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Dargah Sharif, Ajmer |
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Dome of Dargah Sharif, Ajmer |
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Shops outside Dargah Sharif, Ajmer |
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Jain Temple, Ajmer |
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Roopangarh Fort |
Just over 130 km
south-west of Jaipur is Ajmer, a burgeoning town on the shore of
the Ana Sagar Lake, flanked by barren hills. Historically, Ajmer
had considerable strategic importance and was sacked by Mohammed
Gauri on one of his periodic forays from Afghanistan. Later, it
became a favourite residence of the mighty Mughals. One of the
first contacts between the Mughals and the British occurred in
Ajmer, when Sir Thomas Roe met with Jehangir here in 1616.
The City was subsequently taken by the Scindias and, in 1818, it
was handed over to the British, becoming one of the few places in
Rajasthan controlled directly by the British rather than being
part of a princely state. The British chose Ajmer as the site for
Mayo College, a prestigious school opened in 1875 exclusively for
the Indian Princes, but today open to all those who can afford the
fees. Ajmer is a major centre for Muslim pilgrims during the fast
of Ramadan, and has some impressive Muslim architecture. However
for most travellers, Ajmer is essentially just a stepping stone to
nearby Pushkar. It can make a convenient base if you can't get
accommodation in Pushkar during the Camel Fair.
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PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:
Dargah Sharif: At the foot of a desolate hill in old part of town, this
is one of India's most important places for Muslim pilgrims. The
Dargah is the Sufi saint, Khawaja Muin-uddin Chishti, who came to
Ajmer from Persia in 1192. Construction of the Shrine was complete
by Humayun and the gate was added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Akbar
used to make the pilgrimage to the Dargah from Agra once a year.
You have to cover your head in certain areas so don't forget to
take a scarf or caps.
As you enter the courtyard, removing your shoes at the gateway, a
mosque constructed by Akbar is on the right. The large iron
cauldrons are for of ferigs which are customarily shares by
families involved in the shrine upkeep. In an inner court there is
another mosque built by Shah Jahan. Constructed of white marble it
has II arches and a Persian inscription running the full length of
the building.
The saint's tomb is in the centre of the second court, it has a
marble dome and the actual tomb inside is surrounded by a silver
platform. The horseshoes nailed to the shrine doors are offerings
from successful horse dealers! Beware of 'guides' pestering for
donations around the Dargah using the standard fake donation books
or 'visitor register' you'll have to pay a generous donation if
you sign up. The tome attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims
every year on the anniversary of the saint's death, the Urs, in
the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It's an interesting
festival, but the crowds can be suffocating. As well as the
pilgrims, Sufis from all over India converge on Ajmer.
Ana Sagar & Foy Sagar: This artificial lake was created in the
12th century by damming the River Luni. On its bank is a pleasant
park, the Daulat Bagh, containing a series of marble pavilions
erected in 1637 by Shah Jahan. There are fine views from the hill
beside the Daulat Bagh. Another reservoir Foy Sagar was constructed
in 1891-1892 A.D. by the Ajmer Municipal Committee. Foy was the
Executive Engineer in-charge of the project.
Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra: A remarkable structure, this is a
masterpiece of indo - Islamic architecture located on the
outskirts of the city, just beyond the Dargah As the legend goes,
its construction took two and a half days (Adhai-Din) to complete.
It was originally a Sanskrit college, built within a temple.
In 1193 A.D., Mohammed Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the
building into a mosque by adding a seven arched wall in front of
the pillared hall in just two-and-half days (adhai-din) and hence
the name. The distinct pillars and arched "Screen" with its ruined
minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.
Taragarh Fort: Taragarh, also known as Garh Beetli, is a
circumvallation of the crest of the hill which overhangs the town
of Ajmer and commands a view of it from every point. The principal
strength of the fort lies in the ruggedness and acclivity of the
hill.
The space within the walls of this hill fort was about 32 hectares
with several tanks. From 1818 to 1832 A.D., a company of Native
Infantry occupied it, but the fort was dismantled in 1832 A.D.,
from 1860 to 1920 A.D., other accommodation on the hill was used
as the sanitarium for the European troops stationed at Nasirabad.
It is now in a dilapidated and forlorn state though the hill still
commands a majestic view.
Mayo College: lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India, in a Darbar held in
1870 A.D. at Ajmer, which was attended by several ruling princess
of States of Rajputana, placed before them a proposal to set up an
institution at Ajmer for the education of princess and sons of
nobility.
Its foundation stone was laid in 1878 A.D. and its building,
constructed in white marble in Indo Saracenic style, was
inaugurated by the Maruis of Dufferin, in 1885 A.D. Sometimes
known as the Eton of India, the institution had the distinction of
enrolling several ruling princes, not only from Rajputana States,
But from outside as well. It is now open to all sections of
society and is still one of the best schools in the country.
The Circuit House: The former British Residency, overlooking the
artificial lake Ana Sagar, has now been converted into the Circuit
House. The Ana Sagar Lake and the cenotaph and the shrine of Hindu
reformer Swami Dayanand, founder of the Arya Samaj movement in
India, can be viewed from here.
Nasiyan (Jain Temple): Buiilt in 1864-1865 A.D., this Digambar
Jain Temple is commonly called Lal Mandir (Red Temple) due to its
colour. Behind the temple is a Swarna Nagari Hall containing
gilt-edged wooden representations from Jain mythology, which were
prepared at Jaipur.
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MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES:
Government Museum: situated in the heart of the old city and close
to the railway station the museum is housed in the beautiful fort
and palace built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570.
It was here that the British envoy Sir Thomas Roe met Emperor
Jahangir in 1616. what is today commonly known as Magazine is the
palace quarters where the emperors lived. After British occupation
in 1818 and during the first war of Independence in 1857 it was
used as the Rajputana Arsenal by the British which gave the name
magazine.
EXCURSIONS
Baghera: Baghera is situated in the Kekri sub-division of Ajmer
District. It is about 107 kms. South-east of Ajmer. The village is
known for its treasuretove of archaeological and antiquarian
relics. It's old name was Vyagreraka as has been recorded in the
Bijolia rock inscription during the reign of the Chauhan Emperor,
Someswara, dated v.s. 1226. Baghera attracted the attention of
archaeologist A.C.L. Carllyle who examined its relics in 1871-72.
Baghera is well known for its archaeological sites. The most
renowned of them all is the temple of Varaha Avtar (incarnation of
Lord Vishnu in the form of a boar). It is presently enshrined in a
comparatively modern building on the southern side of a big sacred
tank known as Varaha Sagar. On the western side of the Varaha
Sagar are the ruins of an ancient temple dating back to 10th-11th
century A.D. There is also a magnificent Torana close to the outer
wall the Garh (residence) of the Thakur of Baghera. Naginabagh
offers a rare sight of low lying mounds having traces of ancient
buildings buried underneath. On the outskirts of Baghera there is
a rocky area named Mataji Dungar. Here one can behold a mystifying
sight of Jain images jutting out of land. These images mark the
site of a famous Jain temple referred to in the inscriptions of
the medieval period.
Todgarh: Todgarh, is picturesque place situated in the Aravallis,
the oldest mountain range of the world. Todgarh is 3281 feet above
sea level and has the potential of attaining the status of a hill
resort, next only to Mount Abu. Captain Tod built the fort of
Todgarh which is about 70 kms from Beawar. It is 120 kms. South of
Ajmer, and only 13 kms. from Bhim on National Highway No. 8. Its
original name is Boraswara. In early times, nomadic tribes like
the Banjaras and Gurjars inhabited this area. Todgarh formed a
part of Merwara.
Kishangarh: Kishangarh was the capital of the erstwhile princely
State of the same name and was founded in 1611 A.D. by Kishan
Singh, as son of the Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur. One of his
successors, Raja Sawant Singh, who not only was an accomplished
poet, writing under the nom-de-plume of Nagari Das, but also was a
painter of high order. His masterpiece Bani Thani (a bewitching
lady personifying everything beautiful in womanhood) immortalized
him and gave a new theme and direction to the Kishangarh School of
painting. In recent years the town has become a trade centre for
various varieties of marble and papier mache products.
Roopangarh Fort: Built in AD 1648 and called after
himself, the town and Fort of Roopangarh was constructed by
Maharaja Roop Singh of Kishangarh State between the mid - 17th
to 18th centuries. This is called the 'Golden Period'
of Kishangarh Art and Culture, and saw to the flourishing of the
world famous school of Miniature Paintings.
Originally a nine turreted Fort, Roopangarh Fort has been built
over and added on by several generations and the different styles
can still be seen in the structure. Now beautifully restored and
renovated into a
hotel,
it is the first 'War-Fort' to have been
done so. The nineteen large rooms are individually and tastefully
decorated, keeping in mind the history and heritage surrounding
it.
Beawar: 54 kms from Ajmer. A Badshahi procession
festival is celebrated every year on the day After Holi (Dhulandi),
wherein large number of people throw gulal (dry colour) on
each other.
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SHOPPING:
The leather work of Rajasthan is
interestingly a joint effort of the local men and women. While the
men do the tanning, cutting and stitching, the women do embroidery
and ornamentation.
In Ajmer, you will find numerous items that are truly Rajasthani
and reflect an ancient tradition. Silver and gold ornaments,
jewellery, tie-and-dye sarees and embroidered Jodhpuri shoes are
some of this city's specialities. During the annual Urs fair, folk
artisans display their ware and offer a tempting range of
intriguing and colourful items. Prominent shopping centres include
Madar Gate, Station Road, Purani Mandi, Naya Bazar, Kaisarganj,
Nala Bazar etc.
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