DOCSLIB.ORG

The True Story of Taj Mahal

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The True Story of Taj Mahal This book is dedicated in grateful memory particularly to Her Highness the late Maharani Chandrawati Holkar of Indore, to whose munificence the author owes a part of his academic education, and generally to the great Kshatriya community of India which defended the faith and culture of the country against foreign invasions for milleniums with exemplary devotion to duty, courage, sacrifice and a very high standard of magnanimity and moral purity which distinguish it from all soldiery anywhere in the world. BOOKS {AVAILABLE} BY P.N.OAK 1 World Vedic Heritage 2 Some Blunders Of Indian Historical Research 3 Who Says Akbar Was Great ? 4 Agra Red Fort Is A Hindu Building 5 Some Missing Chapters Of World History 6 The Taj Mahal Is A Temple Palace Hindi Editions Of Books Written By P.N.Oak Are Also Available. CONTENTS XIV SHAHJAHAN WAS INNOCENT OF 129 SOFT FEELINGS Preface to TAJ MAHAL WAS A RAJPUT PALACE XV SHAHJAHAN'S REIGN NEITHER 137 Introduction to the Second Edition GOLDEN NOR PEACEFUL XVI BABUR LIVED IN THE TAJ MAHAL 146 Preface to the Third Edition XVII THE FALSITY OF MEDIAEVAL 152 Introduction to this Edition MUSLIM CHRONICLES Photocopy of Badshahnama, Vol. 1, Pages 402-403 XVIII THE LADY OF THE TAJ 159 Photocopy of Aurangzeb's Letter XIX THE ANCIENT HINDU TAJ EDIFICE 165 IS INTACT Chapters XX THE TAJ MAHAL HAS HINDU 169 I THE NEED TO RE-EXAMINE 37 DIMENSIONS ANTECEDENTS XXI THE MUSLIM OVERWRITING 180 II ADMISSION IN SHAHJAHAN'S OWN 40 BADSHAHNAMA XXII CARBON - 14 DATING OF THE TAJ 183 MAHAL III TAVERNDIER 52 XXIII SHAHJAHAN'S OWN ANCESTOR 194 IV AURANGZEB'S LETTER AND 64 ADMIRED THE TAJ RECENT EXCAVATION XXIV THE TAJ MAHAL ORIGINATED AS A 198 V PETER MUNDY'S EVIDENCE 72 TEMPLE VI SOME ENCYCLOPAEDIC VERSIONS 80 XXV THE FAMOUS PEACOCK THRONE 209 WAS HINDU VII A RECENT CONCOCTION OF THE 87 SHAHJAHAN LEGEND XXVI INCONSISTENCIES IN THE LEGEND 213 VIII YET ANOTHER CONFUSED 94 XXVII BALANCE SHEET OF EVIDENCE 236 ACCOUNT XXVIII METHODOLOGY THAT LED TO THE 243 IX THE BADSHAHNAMA VERSION 99 DISCOVERY ANALYSED XXIX SOME CLARIFICATIONS 249 X TAJ MAHAL CONSTRUCTION 103 XXX A PICTORIAL ANALYSIS 265 PERIOD XI TAJ MAHAL COST 108 XII WHO DESIGNED, WHO BUILT THE 115 TAJ ? XIII THE TAJ IS BUILT TO HINDU 122 SPECIFICATIONS Preface 9 To my amazement it led me to an unexpected conclusion, namely, that far from originating as a mediaeval tomb the Taj was built by a powerful Rajput king as his palace in pre-Muslim times. PREFACE My research has also led to an incidental but nonetheless important finding, that the Peacock Throne too is perhaps as ancient TO as the Taj Mahal, and that it used to be placed in the chamber Taj Mahal was a Rajput Palace which encloses the cenotaphs of Shahjahan and Mumtaz. My conclusions are based on a number of historical works, both mediaeval and modern. A list of them appears at the end of this book. I have quoted from those authorities extensively. The serene beauty, majesty and grandeur of the Taj Mahal The extracts, accompanied by the relevant details about the name have made it known all over the world. But what is not so well of the book, author and page number, have been included in the known is the true story of its origin, that its magnificence stems narrative itself instead of appearing as footnotes at the bottom from its having originated as a palace. of each page. It is a pity that the Taj Mahal is believed to have originated The conclusions reached in this book might unsettle some as a sombre tomb in the 17th century when it was perhaps built important portions of mediaeval history as currently taught and in the 4th century to serve as a palace. presented. But since all education is a relentless search for the Truth it is hoped that all readers, whether lay admirers of the The suddenness with which his gay and magnificent palace got Taj, prying scholars or researchers, archaeological officials or converted into a tomb must have constituted & very unfortunate teachers of history, will neither shy away nor be scared in facing occurrence of Jaisingh's life. the truth about the Taj. The changeover has proved a shroud deluding everybody from lay visitors to researchers and history scholars that the Taj was built as a sepulchre. February, 1965 P. N. Oak Popular nostalgia for legendary love has helped fan the flame of Shahjahan's mythical attachment to Mumtaz into a raging fire, enveloping the Taj in the dazzle of leaping flames and blinding smoke of imaginary accounts, discouraging any cool, dispassionate research about its origin. The utter incompatibility and inconsistency of the loose bits of information mouthed and written about the Taj Mahal, clanking to a crescendo of jarring notes in my subconscious mind. Impelled me to attempt sorting them out from a tangled mass and piecing them together to find out whether they made a coherent and plausible account. published April 1966, a forerunner to the present volume. Introduction 11 Taj Mahal being suspect, it was but natural that attempts at compiling an authoritative account of the origin of the Taj Mahal should miserably fail. Nobody ever succeeded in or hoped to say the last convincing word on the origin of the Taj Mahal. All previous attempts INTRODUCTION were bound to fail since they were all based on a wrong notion. To Starting with wrong premises they could not arrive at the right The Second Edition conclusion. We are going to prove in the following pages that the Taj Mahal - meaning "the Very Crown Among Residences" - is an ancient Unlike this book and its forerunner, titled Taj Mahal was a Hindu building and not a Muslim tomb. We shall also show how Rajput Palace, which are research works, all other books and accounts all the loose bits of information - whether factual or concocted of the Taj Mahal written during the last 300 years are based on - dished out on the platter of the Shahjahan legend fall in place pure fantasy. We were surprised to learn after meticulous inquiry and fully support our research. Just as the solution to a mathematical that despite the plethora of printed hocus-pocus churned out on problem may be tested for its accuracy by various methods, similarly, the Taj Mahal all the world over there is not a single book containing sound historical research provides a consistent and coherent story a well-documented, comprehensive account of the origin of the reconciling all apparent inconsistencies. Taj Mahal quoting exhaustively only contemporary authorities. In this book we have produced in photostat a passage from Subsequent hearsay accounts are hardly worth any notice for Shahjahan's court chronicle, the Badshahnama, which disarmingly historical research, since one writer's opinion is as good as any admits that the Taj Mahal is a commandeered Hindu palace. We other's. have also quoted the French merchant Tavernier, who visited India Since the Taj Mahal is a building complex of world renown during Shahjahan's reign, to say that the cost of the scaffolding the absence of a single coherent and unquestionably authentic account exceeded that of the entire work done regarding the mausoleum. is indeed surprising. How and why have universities and research This proves that all that Shahjahan had to do was engrave Koranic institutions the world over bypassed such a stupendous and attractive texts on the walls of a Hindu palace; that is why the cost of the subject like the Taj Mahal ? Why do all accounts of the Taj Mahal scaffolding was much more than the value of the entire work done. content themselves with merely lisping the self-same, confused, We have cited the Encyclopaedia Britannica as stating that the Taj irreconcilable and slipshod, imaginary details about its origin, viz. Mahal building-complex comprises stables and guest and guard the period of construction, the expense incurred, the source of rooms. We have quoted Mr. Nurul Hasan Siddiqui's book admitting, the money spent, the designers and workmen, the date of Mumtaz's as the Badshahnama does, that a Hindu palace was commandeered burial in it, and every other facet? to bury Muntaz in. We have cited Shahjahan's fifth-generation ancestor Babur to prove that he lived in what we call the "Taj Perhaps it is just as well that no scholarly body ever succeeded Mahal" 100 years before the death of the lady for whom the Taj in producing a coherent and authoritative account of the building is believed to have been built as a mausoleum. We have also quoted of the Taj Mahal. Whosoever attempted to do any research on Vincent Smith to show that Babur died in the Taj Mahal. In addition the subject got lost in such a maze of inconsistent and contradictory to these proofs we have scotched the Shahjahan legend in every accounts that he found himself helplessly repeating the same old detail and cited other voluminous evidence proving conclusively that abracadabra. He had to be content with placing before the reader the Taj Mahal is an ancient Hindu building. loose bits of inconsistent, anomalous and contradictory versions on every point. All aspects of the Shahjahan legend regarding the 12 The Taj Mahal Is A Temple Palace Introduction 13 The overwhelming proof that we have produced in this book should once for all silence all doubters of the correctness of our eminent scholars of history. Most of them expressed nothing but finding and convince them that the whole world can go wrong where vehement contempt either audibly or through various acts of one man proves right.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chapm I INTRODUCTION I Geographical Aspects of Ichandesh
    C H A P m I INTRODUCTION I Geographical aspects of IChandesh Khandesh, lying between 20* 8' and 22* 7* north latitude and 75* 42' and 76* 28' longitude with a total area of 20,099 sQuare Km formed the 'most northern district' of the terri­ tories under tne control of the sole Conunissioner of Deccan in 1818 Ad J Stretching nearly 256 Kin along the Tapi and varying in breadth from 92 to 144 iOn, Khaiidesh forms an upland basin, the most northerly section of the Deccan table-laiid. Captain John Briggs, the then Political Agent of Khandesh (1818-1823) described Khandesh as 'bounded on the south by the range of Hills in v/hich the forts of Kunhur, Uhkye and Chandoor lie; on tue north by the Satpoora Mountains; on the east by the districts of Aseer, Zeinabad, Edlabad, Badur, sind Jamner, 2 and on the west by the Hills and forests of Baglana', Prom the north-east corner, as far as the Sindwa pass on the Agra roaa, the hiil coimtry belonged to Holkar, Purther »i/est, in Sahada, the Khandesh bounaary skirts, the base of the hills; then, including the Akrani territory, it moved north, right into the heart of the hills, to where, in a deep narrow channel, the Narmada forces its way through the Satpuda. Prom this to its north-west centre, the Narmada remained the northern boundary of the district* On the east ana south-east, a row of pillars and some conveiiient streams without any marked natiiral boimdary, separated Khandesh 1‘rom the central Provinces and Berar, To the south of the Ajanta, Satmala or Chandor marked the line between Khandesh and the Mizam’s territory.
    [Show full text]
  • Aga Khan Trust for Culture, with Co-Funding of Federal Republic Of
    and the diamond shaped pendentives – several of which were severely damaged and displaced - creating a major threat to the structure as these pendentives and arches support the marble domes. Aga Khan Trust for Culture Conservation works on the facade of the structure needed to similarly repair damaged stones, though this did not require complete dismantling. LANDSCAPING THE SETTING The masonry wall built in the 1980’s to limit access to Chausath Khamba was dismantled and replaced with a transparent fence using motifs from the decorative lattice screens of the mausoleum. The forecourt itself was paved with stone in a manner that not only enhanced the historic character but also allowed the creation of a performance space for concerts and cultural festivals. Twice a year the Urs ceremony of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and his favourite disciple, the Sufi poet Amir Khusrau is held at the Urs Mahal built within the enclosure in the mid-20th century. It is proposed to install a permanent exhibit in this space. MIRZA GHALIB’S TOMB Mirza Ghalib, one of India’s most famous poets was buried adjacent to the Chausath Khamba. As an extension of the conservation effort the poet’s tomb enclosure was also landscaped to create a tranquil space for veneration and poetry sessions organised regularly. CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES The conservation effort at Chausath Khamba created at least 25,000 man days of work for traditional stone craftsmen and allowed training younger craftsmen. Youth from Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti have been trained to serve as heritage volunteers guiding tourists, pilgrims and school children through the seven centuries of built and living heritage of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti.
    [Show full text]
  • Culture on Environment: Rajya Sabha 2013-14
    Culture on Environment: Rajya Sabha 2013-14 Q. No. Q. Type Date Ans by Members Title of the Questions Subject Specific Political State Ministry Party Representati ve Nomination of Majuli Shri Birendra Prasad Island as World Heritage Environmental 944 Unstarred 14.08.2013 Culture Baishya Site Conservation AGP Assam Protected monuments in Environmental 945 Unstarred 14.08.2013 Culture Shri D.P. Tripathi Maharashtra Conservation NCP Maharashtra Shri Rajeev Monuments of national Environmental *209 Starred 05.02.2014 Culture Chandrasekhar importance in Karnataka Conservation IND. Karnataka Dr. Chandan Mitra John Marshall guidelines for preservation of Environmental Madhya 1569 Unstarred 05.02.2014 Culture monuments Conservation BJP Pradesh Pollution Shri Birendra Prasad Majuli Island for World Environmental 1572 Unstarred 05.02.2014 Culture Baishya Heritage list Conservation AGP Assam Monuments and heritage Environmental Madhya 2203 Unstarred 12.02.2014 Culture Dr. Najma A. Heptulla sites in M.P. Conservation BJP Pradesh NOMINATION OF MAJULI ISLAND AS WORLD HERITAGE SITE 14th August, 2013 RSQ 944 SHRI BIRENDRA PRASAD BAISHYA Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the present status of the nomination dossier submitted for inscription of Majuli Island as World Heritage Site; (b) whether Government has fulfilled all requirements for completion of the nomination process in respect of Majuli Island; (c) if so, the details thereof and date-wise response made on all queries of UNESCO; and (d) by when the island is likely to be finally inscribed as a World Heritage Site? MINISTER OF CULTURE (SHRIMATI CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH) (a) (b) The revised nomination dossier on Majuli Island submitted to World Heritage Centre (WHC) in January, 2012 needs further modification in view of revision of Operational Guidelines.
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Archaeology 1955-56 a Review
    INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1955-56 —A REVIEW EDITED BY A. GHOSH Director General of Archaeology in India ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI 1993 First Edition 1956 Reprint Edition 1993 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 1993 PRICE Rs. 175 Printed at BENGAL OFFSET WORKS, 335, Khajoor Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi 110005 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS All the information contained in this annual Review—the third number in the series—is necessarily based on the material received by me from different sources. While the items relating to the Department of Archaeology, Government of India, were supplied by my colleagues in the Department, to whom my thanks are due, the remain- ing ones, considerable in number and value, were obtained from others who are officially connected with the archaeological activities in the country, viz. the directors of explorations and excavations, the heads of the archaeological organizations in the States where they exist and the chiefs of the leading museums. I am immensely grate- ful to them for having readily sent their reports and, in many cases, illustrations for in- clusion in the Review. In almost all such cases, the sources of the material are obvious, and have not been individually acknowledged. I am also deeply obliged to those colleagues of mine who have helped me in the preparation of the text and plates and have seen the publication through the press within a remarkably short time. The 22nd August I956 A. GHOSH CONTENTS PAGE 1. General ... ... ... ... ... … ... 1 2. Explorations and excavations ... ... ... ... ... 4 3. Epigraphy ... … ... ... ... ... 2.9 4. Preservation of monuments ..
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Archaeology 1958-59 a Review
    INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 1958-59 —A REVIEW EDITED BY A. GHOSH Director General of Archaeology in India DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI 1959 Price Rs. 1000 or 16shillings COPYRIGHT DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRINTED AT THE CORONATION PRINTING WORKS, DELHI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This sixth number of the annual Review tries to embody, like its predecessors, information on all archaeological activities in the country during the previous year. The varied sources of information are obvious in most cases: where they are not, they have, as far as possible, been suitably acknowledged. From the ready and unconditional response that I have all along been receiving to my request for material, it is obvious that it is realized at all quarters that the Review has been performing its intended function of publishing, within the least possible time, the essential archaeological news of the country. At the same time, as it incorporates news obtained from diverse sources, the assumption of responsibility by me, as the editor, for the accuracy of the news, much less of the interpretation thereof, is precluded. My sincerest thanks are due to all—officers of the Union Department of Archaeology and of the State Governments, heads of other organizations concerned with archaeology and individuals devoting themselves to archaeological pursuits— who have furnished me with material that is included in the Review and to those colleagues of mine in the Department who have assisted me in editing it and seeing it through the press. New Delhi: A. GHOSH The 10th September 1959 CONTENTS PAGE I. General ... ... ... 1 II.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation & Heritage Management
    Chapter – 7 : Conservation & Heritage Management IL&FS ECOSMART Chapter – 7 Conservation & Heritage Management CHAPTER - 7 CONSERVATION & HERITAGE MANAGEMENT 7.1 INTRODUCTION Heritage Resource Conservation and Management imperatives for Delhi The distinctive historical pattern of development of Delhi, with sixteen identified capital cities1 located in different parts of the triangular area between the Aravalli ridge and the Yamuna river, has resulted in the distribution of a large number of highly significant heritage resources, mainly dating from the 13th century onwards, as an integral component within the contemporary city environment. (Map-1) In addition, as many of these heritage resources (Ashokan rock edict, two World Heritage Sites, most ASI protected monuments) are closely associated with the ridge, existing water systems, forests and open space networks, they exemplify the traditional link between natural and cultural resources which needs to be enhanced and strengthened in order to improve Delhi’s environment. (Map -2) 7.1.1 Heritage Typologies – Location and Significance These heritage resources continue to be of great significance and relevance to any sustainable development planning vision for Delhi, encompassing a vast range of heritage typologies2, including: 1. Archaeological sites, 2. Fortifications, citadels, different types of palace buildings and administrative complexes, 3. Religious structures and complexes, including Dargah complexes 4. Memorials, funerary structures, tombs 5. Historic gardens, 6. Traditional networks associated with systems of water harvesting and management 1 Indraprastha ( c. 1st millennium BCE), Dilli, Surajpal’s Surajkund, Anangpal’s Lal Kot, Prithviraj Chauhan’s Qila Rai Pithora, Kaiquabad’s Khilokhri, Alauddin Khilji’s Siri, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s Tughlaqabad, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s Jahanpanah, Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Firozabad, Khizr Khan’s Khizrabad, Mubarak Shah’s Mubarakabad, Humayun’s Dinpanah, Sher Shah Suri’s Dilli Sher Shahi, Shah Jehan’s Shahjehanabad, and Lutyen’s New Delhi.
    [Show full text]
  • LODI GARDEN and the GOLF CLUB © the British Library Board
    LODI GARDEN AND THE GOLF CLUB © The British Library Board. [Photo 1003/(896)] Lodi Garden, located on Lodi Road between Safdurjung’s Tomb and called Lady Willingdon Park, after the wife of the then British Viceroy. Khan Market in south Delhi, covers an area of 90 acres and is dotted Post-Independence, it was more appropriately renamed Lodi Garden with beautiful monuments and tombs. Buzzing with joggers and and was redesigned in 1968 by J.A. Stein, an eminent architect, who walkers throughout the year,the area is a haven for picnickers and for was also involved with many other buildings around the Lodi Garden those looking for a sunny patch to warm themselves in winters and a complex. The oldest structure in the Lodi Garden complex is a turret(an cool retreat, in summers, especially in the early hours of mornings and Archaeological Survey of India [ASI] protected structure) that appears in the evenings. With its undulating walking paths and jogging tracks to have been part of a walled enclosure (not evident any more) which fringed with ancient trees, colourful shrubs, and flowering plants, the historians believe to have belonged to the Tughlaq period (AD 1320– garden’s historical past is another evidence of how the city’s 1413). Nothing else is known about the other structures here that present encompasses within it a rich past. were also built at this time. Lodi Garden, as we see it today, in its avatar as a landscaped park, Most of the tombs and mosques go back to the time of the Sayyid was designed in 1936 as a setting for the group of 500-year old and Lodi rulers of Delhi when the area was called Bagh i-Jud, in the buildings belonging to the Sayyid, Lodi, and Mughal dynasties.
    [Show full text]
  • Dakhan History : Musalmán & Marátha, A.D. 1300-1818
    DAKHAN HISTORY GAZETTER OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY VOLUME 1 PART II BOOK I - ‘HISTORY OF THE KONKAN, By the Reverend Alexander Kyd Nairne, (XVI, 1-131 PP) BOOK II - ‘EARLY HISTORY OF THE DAKHAN DOWN TO THE MAHOMEDAN CONQUEST. By Professor Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar (IV, 132-275 PP) BOOK III - ‘THE DYNASTIES OF THE KANARESE DISTRICTS OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY from the earliest historical times to the Musalman Conquest. By John Faithfull Fleet (XIV, 277-584 PP) BOOK IV - DAK HAN HISTORY, MUSALMAN AND MARATHA A.D. 1300-1818. PARTI.-PoonaSataraand Sholapur. PART II. - Khandesh Nasik and Ahmadnagar. By W.W. Loch (585-634 PP) BOOK V. - HISTORY OF THE BOMBAY KARNATAKA MUSALMAN AND MARATHA A.D. 1300-1818, Colonel E.W. West(635-670 PP) INDEX (671-770 PP) •available under AES imprint DAKHAN HISTORY MUSALMAN & MARATHA A.D. 1300-1818 PART I POONA SA’TA’RA & SHOLA’PUR PART II KHANDESH NASIK & AHMED NAGAR W.W. LOCH ASIAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES NEW DELHI ★ MADRAS ★ 1989 ASIAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. * C-2/15, S.D.A. NEW DELHI-110016 * 5 SRIPGRAM FIRST STREET, MADRAS-600014. Price Rs 45 AFS Reprint 1989 First Published 1877 ISBN 81-206-0467-9 Published by J Jetley for ASIAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 02/15. SDA New Delhi-110016 Processed by APEX PUBLICATION SERVICES New Delhi-110 016 Printed at AGGARWAL Printers Deputy Ganj. Sadar Bazar Delhi-6 DAK I IAN IILSTOHY: M1JSALMAN AND MARATHA, a.d. 1300-1818. Part I—Poona Sa'ta'ra and Shola'pur, LY W. W. LOCK Esquire, BOMBAT CIVIL SERVICE. [Costsibuted m 187?,] DAKHAN HISTORY.
    [Show full text]
  • Humayun's Tomb
    STREET IMPROVEMENTS: Aesthetic, Sustainable and Participatory The historic character of the Basti had been severely undermined both by tarmac AGA KHAN TRUST FOR CULTURE roads and an overwhelming presence of litter on the streets. In partnership with the Municipal Corporation, major street improvement and waste management programmes were initiated, preceded by a community supported physical survey Humayun’s Tomb - Sundar Nursery - Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti of streets, and infrastructure mapping of water, electricity and sewerage systems. URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE 100% of the street network has been suitably re-paved and a majority of the sewerage network replaced. The task required significant co-ordination between the Municipal Corporation undertaking the street improvements and the Delhi Jal Board replacing sewerage lines. The revival of these ‘common spaces’ including streets and open spaces directly enhanced the cultural experience of the residents and visitors of the basti. URBAN CONSERVATION: Rehabilitation of structures and communities In addition to the Dargah complex, several major monuments stand within Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti including the Baoli and Chausath Khamba – both of which have been the focus of a significant urban conservation effort. Portions of the Baoli collapsed in 2008 following which relocation of 18 families was undertaken to newly built houses. As part of rehabilitation, the affected families were provided with housing, support for livelihoods, and access to health care, education and pension schemes near their new homes. This effort required extensive dialogue over a three year period with both residents and officials. Through a cost sharing arrangement major housing improvement along the nallah, Baoli, Chausath Khambha are being undertaken.
    [Show full text]
  • District Census Handbook, Nashik, Part XII-A & B, Series-14
    CENSUS OF INDIA 1991 DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK NASHIK Compiled by THE MAHARASHTRA CENSUS DIRECTORATE PRINTED IN INDIA BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT PRESS, MUMBAI-400 004 AND PU:BLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT PRINTING AND STATIqNERY MAHARASHTRA STATE, MUMBAI-400 004. 1995 Price Rs. 100 i I I ~ ~ '; z ~ ~ I- ~ I I ct ® D:: 1) oCt J: oCt - :IE E e is '" MOTIF 'Grapes' of Nashik district are famous for their exhilarating taste and rich flavour. It relished by the people all over India and highly in demand thi~ fruit which is a table fruit of the rich and dream of the poor. Grapes account one third area of the total area under fruit cultivation. Agriculture is the main economic activity of the district -and about 70 per cent working population is dependant on agriculture occupation. Since the commen­ cement of the five years plans, a number of schemes, regarding plantation of fruits und~rtaken by the Govern­ ment and due to planning schemes there is marked increase in the fruit products. The soil, climate and sufficient water of tapi and Godavari rivers is favourable for frutis. CONTENTS PAGE Foreword v Preface ix Acknowledgements xi District Highlights - 1991 Census xiii Name of the headquarters of Districttrahsil, their rural/urban status and distance from district headquarters XIV Important Statistics - I (a) 1 Important Statistics - I (b) 4 Ranking of tahsils in the district - II 6 Summary Table 1 - Population of the District at the Censuses from 1901 to 1991 8- Summary Table 2 - Number of inhabited villages and related population in 9 specified population size ranges.
    [Show full text]
  • Archaeology of the Madh Island and Versova, Mumbai Suburban District
    The Witness of Ages: Archaeology of the Madh Island and Versova, Mumbai Suburban District Mayur Thakare1 1. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra, St. George Fort, St. George Hospital Campus, Near C.S.T, Mumbai - 400 001, Maharashtra, India (Email: [email protected]) Received: 07 August 2016; Accepted: 06 September 2016; Revised: 13 October 2016 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4 (2016): 542-606 Abstract: The mere mention of the Madh Island and Versova spells today of the luxurious villas owned by Mumbai's and Nation's Urban rich, a place for exotic shoots and a weekend travel spot of tired Mumabaikars or Tourists from other part of the Nation and very few from abroad. School, College bunkers, young/old couples, families, Travel enthusiasts - you can spot everyone on the sandy Beaches and rocky Sea fronts of the Madh Island. At present, one has to go from Malad (West) in Mumbai Suburban District to reach the Madh Island by a good conditioned motorable road or one can simply cross the Versova Creek by a boat to reach the Madh Island. The Island has the Arabian Sea on the West and South, Manori/Gorai on the North and Malad on the East. It is at present divided from the mainland of Mumbai Suburban District or former Salsette (Sashti) Island by a narrow Creek surrounded by the Mangroves. The Madh Island from North to South has the villages Marve, Aksa, Erangal, Madh and Wadis such as Shankarwadi, Patelwadi, Pascalwadi etc. A good portion of Island is under the control of Defense establishments of the Government of India such as the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force.
    [Show full text]
  • AGA KHAN HISTORIC CITIES PROGRAMME Transforming Cities, Transforming Lives
    AGA KHAN TRUST FOR CULTURE AGA KHAN HISTORIC CITIES PROGRAMME Transforming cities, transforming lives The Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, through its projects, seeks to be a catalyst to improve quality of life by activating culture as a springboard for economic and social development. These projects are laboratories for ideas that can positively shape the future in ways that are meaningful, beneficial, and impactful. At their core is a message of opportunity, of potential, of hope. “It is society that is changing every day around the world. Our attempt, our aspiration, our prayer is to try to have the humility, but also the competence, to understand what is happening and to seek to influence it so that future generations can live in a better environment.” — His Highness the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme AGA KHAN TRUST FOR CULTURE CREATING AN URBAN OASIS Al Azhar Park Cairo, Egypt. Al Azhar Park, located by the Old City of Cairo, offers a 28-hectare expanse of greenery on what was dust and rub- ble for over two centuries. Offering a contemporary design inspired by historic Islamic gardens, the spine is a formal axis with a water channel leading in the direction of a small lake, with accompanying alleyways, and pointing towards Top: Aerial view Al Azhar Park with Darb al-Ahmar on the left. the Citadel. Gardens and pavilions enhance the arrival point Middle: Formal garden area and on the edge of the lake. Al Azhar Park attracts over 2 million palm avenue and water channel Bottom: Aerial view over the visitors annually and provides a much needed green space Citadel View Restaurant, central in one of the densest cities in the world.
    [Show full text]