Tourism – Muslims Of India

Gulbarga, a Center of Muslim Culture

admin — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 07:52:03 +0000

Gulbarga in the Karnataka State is a historical and significant city. This city reminds us the glorious Muslim history in India and it retains till date its status of being a center of Muslim culture and activities. 623 km away from Bangalore and 200 km from Hyderabad Deccan it was under the State of Hyderabad. Gulbarga is a compound word consisting of Gul (flower) and Barg (garden), meaning thereby the city of flowers. According to traditions, the ancient name of the city was Kalaburagi, which was established in place of Gulbaga by a Government GO in 20114. Gulbarga is also known as Gulbarga Sharif because a number of Sufi shrines are located here. Gulbarga Fort and Gulbarga Jama Masjid in addition to other heritage sites make this city a significant city of pilgrimage and tourism. As per some accounts, once there were flower gardens in every household of the city, which indicates its prosperity in the past. After independence, Gulbarga became a part of Karnataka State on the linguistic lines under the reorganization of the states.

Gulbarga has been under various dynasties and kingdoms before coming under Delhi Sultanate in 1321. With it, Islamic history begins.

Bahmani Sultanate

Bahmani Sultanate initially headquartered at Gulbarga was the first independent Islamic state in Deccan region of the South India. Bahmani Sultanate is considered one of the great sultanates in the middle ages. Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded this kingdom revolting against the Sultan, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq of Delhi. This kingdom was in continuous conflict with Vijaynagra Empire. During the ministry of Mahmood Gawan, this sultanate flourished much and after 1518 it was divided into five sultanates, Nizam Shahi of Ahmad Nagar, Qutub Shahi of Golkonda, Barid Shahi of Bidar, Imad Shahi of Berar and Adil Shahi of Bijapur. These sultanates are called cumulatively to be Deccan sultanates.

During seventeen century, Aurangzeb Alamgir (R) brought with Deccan region under his Mughal Empire but during 18^th century, its decline began and General Asif Shah of Aurangzeb declared independence of Golkonda and the reign of Hyderabad State started and after independence in 1956 Gulbarga was separated from Andhra Pradesh and included in Karnataka. About 37 percent population of the city is Muslim.

Historical Buildings

Among the historical monuments in Gulbarga are included Fort, in which there are a number of heritage sites in addition to Jama Masjid. Shri Kshetra Ghanapur Temple, Siddharatha Trust Buddha Vihar, Sharana Bashveshwar Garden are other important sites. In the field of Education, Gulbarga University is a known name.

Jaunpur and Its Islamic Monuments

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 16:40:24 +0000

Jaunpur founded by the Sultan of Delhi Feroz Shah Tughlaq in the name of his cousin Jauna Khan is also called Shiraz-e-Hind. This name has been assigned to it righty as it has a rich history of Islamic Culture and Civilization. A number of prominent personalities belonged to this Purvanchal City in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid, Fort and other Islamic Monuments were built here during Sharqi dynasty and thereafter. Jaunpur is located 228 km southeast of Lucknow having good connections of rail and raid

Islamic Monuments

Atala Masjid

Atala Mosque in Jaunpur – image: Wiki

Atala Masjid or Atala Mosque is a 14^th century mosque 2.2 km away from the city of Jaunpur. It had been built by Ibrahim Shah Sharqi in 1408 AD. A madrasa namely Din Dunia was imparting the religious and secular sciences in this mosque. The architecture of the mosque is Sharqi style.

Jama Masjid

Jama Mosque in Jaunpur – Image: Wiki

This mosque started in 1438 and gradually completed in 1473 by Hussain Shah Sharqi of the Jaunpur Sultanate is 2.2 km northeast of Shiraz-e-Hind. The imposing structure of this mosque attracts a larger number of the tourists visiting this capital city of Sharqi dynasty. The mosque has delicate inscriptions of the Quranic verses.

Lal Darwaza Mosque

Laldarwaza Mosque in Jaunpur – Image: Wiki

Lal Darwaza Mosque (Red Portal Mosque or Ruby Gate Mosque) of Jaunpur was dedicated to a saint Syed Ali Daud Qutbuddin after the same was built by the Queen Raji Bibi in 1447. Raji Bibi was the wife of the Sultan Mahmood Sharqi. It was used as the private place of prayer by the Queen. She established a madrasa also, which is still exists with the name of Jamia Hussainia.

Shahi Bridge

Shahi Bridge on the bank of the river Gomti in Jaunpur city was ordered to be built by Akbar the Great and completed by Munim Khan in 1568-69. It is the most significant Mughal structure in this city.

Shahi Qila Jaunpur

Shahi Qila Jaunpur was built during 14^th century by Ibrahim Naib Barbak. It contains a mosque and many spacious and stylish baths amongst other monuments.

Khanqah-e-Shahbazia, Bhagalpur

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 16:55:00 +0000

Khanqah-e-Shahbazia Founded in 1577 AD. Khanqah-e-Shahbazia is one of the most revered shrines of Bhagalpur, which deserves to be seen. It houses the grave of Maulana Shahbaz, a saint whose 13th-generation descendants still run the place. Maulana Shahbaz Rahmatullah is considered one of the 40 Sufi saints sent to spread the message of Allah. The Sajjadah Nasheen (direct descendant of the saint) is supposed to spend his life within the confines of the Khanqah and take care of its management, lead prayers and offer spiritual services. It is said that they are exempted from appearing in a court of law.

The Mosque in Khanqah-e-Shahbazia was built by Aurangzeb and was frequently visited by him. Every Thursday, visitors assemble at the place to be blessed. Most of the visitors are said to be from the eastern parts of India and Bangladesh. There is a belief that the water in a pond here has medicinal qualities that can cure illness and snake bites. Archeological Survey of India has discovered some ancient manuscripts from the basement of Khanqah e Shahbazia.

The Khanqah-e-Shahbazia is also famous for its library, which has a vast collection of Arabic and Persian theological texts, including a copy of the Qur’an transcribed by Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Murshidabad, Bengal.

Murshid Quli Khan Born a Hindu in the Deccan Plateau c. 1670, Murshid Quli Khan was bought by Mughal noble Haji Shafi. After Shafi’s death, he worked under the Divan of Vidarbha, during which time he piqued the attention of the then-emperor Aurangzeb, who sent him to Bengal as the divan c. 1700.

Allahabad Fort, the Largest Fort Built by Akbar

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 14:18:53 +0000

Allahabad Fort is a fort built by the Mughal emperor Akbar at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh India in 1583. A stone inscription inside fort describe 1583 as a foundation year. The fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near its confluence with the river Ganges. It is recognised by as a monument of national importance.

History

The Allahabad Fort was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1583. Abu’l-Fazl, in his Akbarnama writes:

“For a long time [Akbar’s] desire was to found a great city in the town of Piyag [Prayag], where the rivers Ganges and Jamna join, and which is regarded by the people of India with much reverence, and which is a place of pilgrimage for the ascetics of that country, and to build a choice fort there”.— Abu’l Fazl, Akbarnama

Akbar named the fort Illahabas (“blessed by Allah“), which later became “Allahabad”. According to Catherine Asher, the construction of the fort was a response to several uprisings that had been taking place in eastern India. Besides the strategic location of Allahabad, Akbar is also thought to have been motivated by the ability to collect taxes from the large number of pilgrims visiting the Triveni Sangam. However, this seems unlikely, considering the fact that Akbar abolished the existing pilgrim taxes in 1563.

Akbar’s fort was constructed in such a way that it enclosed the famous Akshayavat tree, where people would commit suicide in order to achieve salvation. The reason for this is not known, although some sources claim that he did it to prevent people from committing suicide. According to a local legend, Akbar was a Hindu ascetic named Mukunda Brahmachari in his previous birth. Once, by mistake, he consumed a cow’s hair while drinking milk. Horrified at this sin (cow being holy animmal), he committed suicide. He was born a mlechchha (non-Hindu) as a result of this sin, and was driven to build a fort at the holy Sangam.^[4]

The local Prayagwal Brahmins claim that Akbar repeatedly failed to construct the fort, because its foundation would sink in the sand each time. The emperor was told that a human sacrifice was required to proceed. A local Brahmin voluntarily sacrificed himself, and in return, Akbar granted his descendants — the Prayagwals — the exclusive rights of servicing the pilgrims at the Sangam.

The Allahabad Fort is the largest fort built by Akbar. This fort has three galleries flanked by high towers.

Revolt by Salim

In 1600, Mughal prince Salim (future emperor Jahangir) revolted against his father Akbar and established his own court in the Allahabad fort. He commanded very little territory and was reconciled with his father shortly after.

Phulwari Sharif, A Place of Sufi Culture

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 12:59:11 +0000

Phulwari Sharif is a notified area in Patna in the Indian state of Bihar. The current metro plan of Patna has one route. The civilisation of the city dates back to the days of inception of the Sufi culture in India. Phulwari Sharif had been frequented by most Sufi saints of that period. All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna is located in Phulwari Sharif.

Urbanisation has taken over Phulwari Sharif and now it is the most populated area of Patna.It is one of Muslim majority area in Patna.

Important Places

Mazar of Hazrat Makhdoom Rasti, Khanqah Mujeebia, Sheesh Mahal, Shahi Sangi Masjid and Imarat Sharia has a long religious history that is intensely attached with the birth and development of the Sufi culture in India. The Sufi saints of the ancient times had made Bihar one of the important centers of religious, social, and cultural developments, and Phulwari Sharif was one such region where the Sufi saints had spread their message of love and toleration and the same can be feel here in the atmosphere, people of all religions respect each others.

The Shahi Sangi Masjid bears relics of the rich architectural past of the region. Built in red sandstone by the Mughal Emperor Humayun and is the one of the oldest mosque here. The mosque is one of the main attraction for tourists. Near the mosque there is a shrine [Tomb] of Khwaja Emaduddin Qalandar. Also it is known as Lal Miyan ki Dargah.

Every Year on 29-Dhu al-Hijjah there is an Urs at the Mazar of Shah Makhdoom Rasti Rahmatullah Allaih and disciple from all over India came here to tribute and get spiritual satisfaction.

Phulwari Sharif is well connected to other cities of India through rail-road network.

Road

This significant city of Bihar is located on NH 98 on the Khagaul road in Patna.

Rail

conneCon Phulwari Sharif railway station connects the city to different part of the country through many passenger and express trains.

Airways

Lok Nayak Jaiprakash International Airport is nearby which connects Patna to all other part of country.

Shahi Qila, Burhanpur

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:57:28 +0000

The Shahi Qila was a majestic palace in Burhanpur, located to the east of the Tapti River. Little except ruins remains of the palace. However, the parts which still stand display amazing works of sculpture and exquisite carvings.

History of Shahi Qila states that it was originally built by the Farooqui rulers and resided by Shah Jahan, at a time when he was the governor of Burhanpur. Shah Jahan became so fond of the fort that it was here, in Shahi Qila that he convened his court for the first three years of his ascending the throne. Shah Jahan spent a considerable time in this city, and helped add to the Shahi Qila. Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas were built on the terrace of the Qila.

Shahi Qila, Burhanpur is mostly in ruins now, except a few beautifully carved parts of the palace that still stands as a symbol of the glorious Qila it was in the olden days. The locals call Shahi Qila ‘Bhulbhulaiyan’ (that means a labyrinth) because the architecture of the Shahi Qila is puzzling and perplexing for a casual visitor.

The main attraction at the palace is hammam or the royal bath. It was specifically built for Shah Jahan’s wife, Begum Mumtaz Mahal in Shahi Qila, so that she could enjoy a luxurious bath in water scented with khus, saffron and rose petals. Hammam Khana was constructed during Mughal Period. The baths bear an inscription of Khan Khana Mirza Abdul Rahim Khana, the famous minister of Akbar and Jahangir. The rooms have domed roof. The Hammam is beautifully decorated with paintings on honey comb work. Even today, the ceiling has many intricate paintings. One of these paintings depicts a monument which is said to have been the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. One of the amazing facts of Shahi Qila is that the Taj Mahal was originally supposed to have been built at Burhanpur. The site chosen for it still lies vacant near the Tapti River. Mumtaz, in whose memory the Taj Mahal was built, died in Burhanpur while giving birth to her fourteenth child.

Haft Gumbaz

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 18:56:07 +0000

The Haft Gumbaz, also spelt Haft Gumbad is a group of tombs of the Bahmani dynasty situated in Gulbarga, in the Indian state of Karnataka. Built during the 14th and 15th centuries, the tombs are examples of early Indo-Islamic architecture. There are seven tombs in total, with four being tombs of the rulers of the Bahmani dynasty. The tomb complex is a monument of national importance, maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. The tomb complex is part of the “Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate”, which are an ensemble of various structures added to the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

History

Haft Gumbaz tomb complex was built between the 14th and 15th centuries. The capital shifted to Bidar in 1425, and the later Bahmani sultans are buried in the Bahmani tombs complex in Bidar. The tomb complex has been encroached by local businesses and institutions. A social activist, K.M. Mujeebuddin, has filed an RTI query regarding the upkeep of the tombs.

Architecture

The architectural style is reminiscent Tughlaq architecture. A unique feature seen only in the Haft Gumbaz is the double-chambered tomb, with one chamber for the king and the other for his family members. There are seven tombs in total, with four being Sultan’s tombs. The tombs are situated in a garden.

Tomb of Mujahid Shah

This was the first tomb to be built. It is a single-chambered square tomb, free of any elaborate embellishments. It is located on a low base. It is on the West end of the tomb complex.

Tomb of Daud Shah

It is a double-chambered tomb.

Tomb of Shams al-Din and Ghiyath al-Din

The two tombs share the same basement.

Tomb of Firuz Shah Bahmani

The tomb of Firuz Shah Bahmani in Haft Gumbaz is the largest, and is considered the most important of the complex. It is also a double-chambered tomb. The external and internal elevation is divided into two tiers, adorned by double-recessed arches. The arches of the upper tier have jali-style decorations.

source: Wiki

Salim Ali Lake, Aurangabad

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 12:09:43 +0000

Salim Ali Lake is located near Delhi Gate, one of the many gates in Aurangabad, opposite Himayat Bagh, Aurangabad. It is located in the northern part of the city. During the Mughal period, it was known as Khiziri Talab. It has been renamed after the great ornithologist, naturalist Salim Ali, also known as birdman of India. The office of Divisional Commissioner Aurangabad Division is located near it, so is the collector’s office of Aurangabad District.

Mughal Era

In Aurangzeb‘s time, a large marsh or tank extended the whole length of the northern wall, (extending from present-day Salim Ali Lake till Begumpura / Makbara) but the exhalation and dampness proved unhealthy and Aurangzeb ordered the portion immediately in front of his palace (Kila-e-Ark) to be filled in and converted into fields. This reclaimed portion was later developed into Mughal garden, (now known as Himayat Bagh) by one of the officials of Aurangzeb’s court, with many fruit-bearing trees of different varieties for the royal court and its officials. The remainder was known as the Khizri talao which is just beyond the Delhi gate. The other small tank was the Kanval or Loti talao, (near present-day Aam Khas grounds between Kila-e-Ark and Begumpura) was fed by a spring and was confined in the hollow between the palace of Aurangzeb and the Mecca gate, but the band was purposely destroyed to save the city from being flooded.

Present period

Salim Ali Talab as it is known in the present times also contains a small bird Sanctuary and the area around the lake is good for Bird watching in winter when a number of migratory birds arrive for nesting. There is a garden maintained by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. Boating facilities are also available when the lake is full during the rainy & winter seasons. Recently it was dredged for silt to increase its water holding capacity.

Biodiversity

Salim Ali lake and its surrounding is rare and rich biodiversity spot within the city that hosts almost 16 tree species, 11 shrub types, 8 climbers, 32 terrestrial herbaceous plants, 10 varieties of algae, 12 of aquatic herbs, 16 aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans, nine varieties of fish, 15 species reptiles, seven types of rodents and mammals and 102 types of insects. Efforts are taken by environment activists and bird lovers in the city to close the historic Salim Ali Lake for public for the time being and declare it as a biodiversity hot spot for conservation.

History of Sandila

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 16:03:15 +0000

According to tradition, Sandila was originally founded by the Arakhas and called Sital Purwa. The Arakhs were then driven out in the late 14th century by a Muslim force under Sayyid Makhdum Ala-ud-Din. The town’s name supposedly derives from an exclamation from Makhdum Ala-ud-Din, who had been given a charter by the Delhi Sultan but threw it into the Yamuna on the way there, saying “Sanad Allah“, or “God be my charter”. The place he settled is called Makhdumpura in his honor, and his dargah still stands here.

The growth of Sandila was sped up by an influx of refugees, many of whom are said to have been fleeing persecution by Muhammad Shah Tughlaq. His successor Firoz Shah visited Sandila twice, once in 1353 on the way to Lucknow and again in 1374 on the way to Bahraich. The oldest mosque in Sandila, now in ruins, was built in 769 AH on his orders. The Tarikh-e-Mubara Shahi records that Sandila was ruled by Malik Hisam-ul-Mulk in 1375, and in 1394 it came under the control of Khawaja-e-Jahan, the first ruler of the Jaunpur Sultanate.

By the time of Sher Shah Suri Sandila had become so crowded that one Sayyid Husain founded a new town next to it, called Ashraf Tola. The Sayyids were supporters of Sher Shah, and when Humayun was returned to power, he expelled them and looted the city. The Sayyids’ estates were given to the Chandelas instead, but the Sayyids gradually recovered them beginning during the reign of Aurangzeb and then especially under the Nawabs of Awadh.

Up to this point, Sandila had never been a centre of government. In fact, the lack of government officials here made Sandila a convenient refuge for people who wanted to avoid imperial writs. That changed during the reign of Akbar, who transferred the Qazi of Mahona to Sandila, and then the other Pargana officials came. This is reflected in the Ain-i-Akbari, which lists Sandila as the seat of a pargana in Lucknow sarkar of Awadh subah. It supplied the imperial treasury with a revenue of 10,623,901 dams and contributed a force of 5,000 infantry and 100 cavalry to the imperial army. Sandila itself is recorded as having a brick fort at the time. In addition, another mosque was built in Akbar’s time, in 962 AH. Another historic monument is the Bara Khambha, or “hall of twelve pillars”, was built in 971 AH; it contains the tomb of Makhdum Sahib, the ancestor of Sandila’s preeminent Muslim family.

A third old mosque was built in 1121 AH according to its Persian-language inscription. In 1850 the European traveler W. Sleeman visited Sandila; he described it as somewhat in decline but “well-situated and possessing an excellent climate.”

At the turn of the 20th century, Sandila was the 7th-largest city in the Awadh region, with a population of 16,843 people. A slight majority (8,876) were Muslim, while Hindus formed the second-largest religious group (7,948). Sandila then comprised four mohallas: Ashraf Tola, Malkhana, Mandai, and Mahetwana. The town had a tehsil office, a police station, and a town hall, along with a post office, a cattle pound, and a dispensary. There was a middle school, a boys’ lower primary school funded by the municipality, a private school in Ashraf Tola, and two girls’ lower primary schools. A new sarai, called the Quinn Sarai, had recently been built by Kunwar Durga Parshad near the railway station. Sandila hosted markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays; the main items for sale were paan, ghee, and laddu. It was also known for door parddahas and coloured cotton tablecloths “of a pretty design in large checks.” Firewood was also exported to Lucknow via train. The largest source of income for the municipal government was through the collection of octroi.

ABDULLAPUR SADAAT, MEERUT

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 16:45:01 +0000

Abdullapur Sadaat is a historical Muslim settlement situated in the eastern outskirts of Meerut, just to the south of Ganga Nagar, Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

As Abdullapur has significant population of Syeds, they address it Abdullapur Sadaat as well. Syed Mir Abdullah Naqvi Al Bukhari is said to have founded this small but important settlement not far from Meerut. The distance from Abdullapur Sadaat to Meerut City Junction is only around 12 km via NH334. Kot Kila or Kot Fort of Abdullapur was built in the early 16th century, it was his main residence. Abdullapur is the seat of the Kannauji Bukhari and Jalal Bukhari branch of Naqvi. Both are descendants of Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari through Syed Ali Naqvi, Syed Sadarudin Shah Kabir Naqvi Al Bukhari the chief advisor of Sikandar Lodi and father of Syed Mehboob Alam Naqvi-ul Bukhari Al-Maroof Shah Jewna. Shah Jewna’s colonized towns in Kannauj:- Siray- e-Miraan, Bibiyaan Jalalpur, Makhdoom Pur, Laal Pur (associated with the name of Saint Sayyed Jalaluddin Haider Surkh Posh Bukhari or Laal Bukhari). Makhdoom Jahaniya Mosque is also present in Kannauj.

Moharram

9th Moharram of this town is quite famous among Shia Muslims. Notable sites include Bada Darwaza (main entrance of Kot Fort), Shakir Mahal, 52 Dari, Kot Masjid, Azmat Manzil, Sayyed Tomb and Syed Barkat Ali Naqvi’s 300 years old Pakki Baithak.

Sayyeds of Abdullapur Sadaat are popularly known as “Mirsahibs”. They had a large Jagir consisting of 52 villages. The lavish lifestyle of Syed Bunyad Ali Naqvi and Syed Badshah Ali Naqvi was noteworthy. There are numerous waqf frauds cases going on including Vijay Mallya’s liquor factory on waqf land.

Syed Qudrat Naqvi

The Pakistani writer, linguist and critic Syed Qudrat Naqvi was a denizen of Abdullapur Sadaat, his famous books are Ghalib Kaun Hai, Asaas-i-Urdu, Ghalib-i-Sad Rang, Seerat-un-Nabi, Hindi-Urdu Lughat, Mutal’a-i-Abdul Haq, Lisani Maqalaat. He migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India.