Mystical India
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Qutb Minar: Religion and Power in 13Th-Century India Professor Munis Faruqui (Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies, UC Berkeley)
The Making of a Modern Myth Qutb Minar: Religion and Power in 13th-Century India Professor Munis Faruqui (Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies, UC Berkeley) I. Introduction India is the world’s largest democracy, and has the world’s second largest population of Muslims. Over the last few decades, deep religious divisions have appeared between the Hindu majority and the Muslim minority, who comprise 12–15 percent of the population. Extremists in either community have stoked violent religious conflict in ways that will be discussed shortly. Most of the violence in recent history has occurred in the form of pogroms. Most of the victims are Muslims. There are at least two critical threads that link contemporary anti-Muslim violence: first, a rising tide of Hindu nationalism. Second, much of the violence has been continuously stoked by rhetoricians’ use of an exaggerated and distorted history of endless conflict between these two groups—especially during the period when Muslim political authorities dominated northern India (c. 1200–1750). According to Hindu nationalists, the experience under the Muslims was oppressive, the Muslim rulers tyrannical, Hindu temples were destroyed, and so on. So the current anti- Muslim pogroms are payback, as the more extreme elements among the Hindu nationalists openly assert: attacking Muslims today is thus justified for what happened 500, 600, or 700 years ago. Like many groups elsewhere in the world, Hindu nationalists invoke history. Irish Republicanism invokes battles that happened in 1690 and so on. Groups in the Balkans are another example: Serbs, Croats, and Bosniacs have their own histories, and the 1389 battle of Kosovo becomes a central rallying cry for Serbian nationalism. -
Mystical India
Exclusive Duke departure – November 5-23, 2019 WITH PUSHKAR CAMEL FAIR AND MYSTICAL INDIA RANTHAMBORE TIGER PRESERVE 19 days from $5,687 total price from Boston, New York, Wash, DC ($4,795 air & land inclusive plus $892 airline taxes and fees) ystical and spiritual, chaotic and Mconfounding, India overflows with riches. While staying at excellent hotels, we travel the classic Golden Triangle: bustling Delhi; Agra, home of the sublime Taj Mahal; and Jaipur, great city of the Rajput. We also search for elusive Bengals at Ranthambore Tiger Preserve, and absorb the holiness of Varanasi. NEPAL Delhi Kathmandu/ Nagarkot Agra Jaipur Varanasi Kalakho Ranthambore National Park INDIA Arabian Sea Destination Air Indian Ocean Motorcoach Extension (air) Entry/Departure On Day 12 we visit the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO site considered one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Avg. High (°F) Nov Dec Delhi 82 73 Day 1: Depart U.S. for Delhi, India to Ajmer. We continue by motorcoach to Pushkar Agra 85 75 and our deluxe resort. Late afternoon we gather for Day 2: Arrive Delhi We arrive in India’s hyperactive a camel cart ride and orientation tour of the Push- capital late evening and transfer to our hotel. kar Camel Fair, where Indians come from near and Your Small Group Tour Highlights far for this part bazaar and trade fair, part religious Tours of Old and New Delhi • Pushkar Camel Fair • Home- Day 3: Delhi After a morning at leisure followed pilgrimage. We return to our resort for dinner to- hosted dinner with Jaipur family • Magnificent Taj Mahal by a briefing about the journey ahead, we set out to gether tonight. -
The Krishna Temple Complex, Hampi: an Exploration of Its Identity As a Medieval Temple in the Contemporary Context
THE KRISHNA TEMPLE COMPLEX, HAMPI: AN EXPLORATION OF ITS IDENTITY AS A MEDIEVAL TEMPLE IN THE CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Ashima Krishna January, 2009 © 2009 Ashima Krishna ABSTRACT Hindu temples in India have been in abundance for centuries. However, many have lost their use over time. They lie vacant and unused on vast tracts of land across the Indian subcontinent, in a time when financial resources for the provision of amenities to serve the local community are hard to come by. In the case of Hampi, this strain is felt not only by the community inhabiting the area, but the tourism sector as well. Hampi’s immense significance as a unique Medieval-city in the Indian subcontinent has increased tourist influx into the region, and added pressure on authorities to provide for amenities and facilities that can sustain the tourism industry. The site comprises near-intact Medieval structures, ruins in stone and archaeologically sensitive open land, making provision of tourist facilities extremely difficult. This raises the possibility of reusing one of the abundant temple structures to cater to some of these needs, akin to the Virupaksha Temple Complex and the Hampi Bazaar. But can it be done? There is a significant absence of research on possibilities of reusing a Hindu Temple. A major reason for this gap in scholarship has been due to the nature of the religion of Hinduism and its adherents. Communal and political forces over time have consistently viewed all Hindu temples as cultural patrimony of the people, despite legal ownership resting with the Government of India. -
INDIA Golden Triangle
EL SOL TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD 28805-T KKKP: 0194 Tel: 603 7984 4560 Fax: 603 7984 4561 [email protected] www.elsoltravel.com 6D4N Dec 15–20 INDIA Golden Triangle DELHI, AGRA & JAIPUR plus ABHANERI STEPWELL 5 UNESCO World Heritage: Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar observatory DEC 15 TUE: Delhi arrival – Agra (D) 9.15am Malindo Air departure from KLIA2. Arrival Delhi airport 12.15pm. Transfer to Agra for dinner and check into your hotel. Overnight in Agra. OPTIONAL USD 20 /person: Enjoy live theater performance "Mohabbat the Taj", based on story of Taj Mahal; the love story between Emperor Shahjahan & wife Mumtaj Mahal. DEC 16 WED: Agra – Abhaneri - Jaipur (B/L/D) Visit UNESCO World Heritage Taj Mahal, amongst the most photographed monument in the world. This brilliant white marble building is a mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his 3rd wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is regarded by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. Then visit UNESCO World Heritage Agra Fort. Ever since Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526, Agra became an important center of Mughal Empire. Akbar chose this city on the bank of River Yamuna as his capital and proceeded to build a strong citadel for the purpose. It is said that he destroyed the damaged old fort of Agra for the purpose and raised this grand group of monuments instead in red sandstone. Transfer to Abhaneri to visit the amazing stepwell (or 'baoris') and Harshat Mata Temple. -
India's Subterranean Stepwells: Photographs by Victoria Lautman
India’s Subterranean Stepwells: Photographs by Victoria Lautman May 5–October 20, 2019 Contact: Erin Connors, 310-825-4288, [email protected] Los Angeles—The Fowler Museum at UCLA presents India’s Subterranean Stepwells: Photographs by Victoria Lautman, 48 photographs of monumental manmade water storage systems called stepwells, also known as baolis, vavs and kunds in various parts of the country. These magnificent inverted constructions extend down to the water table, ranging from three to 13 stories deep. Villagers, religious pilgrims, and transient traders once descended into the stepwells to find clean water and a cool, quiet reprieve from the heat above. Journalist Victoria Lautman first encountered these subterranean architectural marvels 30 years ago, and has since documented more than 200 sites—some preserved as heritage sites and some restored as functioning community wells and active shrines, while others remain forgotten and derelict. The exhibition will be on view at the Fowler through October 20, 2019. “Palaces, forts, temples, and tombs are on every tourist itinerary and in every guidebook to India,” Lautman said. “The country’s magnificent subterranean stepwells, however, remain largely unknown within and outside the country.” Stepwells were engineered and constructed from around 600 CE. This exhibition focuses on documentation of 16 sites, built between the 9th and 18th centuries. As many as 3,000 stepwells once existed across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, where seasonal monsoonal rains in the parched landscape of northwest India necessitated a water storage system. Often commissioned by wealthy female patrons, stepwells were sites of communal congregation and conviviality open to all, providing water for consumption, cleansing, irrigation, and ritual use. -
Investigation Techniques Carried out on the Qutb Minar, New Delhi, India
Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions, New Delhi 2006 P.B. Lourenço, P. Roca, C. Modena, S. Agrawal (Eds.) Investigation Techniques Carried out on the Qutb Minar, New Delhi, India Luís F. Ramos University of Minho, Department of Civil Engineering, Guimarães, Portugal Filippo Casarin and Cristiano Algeri University of Padua, Department of Constructions and Transportation Engineering, Italy Paulo B. Lourenço University of Minho, Department of Civil Engineering, Guimarães, Portugal Claudio Modena University of Padua, Department of Constructions and Transportation Engineering, Italy ABSTRACT: In the framework of the Eu-India Economic Cross Cultural Programme “Improv- ing the Seismic Resistance of Cultural Heritage Buildings”, aimed at the preservation of ancient masonry structures with regard to the seismic risk, different NDT were applied to the Qutb Minar, New Delhi, India, in September 2005. The paper describes the different investigation techniques applied (Ambient Vibration and Pulse Sonic Velocity Tests), intended to define the dynamic response of the tower and to qualitatively define the masonry conditions. For the dy- namic modal identification analysis different test equipments were used, in order to compare the data and to have more reliable results. The dynamic parameters resulted from the acquisition campaigns will be used to estimate the mechanical properties of the masonry walls and the boundary conditions of the structure, to be considered in successive seismic nonlinear analyses of the Qutb Minar, aimed at the assessment of the safety level of the construction. 1 INTRODUCTION The Qutb Minar, is the highest monument of India and one of the tallest stone masonry towers in the world. Inside, a helical staircase with 379 steps communicates to five balconies, where the Mu‘adhdhin (muezzin) called to prayer. -
Spatial Data Modeling in Gis for Historical Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage of Seven Cities of Delhi
SPATIAL DATA MODELING IN GIS FOR HISTORICAL RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SEVEN CITIES OF DELHI Madan Mohan Department of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University) New Delhi, INDIA [email protected], [email protected], Commission V, WG V/4 KEY WORDS: History, Human Settlement, Change, Structure, Cultural Heritage, GIS, Integration, Reconstruction ABSTRACT Delhi is one of the ancient historical and greatest cultural cities of the World. Delhi’s two monuments the Qutb Minar and Humayun’s Tomb have been declared the World Cultural Heritage sites. Delhi was built and rebuilt seven times on different sites through out the history within a triangular area of about 142.20 sq. kms. lying between the last ridge of the Aravalli Range and the River Yamuna. The remains of the seven cities of Delhi can still be seen across the landscape from the Tomar city of Lal-Kot to Siri, Tughluqabad, Jahanpanah and Firuzabad of the Sultans and then Purana-Qila and Shahjahanabad of the Mughals. Moreover, the New Delhi is historically the ‘eighth city’ built by the Britishers. The present Delhi is a complex agglomeration of built fabric which exists as evidence in the form of layers of various historic time periods. It is noteworthy to mention that the vertical and horizontal expansions have adversely been affected the historical areas as well as several cultural heritage sites particularly during the post- independence period in Delhi. Therefore, the widened role is not only to meet the challenges of development, but also to preserve and protect the different facets of the Delhi’s personality. -
Mark Your Calendar and Make Plans to Attend
December 7-11, 2015, New Delhi (NCR), INDIA Qutb Minar Taj Mahal Qutb Minar: a 72.5 m high minar made of red sandstone and marble. Its construction was started in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed in Mark Your Calendar and 1368 by his successors Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlak. Taj Mahal: the most magnificent building in the world, built by Emperor Make Plans to Attend Shah Jahan in 1631, in the memory of his wife Mumtaz. Patron Themes Pradipta Banerji 1a. “Dynamic Properties of Soil and Soil-Like Materials, [email protected]; [email protected] Engineering Soil Parameters and Constitutive Relations” 1b. “New Field and Laboratory Methods and Results, Data Base, Honorary Distinguished Co-Chair Large Scale Field Tests, Centrifuge Tests” Shamsher Prakash 2. “ Wave Propagation, Engineering Vibrations and Solutions, [email protected] Vibrations of Machine Foundations, Blast, Traffic and Construction Vibrations, Vibration Absorption” Conference Chair 3a. “Engineering Seismology: Near Fault and Directivity Effects, H.R. Wason Geologic Indicators of Rupture Direction, Geometric Effects [email protected]; [email protected] on Ground Motions, Motion Parameters for Design, Borehole Arrays, Seismological and Strong Motion Arrays, Interpretation of Field Arrays Data, Site Amplification” Conference Co-Chair 3b. “Local Site Effects: 1-D/2-D Wave Propagation Predictions M.L. Sharma and Measurements, Nonlinear versus Equivalent Linear [email protected]; [email protected] Analysis, Effective Stress versus Total Stress Analysis” 4a. “Liquefaction and Seismically-Induced Settlement, Ground Organizing Secretaries Failures, Seismic Studies of Kobe, Lima Peru, Chile, G.V. Ramana Pakistan, China, U.S. and other Recent Earthquakes, Spatial [email protected] Liquefaction” 4b. -
Important Facts About UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
Important Facts about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 1. Agra Fort It is the 16th Century Mughal Monument called the Red Fort of Agra. Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal built by Shah Jahan are part of Agra Fort. Ajanta Caves These are rock-cut caves. There are a total of 29 caves. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda Nalanda is the most ancient university in India. The archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dated from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE are found here. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi Monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries are part of it. It is considered the oldest Buddhist Sanctuary in existence. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties are a part of it. Structures built between 8th and 14th centuries like fortifications, palaces, religious buildings, residential precincts, agricultural structures and water installations; are found here. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus The former name of CST was Victoria Terminus. It represents the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India. British architect F. W. Stevens built and designed it. Churches and Convents of Goa The churches of the city which was the Portuguese capital signifies the evangelization of Asia. Elephanta Caves Gharapuri Caves is the local name of Elephanta Caves. There are seven caves. Ellora Caves There are 34 monasteries and temples. Fatehpur Sikri Mughal Emperor Akbar built it. It had been a Mughal capital for 10 years. Jama Masjid is a part of it. Great Living Chola Temples It includes temples like theBrihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. -
Bawdi: the Eloquent Example of Hydrolic Engineering and Ornamental Architecture
[Pandey *, Vol.4 (Iss.1): January, 2016] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P) Impact Factor: 2.035 (I2OR) DOI: 10.29121/granthaalayah.v4.i1.2016.2867 Arts BAWDI: THE ELOQUENT EXAMPLE OF HYDROLIC ENGINEERING AND ORNAMENTAL ARCHITECTURE Dr. Anjali Pandey *1 *1 Assistant Professor (Drawing & Painting), Govt. M.L.B. Girls P.G. College, Bhopal, INDIA ABSTRACT “The secular Indian architecture includes town planning, palaces, general houses and forts of various categories. There was a constant growth in forms of this architecture from the period of harappan culture up to the Vijaynagar epoch. The towns were protected by walls (prakara) and the moats parikha. Each town provided places of general public utility, such as temples, stupas, schools, hospitals, markets, gardens and ponds”.1 Keywords: Hydrolic Engeering, Ornamental Architecture, Bawdi, Indian architecture. Cite This Article: Dr. Anjali Pandey, “BAWDI: THE ELOQUENT EXAMPLE OF HYDROLIC ENGINEERING AND ORNAMENTAL ARCHITECTURE” International Journal of Research – Granthaalayah, Vol. 4, No. 1 (2016): 217-222. 1. INTRODUCTION Bawdi are usually known as Stepwell, Stairwells, Baori, Baoli or Vav. It is the manmade pond with significant ornamental architectural structure for water conservation of ancient India. These wells are commonly found at western region of India for irrigation and storage of water mainly to cope with seasonal fluctuations.2 Water Exploitation and management have been of great concern for a developing and developed urban civilization that the Harappans created. The most ancient example of water management is found from proto-historic period, primarily from harappan sites. The hydraulic structures from Mohenjo-Daro (undivided India) are eloquent examples which attain the phenomenon excellence. -
Chand Baori: an Engineering Marvel
Chand Baori: An Engineering Marvel In 1864, the French adventurer Louis Rousselet, while in India, described “[a] vast sheet of water, covered with lotuses in flower, amid which thousands of aquatic birds are sporting at the shores of which bathers washed, surrounded by jungle greenery.” This was not about the shores of some picturesque lake or even one of the famous River Ghats common in India, but an ancient stepwell. When the form, transcends the mundane utilitarian considerations behind it, the result is often recognised as a work of art. This stepwell known as Chand Baori is about a hundred kilometres east of Jaipur in the Dausa district of eastern Rajasthan at a place called Abaneri, a shortened version of its original name of Abha Nagari, or the City of Lights. Though there are no records of the commencement of the construction of the baori, the architectural style and its embellishments place its original structures in the second half of the eighth century AD. These original structures remain a legacy of the technical finesse achieved, more than a thousand years back. Unlike most other step wells Chand Baori was refurbished often, including the addition of an enclosure, verandahs wall and pavilions in the upper layers, incorporating arches, during the Mughal era in the eighteenth century. Built in a square format with each of the sides thirty- five meters in length and reaching down to a depth of nineteen and a half meters, it is one of the oldest, largest and the deepest step wells in India. This engineering marvel, built like an inverted pyramid, was conceived and executed with remarkable mathematical precision. -
Exploring Rajasthan
EXPLORING RAJASTHAN 16 FEBRUARY – 1 MARCH 2019 Tour Leader: Alastair Watson JOURNEY THROUGH THE LAND OF THE MAHARAJAS This captivating tour of Rajasthan offers a comfortable and gentle, yet comprehensive introduction to one of India’s most fascinating regions. It combines not only the palaces and imposing hilltop forts of the Mughals, but also exquisite ancient temples, the colonial heritage of British India, rich and varied wildlife, and the unspoiled peace and natural beauty of the countryside. We begin our journey in Delhi exploring the contrast between bustling Old Delhi and Sir Edwin Lutyen’s New Delhi. After a visit to Agra with the impressive Agra Fort and the spectacular Taj Mahal, we continue to Bharatpur for a visit to the famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Next we explore the ‘Rose City’ of Jaipur, with its colourful markets and eclectic blend of architecture, including the magnificent Amber Fort, before enjoying a couple of days of unspoilt rural Rajasthan at the imposing hilltop fort at Deogarh. We reach the beautiful city of Udaipur, often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ to explore the treasures of the imposing City Palace complex, visit the Jagdish Temple and enjoy a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola. The tour finishes with a relaxing stay in the royal residence on the banks of Gaibsagar Lake before ending our journey back in Delhi. We would love to have your company on this incredible tour of Rajasthan. Get in touch with The Ultimate Travel Company on 020 3411 4595 to reserve your place. White-throated Kingfisher Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, Jaipur Rickshaw taxi 14 DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 16 FEBRUARY 2019 16 February London / Delhi later additions made by his son, Jahangir, in the impressive buildings that remain Evening departure from London Heathrow and grandson, Shah Jahan.