8. TOURISM AND HISTORY

8.1 Tourism in the Past Do you know ? 8.2 Types of Tourism

8.3 Development of Tourism Benjamin of Tudela is known as

8.4 Conservation and Preservation of the first European traveller/discoverer.

Historical Places He was born in Spain. During the period of 1159-1173 C.E. he travelled 8.5 Professional Opportunities in the to France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Persia,

India and China. He maintained 8.1 Tourism in the Past diaries of the accounts of his travels.

The tradition of travelling is quite old His diaries are viewed as important in . People used to travel for various historical documents. reasons like pilgrimage, going to local Marco Polo, the Italian traveller fairs and festivals, in search of a renowned of the 13th century introduced Asia, teacher and good education, for trade, etc. especially China to Europe. He stayed In brief, from ancient times people took to in china for 17 years. He wrote about travelling for various reasons. the flora and fauna, social life, culture and trade systems of Asia. Do you know ? Ibn Batuta, the traveller of the 14th century took the world on a The Buddhist literature tells us virtual travel of the Islamic world that Gautam Buddha travelled to with his travel accounts. He was several cities in ancient India for travelling for 30 years. He had preaching. Buddhist monks were resolved not to travel twice on the ordained not to stay at one place but same route. His accounts are helpful keep travelling continuously to various in understanding the medieval history places. Jain monks, sadhus also used and social life. to travel constantly. Gerardus Mercator, of 16th Yuan Shwang, the Chinese monk century was a cartographer. He is travelled to India in 630 C.E. In the known for creating a world map and medieval period Saint Namdev, Saint globe of the earth. His work proved Eknath, Guru Nanak, Ramdas Swami to be very useful for navigation travelled extensively in India. around the world.

Tourism : Tourism can be defined as noteworthy in the context of tourism travelling to visit places in distant regions history. He organised a trip by railway for a specific purpose. from Leicester to Loughborough for about In the latter half of the 19th century 600 people. Later he was successful in C.E. the name of Thomas Cook is Organising a round trip of Europe.

Eventually he established a travel agency locations of tourist interests. Mass media selling tourist tickets. This early venture began to make special audio-visual of Thomas cook opened doors for the presentations highlighting places of tourist development of modern tourism. interest. Tourism can be broadly typified into local tourism, interstate tourism, international tourism, religious tourism, Do you know ? historical tourism, health tourism, science tourism, agro-tourism, sports tourism, The tradition of travelling from tourism based on special events, etc. corner to corner was prevalent in India Local and Interstate Tourism : This from ancient times. Vishnubhat Godase wrote down the accounts of his journey kind of tourism is not very overwhelming because it is within one’s own country. It from to Ayodhya and does not cause difficulties of language, back to Maharashtra. It is published procuring currency and documents. More as a book entitled, ‘Maza Pravas’. so, we can plan it at the time suitable Vishnubhat travelled during times of to us. the Indian war of independence in International Tourism : Nowadays, it 1857. He was the eye witness for has become easier to travel because of the many events related to this historical easy availability of a number of options event. His accounts are full of detailed of railway, marine and air transport. descriptions about various incidences Marine transport has linked the coastal during this period, especially those regions. There is a trans-European railway about the life of Lakshmibai, the route. Aviation has brought the entire queen of Jhansi. We also get to know world closer. Because of the economic the nature of of the liberalisation policy of the Indian 18th century. This book is one of the government the number of people travelling important sources of history of that back and forth from India has increased period. considerably. They include people travelling

for studies, relaxation, sightseeing, and 8.2 Types of Tourism professional assignments (meetings, agreements, etc.), also for shooting of These days tourism has become an films, etc. One needs to procure various independent field of local, interstate, official documents for travelling abroad. national and international business. The Historical Tourism : This type of desire to visit national and international tourism is popular all over the world. Tours monuments, places of historical importance to historical places are arranged to satisfy and natural beauty, ancient centres known people’s interest in history. It can be noted for handicrafts, pilgrim centres, industrial in this context that Gopal Neelkanth centres and sites of various developmental Dandekar, a renowned Marathi writer used projects, etc. promotes tourism. Tourists to arrange hiking tours to forts in from all over the world wish to visit Maharashtra, to explore the sights closely natural and manmade sites, which offer linked to Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj and a delightful and awe inspiring experience. his achievements. Tours are also arranged The places like snow-capped peaks, to important historical sites in India such beaches, pristine jungles, which were as forts in Rajasthan, Ashrams of Mahatma neglected previously, became important Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave, important places related to the Indian war to India to avail of the medical facilities of independence in 1857, etc. and health services. India is a tropical country, where ample sunlight is available throughout the year. This attracts tourist from countries with cold climate to India. Availability of facilities for Yoga training and therapies based on Ayurveda is one more reason to want to visit India. Agro-Tourism : Agro-tourism, which is also known as agri-tourism, is rapidly developing, especially meant for the urban population, which has very little exposure to rural life and agriculture. Now, Indian Valley of Flowers farmers are also visiting faraway places You would like to know this : like agricultural research centres, agricultural universities, and countries like People of various religious Israel where experimentation in advanced communities are dispersed globally. technology of agriculture is carried out. However, they feel united because of their mythological traditions and the Sports Tourism : Sports tourism was places associated with those traditions. developed in the 20th century. There are This creates a desire to travel to those various sports events organised on places and it gives rise to religious international level like Olympics, tourism. In this context the constructions, Wimbldon, World Chess Championship undertaken by Ahilyabai Holkar and international cricket tournaments, etc. spending from her personal funds are While there are events like Himalayan Car noteworthy. Ahalyabai wanted to Rally on national level, events like provide good amenities on the pilgrim Maharashtra Kesari Wrestling competitions routes like Chardham Yatras and Bara are organised on state level. Travelling to Jyotirlingas. attend such events comes under sports Geographic Tourism : This type of tourism. tourism involves visiting places to observe Tourism based on Special Events : special geographic features of a region. It People want to travel and they are often on includes various natural and animal the lookout for special reasons to do it. In sanctuaries, places like valley of flowers the 21st century it has become common to (Uttarakhand), various beaches, unique organise such events, which also help to geographical wonders like the crater lake Let us find out : at Lonar and ranjankhalage (naturally Apart from the types of tourism carved out cavities in rocks) at Nighoj in mentioned above, there are other types Maharashtra. Many tourists like to visit like, science tourism, leisure and these places to satisfy their curiosity. relaxation tourism also known as Health Tourism : People from the wellness tourism, cultural tourism and western countries find the health services group tourism, etc. Let us find more and facilities in India comparatively about it with the help of the teachers cheaper and yet of good standard. and internet. Hence, many foreigners preferred to come

promote tourism. Film festivals, various types of seminars and conferences, Can you tell ? international book exhibitions, etc. are examples of such special events. People What facilities should be made keep visiting several places to attend such available to the tourists? special events. Many literature enthusiasts How would you behave with the in Maharashtra travel every year to attend tourist if you are the local person at ‘Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan’ a tourist site? (Pan Indian Marathi Literary Convention). books about a tourist site be available in their own language. Hence, such literature 8.3 Development of Tourism should be made available in various The crucial issue in the development languages. It would be helpful if the taxi of tourism is providing proper guidance to drivers are trained to converse in more national and international tourists about than one languages. They may also be various aspects of the actual travel, proper trained as tourist guides. social conduct during the tour and during their stay at the destination places.

Do this. Gather more information about the Swachh Bharat drive.

Giving priority to ensure safe transport and security facilities for the tourists, amenities of reasonably good standard, availability of good accommodation, good washroom facilities on the travel routes is Gharapuri Caves of great significance in promoting tourism. Try this. It is also very important to pay special attention to the special needs of handicapped Collect pictures and photos of tourists. the cultural, natural and mixed It is important to take a few primary heritage sites in India, with the help precautions in order to preserve the of internet. historical heritage sites. It is essential that few things should be avoided at any instance, for example: vandalising or defacing the heritage monuments and sites. In order to avoid it everybody should refrain from activities like writing on walls or carving on trees, paint ancient monuments in garish colours, etc. Lack of good amenities in the precincts of the heritage sites causes filthiness. It is very essential for the tourists that pamphlets, guides and history Kas Pathar

8.4 Conservation and Preservation of Heritage Walks : To go on a tour Heritage for visiting historical places is known as It is a hard task to preserve and ‘Heritage Walk’. One can experience conserve heritage sites. Our country is very the thrill of being a part of history by rich with historical sites dating to ancient, participating in heritage walks. medieval and modern period. It is also ‘Heritage Walks’ as an organised blessed with abundance of nature. group activity has gained popularity in Heritage of any country is divided many countries. India has a rich history, into, Natural Heritage and Cultural which can be traced back to many (manmade) Heritage. There are some millenniums. Every region of India is full of historical places from ancient, Heritage Sites in India, which are acclaimed medieval and modern period. The globally, such as Taj Mahal at Agra, Jantar Mantar observatory at Jaipur, and ‘Heritage walk’ organised in the city of also the rock-cut caves at Ajanta, Verul Ahmedabad is well-known. In the cities of and Gharapuri (Elephanta), Chhatrapati and Pune in Maharashtra such Shivaji Maharaj Railway Terminus in walks are organised regularly. Heritage Maharashtra. Kas Plateau in Maharashtra walks can encourage people to support is located in the Western Ghats, which is projects like conservation and a World Natural Heritage site. preservation of historical monuments, to There are tourists all over the world, collect authentic information about them who wish to visit world heritage sites. and to publish it through various media. Foreign tourists come in large numbers to Residences of renowned citizens who visit the heritage sites in our country. It have passed away are also part of makes us feel very proud when an Indian heritage. In some cities ‘blue plaques’ heritage site is declared as a world heritage with the names and other relevant site. However, whenever we visit such information of such citizens are placed on places we feel very disappointed because their residences, as a part heritage of what we see there. We get to see that scheme. people have written their names with charcoal; have drawn pictures, vandalising Try this. the heritage site. It affects our image as a nation. To preserve the heritage sites we Organise ‘Heritage Walks’ with need to resolve that : the help of your teachers as part of educational tours to historical places. (1) I shall strive to maintain the cleanliness of heritage sites. It has tremendous scope for experimentation (2) I shall not do anything, which will and innovation. result in vandalising of any historical site. A good number of opportunities of 8.5 Professional Opportunities in the employment are available in the tourism Tourism and Hospitality Industry and hospitality industry. The country

Tourism and Hospitality is an industry which is a tourist destination begins to with potential to create maximum receive revenue even before a tourist employment opportunities. If managed arrives at the airport of that country. He professionally, it is a very stable industry. has to pay for his visa. He spends for his travel, stay in hotels, food, payment

to translators and guides, buying Shegaon, Tulajapur, , Nashik, newspapers, reference books, souvenirs, Tryambakeshwar, Paithan, Haji Malang, etc. This contributes to the growth of Gurudvara at Nanded, Mount Mary economy of that country. Church in Mumbai, etc.; hill stations like Markets in the vicinity grow along Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Khandala, with the development of a tourist centre. Lonavala, Matheran, Chikhaldara, etc.; Hence, the local handicrafts and cottage dams at Koyananagar, Jayakwadi, industries also begin to develop. The Bhatghar, Chandoli, etc. and sanctuaries demand for locally processed food items at Dajipur, Sagareshwar, Tadoba, etc. are and ethnic handicrafts increases. It results among the important tourist centres in in better income for local artisans, business Maharashtra. people and wage earners. The Maharashtra Tourism Development of Tourism in Development Corporation was set up in Maharashtra : Maharashtra is a state 1975. It helped in the development of blessed with rich heritage. The much- tourism in Maharashtra. The corporation admired rock-cut caves, paintings and has provided facilities of tourist hotels at sculptures of Ajanta, Verul and Gharapuri 47 places. Together these hotels can (Elephanta); pilgrim centres like Dehu, accommodate more than 4000 tourists. Alandi, Jejuri, Pandharpur, Shirdi, Many private entrepreneurs are also providing hospitality services to tourists. Do you know ? An unusual Village of Books Bhilar is a village near with a view to accelerate the ‘Reading Mahabaleshwar, which boasts of natural Culture’ movement for the reader-tourists beauty and sweetness of to enjoy the beauty of Marathi literature strawberry. It is also enriched by the works of old and new known as the ‘Village of authors and saints. It includes various Books’. Every household types of texts like biographies, in this village maintains autobiographies, fiction, poetry, literature a library of its own for by women, literature on sports, literature the tourists to enjoy. for kids, etc. Maharashtra State If you go to Mahabaleshwar, make Government has implemented this scheme it a point to visit Bhilar as well.

Can you tell ? You would like to know this : What kind of new occupations were Cultural tourism includes activities introduced in the surroundings of like visiting educational institutes of your village/town because of growing repute; trying to get a glimpse of local tourism? culture, history and traditions; visiting historical monuments at a place; trying What difference could be observed in to appreciate the achievements of local the lifestyle of people in the people and also participating in the surroundings of your village-town local festivals of dance, music, etc. because of growing tourism?

Do you know ? Mahabaleshwar and Panchagani tourists. Horsekeepers provide horses for are hill stations. Thousands of tourists horse rides and horse cart rides. It is arrive here. These tourists are the local people who are engaged in accompanied by guides who provide these activities and they can earn good relevant information on the sightseeing money for their services. In short tourism tour. At some places photographers becomes a major source of their are present to click nice snaps for the livelihood.