Mary's Forane Church,Chalakudyturnbacktogod.com

St. Mary's Forane Church, a Syro-Malabar Catholic place of worship, Chalakudy is one of the old churches in India whose history goes back to more than 1400 years. It is one of the 10 Foranes or deaneries. In 1937, the parish was elevated to the status of a Forane. Chalakudy is a small town where a large population of Christians live. It is a well-known destination for tourists who love to hike in the forested areas close-by. The famous Athirappilly and Vazhachal Falls are near-by and attract a lot of people.

This place has close with the earliest origin of Christianity in India with the arrival of St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. In 52 AD he landed in Kodungallur, formerly known as Musiris, then a busy commercial center and an important sea-port, famous for spice export. St. Thomas began to preach Christianity to the natives by visiting various places in Kerala and later was instrumental in establishing seven and half churches, one being now in Tamil Nadu. In 600 AD, the small early christian community established a church at Chalakudy. The church came up in a place where a large community of brahmins lived and they they never objected to the functioning of a church. Until 1300 AD, the old church functioned there and later it was shifted to the present location. The church was reconstructed in 1987 to take care of additional facilities, space, prayer hall, etc but the historical original intricately carved wooden altar was left untouched to maintain its heritage value, authenticity and veneration.

The old altar carries a special title SwayamvaraAltar", sparingly bestowed by the Pope as the
intercession of Blessed Virgin Mary is claimed to have taken place long ago. The imposing belfry is the tallest structure in this area built in Gothic style almost a century ago with a huge statue of Mary on top. Its church bell on the bell tower was said to have been imported from France almost 200 years ago on special request made by the King of Kochi, who ruled that time.

The Holy Land theme at this church is an interesting one introduced by Rev. Fr. Thomas Panjikkaran ,then the vicar of the parish. It was open to public on 8 September 2006 afte 3 years of construction. This innovative theme is a blessing in disguise to those who can't make a trip to Israel. A casual walk around this theme land will give a feel of visiting the holy land in Israel invoked by various well-chosen authentic models that cover important events from Christ's life.

The church is famous for two annual feasts St. Mary's and St. Sebastean's feast.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary's_Syro-Malabar_Forane_Church,_Chalakudy

Mohandas K. Gandhi. Freedom fighter twitter.com

If there is one south Indian city that attracted Gandhiji, father of our nation, more than the others, it is Madurai, Tamil Nadu which is famous for the sprawling Meenashi - Sundareswarar temple and the annual summer Chitrai Thiruvizha (festival) - Kalazagar (Perumal) getting into the Vaigai river. Gandhiji visited Madurai city as many as five times during his life time, each time he stayed in the house of his well-wishers and freedom fighters. One particular visit to Madurai in 1921 assumed much importance because on this visit he emerged with a new, but different attire - his famous loin cloth after discarding his traditional Gujarati attire.

Gandhiji,change of attire,West Masi St.house.Madurai Hindu.com

The house at 251, West Masi stret where Gandhi stayed is a historical one. On 22 September 1921 Mohan Das K. Gandhi emerged from the house wearing loin cloth in order to be identified with the poor mass. The visit made him more spiritually rejuvenated with better and focused vision to carry on his struggle to free India from the British yoke.

Gandhi Museum, Madurai, TN Wikipedia

Tomorrow the country will be celebrating his 149th birth anniversary. What about the houses in Madurai that hosted him long ago during the colonial period? Several media reports appeared in the past about the poor conditions of those houses. Neither the state government nor the Central government has taken steps to preserve them. The congress leaders in Tamil Nadu are busy with their internal squabbles and have no time time to save the houses from ruin. two houses have already disappeared and their places are taken over by modern buildings. Of the remaining three, two are in bad condition.

In 1919, Gandhi came to Madurai for the first time to canvas support against the Rowlatt Act. He stayed in the house of advocate and trade unionist George Joseph near Kalpalam. The house is gone; the other one at Krishnarayar Teppam street, the same story continues. A tractor workshop stands in the spot at the above address. However, the house where Gabdhji stayed in 1934 is being maintained by the descendants of N M R Venkatesan, elder brother of Subburaman who hosted Gandhiji. The house of Raja of Sivaganga, is on the premises of Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women. The room where Gandhiji stayed houses a small museum. This building is too crumbling due to poor maintenance. Here, the Raja of Sivaganga was Gandhiji's host.

As for the West Masi street house, it was once owned by Gujarati business man Ramji Kalyanji and presently a Khadi Bhavan is functioning, selling honey, soap, etc. the first floor has some pictures of Gandhiji and his bust image. The upkeep of the Khadi shop and the green colored building is pretty bad. Because of sheer negligence, the walls and shutter doors are shabby and the first floor portion where Gandhiji stayed is under lock and key most of the time. The stairway and first floor Veranda overlooking the ever busy West Masi street are thickly coated with dust and it shows years of poor upkeep and lack of maintenance. Part of building in the backyard collapsed years ago. The workers in the Khadi shop clean up the place only on important occasions like Gandhi Jayanthi day, etc., that may attract higher ups from the Collector office.
People here have no idea about the history behind this building.

Many old timers, in particular, Gandhians in the city expressed their anguish and resentment over the poor condition of the houses associated with Gandhi.Through out India countless monuments are either rotting or being maintained poorly. Many of them fall prey to vandalism and abuse by unwanted people in the society. The Government should take serious steps to preserve such historical monument that may attract lots of tourists, besides, they will be beneficial to the future generation.

National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi, Gandhi Museum, Madurai and the Madurai district administration are working hard to make the house on West Masi Street a National Monument by 2018. Till such time, there is no stopping of dust gathering on the structure that saw the change of attire of Gandhiji and his attitude towards the repressive British rule.

Ref:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Mahatmas-abodes-in-Madurai-falling-apart/articleshow/23378471.cms

West Masi Street's Forgotten Mahatma, The Hindu dtd.october 01, 2017.

Bhadra Fort in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India,1872 en.wikipedia.org

Bhadra gate, Ahmedaba, India en.wikipedia.org/

Old Ahmedabad city, Gujarat, India is a historical place and is enclosed within a massive fort puctuated with gates - darwazas (also darwajas) adorned with beautiful decorations, carvings and calligraphy and some of them even nice balconies. These historical Darwazas or Gates were steeped in history and built during different periods - starting from 1411. They form the entrances to the walled city and bear the name of the locality where they were built and, even today, they they stand as sentinels of Ahmadabad past glory. The nicely carved balcony, it is believed, could have served as watch towers in the by-gone era. The city was inscribed as the World Heritage City by UNESCO in July 2017.

Ahmedabad was built over Ashaval also known as Ashapalli, an early settlement in 1411 by Ahmed Shah I of Gujarat Sultanate. For safety considerations and to retard invasions from enemies, in particular from the north and north west, he built the first Bhadra Fort in the city.

Sultan Ahmed Shah, Gujarat Sultanate Ahmedabad

Ahmed Shah I laid the foundation of Bhadra Fort starting from Manek Burj, the first bastion of the city in 1411 which was completed in 1413. He also established the first square of the city, Manek Chowk, both associated with the legend of Hindu saint Maneknath.The Bhadra Fort, besides palace gates, had eight gates to access the walled city. During Ahmed Shah's reign second fort came up that was well fortified by later ruler Mahmud Begada in 1486. The second fort too had as many as twelve major gates and other smaller gates to give protection to the walled city. During the British rule, with the advent of railways, two additional forts were built by them for their needs and to facilitate troop movement. Finally, this led to the demolition of city walls, leaving behind the monuments.

Though the total number of gates existed in Ahmedabad is debatable, Indologists suggest that there were 21 gates in the past. Some historians suggested 16 while others consented 12 gates.

Map ofAhmedabad, Gujarat. Pinterest

The following are the Gates of Ahmedabad: 21 gates: 1. Shahpur Darwaja 2. Halim Darwaja 3. Delhi Darwaja 4. Dariyapur Darwaja 5. Prem Darwaja 6. Kalupur Darwaja 7. Panchkuva Darwaja 8. Sarangpur Darwaja 9. Raipur Darwaja 10. Astodiya Darwaja 11. Mauda Darwaja 12. Jamalpur Darwaja 13. Khan-a-jahan Darwaja 14. Raikhad Darwaja 15. Ganesh Darwaja 16. Kharu Darwaja 17. Bhadra Darwaja 18. Teen Darwaja 19. Lal Darwaja 20. Salapas Darwaja 21. Khanpur Darwaja

Gates of Bhadra Fort

Bhadra fort had eight gates, three large ones, two in the east and one in the south-west corner; three middle-sized, two in the north and one in the south; and two small, in the west.

01. Lal Darwaza - Once stood in front of Siddi Sayyed MosqueOly remnants remain.

02. Bhadra Gate (formerly Piran Pir's Darwaja).

03. Ganesh Bari or Gate - opened in 1779 by Apaji Ganesh. Now lost under Ellis Bridge.

04. Ram Gate - with stone steps.

05. Baradari Gate.

Teen darwaza Ahmedabad. Alamy
06. Teen Darwaza - (three gates) provided access to the Royal Square. Built by by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1415 (work began in 1411 AD) to serve as a royal entrance to Maidan Shahi, has well decorated tall three stoned gateways. In 1882, Maratha Governor Chinnaji Ragunath inscribed farmen on the gate, declaring equal rights for woman. There is a tomb dedicated to Kotwal Siddique. An eternal oil lamp is continuously burning for more than 600 years in a small recess and is taken care of by a Muslim family. There is a small Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Badra Kali. The gate is part of Badhra fort.

07. Salapas Gate - Used by queens in the past.

08. Sidi Saiyyed Mosque - Popularly known as Sidi Saiyyid ni Jali locally, built in 1573 by Sidi Saiyyid; it is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad. The mosque is well-known for beautifully carved ten stone latticework windows (jalis) on the side and rear arches.

Sidi Saiyyed Mosque marble screen from insideen.wikipedia.org.

Gates of Second Fort: It was built by Ahmed Shah as mentioned above. There were eighteen gates, fifteen large and three small. Of the fifteen, one was closed, and two were added later. The city walls of second fortification, run on the west for about a mile and three quarters along the bank of the Sabarmati, and then stretch east in semi-circular form. It includes an area of two square miles in past. It was further fortified by Mahmud Begada in 1489.

Ahmed shah's Mosque, Ahmedabad Wikipedia

01. Shahpur Gate - People reached Sabarmati River by accessing Shahpur Darwaja; now demolished.

Delhi Dharwaza. Wikimedia Commons

02. Delhi Gate (formerly Idariyo Gate) -
Built in 1878 it used to be a transit point to the capital Delhi. It has the doors of iron-plated timber, the tall gateway of three stone arches with a roofed platform. It is on Mirzapur Road in Shahpur

03. Dariyapur Gate - Soldiers and their convoys used to pass through Dariyapur Darwaja.

04. Kalupur Gate - Used to bring in food supplies into the city.

05. Sarangpur Gate - People used to enter and exit the city through Sarangpur Darwaza; the doors of iron-plated timber, the gateway of three stone arches. Now demolished.

Raipur Gate. /famousahmedabad.wordpress.com

06. Raipur Gate - Commoners used Raipur Darwaja to enter and exit the city.

Astodia gate. Famous Amdavadi - WordPress.com

07. Astodiya Gate - Now a traffic island was used for trading purpose.

08. Mahuda Gate - Located in Panch Kuva area, it was used as a passage for goods'. Later it was not put to use. Mahuda gate with a roofed platform 30x21 and twenty feet high. This gateway was ill-omened and was never used later. It is spoken of as Bandh, gate.

09. Jamalpur Gate - Believed to be an exit point to Vadodara and other cities.; a gateway of three stone arches

10. Khan-a- Jahan Gate - An entrance to the King's garden with three tall stone arches; once an emergency exit, in 1780 the British raided the city through it.

11. Raikhad Gate - People used to access Sabarmati; near the Khan Jahan gate.

12. Manek Gate -

13. Khanpur Gate - An entrance to the King's garden.

Two new gates added by British after the opening of railways connecting Bombay in 1864 to facilitate the movement of public and goods
.
01. Prem Darwaja (formerly Premabhai Gate) -
Formerly Premabhai Gate, Saracenic in style, 16 feet broad; built in 1864.

Panchkuva Darwaja en.wikipedia.org

Prem Darwaja en.wikipedia.org

02. Panchkuva Gate - Built in 1871 for easy access to the railway station. Three gateways of pointed arches. This gate was built when the city grew in size

Other Gates:

01. Kharu Gate - It was built near Karanj to give soldiers addition post. Halim ni Khidk.
i
02. Halim ni Khidk - Once located in Shahpoor. Soldiers used to march into the city through this gate.

03. Gomtipur Gate

Shah-e-Alam Gate
en.wikipedia.org

4. Shah-e-Alam Gate - Built in 1880s

Both the central and state governments should take steps to repair many of the gates, clean the surroundings and restore them back to old charm and glory. Ahmedabad's link with the past should not get lost. These monuments need protection and regular upkeep.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gates_of_Ahmedabad

Lord Buddha'a statues, Dhauli, Odisha. Alamy

The areas surrounding Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha has many monuments of great antiquity, particularly related to Buddha and Buddhism. So are countless temples of beauty and glory. Dhauligiri, just 10 km from Bhubaneswar, on the banks of Daya river is well-known for the Peace Pagoda / Shanti Stupa. A major attraction is the Rock Edicts of Emperor Ashoka engraved on a mass of rock leading to the summit of the hill. This historical place where Buddhism flourished is symbolic of world peace and universal peace-hood.

Peace Stupa, Dhalui, Orissadreamstime.com

This history of this place goes way back to 262 B.C or the Mauryan Empire and the reign of Emperor Ashoka whose land was extended up to Mysore in south and from Baluchistan to Bangladesh in the east. The present region (Kalinga) did not belong to Ashoka, He, a great warrior with powerful army of several thousand soldiers, invaded Kalinga Desa (part of Odisha and N. Andhra), inhabited by peace-loving people. Near Dhauli, the natives fought tooth an nail with a mighty army of Ashoka to save their mother land. In the wake of violent war, thousands of innocent of people were killed and wounded in the Kalinga war (.c. 262 – c. 261 BCE) The near-by Daya river, obviously, turned red with the blood of the slain soldiers and people.. A Buddhist monk opened the eyes and soul of Emperor Ashoka about his great victory and gain of more land at the cost of lakhs of precious lives that could not be revived. "What have you gained out of this horrible war?", asked the monk. Ashoka realized his folly and felt guilty. The word of wisdom uttered by the monk changed his personality. Overcome by remorse, he took a vow not to fight wars again. He later became a staunch follower of Buddhism and spent his time preaching and spreading the messages of Lord Buddha. During Ashoka's reign Dhauli became an important centre of Buddhist activities. He built several chaityas, stupas and pillars there.

Lord Buddha'a statues, Dhauli,www.dhauli.net

Thus king Chandashoka became Dharmashoka, a simple and peace loving person and the Buddhist monk who brought about the change in him was one Upagupta. Ashoka spent much of his time erecting monuments in Dhauli, glorifying the value of non-violence and peace. Dhauligiri is synonymous with the victory of non violence over violence and evil of war. In the annals of human history and wars, no other war has brought upon a change in the heart and soul of the victor from one of pride and wanton cruelty to that of an extreme piety and humility as this great Kalinga war. The rapid expansion of Buddihism took its roots in the aftermath of this violent war.

The Shanti Stupa, the white tomb situated on the small hills of Dhauligir is in white, symbolic of world peace, so it is also known as "Peace Pagoda". This great monument was built by Japan Buddhist Sangh and the Government of Odisha in 1971-72. There are
four statues of Goutam Buddha in different postures facing four different direction of Shanti Stupa. Two of them in meditative state, one standing and another in sleeping posture. Fine inscribtions in the form of statues or images and details about the Kalinga war are found on the walls of the Shanti Stupa.
The most significant attraction for the tourists from other parts of India and abroad, in particular SE Asia, are the famous Edicts of Ashoka These edicts were brought to light way back in 1837-38 by one Lieut. M. Kittoe and for the first time. Written in Magadhi Prakrita Language and the early Brahmi script it was studied by James Princep. At Jaugada, near Kabisurya Nagar in Ganjam district of Odisha, similar Rock Edicts of Ashoka are found. It shows Ahoka's ken interest to spread the message of Lord Buddha across the land during his life time.

http://www.orissaspider.com/resources/3857-Dhauligiri-The-Peace-Pagoda-Odisha.aspx

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The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka as well as boulders and cave walls made by the Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire during his reign from 269 BCE to 232 BCE. These inscriptions were dispersed throughout the areas of modern-day Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan and represent the first tangible evidence of Buddhism. The edicts describe in detail the Ashoka's view about dhamma, an earnest attempt to solve some of problems that a complex society faced. According to the edicts, the extent of Buddhist proselytism during this period reached as far as the Mediterranean, and many Buddhist monuments were created.

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The most significant attraction for the tourists from other parts of India and abroad, in particular SE Asia, are the famous Edicts of Ashoka These edicts were brought to light way back in 1837-38 by one Lieut. M. Kittoe and for the first time. Four statues of Goutam Buddha in different postures are present in four different direction of Shanti Stupa. Two of in meditation form, one standing and another in sleeping posture statues are present. On the walls of the Shanti Stupa, information about the Kalinga war is inscribed in the form of statues or images.remained undiscovered and hidden for many decades from the people. In 1837-38, these edicts were discovered by Lieut. M. Kittoe and for the first time, these were deciphered by James Princep.
The rock edicts of Ashoka, which are present in Dhauli were written in Magadhi Prakrita Language and the early Brahmi script was used for it. Similar Rock Edicts of Ashoka is also seen at the Jaugada, which was present near Kabisurya Nagar in Ganjam district of Odisha.

Dhauligiri: Summary of the famous Rack Edicts of Ashoka

In all major Rock Edicts of Ashoka contains all fourteen Edicts, but in Dhauligiri Rock Edicts and Jaugada Rock Edicts, Edict No. XI, XII, XIII are missing.
Dhauli
The entire Rock edicts are arranged in three distinct columns. The first column, which contains twenty six lines, expressed about the special Rock Edict – I. The middle column, which contains thirty three lines, contains the general edicts from I to VI; the final column, the first part explains the general Rock Edicts VII to X and XIV, the second part explains about the special rock edict – II.

The Rock Edicts are started with Ashoka's famous doctrine of paternalism: "All men are my children"

Edict – I: Prohibition of Killing of animal in the kingdom including his royal kitchen and imposition of restrictions on festive occasions.

Edict – II: Making available medical facilities for both human and animals and plantation of medical herbs in the kingdom. He encouraged plantation of trees and digging of wells on the road sides.

Edict – III: Ordered his officials to tour his kingdom every five years to implement moral codes among his subjects.

Edict – IV: Ordered his officials to prabagate the practice of morality and compassion.

Edict – V: Appointment of Mahamatras from all sections to establish and promote morality.

Edict – VI: Ordered his officials to report to him directly at any time and from any place on matters related to administration.

Edict – VII: All sections need to attain Self control and purity of mind.

Edict – VIII: For planning he approached the Brahmanas and Sramanas.

Edict – IX: Emphasis was given to the practice of morality and good behaviour when dealing with slaves and servants, besides reverence to elders, kindness to animals and all.

Edict – X: Proclaimed that morality is the only act of fame and glory.

Edict – XIV: Practice morality at various places in his kingdom according to the subject matter and places.

While the Special Rock Edict – I, addressing the Mahamatras of Toshali, Ashoka proclaims that all his subjects are just like his own children and he wishes their welfare and happiness

In the Special Rock Edict – II, he ordered the Mahamatras of Toshali to assure his piety to the unconquered border territories of forest region (Atavikas).

Now Odisha State Government developed a garden around this historical place, which is known as Shanti Park.

http://www.orissaspider.com/resources/3857-Dhauligiri-The-Peace-Pagoda-Odisha.aspx

Crowd at Mahavir Mandir Patna during Ram NavmiExplore Bihar

Mahavir Mandir is a popular one in Patna, the capital city of Bihar. Considered as one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Hanuman, it is being visited by million of pilgrims every year and is the second most visited religious shrine in North India. It is a manokamana mandir where every wish of the devotee is fulfilled and the ardent devotees visiting this famous Hanuman temple have a lot of trust in Rama Baktha Hanuman.

The temple receives donations up to Rs. 100,000.00 almost every day from the pilgrims by way of offerings in the donation box (hundi in Tamil). Next to the famous Maa Vaishno Devi shrine, the Mahavir Mandir Trusts, have the second highest budget in North India. Its daily collections go up everyday.

The temple has been around for centuries, however the mandir was established by one Swami Balanand, an ascetic of Ramanandi sect in 1730 A.D. Until 1948, Gossain Sanyasis controlled the temple and in 1948, as per Patna High Court verdict, it became a public temple.

Mahavir Mandir, Patna. biharhistorical.blogspot.com

The temple gained popularity after 1947 soon after the partition of India. There was an influx of Hindu refugees from East Bengal Subsequently, there was no dearth of funds available so, a concrete temple structure came up. In 1987 this structure was pulled down to make way for attractive building made of marble stone. The idol of Sankat-Mochan stands in the sanctum. Unlike many Hanuman temples across India, this one has two idols, one for the protection of good people and another for the elimination of cunning and wicked people.

The temple is always crowded on Saturdays and Tuesdays to have a darshan of lord Lord Hanuman.
The annual Sri Ram Navami and New Year are celebrated on a large scale.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavir_Mandir

Ashoka's rock edict. Jagran Josh

Sayna Buddha, Dahuli,Orissa HolidayIQ

Ashoka was one of the greatest Indian rulers, presiding over a vast land in the Indian subcontinent, including the adjaacent lands as well. The great Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire
(third Monarch) during his reign from 269 BCE to 232 BCE is credited with the expansion of Buddhism across the vast land of india and beyond. Dejected as he was after the gruesome Kalinga war in the present state of Odisha, the resulting carnage, pain and destruction changed his perception of life and attitude. Feeling remorse and resentful, he eschewed violence as a means to achieve victories, he became a convert of Buddhism, and dedicated much of his later years to expound its philosophy and its significance in the society. These inscriptions were dispersed throughout the areas of modern-day Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan and represent the first palpable evidence of Buddhism.

The Edicts of Ashoka are quite popular historical record of great antiquity well researched by historians. It is a collection of 33 inscriptions on
the Pillars of Ashoka as well as boulders and cave walls made by Ashoka in public place to get
the attention of the people. In all these inscriptions, he identified himself as "the Servant of Gods"
(Devanampiyadasi). He made an attempt to find a reasonable solution to the problems being faced by the society, using Dharma as a main moral force. His focus is more on moral fabric than to the adherence to the practices and philosophy of Buddhism. From the edicts, we come to know that the extent of Buddhist proselytism during this period reached as far as the Mediterranean, and many Buddhist monuments were created. His edicts inscribed in rocks are found in many parts of India - (Sopara, MH, Girnar, GJ, Jugada & Dhauli, Odisha), Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In general, three languages were used, Prakrit, Greek and Aramaic in the inscriptions .

slideplayer.com

At Dhauli, Odisha, these edicts were brought to light way back in 1837-38 by one Lieut. M. Kittoe or the first time. and were deciphered by James Princep.
The rock edicts of at Dhauli were written in Magadhi Prakrita Language and the early Brahmi script was used for it. Similar Rock Edicts of Ashoka is also seen at the Jaugada, which was present near Kabisurya Nagar in Ganjam district of Odisha.

Dhauligiri: Summary of the famous major Rock Edicts of Ashoka:

In all major Rock Edicts of Ashoka contains all fourteen Edicts, but in Dhauligiri Rock Edicts and Jaugada Rock Edicts, Edict No. XI, XII, XIII are missing.

Dhauli:

The entire Rock edicts are arranged in three distinct columns. The Rock Edicts are started with Ashoka's famous doctrine of paternalism: "All men are my children"

Rock Edict – I: Prohibition of Killing of animal in the kingdom including his palace kitchen and imposition of restrictions over animal sacrifices on festive occasions.

Rock Edict – II: Making available medical facilities for both human and animals and raising of medical herbs in the kingdom. He encouraged planting of trees and digging of wells on the road sides.

Rock Edict – III: Ordered his officials to tour his kingdom every five years to implement moral codes among his subjects. He encouraged generosity towards Brahmanas.Inscription was done 12 years after his coronation.

Rock Edict – IV: Ordered his officials to propagate the practice of morality and compassion in their duties. Dhammagosha is ideal to the society, not
Bherigosha.

Rock Edict – V: Appointment of Mahamatras from all sections to establish and promote morality. expressed concerns about slaves. He said, Every human being is my child".

Rock Edict – VI: Ordered his officials to report to him directly on matters related to administration - welfare of his subjects.

Rock Edict – VII: Preached tolerance for other religions. To foster one’s own sect, depreciating the others out of affection for one’s own, to exalt its merit, is to do the worst harm to one’s own sect." All sections need to attain Self control and purity of mind.

Rock Edict – VIII: Description of his pilgrimage damma Yatra to Bodhgaya and the Bodh tree. He encouraged generosity towards Brahmanas.

Rock Edict – IX: Shunning of unwanted ceremonies related to birth, death, etc., that cause stressful situation. Emphasis was given to the practice of morality and good behaviour when dealing with slaves and servants, besides reverence to elders, kindness to animals and all.

Rock Edict – X: Proclaimed that morality (Dhamma) is the only act through which life can be led. Do not go after fame and glory.

Rock Edict – XI: Elaboration and practice of Dhamma towards elders and friends; abstain from killing animals.

Rock Edict XII: Strong request for tolerance among different religious sects. (Also written in Greek in the Kandahar Greek Edict of Asokha).

Rock Edict XIII: Largest inscription in the edict. To Ashoka, of all the victories, the greatest one is the victory of Dhamma. He drew examples from various rules in India, including Cholas and Pandyas of the south and and Greek.

other edicts mention about people being his sons, his second queen, giving away the Barara ces in Kanddhar (Afghanistan) to a sect there, biligual inscription, etc.

Ashoka's pillar edictsare found in many places - seven major pillar edicts have been found at Kausambhi (Allahabad), Topra, Meerut (Delhi), Lauriya-Araraj, Lauriya-Nandangarh, Rampurva (Champaran) and Nigalisagar/Nigliva. Minor pillar edicts have been found at Sanchi, Sarnath, Kausambhi and Rummindei/Lumbini.

The following are the brief descriptions of Pillar edicts:

Pillar Edict I - Asoka’s principle of protection to people.

Pillar Edict II - Defines Dhamma as minimum of sins, many virtues, compassion, liberality, truthfulness and purity.

Pillar Edict III - Abolishes sins of harshness, cruelty, anger, pride etc.

Pillar Edict IV - Deals with duties of Rajukas.

Pillar Edict V - List of animals and birds which should not be killed on some days and another list of animals which have not to be killed at all occasions. Describes release of 25 prisoners by Asoka.

Pillar Edict VI - Dhamma Policy.

Pillar Edict VII Works done by Asoka for Dhamma Policy. He says that all sects desire both self-control and purity of mind.

While the Special Rock Edict – I, addressing the Mahamatras of Toshali, Ashoka proclaims that all his subjects are just like his own children and he wishes their welfare and happiness

In the Special Rock Edict – II, he ordered the Mahamatras of Toshali to assure his piety to the unconquered border territories of forest region (Atavikas).

Now Odisha State Government developed a garden around this historical place, which is known as Shanti Park.

http://www.orissaspider.com/resources/3857-Dhauligiri-The-Peace-Pagoda-Odisha.aspx

Ellis Bridge (Vivekananda bridge). Wikipedia

Ellis Bridge connecting the western and eastern parts of the Ahmedabad city city across the Sabarmati riveris is a popular land mark and is more than a century old. This bowstring arch truss bridge the first bridge of Ahmedabad was constructed in 1892 in the colonial period. The old bridge was closed to traffic in 1997. In 1999, as the population and vehicular traffic expanded manifold, to cope with them new concrete wings came up on either side at cost of Rs 180 million, and the original steel bridge is preserved as a heritage landmark. The new bridge was renamed as Swami Vivekananda Bridge but is still known to people by its old name. Foundation block of Ellis Bridgeis at Sanskar Kendra.

Originally, it was a wooden bridge built in 1870-1871 that was washed out in the 1875 floods. Since the bridge across the river was a vital one, a new steel bridge was constructed in 1890 and 1895 by engineer Himmatlal Dhirajram Bhachech. Besides government money, there was private subscriptions to meet cost. It was named after Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis, the then commissioner of the North Zone. Imported steel was used for the construction and engineer finished his work a cost of Rs 407,000 which was lower than the budget of Rs 500,000. The government grew suspicious and an enquiry revealed that the construction was of superior quality and there was no trace of low grade steel in the construction work.The government was all in praise of prudent spending of the government money far within the allocated budget. For saving government money, Himmatlal was subsequently honoured with the title of Rao Sahib.

For some unknown reasons, the he Foundation Block of Ellisbridge was later moved to the Sanskar Kendra. It reads, The Ellis Bridge - So named by Government after Sir Barrow Helbert Ellis :
"K.G.S.I. was built in 1869 and 1870. At a cost of Rs:549,210 destroyed by the great flood of 22 September 1875 and rebuilt in 1890 and 1895 by Government, Local Bodies and Private Subscribers. At a further cost of Rs. 407,564. This First Stone of the new bridge was laid by His Excellency Donald James eleventh Lord Reay C.C.I.E.LL.D. Governor of Bombay 19 December 1889".

It was from this Bridge the nation saw Gandhiji declaring his Dandi march on 8 March 1930 to protest against salt tax imposed by the British Government. Ultimately he collected a handful of salt on the beach near Dandi and made history.

The bridge face near demolition during a few periods in 1973, 1983 and 1986 but all were rejected. Later Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) declared Ellis bridge and its boundary, Manek Burj and the natural water drain near one of the banks of Sabarmati river as protected sites in May 1989.
After the documentation, the Manek Burj was partially removed and Ganesh Bari, built by the Maratha, was reconstructed to make space for the bridge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Bridge

In the annals of Sikh history and the expansion of Sikh community to a position of eminence, Chappar Chiri has a special place, and as for courageous Sikh warrior, Banda Singh, he has made a niche for himself in Indian history. This remarkable warrior was instrumental in the establishment of Sikh land.

Banda Singh Baahadur memorial Pinterest

The Fateh Burj (English: The Victory Tower) the tallest minar in India situated in the village of Chappar Chiri in the SAS Nagar district, Punjab is a historical monument. It is taller than Qutub Minar (240 feet; built between 1192 and

Fateh Burj,Banda Singh Baahadur memorial,en.Wikipedia. org

1220) in Delhi and is spread over a land of 20 acres. Located near the famous city Mohali, the 328 ft tall tower is dedicated to establishment of the Sikh Misls in a large part of India in 1711. Here, in 1710 the famous Sikh warrior Banda Singh Bahadur won a decisive battle against Wazir Khan, commander of the Mogul army. Wazir Khan was killed at Chappar Chiri. Under the command of Banda Singh Bahadur, he was encircled by Fateh Singh and Baz Singh. Chappar Chiri villages is along Kharar-Banur Road, now officially named Banda Singh Bahadur Road. As for the Chappar Chiri victory, one historian has described the it to be a “culmination of the Khalsa revolution”. The village drew its name from Fateh Singh, who was a “General” in Banda Singh Bahadur’s Army. Fateh Singh was related to Sukhbir Singh Badal from his mother’s side. Fateh Singh was one of the ancestors of his late mother Surinder Kaur Badal.

Baba Banda Singh. The Indian Express

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday 30 November, 2011 inaugurated 'Fateh Burj' and more than 20,000 soldiers and former Army General J. J. Singh paid homage to the sick warrior. CM Badal said, "Banda Singh Bahadur was a true socialist who abolished the zamindari system and made the tillers and cultivators the actual owners of the land and issued coins and seals in the name of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. "More than 90 per cent of the Sikhs are not aware of the heroic deeds in the Sikh history,". After prayer CM CM Badal unveiled the inaugural plague and later the statue of Banda Bahadur and dedicated the 'Fateh Burj' to the nation. The function was attended by senior politicians of Punjab and Central governments, five priests and some members of Sikh clergy.

http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/fateh-burj-india-s-tallest-victory-tower-thrown-open/882669

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fateh_Burj


Jahaz Haveli (Haveli Todar Mal)en.wikipedia.org/

Above image: Jahaz Mahal-17th century brick structure in Fatehgarh Sahib, Harnam Nagar Punjab, Inda...................

Jahaz Haveli or Jahaz Mahal is a historical building used to be the residence (haveli) of Todar Mal, a local businessman from Sirhind. Besides, he was an ardent follower of the Sikh Gurus, like Guru Gobind Singh (22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. This old 17th century structure also goes by the name the Haveli Todar Mal. Todar Mal had a close rapport with the Mogul rulers of Delhi and at one point of time became the Diwan in the court of Nawab Wazir Khan, the Governor of Sirhind, under Mughal Empire. His good relationship with the Mogul administration did not last for a long time because he defied the Moguls by way of arranging for the cremation of young martyred sons of Guru Gobind Singh and his mother.

During the reign of Mogul ruler Aurangzeb, a tyrannical Muslim fanatic, there were relentless wars between the Sikhs and Moguls. Aurangzeb was forcing non -Muslims like Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and others into Islam under the threat of death
and torture. Guru Gobind Singh and his followers protested this forced conversion. Further, non-Muslims aligned with the Guru, had refused to pay tribute to the Islamic officials based in Jammu and the jizya (poll tax on non-Muslims) Aurangzeb had imposed. All these acts of refusal infuriated the Mogul ruler. Guru's mother Mata Gujri and his two younger sons were captured by Wazir Khan, the Muslim governor of Sirhind. According to the Sikh tradition, his youngest sons, aged 5 and 8, were executed by burying them alive into a wall after they refused to convert to Islam, and Mata Gujri died soon after hearing of her grandsons' death. Both Guru Gobind Singh's eldest sons, aged 13 and 17, also died in December 1704 in battle against the Mogul army as they defended their father.

Today, Todar Mal is most remembered for his courageous role during the most troublesome period, putting his own life at risk.

The haveli in Harnam Nagar, on the Eastern side of Sirhind-Rupnagar Railway Line just 1 km away from Fatehgarh Sahib is now being taken over and restored by SGPC with the help of Punjab govt and INTACH. Todar Mal descendants

Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. en.wikipedia

are now living in Ludhaina. The present descendants known as Mandals are from sub caste of Sood and are Kshatriyas. The mandal family records are available in Haridwar since 16th century. Todar Mal was from Punjab.

The lavish haveli is made of Sirhindi bricks and is just outside the Mughal Governor Nawab Wazir Khan’s palace, once boasts of a grand reception area to receive and entertain guests and a well laid-out ground complete with a pool and fountains.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahaz_Haveli

Gurudwara Fatehpur Shaib, Punjab flickriver.com

Above image: This gurudwara is built at the place where younger sahibzadas (Guru Gobind Singh's younger sons) were pu to death alive building wall around them by Governor of Sirhind Wazir Khan. Diwan Todar Mal sold his fortune to buy land for their cremation........................

Diwan Todal Mal gate. Sahibzadas.info

Diwan Todar Mal Jain of Sirhind, as per account in the Phulkian state gazetteer, belonged to Kakra village, a few miles from Patiala and was a businessman. His name had become synonymous with the Sikh history in India and even today Diwan Todar Mal is deeply respected and revered by the Sikhs. The Diwan Todar Mal Memorial Hall, congregation hall, worthy of name and personal sacrifice has been built at historic Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib by SGPC.

How come Todar Mal, a businessman was associated with Sikh history and their struggle against religious suppression during the reign of Aurangzeb, the most treacherous Muslim ruler of Delhi? Aurangzeb was so cruel and mean, he imprisoned his father and and killed his brothers to ascend the covetous throne.

Todar Mal's affluence and how successful he was in his business dealings could be figured out from his rich, lavsh haveli (residence) called “Jahaz Mahal” built just outside the Mogul Governor Nawab Wazir Khan’s palace. It shows that Todar Mal had good relationship with the higher-ups in the Mogul rule and enjoyed their patronage. He was a Dewan in the court of Wazir Khan, Governor of Srihind. He was also a true follower of Guru Gobind Singh, a great Sikh Guru and developed a liking for his preaching.

At that point of time, the Sikhs and Moguls fought several wars over the control of the territory and under the Mogul they and other non-Muslims faced religious persecution. Forced conversion of non-Muslims to Islam, imposing of toll tax jisha on them angered them. Guru Gobind Singh and his followers revolted against the atrocities committed by Aurangzeb and his men. At last, Aurangzeb ordered his army to kill Guru Gobind Singh and his family.

At the end of 1704 A.D, on orders from Wazir khan, the young Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, were captured and put to death alive by covering them with a brick structure. . When nobody was willing to claim the bodies and cremate them as per Sikh rites, without any fear for his life, Diwan Todar Mal took possession of the bodies. This was done in order to show his deepest respect for Guru Gobind Singh. That fate takes its own course is true in his hitherto uneventful life. Never had he any inkling that circumstances would push him to a stage where he had to choose either of the two - dedication to his Guru or continuance of luxurious life. Being a man with scruples, he chose the former as the latter was transient in nature.

Todar Mal arranging gold coins vertically on the land imgrum

Wazir mercilessly demanded gold coins should be kept in vertical position equal to the size of land sought to perform last rites of younger sahibzada of Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Gujri. Todar Mal, without reservation and unmindful of his future financial security gave his savings and land to buy land for the last rites. He later also made arrangements for their cremation. the bodies of all the three were cremated by the descendants of Todar Mall Shahjahani because the latter had already died in 1665-66. His family later moved over to Ludhiana, leaving behind the haveli after earning the fury of Wazir Khan. After decades, it fell into disrepair and caved in some places.

Pinterest

It was indeed a noble act on the part of Todar Mal and through this great deed he gained immortality and has become a part of Sikh history.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040102/punjab1.htm#11

Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha, India is credited with countless Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Shiva and unlike, the temples of south India, these places of worship have a unique style native to this region. In many temples around Bhubaneswar, the outer walls are richly ornamented with images that are set in a particular fashion. Many temples here are pretty old, some date back to 10th century.

Ananta Vasudeva Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is in Bhubaneswar

Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Bubaneswar. Temple Advisor

city (Kurda District) and is an interesting one. This 13th century, temple dates back to the time of Chandrika Devi, the daughter of Anangabhima III, during the reign of the king Bhanudeva.
It is believed the original image of Vishnu adorned in the old temple that existed on the present spot. Queen Chandrika of Eastern Ganga dynasty took the initiative and built the new structure in the 13th century dedicated to Ananta Vasudeva.

Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Bubaneswar. Tour My India

The temple architecture may resemble the popular Lingaraj temple with similar horizontal bands of miniature shikharas (shrines), but the minor difference being the number of the shikharas forming one horizontal / longitudinal band in its case is only three. So is the sculpture in the outer walls that varies in character in each temple in Bhubaneswar.

Like Puri Jagannath here the deities of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra are worshipped. Balarama stands under a seven hooded serpent, Subhadra holds a pot of Jewels and lotus in her two hands keeping her left foot over another jewel pot, while Krishna holds a mace, chakra, lotus and a conch. In this temple, unlike the Puri temple, the idol of the three deities are made of black granite rock incomplete form. This city is called Chakra kshetra (circular place), whereas Puri goes by Shankha kshetra (curved place).

Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Bubaneswar. HappyTrips.com

The Marathas ruled this part of land up to Mahanadhi and during their reign took interest in this temple and renovated the Vishnu temple at Bhubaneswar in the late 17th Century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananta_Vasudeva_Temple

Lingaraja temple,Bubaneswar. Wikipedia

Lingaraja (meaning the king of Lingam) Temple is an important land mark in Bubaneswar city,Odisha and this old temple is dedicated to Harihara, a form of Shiva and Vishnu. A major tourist attractions of the state, it is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar which has a tall central tower - 180 ft (55 m) built in Kalinga Architecture, a form of medieval design tradition followed here. The temple is believed to have been constructed by the rulers of the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers.

Lingaraja temple,Bubaneswar.Ollywoodlife

The style of design followed here is called the Deula that has four parts namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings), each increasing in the height to its predecessor. The temple complex is located in a spacious courtyard, covering over 250000 sq feet and is bounded by fortified walls and there are as many as 50 shrines in the enclosure.

Lingaraja temple,Bubaneswar.Silicon Intelligence

Bhubaneswar is known as Ekamra Kshetra as the deity of Lingaraj was originally under a mango tree (Ekamra) as mentioned in Ekamra Purana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise. The temple is actively following the puja protocols as specified in Agama Sastras pertaining to the worship of combined form of Shiva and Vishnu - Harihara. Earlier, Shiva was worshiped as Kirtivasa; also referred to as Tribhuvaneshwara or Bhubaneswar. Bubaneswar means the master of three worlds - heaven, earth and netherworld.His consort is called Bhuvaneshvari. There are 22 worship services available each day. The temple has images of Vishnu which shows the influence of Ganga rulers, the builders of Jagannath temple of Puri.
Lingaraja temple, being maintained by the Temple Trust Board and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has a large number of visitors averaging, 6000 plus per day and during major festival times it will swell up to a few lakhs. The major festival is Mahashivaratri that is held with religious fervor and devotion - night dedicated to Bhajans, prayers and meditation.

top of Lingaraja temple.,Bubaneswar. Panoramio

It is a pretty old temple dating back to 11th century and some parts of the temple suggest that they were built during the sixth century CE as per some Sanskrit texts. Records suggest that ruler Lalat Indu Keshari (reign from 615 to 657 CE) initiated the work on the temple. The temple is believed to have been built by the Somavanshi king Yayati I (1025-1040), during the 11th century C.E. Ruler Jajati Keshari shifted his capital from Jajpur to Bhubaneswar which was referred to as Ekamra Kshetra in the Brahma Purana. The Assembly hall (jagamohana), sanctum and temple tower were built during the eleventh century, whereas the Hall of offering (bhoga-mandapa) came up during the twelfth century. As for the natamandira, it was constructed by the wife of Salini between 1099 and 1104 CE. At the time of completion of Lingaraj temple, the Puri Jagannath temple was gaining popularity. Hence, the co-existence of Vishnu and Shiva worship at the temple is traceable to that period. Incidentally, the kings of Ganga dynasty were ardent followers of Vaishnavism and built the Jagannath Temple at Puri in the 12th century. The Ganga rulers introduced changes in the temple, incorporation of certain Vaishnavite elements like images of Vaishnava Dwarapalas namely Jaya and Prachanda, Jagannatha, Lakshmi Narayan and Garuda were installed. Tulsi leaves, which are favoured by Vishnu, was used along with Bela leaves for the worship of Lingaraj. Lingaraja was thus came to be known as Harihara, a combination of Shiva and Vishnu.Here the lingam is self-manifested - Krutibasa or Swayambhu, just 8 inches above the floor and the diameter is 8 feet.

The Lingaraja temple faces east wheres there is a main entrance. It is made of sandstone and laterite.

The image of Lingaraja is anointed (Abhisekam) with water (called mahasnana) several times a day and decorated with flowers, sandal paste and cloth. Bilva leaves (Aegle marmelos) and tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) are used in daily worship. Offerings of food (made in the temple kitchen) is done in the bhogamandapa (hall of offering) and the lord is invoked to accept them amidst chanting of mantras by Pundits. Bhang beverage is offered to Lingaraja by some devotees especially on the day of Pana Sankranti (Odia new year).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingaraja_Temple

The Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala. Famous Places In India

The Ujjayanta Palace, constructed between 1899 and 1901 by the Tripura king, Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya, (Ujjoyonto Prashad), was once the royal palace of Tripura (princely state). Situated in Agartala, the capital of the Indian state of Tripura on the banks of a small lake surrounded by Mughal gardens, it served as a residence of the ruling Manikya dynasty until Tripura`became part of the Indian Union in October 1949. The state government paid the royal family Rs. 2.5 million in early 1970s with view to converting the palace into the state legislative assembly. The Ujjayanta Palace compound extends over an area of approximately 1 km2 (250 acres) and includes public rooms such as the throne room, durbar hall, library and reception hall. The buildings and grounds cover a vast land
of 800 acres (3.2 km2) in the prime area of Agartala.
A special feature about this unique palace is the Chinese Room whose ceiling was crafted by artisans specially brought from China. The two-storied structure has three large domes, the largest of which is 86 ft (26 m) high, and which rests atop a four-storied central tower. The architecture is a blend of Mughal, Roman and British design elements. The name 'Ujjayanta Palace' was given by Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.

The Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala TripAdvisor

The Ujjayanta Palace houses the largest museum in this region, containing 22 galleries and showcasing NE India’s art, sculptures, paintings, textiles, Bronze images, culture, history, tradition and ethnic diversity.

Tripura is credited with one of the oldest princely states of ancient India and the history goes back to . the reign of Maharaja Maha Manikya, who was crowned in 1400 AD, and was the first ruler under the royal title of Manikya. The old palace built in 1862 by King Ishan Chandra Manikya (1849-1862) was damaged in the June 1867 earthquake. Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1899–1901 rebuilt it at a cost of 10 lakh (1 million) rupees. Its contractor was Martin Burn Company.

A unilateral move to change the name of the palace name by the local government was thwarted by the local community as the history and heritage of the region had to be safeguarded. Finally, the government gave up the proposal and retained the name of Ujjayanta Palace.

The Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala. YouTube

The surrounding grounds are laid out like Mogul gardens adorned with fountains. The two large artificial ponds on either side of the garden which is decorated with pools and fountains make this place enchanting.

The near-by attractions, adjacent to the palace are many Hindu temples , dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan, Uma-Maheshwari, Kali and Jagannath.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ujjayanta_Palace

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Rock Editcts of Emperor Ashoka.

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Ananta Vasudeva Temple (13th century), Bubaneswar , Odisha

Fascinating Lingaraja temple. largest in Bubaneswar

Amazing Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala