अमदावाद के अन्दर...!

अमदावाद के अन्दर, है दरवाजा पंदर
बीचमे मानेक का चोक, बाबा गोदर का गौख
बनिया करता है वेपर, बेचे टोपी और रुमाल
वहा से आगे जावे, पानकोर नाका आवे
तम्बोली बेचता है पान, गूणिका करती है गान
बिच कारंज का चोक, माँ भद्र का गौख
ता थईया थईया ता थई...


amdavad ke andar, hai darwaja pandar
bichame manek ka chowk, baba godar ka goukh
baniya karata hai vepar, beche topi aur rumaal
vaha se aage jaave, pankor naka aave
tamboli bechata hai paan, goonika karati hai gaan
bich karanj ka chowk, maa bhadar ka goukh
ta thaiya thaiya ta thai...



कहावत


पोल एट्ले मोणू दही अने ऊपर कटको गोण

Pol Etle Molu Dahi ane Upar Katako Gaul

जब कुत्ते पे ससा आया तब बादशाह ने शहर बसाया

Jab Kutte Pe Sasa Aaya Tab Badshah ne Saher Basaya

‘Pols’ of Ahmedabad

‘Pol’ is the oldest residential cluster of micro-neighbourhood in Walled City of Ahmedabad. The word Pol is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘Pratoli’ meaning entrance to an enclosed area.

A Pol construct consists of Gate at the entrance, Blackboard, Temple, Water Pots, Chabutaro, Well and a Tank. Each of these elements has their own unique functions. Mahurat Pol, Mandvi-ni-Pol, Lakha Patel-ni-Pol are some of the oldest existing Pols of Ahmedabad.

Pol Paraphernalia:

Pol Gate – The Pol Gate is entrance under the porch accessing main street. A steep stairway leads to the guard’s quarter located atop the entrance.

Blackboard – The Blackboard is located in the chowk (common opening) or near Pol gate. Blackboard carries important announcements and information for Pol residents.

Temple – Each Pol consists of a religious place, where residents offer prayers and perform puja.

Water Pots – Each Pol has their own Water Pots ‘Parab’ where passers-by can have clean drinking water.

Chabutaro – Each Pol have Chabutaro (Bird-feeder). The Chabutaro is bird’s space to eat and drink water.

Well – Kuvo, a rarity today, (Water Wells) were once integral part of each Pol.

Tanka – An underground storage for rainwater harvesting was part of traditional house once.

Film Screenings

Nazariya Celebrates the World Heritage Day by screening

1002 A.D.KHAJURAHO
Director: Clement Baptista
Duration: 18 Mins

The Chola Heritage
Director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Duration: 16 mins

A Century of Indian Archaeology
Director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Duration: 17 mins


18th April, 2008
7:00 PM
Hatkeshvar Mahadev Mandir,
Near Vanita Vishram shcool
Next to Desai ni Pol
Bala hanuman Road,
Khadia. Ahmedabad.

Quotations

THE TAJ MAHAL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN
SO BEAUTIFUL AND EVERLASTING…

IF SHAHJAHAN ASK FOR
“QUOTATION”
AND DECIDE FOR THE LOWEST

DARWAJAS (GATEWAYS)

Ahmedabad is proudly set on rich archaeological history at its backdrop. Archaeological explorations have revealed existence of Late Stone Age tools. The disappearance of Stone Age Era is yet to be discovered.

Ahmedabad acknowledges its establishment to 14th Century ruler Ahmed Shah. Due to increasing dangers in his old capital Anahilwad-Patan, Ahmed Shah established his new Sultanate at Ahmedabad on the banks of river Sabarmati. Ahmedabad, named after its ruler Ahmed Shah, flourished also because of trade and commerce among other things.

It is suggested that dispersed agrarian villages were hemmed in by the Darwajas (Gateways), which are now protected by state. The well-preserved city Darwajas, in 10-km circuit, comprised 12 Darwajas believed to be constructed during Mughal Era. 2 Darwajas were believed to be added during British Era.

It is interesting to Quiz ourselves about the names of Darwajas and their locations. The names of all Darwajas are given below:

1. Delhi Darwaja
2. Dariapur Darwaja
3. Kalupur Darwaja
4. Sarangpur Darwaja
5. Raipur Darwaja
6. Astodia Darwaja
7. Jamalpur Darwaja
8. Khanjahan Darwaja
9. Raikhad Darwaja
10. Khanpur Darwaja
11. Shahpur Darwaja (Demolished)
12. Dhediya Darwaja (Closed)
13. Prem Darwaja (British Era)
14. Panchkuwa Darwaja (British Era)

Shahpur Darwaja, Delhi Darwaja and Dariapur Darwaja located on the north, Kalupur Darwaja, Sarangpur Darwaja and Raipur Darwaja located on the east, Astodiya Darwaja, Jamalpur Darwaja and Dhediya Darwaja (Closed) on the south and Khanjahan Darwaja, Raikhad Darwaja and Khanpur Darwaja on the west.

Lal Darwaja (Not in existence) and Teen Darwaja were built during Mughal Era but are not considered as part of original Fort Area. Two more Darwajas were added in the last century, the Prem Darwaja on north-east in 1864 and Panchkuwa Darwaja on east in 1871.

In front of the Bhadra citadel stands the triple arched gateway or Teen Darwaja. The Sultans would watch processions move from the palace to the Jumma Masjid from Teen Darwaja.

Originally, Ahmedabad also had three Baris (Windows):

1. Ganesh Bari
2. Ram Bari
3. Halim Bari

Ganesh Bari is located at Ellisbridge and Ram Bari is located near Vasant Chowk, Bhadra. Ganesh Bari is under restoration. Halim Bari was located in Shahpur Area which is now closed.

Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has some of the finest Indian Islamic monuments and Exquisite Hindu and Jain temples. Its carved wooden houses are another unique architectural tradition.

A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city, comprising numerous ‘Pols’, self-contained neighbourhoods, sheltering large numbers of people. Some of these ‘Pols’ are virtually small villages, traversed by narrow lanes, usually terminating in squares (Chowks) comprising ‘Community Well’ and ‘Chabutro’ (for feeding birds). These ‘Pols’ were protected by gates, cul-de-sacs and secret passages.

To experience the glory of Ahmedabad it is necessary to walk through ‘Walled City’ and truly observe the nature of its architecture, its art, religious places, its culture and traditions. With the purpose of unveiling the city to the tourists and the citizens themselves, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, with guidance from the CRUTA Foundation organizes HERITAGE WALK OF AHMEDABAD. A special slide show and guided tour is available.

Venue:
Commencing at Swaminarayan Mandir, Kalupur Area &
Terminating at Jumma Masjid, Manek Chowk Area

Time:
8.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.

Holiday:

Heritage Walk is conducted year-round except one week during Diwali Holidays (Winter)

Contribution:
Indian and SAARC Nation Visitors: Rs. 20/-
International Visitors: Rs. 50/-
Children: Rs. 5/-

Hints:

Wear chappals as you will have to remove them at various Temples and Mosques, carry Water Bottle, Juicy candies and Cap, there is a lot to shop in the old city like traditional food, cloth and accessories and much more...

Prologue: Ahmedabad-Heritage

When we talk about ‘Heritage’ the first thing that strikes our mind is ‘Monuments’. Probably, Heritage is the most misunderstood word! Heritage means anything that is inherited from past, preserved in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future. Besides monuments, heritage also means natural heritage (environment and wild life), ethnicity, art, and much more…

We at ‘Friends of Ahmedabad-Heritage’, aim at providing information about places, projects and events taking place in Ahmedabad, revolving around ‘Heritage’.

History of Ahmedabad

On the ancient site of Ashaval and Karnavati, Ahmedabad was founded in 1411. Sultan Ahmed Shah founded the city of Ahmedabad in 1411 A.D. Ahmedabad in its 600 years of history witnessed many changes. The Mughals conquered Ahmedabad in 16th century. Marathas ruled over it for a brief period before British made it a province.

Trade, commerce and finance shaped the trademark of this city. Trade of indigo, muslins and opium thrived. The financial system of ‘Hundi’ originated here.

Ahmedabad is famous as the ‘Manchester of India’, for the business insight of its citizens. Local businessmen are known worldwide for their famous ‘Mandwali’ approach. ‘Mandwali’ means to arrive at a common compromise when a dispute arises in a business transaction.

With technological advancement, ‘Walled City of Ahmedabad’, ‘Pol Culture’, ‘Monuments’, ‘Historical Places’ and much of its ethnic prosperity are taken for granted. To keep Ahmedabad’s culture and tradition flourishing, we need to come together and take our city to further heights.