Aga Khan Palace | Cinematic | Pune | Maharashtra |
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJvnH4OKS5U
Ismaili Sites in India
Pune: Aga Khan Palace to light up for Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary
The ASI has already developed a road around the palace, built toilets and parking space, and painted and repaired parts of the building. The palace gets at least 6,000-7,000 foreign tourists every year.
Efforts are underway to renovate the iconic Aga Khan Palace, also known as the Gandhi National Memorial, and to make the museum experience more interactive for the lakhs of visitors who flock here every year. These efforts are part of measures to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
More...
https://indianexpress.com/article/citie ... y-5329872/
The ASI has already developed a road around the palace, built toilets and parking space, and painted and repaired parts of the building. The palace gets at least 6,000-7,000 foreign tourists every year.
Efforts are underway to renovate the iconic Aga Khan Palace, also known as the Gandhi National Memorial, and to make the museum experience more interactive for the lakhs of visitors who flock here every year. These efforts are part of measures to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
More...
https://indianexpress.com/article/citie ... y-5329872/
-
shivaathervedi_3
- Posts: 354
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 7:29 pm
Adopted from Time magazine the week of Sep 3-Sep 10, 2018, page 73.
SUNDER NURSERY
NEW DEHLI
Between the pollution and the crowds , it's hard to to get away in New Dehli. But now the Indian capital offers a respite: the city's first arboretum. Unveiled in February, the 90 acre complex is a horticultural haven with restored Mughal era monuments and natural water features. The eventual goal is to linkup with a neighboring zoo and fort to create a 900 acre sanctum of greenery.
Note: Time magazine should have given the name of the person i.e AGA KHAN who was behind this project.
SUNDER NURSERY
NEW DEHLI
Between the pollution and the crowds , it's hard to to get away in New Dehli. But now the Indian capital offers a respite: the city's first arboretum. Unveiled in February, the 90 acre complex is a horticultural haven with restored Mughal era monuments and natural water features. The eventual goal is to linkup with a neighboring zoo and fort to create a 900 acre sanctum of greenery.
Note: Time magazine should have given the name of the person i.e AGA KHAN who was behind this project.
-
shivaathervedi_3
- Posts: 354
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 7:29 pm
Today in History: September 14
1953, September 14: Honeymoon Lodge was transformed into the Mahdi Convalescent Home in lmemory of the meritorious services of Mukhi Mahdi, the son of Alijah Hasan Ali Mukhi Laljibhai Devraj of Bombay. The Mahdi Convalescent Home was completed and inaugurated on September 14, 1953 by Muhammad Ali Bogra, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. In his welcome speech, Dr. Pir Muhammad said, "This Convalescent Home is an additional gift of Aga Khan, which provides the recovery and energy to the patients of old diseases, or who have undergone major operations, on important location far from the dense population of the city."
In your today in history section, you have quoted that Honeymoon Lodge was converted in Mahdi convalescent in memory of Mukhi Mahdi of Mumbai. It is not true, a senior missionary told me that Mahdi convalescent was established in the memory of Prince Mahdi son of MSMS and brother of Prince Ali khan who passed away in early stage.
1953, September 14: Honeymoon Lodge was transformed into the Mahdi Convalescent Home in lmemory of the meritorious services of Mukhi Mahdi, the son of Alijah Hasan Ali Mukhi Laljibhai Devraj of Bombay. The Mahdi Convalescent Home was completed and inaugurated on September 14, 1953 by Muhammad Ali Bogra, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. In his welcome speech, Dr. Pir Muhammad said, "This Convalescent Home is an additional gift of Aga Khan, which provides the recovery and energy to the patients of old diseases, or who have undergone major operations, on important location far from the dense population of the city."
In your today in history section, you have quoted that Honeymoon Lodge was converted in Mahdi convalescent in memory of Mukhi Mahdi of Mumbai. It is not true, a senior missionary told me that Mahdi convalescent was established in the memory of Prince Mahdi son of MSMS and brother of Prince Ali khan who passed away in early stage.
Living history: The Aga Khan Palace in India
On 2 October, the Aga Khan Palace in Pune was lit up in all its glory, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. Shining like a beacon above Pune’s Nagar Road, the brightly lit Palace represents a fitting metaphor for Gandhi’s role as a guiding light in India’s campaign for independence.
The illumination of the Palace on Gandhi Jayanti — the day that Mahatma Gandhi was born — is the culmination of a painstaking restoration process undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). From repairing its roof to restoring its flooring, a massive effort has been underway at the Aga Khan Palace to revitalise the monument and its historical treasures.
Built in 1892 at the request of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, the Aga Khan Palace covers an area of 19 acres with a built up space of seven acres. Its two-storey structure is held up by a set of graceful Italian arches with wooden beams and stone and wooden flooring in the interiors. A sprawling garden surrounds the Palace area and houses the samadhis or tombs of Kasturbha Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s wife, and Mahadev Desai, his personal secretary. Built at an estimated budget of 1.2 million rupees in those times, the Palace is considered to have been an act of generosity by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, to help the poor who had been devastated by a recent famine. In February 1969, during a visit to India, Mawlana Hazar Imam donated the Palace to the Indian Government. In 2003, it was declared a monument of national importance by the ASI.
Mahatma Gandhi’s connections to the Palace are well known. The palace grounds are home to his memorial and the palace itself houses archives of photographs and portraits of Gandhi during the independence movement. The connection goes back to 8 August 1942, when, in an impassioned speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai, Gandhi launched the India August movement and urged his fellow Indians to unite “in the common struggle for independence.” Gandhi and many of his followers were subsequently interned at the Palace from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944.
While Gandhi’s memorial, marking the site of his cremation, lies at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, his ashes are housed on the grounds of the Palace, said to have been donated in 1992, following which the Ismaili community in Pune donated money to build the memorial that would house them. That memorial stands on the Palace grounds today.
The palace’s role in Gandhi’s final years has made it a living museum to his life and philosophy. For several years it fell into a state of neglect and disrepair, but now the ASI’s recent efforts are restoring both the palace and the fragments of history that it holds.
“The conservation work started last year with the Samadhi,” said Gajanan Mandavare, the assistant conservation officer of the ASI Pune sub-division. “This year we have started with the palace area and hope to complete this in the next six months.”
The conservation efforts required at the Palace are extensive. Decades of water leakage have damaged wooden planks on the roof and the passage of time has chipped away at the stone flooring. ASI plans to carry out extensive waterproofing of the interiors of the palace to prevent further water damage to the wooden planks and beams. Much of the stone flooring has already been restored and the palace has been given a fresh coat of paint.
Efforts are also underway concurrently to revitalise the museum of artefacts, pictures, and portraits that pay tribute to Gandhi and his role in the freedom struggle. The ASI team is working on the chemical conservation of textiles in the Palace (such as the clothes of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife) and is also looking at digitising the images that are part of the collection.
“We want to make this a place that meets international standards,” said Mandavare. “We see 400-500 tourists daily and approximately 1,000 tourists every weekend.” ASI’s planned initiatives include constructing a baggage room and toilet blocks for visitors. The ASI team has already developed a road around the palace, built a proper parking lot, and repaired the brick walls that surround the Samadhi area.
For local Pune residents and the Ismaili community, the restoration of the palace is welcome news. For the Jamat in particular, a restored Palace will bring a renewed sense of pride and happiness about a structure that has been part of the community’s collective memory for many decades. For ASI, the restoration of the Palace promises to increase visitor traffic and allow many more Indians and tourists to engage with Gandhi’s life and legacy in contemporary times.
To foster this engagement, and as part of its plans to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Union Ministry of Culture plans to refurbish the Palace’s picture gallery and create a digital and interactive display of Gandhi’s life and times. The ASI is also reportedly making arrangements for Gandhi’s speeches to be heard so that visitors to the Palace have a multi-sensory experience when they visit.
On 2 October, the palace opened its doors to an all-religion prayer meet to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the man who was celebrated for his views on tolerance and non-violence. Beyond being merely a home for the past, the Palace continues to be transformed into a living, breathing memorial to Gandhi’s values and philosophy.
https://the.ismaili/news/living-history ... lace-india
On 2 October, the Aga Khan Palace in Pune was lit up in all its glory, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. Shining like a beacon above Pune’s Nagar Road, the brightly lit Palace represents a fitting metaphor for Gandhi’s role as a guiding light in India’s campaign for independence.
The illumination of the Palace on Gandhi Jayanti — the day that Mahatma Gandhi was born — is the culmination of a painstaking restoration process undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). From repairing its roof to restoring its flooring, a massive effort has been underway at the Aga Khan Palace to revitalise the monument and its historical treasures.
Built in 1892 at the request of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, the Aga Khan Palace covers an area of 19 acres with a built up space of seven acres. Its two-storey structure is held up by a set of graceful Italian arches with wooden beams and stone and wooden flooring in the interiors. A sprawling garden surrounds the Palace area and houses the samadhis or tombs of Kasturbha Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s wife, and Mahadev Desai, his personal secretary. Built at an estimated budget of 1.2 million rupees in those times, the Palace is considered to have been an act of generosity by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, to help the poor who had been devastated by a recent famine. In February 1969, during a visit to India, Mawlana Hazar Imam donated the Palace to the Indian Government. In 2003, it was declared a monument of national importance by the ASI.
Mahatma Gandhi’s connections to the Palace are well known. The palace grounds are home to his memorial and the palace itself houses archives of photographs and portraits of Gandhi during the independence movement. The connection goes back to 8 August 1942, when, in an impassioned speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai, Gandhi launched the India August movement and urged his fellow Indians to unite “in the common struggle for independence.” Gandhi and many of his followers were subsequently interned at the Palace from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944.
While Gandhi’s memorial, marking the site of his cremation, lies at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, his ashes are housed on the grounds of the Palace, said to have been donated in 1992, following which the Ismaili community in Pune donated money to build the memorial that would house them. That memorial stands on the Palace grounds today.
The palace’s role in Gandhi’s final years has made it a living museum to his life and philosophy. For several years it fell into a state of neglect and disrepair, but now the ASI’s recent efforts are restoring both the palace and the fragments of history that it holds.
“The conservation work started last year with the Samadhi,” said Gajanan Mandavare, the assistant conservation officer of the ASI Pune sub-division. “This year we have started with the palace area and hope to complete this in the next six months.”
The conservation efforts required at the Palace are extensive. Decades of water leakage have damaged wooden planks on the roof and the passage of time has chipped away at the stone flooring. ASI plans to carry out extensive waterproofing of the interiors of the palace to prevent further water damage to the wooden planks and beams. Much of the stone flooring has already been restored and the palace has been given a fresh coat of paint.
Efforts are also underway concurrently to revitalise the museum of artefacts, pictures, and portraits that pay tribute to Gandhi and his role in the freedom struggle. The ASI team is working on the chemical conservation of textiles in the Palace (such as the clothes of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife) and is also looking at digitising the images that are part of the collection.
“We want to make this a place that meets international standards,” said Mandavare. “We see 400-500 tourists daily and approximately 1,000 tourists every weekend.” ASI’s planned initiatives include constructing a baggage room and toilet blocks for visitors. The ASI team has already developed a road around the palace, built a proper parking lot, and repaired the brick walls that surround the Samadhi area.
For local Pune residents and the Ismaili community, the restoration of the palace is welcome news. For the Jamat in particular, a restored Palace will bring a renewed sense of pride and happiness about a structure that has been part of the community’s collective memory for many decades. For ASI, the restoration of the Palace promises to increase visitor traffic and allow many more Indians and tourists to engage with Gandhi’s life and legacy in contemporary times.
To foster this engagement, and as part of its plans to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Union Ministry of Culture plans to refurbish the Palace’s picture gallery and create a digital and interactive display of Gandhi’s life and times. The ASI is also reportedly making arrangements for Gandhi’s speeches to be heard so that visitors to the Palace have a multi-sensory experience when they visit.
On 2 October, the palace opened its doors to an all-religion prayer meet to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the man who was celebrated for his views on tolerance and non-violence. Beyond being merely a home for the past, the Palace continues to be transformed into a living, breathing memorial to Gandhi’s values and philosophy.
https://the.ismaili/news/living-history ... lace-india
-
swamidada_1
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 9:21 pm
Discover India
with Himanshu Kumar
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated, Junagadh means "Old Fort". It is also known as "Sorath", the name of the earlier Princely State of Junagadh. After brief struggle between India and Pakistan Junagadh joined India on 9 November 1947. It was a part of Saurashtra state and later Bombay state. In 1960 after Maha Gujarat movement it became part of newly formed Gujarat state ( in Junagadh, Rajkot, Ahmadabad and its vicinity, and other parts of Gujrat live thousands of Khoja Ismailis).
Mauryan dynasty:
An impressive fort, Uperkot, located on a plateau in the middle of town, was originally built during the Mauryan dynasty by Chandragupta in 319 BCE The fort remained in use until the 6th century, when it was covered over for 300 years, then rediscovered in 976 CE The fort was besieged 16 times over an 800-year period. One unsuccessful siege lasted twelve years.
Solanki dynasty:
The Solanki, of the Chalukya dynasty, ruled Gujarat in the 11th and 12th centuries. The two large step wells (vavs) of Uperkot Fort were both commissioned by Rah NavghanI (1025-1044 CE) Muslims conquered Gujarat in 1299 and the Sultanate of Gujarat was formed in 1407. Mahmud Begada (Mahmud Shah I) invaded Junagadh in 1467. The city was annexed to the Gujarat Sultanate; the city foundation was laid for Mahmudabad in 1497. Strong embankments were raised along the river, and the city was adorned with a palace, handsome buildings and extensive gardens. When the Portuguese took over the ports of Diu and Daman in the 16th century, a fifteen-foot cannon, made in Egypt in 1531, was abandoned at Uperkot Fort by a Turkish admiral opposing the Portuguese forces at Diu.
Mughal rule:
Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I, who owed allegiance to the Sultan of Ahmedabad, founded the state of Junagadh by expelling the Mughal governor and declaring independence in 1748. Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I, who assumed the name "Zaid Khan" when he came to power in Junagadh, was the founder of the Babi dynasty. His descendants, the Babi Nawabs of Junagadh, conquered large territories in southern Saurashtra and ruled over the state for the next two centuries, first as tributaries of Baroda, and later under the suzerainty of the British.
Nawabs of Babi dynasty:
1735 - 1758 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I
1758 - 1775 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I
1775 - 1811 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji I
1811 - 1840 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji II
1840 - 1851 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji II
1851 - 1882 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II
1882 - 1892 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III
1892 - 1911 : Mohammad Rasul Khanji
1911 - 1948 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III (he migrated to Pakistan)
British period:
In 1748 Junagadh state founded. In 1807 it becomes British protectorate. The East India Company took control of the state by 1818, but the Saurashtra area never came under the direct administration of British India. Instead, the British divided the territory into more than one hundred princely states, which remained in existence until 1947. The present old town, developed during the 19th and 20th centuries, is one of the former princely states which were outside but under the suzerainty of British India.
Time Periods of Various Rulers:
Maurya Dynasty ruled over Junagadh
in 319 BC
Kalinga Dynasty ruled over Junagadh
in 185 BC
Greek ruled over Junagadh
in 73-70 BC
Shaka(Scythians) ruled over Junagadh
100-275 AD
Kshatrapa ruled over Junagadh
276-455 AD
Gupta ruled over Junagadh
456-770 AD
The Chinese Traveller Hu-en-Tsang had visited Junagadh
640 AD
Chudasama / Chavada ruled over Junagadh
875-1472 AD
Muslim Rulers Mohammed Begada, Khalil Khan
1472-1572 AD
Mughals ruled over Junagadh
1573-1748 AD
Nawabs of Babi Dynasty (Yousufzai Pathan) ruled over
1749-1949 AD
UPERKOT:
Uperkot is an impressive fort located on a plateau in the middle of town. It was originally built in 319 BC. Visitors enter the fort through a large gate. Some parts of the fort’s walls are 20 m high. If, after entering the gate you turn left, you will come to Jama Masjid. It has 140 pillars supporting its ceiling.
Further down the road are what are believed to be old Buddhist caves, said to be 1,500 years old (dating from before 500 AD). They are carved into the rocky hill and have stone carvings and floral work. There are also the Khapra Kodia caves north of the fort, and the Babupyana caves south of the fort.
There is a huge, fifteen-foot cannon, made in Egypt in 1531. There are also two interesting large step wells (vavs) here. The 11th century Navghan Kuva has a circular stairway that descends over 50 m down into the well. The Adi Chadi Vav descends 170 steps.
GIRNAR:
The tallest of the mountains rises to 1031 meters (3382 feet), the highest peak in Gujarat. A sturdy stone path — a pilgrimage route - climbs from peak to peak. It is claimed that there are exactly 9,999 steps from the trailhead to the last temple on the highest peak, but the actual number is roughly 8,000. On the ways towards the peak of Girnar, there are temples and places; namely, `Bharathari Gufa(cave)', `Mali Parab', `Ramchandra Temple', and `Hathi Pashan'. Every year, a race is held, running from the base of the mountain to the peak and back. The locals in nearby Junagadh insist that the fastest-ever time was 42.36 minute.
The first peak of Girnar has a collection of beautifully carved Jain temples. Higher up, there are temples of `Jatashanker Mahadev' and `Gaumukhi Ganga'. Famous places like `Sheshavan', `Bharanvan' and `Hanumandhara' are nearer to the temple of `Gaumukhi Ganga'. The original way to climb Girnar from western side was from `Hanumandhara'. One can reach `Ambaji' temple after climbing ~5,000 steps. Right at the entry to the Ambaji Temple there is a marker on the steps that indicates 4868 steps from the start. This temple was constructed during `Gupt' dynasty and reference to this temple are found in the books written in seventh century. In the southern direction from `Ambaji' temple, there is another peak known as `Guru Gorakhnath' peak. `Oghad' peak is the next peak and followed by water tank known as `Kamandal kund'. There are steep steps to climb the peak of `Dattatreya' temple. To reach the peak of `Kalka' temple, one has to get down and climb another hill. The last two temples do not have steps on the way and you have to climb the mountain.
In the Hindu religion, the legend is that climbing Girnar barefooted earns one a place in Heaven. The nearby Gir Forest serves as sanctuary for the last remaining Asiatic Lions. It is also famous for the Kathiawadi culture in the adjacent region.
Veraval:
Veraval was founded in 13th or 14th by Rao Veravalji Vadher, a Rajput. Veraval was once a fortified port town of the royal family of Junagadh. It used to be a part of the Kingdom of Junagadh till 1953 when Junagadh was merged with India. The city still bears some remains of the old Nawabi heritage, the beautiful Nawabi summer palace being one of them. There are ruins of the old Nawabi fort and Nawabi Gates in and around the place. The old walls of the port are now ruined, but the impressive Junagadh gate and the Patan gate are still seen, but are in a very bad state.
The Nawabi Palace with gothic features which is one of the main attractions. It is popularly known as Somnath College (the palace was converted into a college after it was abandoned by the nawab). At present it is the building of a Sanskrit university. The town is often known as the gateway to the magnificent temple of Somnath and the pilgrimage centres of Prabhas Patan and Bhalkha. Veraval is also the nearest town to the Gir National Park (42 km away).
Somnath:
Somnath is situated at Prabhaspatan in Junagadh District; 79 km away from Junagadh City and is the most sacred of the twelve Jyotirlings (lingas of light) of the god Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of moon god". The Somnath Temple is known as 'the Shrine Eternal', as although the temple has been destroyed six times it has been rebuilt every single time. On the last time, it was built after a plan was mooted by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in November 1947, when he visited the area for Indian Integration of Junagadh, and later after his death carried out by K.M. Munshi, also a Minister in Government of India.
Junagadh is connected to Rajkot and Ahmedabad by National Highway NH8D which also connects Junagadh to Veraval and Somnath. Junagadh city Bypass on NH8D obviates the need for through vehicles to enter the city. In the south, Junagadh is connected to Bilkha and Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary. Kalwo river runs through Junagadh; Ferguson bridge is built over it to connect the two parts of the city. A bridge is also constructed on river Sonrakh in the northern outskirts of the city. Mount Girnar is connected with Junagadh by road. Rickshaws are generally preferred as mode of transportation.
www.discoverindiabyroad.com/p/history-o ... irnar.html
with Himanshu Kumar
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated, Junagadh means "Old Fort". It is also known as "Sorath", the name of the earlier Princely State of Junagadh. After brief struggle between India and Pakistan Junagadh joined India on 9 November 1947. It was a part of Saurashtra state and later Bombay state. In 1960 after Maha Gujarat movement it became part of newly formed Gujarat state ( in Junagadh, Rajkot, Ahmadabad and its vicinity, and other parts of Gujrat live thousands of Khoja Ismailis).
Mauryan dynasty:
An impressive fort, Uperkot, located on a plateau in the middle of town, was originally built during the Mauryan dynasty by Chandragupta in 319 BCE The fort remained in use until the 6th century, when it was covered over for 300 years, then rediscovered in 976 CE The fort was besieged 16 times over an 800-year period. One unsuccessful siege lasted twelve years.
Solanki dynasty:
The Solanki, of the Chalukya dynasty, ruled Gujarat in the 11th and 12th centuries. The two large step wells (vavs) of Uperkot Fort were both commissioned by Rah NavghanI (1025-1044 CE) Muslims conquered Gujarat in 1299 and the Sultanate of Gujarat was formed in 1407. Mahmud Begada (Mahmud Shah I) invaded Junagadh in 1467. The city was annexed to the Gujarat Sultanate; the city foundation was laid for Mahmudabad in 1497. Strong embankments were raised along the river, and the city was adorned with a palace, handsome buildings and extensive gardens. When the Portuguese took over the ports of Diu and Daman in the 16th century, a fifteen-foot cannon, made in Egypt in 1531, was abandoned at Uperkot Fort by a Turkish admiral opposing the Portuguese forces at Diu.
Mughal rule:
Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I, who owed allegiance to the Sultan of Ahmedabad, founded the state of Junagadh by expelling the Mughal governor and declaring independence in 1748. Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I, who assumed the name "Zaid Khan" when he came to power in Junagadh, was the founder of the Babi dynasty. His descendants, the Babi Nawabs of Junagadh, conquered large territories in southern Saurashtra and ruled over the state for the next two centuries, first as tributaries of Baroda, and later under the suzerainty of the British.
Nawabs of Babi dynasty:
1735 - 1758 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji I
1758 - 1775 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I
1775 - 1811 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji I
1811 - 1840 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji II
1840 - 1851 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji II
1851 - 1882 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II
1882 - 1892 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III
1892 - 1911 : Mohammad Rasul Khanji
1911 - 1948 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III (he migrated to Pakistan)
British period:
In 1748 Junagadh state founded. In 1807 it becomes British protectorate. The East India Company took control of the state by 1818, but the Saurashtra area never came under the direct administration of British India. Instead, the British divided the territory into more than one hundred princely states, which remained in existence until 1947. The present old town, developed during the 19th and 20th centuries, is one of the former princely states which were outside but under the suzerainty of British India.
Time Periods of Various Rulers:
Maurya Dynasty ruled over Junagadh
in 319 BC
Kalinga Dynasty ruled over Junagadh
in 185 BC
Greek ruled over Junagadh
in 73-70 BC
Shaka(Scythians) ruled over Junagadh
100-275 AD
Kshatrapa ruled over Junagadh
276-455 AD
Gupta ruled over Junagadh
456-770 AD
The Chinese Traveller Hu-en-Tsang had visited Junagadh
640 AD
Chudasama / Chavada ruled over Junagadh
875-1472 AD
Muslim Rulers Mohammed Begada, Khalil Khan
1472-1572 AD
Mughals ruled over Junagadh
1573-1748 AD
Nawabs of Babi Dynasty (Yousufzai Pathan) ruled over
1749-1949 AD
UPERKOT:
Uperkot is an impressive fort located on a plateau in the middle of town. It was originally built in 319 BC. Visitors enter the fort through a large gate. Some parts of the fort’s walls are 20 m high. If, after entering the gate you turn left, you will come to Jama Masjid. It has 140 pillars supporting its ceiling.
Further down the road are what are believed to be old Buddhist caves, said to be 1,500 years old (dating from before 500 AD). They are carved into the rocky hill and have stone carvings and floral work. There are also the Khapra Kodia caves north of the fort, and the Babupyana caves south of the fort.
There is a huge, fifteen-foot cannon, made in Egypt in 1531. There are also two interesting large step wells (vavs) here. The 11th century Navghan Kuva has a circular stairway that descends over 50 m down into the well. The Adi Chadi Vav descends 170 steps.
GIRNAR:
The tallest of the mountains rises to 1031 meters (3382 feet), the highest peak in Gujarat. A sturdy stone path — a pilgrimage route - climbs from peak to peak. It is claimed that there are exactly 9,999 steps from the trailhead to the last temple on the highest peak, but the actual number is roughly 8,000. On the ways towards the peak of Girnar, there are temples and places; namely, `Bharathari Gufa(cave)', `Mali Parab', `Ramchandra Temple', and `Hathi Pashan'. Every year, a race is held, running from the base of the mountain to the peak and back. The locals in nearby Junagadh insist that the fastest-ever time was 42.36 minute.
The first peak of Girnar has a collection of beautifully carved Jain temples. Higher up, there are temples of `Jatashanker Mahadev' and `Gaumukhi Ganga'. Famous places like `Sheshavan', `Bharanvan' and `Hanumandhara' are nearer to the temple of `Gaumukhi Ganga'. The original way to climb Girnar from western side was from `Hanumandhara'. One can reach `Ambaji' temple after climbing ~5,000 steps. Right at the entry to the Ambaji Temple there is a marker on the steps that indicates 4868 steps from the start. This temple was constructed during `Gupt' dynasty and reference to this temple are found in the books written in seventh century. In the southern direction from `Ambaji' temple, there is another peak known as `Guru Gorakhnath' peak. `Oghad' peak is the next peak and followed by water tank known as `Kamandal kund'. There are steep steps to climb the peak of `Dattatreya' temple. To reach the peak of `Kalka' temple, one has to get down and climb another hill. The last two temples do not have steps on the way and you have to climb the mountain.
In the Hindu religion, the legend is that climbing Girnar barefooted earns one a place in Heaven. The nearby Gir Forest serves as sanctuary for the last remaining Asiatic Lions. It is also famous for the Kathiawadi culture in the adjacent region.
Veraval:
Veraval was founded in 13th or 14th by Rao Veravalji Vadher, a Rajput. Veraval was once a fortified port town of the royal family of Junagadh. It used to be a part of the Kingdom of Junagadh till 1953 when Junagadh was merged with India. The city still bears some remains of the old Nawabi heritage, the beautiful Nawabi summer palace being one of them. There are ruins of the old Nawabi fort and Nawabi Gates in and around the place. The old walls of the port are now ruined, but the impressive Junagadh gate and the Patan gate are still seen, but are in a very bad state.
The Nawabi Palace with gothic features which is one of the main attractions. It is popularly known as Somnath College (the palace was converted into a college after it was abandoned by the nawab). At present it is the building of a Sanskrit university. The town is often known as the gateway to the magnificent temple of Somnath and the pilgrimage centres of Prabhas Patan and Bhalkha. Veraval is also the nearest town to the Gir National Park (42 km away).
Somnath:
Somnath is situated at Prabhaspatan in Junagadh District; 79 km away from Junagadh City and is the most sacred of the twelve Jyotirlings (lingas of light) of the god Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of moon god". The Somnath Temple is known as 'the Shrine Eternal', as although the temple has been destroyed six times it has been rebuilt every single time. On the last time, it was built after a plan was mooted by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in November 1947, when he visited the area for Indian Integration of Junagadh, and later after his death carried out by K.M. Munshi, also a Minister in Government of India.
Junagadh is connected to Rajkot and Ahmedabad by National Highway NH8D which also connects Junagadh to Veraval and Somnath. Junagadh city Bypass on NH8D obviates the need for through vehicles to enter the city. In the south, Junagadh is connected to Bilkha and Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary. Kalwo river runs through Junagadh; Ferguson bridge is built over it to connect the two parts of the city. A bridge is also constructed on river Sonrakh in the northern outskirts of the city. Mount Girnar is connected with Junagadh by road. Rickshaws are generally preferred as mode of transportation.
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News Magazine Heritage
Conflict between Hindus and Jains over sacred sites on Mount Girnar
The mountain Girnar is older than the Himalayas and the Jain temples upon it are amongst the most ancient in the country; it is the Nirvan bhumi of 22nd Tirthankara Neminath. It is 3666 feet high, and is one of the most remarkable mountains in India. Mount Girnar has around 866 temples that can be reached by climbing around 8,000 steps. The mountain has five peaks that were formed after a volcanic eruption. The tallest peak among these is around 945 m high.
UDAY MAHURKAR
May 1, 2006
ISSUE DATE: May 1, 2006, UP DATED: February 28, 2012
The shrine of Lord Dattatreya which has become a hotbed of religious rivalry. This is a mini-Mahabharata in the making. The two warring sides are the religious heads of the Hindu and Jain communities. Their bone of contention: Mount Girnar in Gujarat's Junagarh district. The area is home to some of India's most ancient and revered religious shrines, the most famous being the one devoted to Lord Dattatreya or Datta, the three-headed trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
According to the Jains, it is the spot where the Jain Tirthankara Lord Neminath attained nirvana. According to Hindu spiritual leaders, however, Jains are illegally constructing religious structures as part of a grand expansion plan to capture the Girnar hills. That's a motive that Jain leaders also accuse the Hindu mahants, who control the shrines across the various peaks of Girnar,of harbouring. Besides, the mahants are preventing the Jains from worshipping in their shrines, Jain leaders complain.
"The authentic history of the place and many other valid sources say that the spot belongs to Lord Datta. The Jains have absolutely no right over the place, legally or otherwise," claims Swami Muktanand, who controls the Datta shrine located on the highest peak of Girnar. "The spot belongs to Lord Datta and the Jains have no right over the place."
Though the conflict ranges over an extensive area, the battle is essentially for two spots-the footprint of Datta at the God's shrine on Peak No.5 and the shrine of the ancient Hindu saint Gorakhnath on Peak No.3, which also has an imprint of the saint's footprints. The footprints of Gorakhnath are worshipped by Jains as being those of Jain saint Shambhukumarji.
Conflict between the Jains and the Hindus started over the mysterious appearance of idols in 2004. The Jains claim that they found an idol of Lord Datta at Peak No. 5, and then discovered another image, of the Hindu deity Ramdev Pir, near the footprints of Gorakhnath.
The dispute took an ugly turn when Swami Muktanand filed a case against the Jains for trying to break the idol at Datta's shrine, which he claims has been there for ages. After this, the state Archaeology Directorate also filed two cases against Jain leaders - one against Bandi lal Trust, which led to the arrest of Sunil Kumar for trying to build a temple of a Jain goddess near a protected monument dedicated to Jain heroes Vastupal and Tejpal. They have been filed under the law that prevents construction within a 100-metre radius around the protected monument.
The volley of charges from both sides continues to fly thick and fast in Mount Girnar, which is proclaimed by Hindu scriptures to be more sacred than the Himalayas. The mahants allege the Jains have been systematically trying to change the character of the Girnar hills.
According to them, many images of Hindu gods and goddesses have been replaced by Jains from the Raa Khengar Mahal, ruins of an ancient palace, with carved images of Jain gods, to give an impression that Girnar is essentially a Jain place of pilgrimage. Says Gopalanandji, a Hindu monk, "We are not going to tolerate these moves by the Jains."
Ascribing cases of the so-called illegal construction on the part of Jains more to ignorance of laws than any design, Sunil Kumar says: "All we want is that Jain pilgrims be allowed to worship the footprints of Neminathji and Shambhukumarji, in keepingwith the Jain tenets, at a fixed time in the day."
They allege that Hindu leaders are building a stone door on the path leading to a Jain shrine to block access. "Even the district administration is partial," SunilKumar says. Adds Nirmalsagarji, a Jain sadhu, "The situation is best described by the phrase jiski laathi uski bhains (those who have power can do anything)."
Though Jain and Hindu leaders met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (when he was CM of Gujrat) in an effort to find an amicable solution to this religious crisis, nothing positive has emerged so far. In fact, attempts at mediation have been obscured in the maze of claims and counter-claims. The conflict has assumed gigantic proportions over the years and now both sides have set their hopes on the Gujarat High Court. Holy wars may be decided by a higher court, and this one, judging by the location of the disputed area, is higher than most.
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/heri ... 2006-05-01
Conflict between Hindus and Jains over sacred sites on Mount Girnar
The mountain Girnar is older than the Himalayas and the Jain temples upon it are amongst the most ancient in the country; it is the Nirvan bhumi of 22nd Tirthankara Neminath. It is 3666 feet high, and is one of the most remarkable mountains in India. Mount Girnar has around 866 temples that can be reached by climbing around 8,000 steps. The mountain has five peaks that were formed after a volcanic eruption. The tallest peak among these is around 945 m high.
UDAY MAHURKAR
May 1, 2006
ISSUE DATE: May 1, 2006, UP DATED: February 28, 2012
The shrine of Lord Dattatreya which has become a hotbed of religious rivalry. This is a mini-Mahabharata in the making. The two warring sides are the religious heads of the Hindu and Jain communities. Their bone of contention: Mount Girnar in Gujarat's Junagarh district. The area is home to some of India's most ancient and revered religious shrines, the most famous being the one devoted to Lord Dattatreya or Datta, the three-headed trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
According to the Jains, it is the spot where the Jain Tirthankara Lord Neminath attained nirvana. According to Hindu spiritual leaders, however, Jains are illegally constructing religious structures as part of a grand expansion plan to capture the Girnar hills. That's a motive that Jain leaders also accuse the Hindu mahants, who control the shrines across the various peaks of Girnar,of harbouring. Besides, the mahants are preventing the Jains from worshipping in their shrines, Jain leaders complain.
"The authentic history of the place and many other valid sources say that the spot belongs to Lord Datta. The Jains have absolutely no right over the place, legally or otherwise," claims Swami Muktanand, who controls the Datta shrine located on the highest peak of Girnar. "The spot belongs to Lord Datta and the Jains have no right over the place."
Though the conflict ranges over an extensive area, the battle is essentially for two spots-the footprint of Datta at the God's shrine on Peak No.5 and the shrine of the ancient Hindu saint Gorakhnath on Peak No.3, which also has an imprint of the saint's footprints. The footprints of Gorakhnath are worshipped by Jains as being those of Jain saint Shambhukumarji.
Conflict between the Jains and the Hindus started over the mysterious appearance of idols in 2004. The Jains claim that they found an idol of Lord Datta at Peak No. 5, and then discovered another image, of the Hindu deity Ramdev Pir, near the footprints of Gorakhnath.
The dispute took an ugly turn when Swami Muktanand filed a case against the Jains for trying to break the idol at Datta's shrine, which he claims has been there for ages. After this, the state Archaeology Directorate also filed two cases against Jain leaders - one against Bandi lal Trust, which led to the arrest of Sunil Kumar for trying to build a temple of a Jain goddess near a protected monument dedicated to Jain heroes Vastupal and Tejpal. They have been filed under the law that prevents construction within a 100-metre radius around the protected monument.
The volley of charges from both sides continues to fly thick and fast in Mount Girnar, which is proclaimed by Hindu scriptures to be more sacred than the Himalayas. The mahants allege the Jains have been systematically trying to change the character of the Girnar hills.
According to them, many images of Hindu gods and goddesses have been replaced by Jains from the Raa Khengar Mahal, ruins of an ancient palace, with carved images of Jain gods, to give an impression that Girnar is essentially a Jain place of pilgrimage. Says Gopalanandji, a Hindu monk, "We are not going to tolerate these moves by the Jains."
Ascribing cases of the so-called illegal construction on the part of Jains more to ignorance of laws than any design, Sunil Kumar says: "All we want is that Jain pilgrims be allowed to worship the footprints of Neminathji and Shambhukumarji, in keepingwith the Jain tenets, at a fixed time in the day."
They allege that Hindu leaders are building a stone door on the path leading to a Jain shrine to block access. "Even the district administration is partial," SunilKumar says. Adds Nirmalsagarji, a Jain sadhu, "The situation is best described by the phrase jiski laathi uski bhains (those who have power can do anything)."
Though Jain and Hindu leaders met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (when he was CM of Gujrat) in an effort to find an amicable solution to this religious crisis, nothing positive has emerged so far. In fact, attempts at mediation have been obscured in the maze of claims and counter-claims. The conflict has assumed gigantic proportions over the years and now both sides have set their hopes on the Gujarat High Court. Holy wars may be decided by a higher court, and this one, judging by the location of the disputed area, is higher than most.
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/heri ... 2006-05-01
Pune Destinations That Can Glamourise Your Pre-Wedding Shoot
The wedding season is here and the hunt for the perfect scenic backdrop for the pre-wedding album has begun.
City couples not only want to announce the big day to their friends, but also have the best of pictures up for everyone in their social media family to see.
To give you a head start, here's a list of some of our favourite spots in Pune that are just picture perfect.
Aga Khan Palace
Brimming with culture and history, Aga Khan Palace is the place for those looking for architectural excellence as their backdrop. This world heritage site houses a spacious lawn, historical artefacts and buildings with intricate designs that give you the old-world charm.
Address: Gandhi National Memorial Society, Aga Khan Palace Road.
https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/engli ... -109027660
The wedding season is here and the hunt for the perfect scenic backdrop for the pre-wedding album has begun.
City couples not only want to announce the big day to their friends, but also have the best of pictures up for everyone in their social media family to see.
To give you a head start, here's a list of some of our favourite spots in Pune that are just picture perfect.
Aga Khan Palace
Brimming with culture and history, Aga Khan Palace is the place for those looking for architectural excellence as their backdrop. This world heritage site houses a spacious lawn, historical artefacts and buildings with intricate designs that give you the old-world charm.
Address: Gandhi National Memorial Society, Aga Khan Palace Road.
https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/engli ... -109027660
India: Virtual Walk Around the Aga Khan Palace and Museum to Explore its Unique Features
Multimedia:
https://www.gandhiheritageportal.org/ga ... hbg==_Mjc=
Multimedia:
https://www.gandhiheritageportal.org/ga ... hbg==_Mjc=