Information of Gwalior Fort

Gwalior Fort is located near Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, central India. The fort is divided into two parts with a fortified structure. One part is Gujari Mahal and the other is Man Mandir. It was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 8th century.

Many kings have controlled this fort at different times in history. Gujari Mahal was built for Queen Mrignayani. It is now known as a historical museum. The oldest documents related to "zero" were found in a temple on the way to the top of this fort. It was almost 1500 years old.

History of Gwalior Fort 

There is no solid evidence of the time it took to build the Gwalior Fort. But according to the local residents, it was built by Raja Suraj Sen in the 8th century. He got it built in the name of a monk named Gwalipa as a thank you. It is said that the sage got rid of leprosy by turning the holy water of a pond yellow.

The sage had blessed him with the title of "Pal". This fort would remain under the control of his family as long as he kept this title with his name. Suraj Sen Pal's 83 successors had control of this fort but lost this fort to the 84th descendant.

According to historical documents and evidences, this fort definitely existed in the 10th century, but there is no evidence of its existence before that.

But the carvings and structures made in the premises of the fort indicate its existence in the 6th century as well; The reason for this is that some documents found in the Gwalior Fort mention the construction of the Sun Temple by King Mihirakula of the Huna dynasty. Gurjara-Pratiharasin had built the "Teli Ka Mandir" inside the fort in the 9th century.

Diwan Kachhapaght of the Chandela dynasty had control of this fort in the 10th century. Muslim kings attacked the fort from the 11th century onwards. Mahmud Ghazni captured the fort for 4 days and returned the fort in exchange for 35 elephants, it is mentioned in Tabaqti Akbari.

The Ghurid vizier Qutb al-Din Aibak, who later became the king of the Delhi Sultanate, conquered the fort after a long battle. After that Delhi again lost this fort but in 1232 Iltumish captured it again.

In 1398 the fort came under the control of the Tomar Rajput dynasty. Tomar Raja Man Singh made beautiful constructions inside the fort in the fort. Sultan Sikandar Lodhi of Delhi attacked the fort in 1505 with the intention of capturing it but he did not succeed.

In 1516 Sikandar Lodhi's son Ibrahim Lodhi attacked again, in this battle Man Singh Tomar lost his life and the Tomar dynasty surrendered after a year's struggle.

After 10 years, the Mughal emperor Babur captured this fort from the Delhi Sultanate, but in 1542, the Mughals had to lose the Gwalior fort to Sher Shah Suri. In 1558, Babur's grandson Akbar recaptured the fort. Akbar converted this fort into a prison for his political prisoners.

Akbar's cousin Kamran was kept as a prisoner here and then he was sentenced to death. Aurangzeb's brother Murad and nephew Soleiman and Safar Shiko were also sentenced to death in this fort. All these murders were done in the Man Mandir palace.

After the death of Aurangzeb, the control of this fort passed to the Ranas of Gohad. The Maratha king Mahadji Shinde (Scindia) captured the fort by defeating the Gohad king Rana Chhatar Singh, but soon lost it to the East India Company.

On 3 August 1780, the British captured the Gwalior fort by a midnight guerrilla war under the leadership of Captain Popham and Bruce. In 1780, Governor Warren Hastings restored the rights of the fort to Gohad Rana. After 4 years the Marathas again captured the fort.

This time the British did not interfere because they were cheated by Gohar Rana. Daulat Rao Scindia again lost this fort in the second Maratha-English war.

Between 1808 and 1844, the control of this fort kept coming in the hands of the Marathas and sometimes in the hands of the British. After the war of Maharajpur, in January 1844, the British gave this fort to the Maratha Scindia dynasty by appointing them as their Diwan.

During the Revolt of 1857, about 7000 soldiers stationed in Gwalior rebelled against the Company Raj. Even at this time, the vassal king Jiyaji Scindia maintained his loyalty towards the British. In 1858, the British recaptured this fort. The British gave some princely states to Jiyaji but kept the possession of the fort with themselves.

In 1886, the British took control of the whole of India and this fort had no special importance for them, so they gave it to the Scindia family. The Scindia family ruled the fort till India's independence (1947) and built many buildings, including the Jai Vilas Mahal.

The fort was kept in good care and many constructions were done in it like palaces, temples, water tanks etc. It has many palaces like Man Mandir, Gujari Jahangir, Shah Jahan. This fort is in an area of 3 kilometers and is 35 feet high. Its walls have been made from the sides of the mountain and it has been connected with 6 towers.

It has two doors, one in the north-east and the other in the south-west. The name of the main gate is Hathi Pul and the name of the second gate is Badalgarh gate. Manmandir Palace is located in the north-west, it was built in the 15th century and was renovated in 1648.

And that is why there has been a lot of discussion about this Gwalior fort in history. This is a priceless treasure given to us by history, whose importance is as much today as it was in the past.

Taj Mahal, the symbol of India's pride and love - Uttar pradesh

                                                   Taj Mahal History

Kankariya lake - Ahmedabad

               Kankaria Lake The largest lake in Ahmedabad, formerly known as Hauz-e-Qutub. From Balloon Safari and Zoo to Toy Train and Amusement Park, Kankaria Lake situated near Maninagar area in Ahmedabad has everything that attracts everyone from kids to adults. For adventure enthusiasts, Kankaria also offers options like archery, gymnastics and water rides in the lake. This picturesque lake is perfect for an evening stroll with multi-coloured lights twinkling around its periphery. The most fearsome festival- Kankaria Carnival is celebrated with utmost enthusiasm and fervor. It also provides you a great platform to showcase your talent in various competitions. Kankaria Lake is a place where entertainment, culture, knowledge and talent blend perfectly with each other.

History of Kankaria Lake

Kankaria Lake is the largest lake in Ahmedabad which was constructed about 500 years ago. According to researchers and inscriptions on the lake, the construction of Kankaria Lake was started by Sultan Muizz-ud-din Muhammad Shah in the 15th century and was completed in 1451 during the reign of Sultan Qutb-ud-din Ahmad Shah II. According to the inscription, this lake was earlier known as "Hauz-i-Qutub" (Pond of Qutub) which was later named as Kankaria Lake.

Architecture of Kankaria lake 

Spread over 76 acres, Kankaria Lake has a very unique shape. The shape is reminiscent of the Mughal architecture of the time. The well-planned lake is a splendid example of Indian styles, with flights of water sluices at regular intervals crisscrossing the stones and barring the steps. There is a garden in the middle of this lake, which is appropriately known as Nagina Wadi – or Jewel of the Lake. Though the lake has been subjected to several renovations by the kings, the British and the post-independence government, it has managed to retain its original elements.

 Legend of Kankaria Lake

The actual origin of the name Kankaria is unknown, yet various stories are told about it which are quite interesting. The name 'Kankaria' is derived from 'kankar', as a large amount of limestone was extracted from here in the formation of the lake. Other anecdotes suggest that the lake was named after Saint Hazrat-e-Shah Alam. Legend has it that Saint Hazrat-e-Shah Alam was passing through the excavation site during which he was injured by a pebble. After which he accepted that pebble and named the lake as Kankaria Lake.

Attractions of Kankaria Lake

kankariya zoo

                  Spread over an area of 31 acres, Kankaria Zoo is the prime attraction of Kankaria Lake which is also known as Kamla Nehru Zoological Park. 450 mammals, 2000 birds and 140 reptile species are found in this zoo, which you can see here.

Kindergarten

Balvatika is a beautiful children's park situated on the banks of the Kankaria Lake, named after the country's first Prime Minister, Chacha Nehru. This park has many sports areas, slides and swings for the entertainment of children, besides this the park also has a bird museum based on Indian birds and animals. Another attraction of Balvatika is Nabhi Darshan Planetarium.

Amusement park

           Kankaria Lakefront Amusement Park offers a number of thrilling rides and attractions for the kids. With the recent safety and security measures, the rides have become thrilling and fun. The amusement park's thrilling rides are Boomerang Roller Coaster, Flipping Arm, Towering Tower, Dis-O-Pendulum and Merry-Go-Round.

Stone Mural Park

          Stone Murali Park is another special place situated on the banks of Kankaria Lake. It houses various attractive murals depicting the history of Ahmedabad in pink sandstone.

Dutch and Armenian Tombs

           On the left side of Kankaria Lake is an ancient cemetery with some Dutch and Armenian graves. Beginning in the seventeenth century, these tombs were embellished with stylized domes and pillars, indicating a noble heritage. The inscriptions are in Dutch and Latin. The most notable tomb here is that of a nobleman who established the Dutch East India Company's factory in Ahmedabad in 1615.

Balloon ride

           Balloon ride is one of the most preferred activities at Kankaria Lake which gives you an opportunity to have a panoramic view of Ahmedabad city while flying at a height of about 350 feet. Super thriller tethered balloon ride is available at Kankaria lakefront from where you can take off.

Toy train

            Toy train is the most liked ride by kids, if you are going to come here with your kids then don't miss ride on toy train. The Atal Express, named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, takes a round of the Kankaria Lake on a 2.3 km long track. This train can carry 150 passengers at a time, which attracts children as well as adults.

Boat ride

            Boat ride is another most attractive activity of Kankaria Lake which is loved by tourists and couples alike.

Kankaria Carnival  of Kankaria lake

             The week long Kankaria Carnival is the most awaited festival of Ahmedabad which promises to be full of fun and excitement. Held every year in the last week of December, many competitions and events like magic show, rangoli making competition, debate, essay or painting competitions, dog show, scuba-diving, laser show and gymnastics are organized in this festival. 

 Best time to visit Kankaria Lake 

          By the way, you can visit Kankaria Lake at any time of the year. But if you want to visit Kankaria Lake as well as other tourist places in Ahmedabad, then you should avoid the summer season because it gets very crowded during this time. That's why winter months are the best months to visit Ahmedabad. If you come here in the month of December, you can also attend the Kankaria Festival.

Andaman And Nicobar Islands History

          Andaman And Nicobar Islands History Information 

          Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Andaman and Nicobar Islands are considered an important part of India. This group made up of islands is located between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. This union territory has made a huge contribution in the history. It is said that earlier the British used to rule this Andaman and Nicobar. There used to be big jails near them. Those who did any work against their East India Company, they were kept captive in this jail. Those people were sentenced to life imprisonment. At that time it was called 'Kalapani ki Punishment'. Many revolutionaries were kept in the 'Cellular Jail' here.

 Andaman and Nicobar Islands History Information

          The history of this union territory is also very old when the East India Company used to rule here. Here the East India Company used to arrest the criminals and put them in jail.

 

          History tells that the first migrant named Marco Polo came to this island. Maratha ruler Kanhoji Angre also once ruled this island in the 18th century. But in a war, he was defeated by the naval forces of the English and Portuguese together and with that his rule also came to an end.

          In 1789, the British established their colony on this island, but later in 1796 they left the island. But then later in the 19th century the British took over the island. In the 19th century, the British used to keep criminals in the jail here and hence it was later named 'Kalapani'.

          History tells that whoever committed any crime against the East India Company was sent to Andaman and Nicobar jail and was sentenced to life imprisonment. In this way he had to live alone for the rest of his life.

         But after the end of the British rule, the idea of the name Kalapani also ended from this island in independent India and since then it has been made a beautiful island. In 1947, it was declared a Union Territory of India. Today, the name of Andaman and Nicobar is also added to the seven Union Territories of India.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Language

          Andamanese people and Nicobarese people live on this island for a long time. There is a lot of diversity in the language and culture of all the people here. The people living on this island speak Onge, Andamanese, Sentili, Jarawa and Nicobarese languages.

 Andaman and Nicobar Islands Culture

          That's why people living in Andaman and Nicobar belonging to different castes, religions and speaking different languages, yet the culture of the people here is the same, there is a lot of similarity between them. The most special thing about the people here is that even after there is so much diversity in these people, all the people live together. There is no violence here in the name of caste and religion.

        The people who live here have lived here for thousands of years. It is said that the people here have been living here for 60,000 years. The people here do not interact with the people of the outside world at all. Not only this, the people here do not even use money in their behavior. They still use the old barter system. The people here are very backward in technology. Generally people here do hunting, collecting fruits, honey. Some people take up fishing as a profession.

Tourism of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

          This place is most appropriate for the tourism of those who are environment lovers. The Cellular Jail, Rose Island and Havelock Island are the main attractions on this beautiful island.

          The forest of Andaman remains green throughout the year. Here you get a chance to see beautiful beaches, snake-like creeks, different species of flora and fauna in the sea. After seeing all these things closely, it becomes a memorable moment in the life of any tourist.

           The tourism department has made complete arrangements for the guest house for the tourists to stay here. Main tourist centers like Anthropological Museum, Marine Museum, Water Sports Complex, Gandhi Park, North Bay, Viper Island, Rose Island, Chidiyatapu, Red Skin Island, Corbin Cove Beach, Neil Island, Havelock Island, Panchak, Little Andaman, Diglipur are present. 

                      

               How to reach Andaman and Nicobar Islands

          To come here, complete arrangements have been made to come by plane and ship. Indian Airlines, Air Deccan, Jetlite flights are available from Kolkata and Chennai. There are also regular ships from Chennai, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam.

Sabarmati Aashram - Ahmedabad

 History and Story of Sabarmati Ashram

The Sabarmati Ashram is an ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation. Whose old name was Satyagraha Ashram. It is located on the banks of the Sabarmati near Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. Since it was situated on the banks of the Sabarmati river, it was named Sabarmati Ashram.

History of Sabarmati Ashram

It was established in 1917 in Ahmedabad. Some time after the establishment of the Satyagraha Ashram, its name was changed to Sabarmati. On one side of the Sabarmati Ashram is the Central Jail and on the other side is the crematorium, yet one can be surprised to see the peace here. Mahatma Gandhi spent 12 years together with his wife in this ashram.

When Gandhiji returned after completing his studies from South Africa, he first established an ashram on May 15, 1915 at a place called Kochrab in Ahmedabad, which was named Satyagraha.

But after 2 years this ashram had to be shifted because Gandhi ji wanted that work like farming, animal husbandry, khadi should be done here but due to less space this ashram was shifted to the banks of Sabarmati river and it is named after this river. The name was kept Sabarmati. Mahatma Gandhi ji fought the freedom struggle in 1930 by staying in this ashram and also did Dandi march from here and broke the salt law after reaching Dandi.

When this ashram started, there was no proper living space here and the number of people living here was 40, but slowly everything changed and Sabarmati Ashram became bigger and people were not facing any problem in living here.

Mahatma Gandhi ji was about non-violence, self-restraint, truth and he wanted to change the country through social and economic revolution. By creating unity among the people there, Gandhi ji tried to improve the economic condition through khadi, charkha and rural work and tried to get freedom for the country only through non-violence. Due to which he also got success in that.

Sabarmati Ashram was made such a school in Gandhiji that considering agriculture, literacy and human labor as the center, he started talking about everything. After some time, when the freedom struggle progressed, Mahatma Gandhi took oath on March 12, 1930 and he said that I will not return to Sabarmati Ashram until India gets independence.

After a lot of struggle with Mahatma Gandhi and freedom fighters, India got independence on 15th August 1947 but Mahatma Gandhi died on 30th January 1948 and Gandhiji could never return to the ashram he had built.

Presently located places in Sabarmati

After the death of Mahatma Gandhi, the Sabarmati Ashram was converted into a museum in his memory. At present it is also known as Gandhi Memorial Museum. Different places of this ashram have been given different names which are as follows –

heart arch

This is the place of the ashram where Gandhi used to live which is in the center of the ashram. The name of this place was given by Hriday Kunj Kaka Saheb Kalekar. Gandhiji also started the Dandi march from here.

Nandini Guest House

The place where people coming to the ashram used to stay has been called Nandini Guest House. This is a guest house at a short distance from the ashram. Many great people have lived here like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, C. Rajagopalachari, Rabidranath Tagore and many others have lived here.

prayer ground

The people living in this ashram used to start their suhab with prayer and this is the place where everyone used to pray everyday.

Vinoba- Meera Kutir

The name of a place in the Sabarmati Ashram is Vinoba-Mira Kutir. Its name was Vinoba Bhave and Gandhiji named his disciple Vinoba Bhave as Meera. Vinoba Bhave spent a few months in this ashram, hence the name of this place is Vinoba-Mira Kutir.

Udyog Mandir

This is the place in the ashram where Gandhi ji had set up charkhas to make Khadi clothes to practically change the economic situation. Along with Gandhiji, his followers also used to come here and spin the charkha and Gandhiji used to teach everyone to make Khadi clothes. On the same basis it was named Udyog Mandir.

tourist places

Sabarmati has now become a tourist destination, where about 7 lakh people come to visit every year. And this ashram remains open from 7 am to 8 pm. Here the spinning wheel used by Gandhiji is still preserved and the people coming here are shown all the things there.

All the things of Gandhiji's life have also been kept in this ashram. There is also a library in the Sabarmati Ashram, in which 34,000 manuscripts of Gandhiji, 6000 photo negatives and 200 photostat files have been kept. Also there are 35000 books in this library.