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IntangIble Indraprastha-4 City of Global Significance Considering the emphasis on all-encompassing habitation, streets and roads in natural surround- ings, Indraprastha has been the first truly pro- gressive and planned city of the NCR, and perhaps the North India

Yudhisthira performing the Asvamedha Yajna, Foli 568r Painting from ‘Razmnama’, Birla Academy of Art & Culture Kolkata A Painting by Raja Ravi Varma showing Court , NGMA,

n Neera Misra note like Varanasi. It had gardens, ponds, he Udyog Parva of public monuments and recreation centers narrates the making of (chitrasal) and was inhabited by special- Map showing the Mahabharata linked TIndraprastha, the City State carved ists such as learned Brahmans, wealth- places in South East Asia out of half of . As is well seeking merchants, and skilled crafts- known, Dhritarashtra’s attempt was to men. There were market-towns and other commercial, social and knowledge ensure power to his own son satellite townships not far from the chief base. Significantly, due attention was , and broke peace between city of Indraprastha. These were so well paid to restoring flora and fauna, water him and his cousins. “Indraprastha known that the Buddha could select them bodies and natural environment. came into being as a political decision for preaching some of the most impor- Considering the emphasis on all— and thus its foundation was a political tant of his discourses.” Prof BB Lal’s list encompassing habitation, streets and conception,” notes RE Frykenberg in of rulers lists Udayan, the descendant of roads in natural surroundings, one can Delhi Through The Ages, 1986. Pandus as contemporary of Buddha. conclude that Indraprastha was the first Udyog Parva also provides the vivid “When the city was built, there truly progressive and planned city of the description of its planning by Maya, came, numerous Brahmanas present NCR, and perhaps N orth India. unparalleled beauty, and the significance well-acquainted with all the Vedas and Significance: The coronation of of Pandav’s Empire. Frykenberg also conversant with every language, Yudhisthira was attended by the ‘who’s describes the city: “Situated on the banks wishing to dwell there.” (Mahabharata) who’ of those times, the leading Rajas of a river named , …the City was Obvious conclusion is that and Yuvrajas of Aryavarta, which in fortified with ramparts, having towers, Indraprastha was a well conceived and today’s context would include region of and was surrounded by a moat. The city methodically planned city. The rulers at least Asia and South East Asia, if not was served by streets and was linked by aimed at strengthening not jus t their more. This gives proof of the supremacy roads to other contemporary cities of political power, but also enhancing its of Yudhisthira’s worldly power. We

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Historical EvidEncEs

agree with Carr Stephen that the Jataka periods. Surchi Jataka (No. have left its indelible footprints on the “Indraprastha was Yudisthira capital, 489) takes note of Indapatta and Mithila. history of Bharat, becoming the most was also the second city of the early The name Indraprastha survives in the coveted capital to be acquired by later Pandu dynasty, along with Hastinapura, later Puranas and in Tantrik works. rulers and conquered by invaders, who and ‘subsequently became the capital of Indraprastha was still remembered in the fought battles to establish their suprema- Northern India.’ The city of Indraprastha 17th century text of the Saktisangama cy over Pandav legacy, as late as the 16th retained its importance throughout the Tantra as one of the five divisions of century fights between Humayun and ancient period as it has been referred to India, from Tantrik point of view. Sher Shah. “Humayun, son of Babar, as the scene of many important events. In later Jain Pattavalis, instead of determined to make Delhi his residence, As per the Buddhist texts the region Indraprastha we find Yoginipura found it necessary to build or restore the of presnet-day Delhi formed part of the mentioned. Indraprastha being about 7 fort of Purana Kila or Indrapat, on the Kuru Rattha, one of the 16 leagues, it’s about 35 km in length, which side of the ancient Indraprastha.” . This kingdom was places Yoginipura within Indraprastha, (Gazetteer of the Delhi District (1883-4) known to have had many towns and alongwith Lal Kot at Mehrauli. Pg. No.194). The personal interest Akbar villages. The most important of them According to Bhagavat Purana, later took in getting the Mahabharata was Indapatta. This was the place from Yudhisthira reigned long and gloriously translated into Persian Text and where king Dhananjaya Korabya, who at Indraprastha and was succeeded by Miniatures also shows how keen every belonged to the Yudhitthila gotta 30 generations of the descendants of his king was not just to learn about the (scion), ruled over his kingdom. brother . The last king in the line Pandav glory, but to acquire it too. ‘The town of Indapatta was seven was Kshemaka, who was deposed by his It is said that Delhi survived many leagues in extent. It was noted as one of minister, Visarwa, who usurped the attacks of loot and destruction. No, it is the three chief cities of the contempo- throne. Visarwa’s descendants held not Delhi but Indraprastha that has rary Jambudipa (the geo-cultural ‘India’ power for 500 years. They were braved attempts to deprive it of its of Buddhist tradition), as per RE succeeded by a dynasty of 15 Gautamas wealth, historical treasures, antiquity Frykenberg, in his Delhi Through The or Gotamavaras. They were followed by and even identity. Every conqueror post Ages. He continues “…moreover, it was the famous dynasty of the Mauryas. It is the Dynasty, wanted to own well connected by roads to other noteworthy that Tomars/Rajputs came Indrapat Quila, and make their new from Kanauj area, which was part of forts within the Indraprastha periphery, ancient Panchala , the home of or even inside. The last Hindu ruler at Pandava’s Queen . Indraat Quila was Hemu, who defeated Ptolemy, the celebrated Alexandrine Akbar’s army in 1556 and coronated geographer, who visited India during himself at Indrapat Quila, as it was then the 2nd Century AD, has marked in his known. Of course he was soon defeat- map of India the Mahabharata period ed, beheaded and most inhumanly treat- cities of Indrabara (Indrapath) Madurai ed by Akbar. (He lost the battle and was or and Batan Kaisara or then beheaded by Bairam Khan. Sthaneswara (Thaneswar). Hemu's head was sent to Kabul, while “Not only in India and to the Hindus his body was gibbeted on a gate Purana is the Indraprasta a name of reverence; Qila in Delhi). for, away in distant Cambodia, the “The city of Indraprastha was under people believe that they are descended continuous habitation up to the from colonists who immigrated into the Medieval Period and down to the southern peninsula from the far-off banks present. The city witnessed all the major of the Jumna, and the stupendous political vicissitudes and cultural phases Map showing five Pandav-ruled areas remains of Angkor and Battambang, near through which northern India generally, the great lake of Toule-sap, point and the Indo-Gangetic divide cities—e.g., to Banaras.” The city was unmistakably to Hindu and Buddhist specifically, is known to have passed. so famous that, in a later Buddhist origin, and bear silent witness to the Now commonly known by its “pet name tradition, as preserved in Buddhavamsa, existence, in the remote past, of a power- ‘Delhi’, yet first upon this list of cities the Buddha’s razor and needle are sup- ful and flourishing kingdom of Indian stands the name of Indraprastha,” posed to have been enshrined at origin.” (Ramayana & Mahabharata – Gazetteer of the Delhi District (1883-4. Indapatta. 1894, John Campbell Oman) It is time originality gets precedence. Indraprastha seems to have been one The power and glory of the Pandava (The writer is chairperson of Draupadi of the important cities of India during rulers, and their capital city Indraprastha Dream Trust)

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