Sunday 1 May 2011
D A V College(lahore)
Affiliated to : kurukshetra university kurukshetra
Location
Veer Ji Ki Kutiya वीर जी की कुटिया
Veer Ji Ki Kutiya वीर जी की कुटिया
Prakash Dev, better known as Gita Nand Ji Maharaj
(Veer Ji) of Ambala City, was born on 20.11. 1929 in village Kamalia of
Lyallpur District (which is now in Pakistan).
Gita Nand Ji was born into a well-known Gosain
(upper caste Brahmin) family to Shri Nand Lal Gosain (Father) and
Bhrawan Bai (Mother).
Gita Nand Ji's grandfather Shri Sheetal Das
Gosain was a highly acclaimed and spiritually advanced personality and
the spiritual life and conduct of his grandfather and grandmother had a
significant impact on young Prakash Dev.
Prakash Dev was about 7-8 years old when the
first signs of his later life as an Awakened and 'God Realized’ saint
began to emerge.
One day, while playing with friends from the
neighborhood, he caught the sight of another child carrying a chunk of
sweet-meat in his hand. Overtaken by sudden emotion and hunger for the
piece of delicacy, the young Prakash ran towards the boy and snatched
the sweet-meat out of his hand to eat it.
Prakash's mother was watching this little episode
the whole time and grabbed her son by the hand before he could savor the
taste of the dessert. One tight slap and the admonishment that followed
embarrassed the little boy. The incident registered deep within and
catalyzed the links that he had already established with a higher
intelligence.
Prakash would sit quietly in a corner of the house
and play the whole episode related to the sweet-meat in his mind time
and again. Prakash belonged to an affluent family and he was constantly
bothered by the question that if he had everything in his own house,
available to him without anyone questioning him, why and what led him to
go after something so 'blindly’.
Being the only son and born the youngest to six
elder sister, Prakash was pampered and deeply loved by all in the
family. Several pet names like 'Nikka', 'Manga', 'Kaka' were gifts of
love given to him by near and dear ones.
This too would confuse and later amuse young
Prakash. He would wonder how one person could be addressed and
remembered by so many names. This trait of constantly questioning and
pondering deeply on even the smallest events became the one 'constant'
thing in Prakash's life.
This trait was further fuelled by leading a
disciplined life and attending to both school and house-hold duties with
equal aplomb. Discipline, respect for elders, rising early and taking
bath before sunrise and the reading and recital of Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta
before sitting for breakfast were some of the 'rules’ that were set by
Gita Nand Ji’s father.
And everyone, including Prakash, followed the
rules religiously and without questioning. As the saying goes, 'Coming
Events Cast Their Shadows Before', Prakash showed signs of being aloof,
self-centered and displayed sharp intelligence even in performing the
smallest of tasks.
That he was a topper in studies and was a favorite of all his teachers came as no surprise.
His father would often repeat the words, “If one
has to live happily in our home, he must follow the rules of the house.”
These words would always hit the 'bull’s eye’ and Prakash would often
sit and keep repeating these words in his mind.
Gradually, the 'rules of the divine’ or the 'ways
of the divine’ were building a place inside Prakash’s being. He would
constantly find that 'material’ things around him were changing without
any 'visible’ hand coming to change them.
Simple day-to-day incidents reminded young
'Prakash’ of a divine force that was constantly in play. He would watch
agog and replay each incident in his mind to try and understand the
'subtle’ laws of this divine force.
Whether at school or at home, he was taking his
first lessons that would help him during his later life as a 'God
Seeker’ and help him lead a monastic life. Small anecdotes that later
turned into 'big’ ideas as he embarked on his journey 'inward’.
1. He would carefully watch his mother follow a
few simple steps to separate milk into curd. She would cover the
container and then leave the milk to set in a warm place. And everyone
in the family knew that the container was not to be touched or moved,
lest the curding process be disturbed. Prakash’s mother would often say,
“If you want to savor good quality curd, shut the container with warm
milk very tight and do not move or shake the container.” Prakash would
watch with interest every time his mother would pull-out 'almost solid’
chunks of curd. He would wonder how milk had transformed into curd
over-night. And his mother would repeat for the sake of further clarity
that 'do not shake the container’ and you get chunks of 'almost solid’
curd.
Prakash (or Gita Nand Ji Maharaj) would later say
to all his disciples, "Do not let your belief be shaken. Your 'inner
environment’ should not be stirred or shaken if you want 'solid’
results."
2. Around the age of 12, Prakash was witness to
the marriage ceremony of his eldest sister. Everyone in the family was
very excited and so was young Prakash. As the date of marriage
approached, relatives, and friends and near and dear ones flocked to his
family home. Prakash could not quite fathom the hullabaloo linked to
'going away’ of his sister to someone else’s house.
The day of the marriage, Prakash was shattered as
he finally came to terms with the fact that his sister will not be able
to live with his family any longer and would only 'visit occasionally'.
He questioned his parents and his sisters about the tradition and
everyone looked very comfortable with the idea that 'one day every girl
has to leave her parents home to live with another man and another
family’. He ran back and forth exclaiming that if his sister had to
leave then why she was given so much attention in their family after
all. Everyone should have treated her like a 'guest'.
These small ideas and incidents left a deep
impression on Prakash's mind. He decided that he would never be a part
of the marriage ceremony of the rest of his sisters and he would treat
them only as ‘guests’.
Saturday 30 April 2011
Some old pictures from Ambala
Sirhind Club
Cricket in Ambala 1918
Cart in the Streetk Ambala 1945
Ambala Club
G T Road (Sher Shah Suri Marg) old picture
The Grand Trunk Road, built by Sher Shah Suri, was the main trade route from Calcutta to Kabul.
MANGLED REMAINS: The wreckage of the MiG-29 that crashed on paddy fields in Ambala on Sep 28, 2006
Air Force Station Ambala 1943
... fixing the engine to the Blenheim Ambala 1943
Zohra Bai Ambala Wali (1918-90)
A noted classical singer, Zohra bai Ambale wali belonged to the first generation playback singers of Hindi cinema. Born into an orthodox Muslim family, Zohrabai’s introduction to music was through the gramophone records playing in her home in Ambala (now in the Haryana).
Recognizing her musical talent, Zohrabai’s grandfather put her under the tutelage of Ghulam Hussain Khan and Ustad Nasir Hussain Khan. The latter trained her in the Agra gharana (school) of Hindustani music, and it was this robust, unrestrained style of singing that Zohrabai brought to film music.
She began her career as a radio artiste, singing mainly classical and semi-classical numbers. She also cut albums with HMV, the leading gramophone company of the time. Music Director Vasant Desai gave Zohrabai her first film song in the historical drama, Shakuntala (1943). She subsequently sang for music director Naushad Ali in Rattan, delivering such hits as Aai Diwali aai Diwali and Akhiyan mila ke, jiya bharma ke. In fact, most of the singer’s famous songs, including those in Anmol Ghadi, Mela, and Jadoo, were to come under the music direction of Naushad Ali.
Zohrabai retired at the peak of her career to help her daughter, the noted kathak dancer Roshan Kumari
Gurdwara Lakhnaur Sahib
Lakhnaur Sahib Gurdwara has a rich Sikh history as Guru Gobind Singh had stayed at Lakhnaur village as a child. A booklet on the gurdwara states that Lakhnaur Sahib is the paternal place of Mata Gujari, wife of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Sunday 24 April 2011
Railway Station Ambala
- Ambala Cantt [UMB] (Junction on Delhi-Amritsar-Meerut-Kalka lines)
- More information about Ambala Cantt Railway Station and trains
- Ambala City [UBC] (On Ambala -Amritsar/Jammu line)
- More information about Ambala City Raiway Staion, trains
- Dhulkot [DKT] (on Ambala Chandigarh/Kalka line)
- More information about Dhulkot Railway Station , trains
Elevation: 278 m above sea level
Railway Zone: Northern - NR
Railway Station Ambala Cantt at night
Ambala Cantt Railway station in 1945
Railway Station Ambala Cantt at night
Ambala Cantt Railway station in 1945
St. PAUL'S CHURCH
This church was consecrated in January 1857.
St Paul's Church in 1868
St Paul's Church in 1942
and was destroyed during the Indo-Pak war of 1965. Now, one can see only the remains of the church tower. The church now belongs to the Indian Air Force and the authorities are planning to convert the bombed church into a war memorial chapel.
Mata Kali Mandir
Gurudwara Sis Ganj
about 300 metres from Gurdwara Manji Sahib, is sacred to Guru Tegh Bahadur. After the Guru had been executed publicly in Delhi on 11 November 1675 under the orders of Emperor AURANGZIB, one of his Sikhs, Bhai Jaita carried off his severed head to Anandpur, while his body was cremated by Bhai Lakkhi Shah in Delhi. Bhai Jaita traveling incognito with the Guru`s head (sis) stayed in a Sikh`s house in Ambala, the site of the present Gurdwara Sis Gary. Local devotees raised a platform to mark the spot. In 1913, when the Sikh Educational Conference met for its sixth annual session at Ambala, the site sprang into limelight. The custodians of the adjoining Muslim shrine of Twakkal Shah objected to the Sikhs` visiting the place in large numbers. A civil suit followed which, however, went in the Sikhs` favour . In 1925, the control was entrusted to the newly constituted Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The new building, completed in 1969, consists of a double storey domed gateway and a small divan hall.
Gurudwara Gobindpura
located along the Jain College Road, close to an old tank called Labbhu ka Talab is sacred to Guru Gohind Singh.
According to local tradition, Guru Gobind Singh, during his visit to Ambala in 1670-71, in order to humble the pride of an arrogant Muslim divine, Pir Nur Din , miraculously made sparrows kill the Pir`s hawk. The hawk, chased by the sparrows, fell down dead near Labhu ka Talab. It was a Muslim locality. Pir Sayyid Shah, another Muslim divine, witnessed the miracle from here, and sought from the young Guru the favour of a spring of sweet water as the wells in the area were brackish. The well dug at the Guru`s instance still exists in the backyard of the gurdwara. The present building, however, was constructed only after 1947. It consists of a single flatroofed hall, which includes a square sanctum, marking the site of the original shrine.
According to local tradition, Guru Gobind Singh, during his visit to Ambala in 1670-71, in order to humble the pride of an arrogant Muslim divine, Pir Nur Din , miraculously made sparrows kill the Pir`s hawk. The hawk, chased by the sparrows, fell down dead near Labhu ka Talab. It was a Muslim locality. Pir Sayyid Shah, another Muslim divine, witnessed the miracle from here, and sought from the young Guru the favour of a spring of sweet water as the wells in the area were brackish. The well dug at the Guru`s instance still exists in the backyard of the gurdwara. The present building, however, was constructed only after 1947. It consists of a single flatroofed hall, which includes a square sanctum, marking the site of the original shrine.
Gurudwara Badshahi Bagh
Gurudwara Badshahi Bagh commemorates the visit of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Tenth Guru, who visited this place around 1670 during one of his excursions to Lakhnaur. While on a hunting trip one day on his horse, he came to a big garden just outside the city of Ambala. Then only a small child of eight years, he had with him his white hawk as well. The garden belonged to Pir Amir Din, the custodian of the Muslim shrines of the city. He happened to be present in the garden at the same time. Pir Amir Din had with him a black hawk. On seeing Guruji’s white hawk, the Pir took a liking to it and began thinking of how to take it himself.
He suggested a challenge to the Guru for a fight between the two hawks. But, Guruji realizing the real intention of the Pir, refused and said that instead of the hawk, he would make sparrows fight the Pir’s hawk. The Pir laughed and said that sparrows were food for his hawk, but Guruji repeated his words. With this, Guruji called upon two sparrows that were sitting on a tree to fight with the hawk. The sparrows fought so ferociously that the hawk was injured badly. It finally fell to its death about a kilometer away, near Labbu ka Talaab, the site of Gurdwara Gobindpura. The Pir realized his folly and built a platform in honor of the Guru. It is here that Guru Gobind Singh uttered his famous words:
-
- Chirion se main baaz larraun, Tabe Gobind Singh naam kahaun.
- It is when I make sparrows fight hawks that I am called Gobind Singh
This complex has 10 air conditioned rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool and all other ancillary recreational facilities. The tourists on their way to Simla, Chandigarh and Bhakra Nangal by road, enjoy the facilities provided in this complex.
The Gurdwara was also established by Sardar Mehar Singh of Nishananwali Misl. Gurdwara Badshahi Bagh was destroyed by British shelling on a rebel force during the 1857 mutiny. It was rebuilt only in 1931 by Sant Gurmukh Singh of Patiala. Its present building is however the result of another reconstruction, this time by Sants of the Nirmala sect who are still managing it.
Gurudwara Manji Sahib
Ambala city was sanctified by the sixth Guru Sri Hargobind and Sri Guru Gobind Singh the tenth Guru. Gurudwara Manji Sahib was constructed at the place where the sixth Guru stayed during his visit to Ambala city.
The grand building of the Gurudwara is located on the G.T. Road (Sher Shah Suri Marg). The devotees visit this shrine to have a dip in the tank nearby. They also take Amrit from the Baoli constructed by the sixth Guru, during his stay here. Gurdwara Baoli Sahib or Gurdwara Manji Sahib - Guru Hargobind is said to have stayed here overnight while on his way to meet emperor Jahangir. The villagers of the nearby Khurampur Majri complained of perennial scarcity of drinking water. The Guru encouraged them a dig a baoli and instructed some Sikhs who lived here to assist the villagers in digging and lining the baoli. The Guru was pleased to see the work completed on his return from Delhi. The Sikhs established a memorial platform, Manji Sahib, at the place where the Guru had stayed near the baoli. But the baoli again got partly filled up and fell into disuse. After the conquest of Sirhind in 1764, when the Dal Khalsa distributed territories among various misls, Ambala was occupied by Sardar Mehar Singh of Nishananwali Misl. He got the baoli cleared and cleaned and established a Gurdwara at the site of the manji Sahib. This is the present Gurdwara Manji Sahib, the premier Gurdwara of Ambala. Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha (1871-1911) rebuilt it in the beginning of the 20th century. Further development took place after 1947. The Gurdwara is close to the first bus stop of the city when approached from Punjab by the Grand Trunk Road. The old baoli is still there and therefore the Gurdwara is also called Baoli Sahib.
The City Of Mangoes
Ambala is one of the two political divisions of Ambala district, viz. Ambala city and Ambala cantt.(cantonment). Ambala, the meeting point of hills and plains is a city and a municipal corporation in the district of Ambala which forms a part of the Indian state Haryana. It is located on the border off the states of Haryana and Punjab. This city plays an important role in the tourism of the country owing to the geographical location of the place. Tourists to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir have to cross through Ambala whether by road or rail. Ambala is known as the spot with the largest natural lakes to be located in the state of Haryana.
"The mangoes of Ambala were famous for their sweet taste. Two types of mangoes were available. While one was the type which needed to be cut, other variety was referred to as 'chausa' ,"
During the pre-Partition period, local farmers used to sell mangoes. "Unlike these days, there was an abundance of mangoes then, " he stated.
mango growing have now nearly become extinct.
"The mangoes of Ambala were famous for their sweet taste. Two types of mangoes were available. While one was the type which needed to be cut, other variety was referred to as 'chausa' ,"
During the pre-Partition period, local farmers used to sell mangoes. "Unlike these days, there was an abundance of mangoes then, " he stated.
mango growing have now nearly become extinct.
Ambika Devi Mandir
Ambala draws ita name from an old temple as well as now virtually extinct mango groves. Ambika Devi Mandir, which is considered to be one of the oldest temples here, is located in Ambala city. The temple is believed to have been constructed even before the advent of Britishers in Ambala.
The temple has special religious importance in the City. The old structure of the temple reflects its age. A highlight of the temple is the paintings done on the upper walls. With the passage of time, the paintings have been begun to fade.
It is said Ambala got its name from Ambika Devi Mandir. Although there is no historical evidence to this inference, there is possibility that Ambala could have derived its name from the old Ambika Devi Mandir. Besides old Ambika Devi Mandir, it is also said that Ambala draws its name from the mango groves which used to abound in the region. The reference to the mango groves can be found in the documents dating back to the British period. Since there were mango groves in the region, the area was possibly referred to as "Amb Wala". The words Amb Wala later became Ambala.
However, the Britishers did not refer to the area as Ambala. Instead, they called it 'Umballa'. Interestingly, Indian Railways is the only organization in the country which continues to refer Ambala as "Umb" in all of its documentation.
Dr. NC Jain, senior vice president of Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that word Umballa seems to be the result of difference in pronounciation between Britishers and Indians.
The temple has special religious importance in the City. The old structure of the temple reflects its age. A highlight of the temple is the paintings done on the upper walls. With the passage of time, the paintings have been begun to fade.
It is said Ambala got its name from Ambika Devi Mandir. Although there is no historical evidence to this inference, there is possibility that Ambala could have derived its name from the old Ambika Devi Mandir. Besides old Ambika Devi Mandir, it is also said that Ambala draws its name from the mango groves which used to abound in the region. The reference to the mango groves can be found in the documents dating back to the British period. Since there were mango groves in the region, the area was possibly referred to as "Amb Wala". The words Amb Wala later became Ambala.
However, the Britishers did not refer to the area as Ambala. Instead, they called it 'Umballa'. Interestingly, Indian Railways is the only organization in the country which continues to refer Ambala as "Umb" in all of its documentation.
Dr. NC Jain, senior vice president of Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that word Umballa seems to be the result of difference in pronounciation between Britishers and Indians.
Some information about Ambala
STATE Haryana
STD CODE 0171
LOCATION 30.38 deg N to 76.78 deg E
AREA 1568.85 sq.kms
POPULATION 1,013,660(2001 census)
LITERACY RATE 76%
SEX RATIO 921 females per 1000 males
STD CODE 0171
LOCATION 30.38 deg N to 76.78 deg E
AREA 1568.85 sq.kms
POPULATION 1,013,660(2001 census)
LITERACY RATE 76%
SEX RATIO 921 females per 1000 males
CLIMATE
The climate of Ambala over most of the year is a pronounced continental in character.It is very hot in summers and markedly cold in winters.May and June can be really hot with the temperature soaring to over 48°C,while in winter it can be as low as -1°C. Ambala has a semi-arid as well as tropical climate.Being far away from the coasts and close to the Thar desert,it does not get the full share of the Monsoon current seen mostly across central and east of the country. Around 70% rainfall is received during the month of July to September and the remaining rainfall is received during December to February.
Ambala weather forcast
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Ambala is from September to March as at this time weather is pleasant as compared to the rest of the year.
Saturday 23 April 2011
Old Ponds Of Ambala City
The old ponds of Ambala City have a history intrinsically linked with the growth of the town. The ponds, which are better known as 'Talab', are gradually losing out to population pressure. These ponds used to meet the water requirement of Ambala City in the olden days and it also ensured that there was no water-logging during rainfall. They have gained religious importance over the years.
The five major ponds which were there in the pre-partition days include Labbu Wala Talab, Ram Talai Talab, Kajiyon Ka Talab, Navrang Rai Talab and Kalalon Ka Talab. Out of these, Kajiyon Ka Talab and Kalalon Ka Talab are no longer present.
A local resident said that Labbu Wala Talab is said to have been made by a person called Labbu. He said that a confidante of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Dewan Krishan Chand, had carried out construction work to make permanent structures along the pond. It is apparent from the use of bricks that the construction perhaps belongs to the period of Rani Daya Kaur. Incidentally, the masonry and the use of bricks is similar to the construction work at Zulamgarh, which was the abode of Rani Daya Kaur.
Kajiyon Ka Talan probably derives its name from a Muslim Qazi. During the British period, a number of Muslim families used to live in that area. The pond has been covered up. Ram Talai Talab near Manji Sahib Gurudwara has for ghats. Navrang Rai Sarover is one of the most important ponds of Ambala City. It has religious significance since Bavan Dwadashi Mela is held on its banks. "The Sarover is in a sorry state. Although a few years back, an effort was initiated to clean up the Sarover, it was left in between. There is definitely a need to bring Navrang Rai Sarover to its earlier glory," he said.
Kalalon Ka Talab is part of history now. The pond has been covered up and a bustling market is functional there. It is said that the old Sher Shah Suri marg used to pass close to the pond. An old pillar is an indicator of the old GT road. People using the old GT road probably used to rest on the banks of the Kalalon Ka Talab.
The five major ponds which were there in the pre-partition days include Labbu Wala Talab, Ram Talai Talab, Kajiyon Ka Talab, Navrang Rai Talab and Kalalon Ka Talab. Out of these, Kajiyon Ka Talab and Kalalon Ka Talab are no longer present.
A local resident said that Labbu Wala Talab is said to have been made by a person called Labbu. He said that a confidante of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Dewan Krishan Chand, had carried out construction work to make permanent structures along the pond. It is apparent from the use of bricks that the construction perhaps belongs to the period of Rani Daya Kaur. Incidentally, the masonry and the use of bricks is similar to the construction work at Zulamgarh, which was the abode of Rani Daya Kaur.
Kajiyon Ka Talan probably derives its name from a Muslim Qazi. During the British period, a number of Muslim families used to live in that area. The pond has been covered up. Ram Talai Talab near Manji Sahib Gurudwara has for ghats. Navrang Rai Sarover is one of the most important ponds of Ambala City. It has religious significance since Bavan Dwadashi Mela is held on its banks. "The Sarover is in a sorry state. Although a few years back, an effort was initiated to clean up the Sarover, it was left in between. There is definitely a need to bring Navrang Rai Sarover to its earlier glory," he said.
Kalalon Ka Talab is part of history now. The pond has been covered up and a bustling market is functional there. It is said that the old Sher Shah Suri marg used to pass close to the pond. An old pillar is an indicator of the old GT road. People using the old GT road probably used to rest on the banks of the Kalalon Ka Talab.
Widow of Gurbaksh Singh & ruler over Ambala
Widow of Gurbakhsh Singh of the Nishanavali principality of the Sikhs who ruled over Ambala, assumed control of the misl and the family estate upon her husband's death in 1786. She ruled over the territory remarkably well for nearly 37 years. Sir Lepel Griffin in his The Rajas of the Punjab says, "She was an excellent ruler and her estate was one of the best managed in the protected territory." In November 1808, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ejected Daya Kaur from the city and seized all her property and possessions. He divided her country between Raja Bhag Singh of jind, his maternal uncle, and Bhag Singh's friend and ally, Bhai Lal Singh of Kaithal. In 1809, the Sutlej chiefs passed under British protection. Daya Kaur appealed to Colonel David Ochterlony, agent to the Governor-General at the Ludhiana Political Agency, who forced the chiefs of Jind and Kaithal to restore to Daya Kaur territories which originally belonged to her. Daya Kaur died in 1823 and on her death her estates and property lapsed to the British government.
QUEEN OF ZULAMGARH
Zulamgarh : a terror house for the guilty
In the days when kings and queens ruled over different areas of the Indian subcontinent and the British were trying to gain a foothold, it is said that there reigned a queen in Ambala City.
The queen was a strong believer in justice and her punishment was enough to send shivers down the spines of the guilty. For she would not hesitate to pass a decree that a thief’s hands be chopped off or chilli powder be put into the eyes of an eve-teaser. The severity of the punishment led to the queen’s abode being called “Zulamgarh”.
It is said that Rani Daya Kaur used to reign over an area in Ambala City that used to stretch up to the Ghaggar. Rani Daya Kaur’s once beautiful home is today located among the serpentine lanes of Ambala City. Except for a small portion of the wall, the queen’s abode is practically non-existent.
Rani Daya Kaur had an ADC called Diwan Sipahi Mal Bhandari. The ADC was a confidante of the queen. Sepoy Mohalla in Ambala City is believed to have derived its name from Diwan Sipahi Mal Bhandari.
A descendant of Diwan Sipahi Mal Bhandari, Mr Anil Bhandari, said Rani Daya Kaur was a just queen. “We have heard from the older generation that if a thief was caught and the charge against him was proved, she would order his hands to be chopped off,” he said.
Mr Bhandari said during digging at “Zulamgarh”, a torture instrument was recovered. “An instrument used to chop off the hand was found during the digging. It was a wooden instrument. The hands of the guilty person would be affixed and then a heavy “gandasa” or blade would fall on the hands, severing it,” he said.
Legend has it that Rani Daya Kaur did not allow anybody to wear the red colour in her presence. “Rani Daya Kaur felt that the red colour was a challenge to her authority. No woman was allowed to wear the colour. Even the wearing of a red colour turban was not permitted. If anybody was found wearing red colour, the person would be punished,” Mr Anil Bhandari said.
Rani Daya Kaur used to take bath in a nearby well. A special underground pathway had been constructed so that she could go up to the well unnoticed. The well has today been covered. The well was covered after an animal fell into it a couple of years back.
Mr Kuldip Singh Gullu, vice-president of the district unit of Congress, Ambala City, who today resides at the spot where “Zulamgarh” used to stand, said Rani Daya Kaur’s home was built on a raised ground.
Mr Gullu now runs a dairy there. “Before, I came here, a coal depot was present,” he said. “Despite our consistent effort in digging, nothing substantial emerged from “Zulamgarh”. We have only got some cutlery pieces during digging. A few days back we recovered a broken spoon,” he added.
The boundary wall is the only remnant of the once bustling queen’s home. The use of thin bricks is typical of the bygone era. The walls which are still standing are thick. A local said, portions of Rani’s home stood as late as two decades ago. “We had seen up to eight to nine rooms which were present in “Zulamgarh,” Mr Bhandari said.
Mahant Prem Dass Shastri of Bada Thakurdwara said Rani Daya Kaur had once sought assistance from the then Mahant of Bada Thakurdwara. “I have been told that Rani Daya Kaur’s kingdom was up to the Ghaggar. Across the river, it was the kingdom of the Maharaja of Patiala who was a powerful king,” he said.
He said once the Maharaja of Patiala had planned to annex the kingdom of Rani Daya Kaur. “Rani Daya Kaur was aware that the Maharaja of Patiala was a formidable opponent. She then approached the then Mahant Ayodhya Das. He gave her a “vibhuti” and directed her to sprinkle it on her “riyasat,” he said.
“I am told that after Rani Daya Kaur had sprinkled the “Vibhuti”, the army of the Maharaja of Patiala did not enter the Rani’s “riyasat” and they returned from the border,” he said.
In the days when kings and queens ruled over different areas of the Indian subcontinent and the British were trying to gain a foothold, it is said that there reigned a queen in Ambala City.
The queen was a strong believer in justice and her punishment was enough to send shivers down the spines of the guilty. For she would not hesitate to pass a decree that a thief’s hands be chopped off or chilli powder be put into the eyes of an eve-teaser. The severity of the punishment led to the queen’s abode being called “Zulamgarh”.
It is said that Rani Daya Kaur used to reign over an area in Ambala City that used to stretch up to the Ghaggar. Rani Daya Kaur’s once beautiful home is today located among the serpentine lanes of Ambala City. Except for a small portion of the wall, the queen’s abode is practically non-existent.
Rani Daya Kaur had an ADC called Diwan Sipahi Mal Bhandari. The ADC was a confidante of the queen. Sepoy Mohalla in Ambala City is believed to have derived its name from Diwan Sipahi Mal Bhandari.
A descendant of Diwan Sipahi Mal Bhandari, Mr Anil Bhandari, said Rani Daya Kaur was a just queen. “We have heard from the older generation that if a thief was caught and the charge against him was proved, she would order his hands to be chopped off,” he said.
Mr Bhandari said during digging at “Zulamgarh”, a torture instrument was recovered. “An instrument used to chop off the hand was found during the digging. It was a wooden instrument. The hands of the guilty person would be affixed and then a heavy “gandasa” or blade would fall on the hands, severing it,” he said.
Legend has it that Rani Daya Kaur did not allow anybody to wear the red colour in her presence. “Rani Daya Kaur felt that the red colour was a challenge to her authority. No woman was allowed to wear the colour. Even the wearing of a red colour turban was not permitted. If anybody was found wearing red colour, the person would be punished,” Mr Anil Bhandari said.
Rani Daya Kaur used to take bath in a nearby well. A special underground pathway had been constructed so that she could go up to the well unnoticed. The well has today been covered. The well was covered after an animal fell into it a couple of years back.
Mr Kuldip Singh Gullu, vice-president of the district unit of Congress, Ambala City, who today resides at the spot where “Zulamgarh” used to stand, said Rani Daya Kaur’s home was built on a raised ground.
Mr Gullu now runs a dairy there. “Before, I came here, a coal depot was present,” he said. “Despite our consistent effort in digging, nothing substantial emerged from “Zulamgarh”. We have only got some cutlery pieces during digging. A few days back we recovered a broken spoon,” he added.
The boundary wall is the only remnant of the once bustling queen’s home. The use of thin bricks is typical of the bygone era. The walls which are still standing are thick. A local said, portions of Rani’s home stood as late as two decades ago. “We had seen up to eight to nine rooms which were present in “Zulamgarh,” Mr Bhandari said.
Mahant Prem Dass Shastri of Bada Thakurdwara said Rani Daya Kaur had once sought assistance from the then Mahant of Bada Thakurdwara. “I have been told that Rani Daya Kaur’s kingdom was up to the Ghaggar. Across the river, it was the kingdom of the Maharaja of Patiala who was a powerful king,” he said.
He said once the Maharaja of Patiala had planned to annex the kingdom of Rani Daya Kaur. “Rani Daya Kaur was aware that the Maharaja of Patiala was a formidable opponent. She then approached the then Mahant Ayodhya Das. He gave her a “vibhuti” and directed her to sprinkle it on her “riyasat,” he said.
“I am told that after Rani Daya Kaur had sprinkled the “Vibhuti”, the army of the Maharaja of Patiala did not enter the Rani’s “riyasat” and they returned from the border,” he said.
Wednesday 13 April 2011
Ambala (Hindi: अम्बाला, Punjabi: ਅੰਬਾਲਾ) is a city, situated at
and a municipal corporation in Ambala district in the state of Haryana, India, located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. Politically; Ambala has two sub-areas: Ambala Cantt (cantonment)(अम्बाला छावनी) and Ambala City(अम्बाला शहर)। It has a large Indian Army and Indian Air Force presence within the confines of its cantonment area. Due to its geographical location, the Ambala district plays an important role in local tourism. Tourists to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir have to cross through Ambala whether by road or rail.
Ambala was given the status of a district in 1847.
The Ambala Cantonment was established in 1843 after the British abandoned its cantonment at saphera, following the malaria epidemic of 1841–42. The cantonment houses the ‘2 Corps’ one of the three Strike Corps of the Indian Army and is of immense strategic importance.
Grand Trunk Road, at Ambala Cantonment, during British Raj
Ambala was constituted as a district in 1847, and was formed by merging the jagir estates of hitherto independent chieftains whose territories had lapsed or had been confiscated by the British Indian Government. In its 160 years of existence as a district, Ambala has witnessed many changes in its boundaries. In its heyday the district boundaries extended across tehsils of Ambala, saphera, Jagadhri, Pipli, Kharar, Mohali, Ropar and Nalagarh. Kalka-cum-Kurari State, Pinjore, Manimajra, Kasauli & Sanawar were also merged into the district at different points of time.
Ambala Air Force Base is one of the oldest and largest airbases that were inherited from the British by the IAF. It was from this airbase that Spitfires and Harvards flown by Instructors of the Advanced Flying Training School took part in the 1947-48 Kashmir Operations. Subsequently, Ambala was the front line airfield for many years. It was home to various aircraft that were inducted into the Indian Air Force. Vampires, Ouragans, Hunters, etc. all flew from this base. The airbase was briefly attacked in 1965 by Pakistan Air Force's B-57 bombers. Today, the Airbase houses the ‘7 Wing’ with squadrons of Jaguars and MiG-21 Bisons. Ambala airfield has a war memorial called jatt di pasand dedicated to all aircrew who lost their lives in times of war and peace flying missions from the airfield.
The district headquarter is situated in Ambala City. Other towns are Ambala Cantt., Barara, Naggal, Mulana, Saha and Shahzadpur. The total area of Ambala district is 1569 sq km and its population is 11,06,000. It is famous for its big army cantonment, air force base and a very busy railway junction.
There are a number of stories regarding the name 'Ambala'. According to one, this town was founded in the 14th century by one Amba Rajput. According to another the town is named after the Goddess Bhawani Amba. Yet another stories claims that the town was originally called Amb Wala (place of Mangoes), and over time this got corrupted into the present name of Ambala.
In 1841, after an outbreak of malaria, the British abandoned the cantonment at Karnal. In its place a large cantonment was founded in Ambala in 1843. Ambala district is famous for its industries, especially that of scientific instruments, metal casting, kitchen mixer grinders and submersible motor pumps.
Ambala lies on the North-Eastern edge of Haryana between 27-39"-45' North latitude and 74-33"-53' to 76-36"-52' East longitude. It is bounded by the district Yamunanagar to the South-East. To its South lies Kurukshetra district while in its west is situated Patiala and Ropar districts of Punjab and Chandigarh (UT). Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh bounds the district in the North-East. The height from the sea level is 900 feet. The district is mainly drained by the following non-perennial streams:
1. The Markanda & its tributaries
2. The Dangri (Tangri) & its tributaries
3. The Ghagghar & its tributaries
The Markanda drains the southern slopes of Dharti Dhar range (Himachal Pradesh), cuts through the Shivalik hills and enters Ambala district. The Markanda and the Dangri streams ultimately drain into the Ghagghar river beyond the territory of the district. The Ghagghar along with its tributaries however constitutes an inland drainage system.
There are many shrines in and around Ambala City. There is a temple, Bhawani Amba, named after the goddess Bhawani. The Badshahi Bag Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Gurdwara, Manji Sahib Gurdwara, Sangat Sahib Gurdwara are the historical gurdwaras here. These are associated with Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Hargobind respectively.
Besides there are the popular Muslim shrines of Lakhi Shah and Taqwal Shah, Saint Paul’s Church and an old British Christian cemetery. Patel Park in Ambala Cantt and City Park in Ambala City are two beautiful gardens. Rang Mahal, at nearby place Buria, is a well crafted palace with stone arches and pillars with beautiful carvings, erected during Shah Jahan’s reign. Haryana Tourism has the Kingfisher resort on the national highway just outside the cantonment.
Ambala was given the status of a district in 1847.
The Ambala Cantonment was established in 1843 after the British abandoned its cantonment at saphera, following the malaria epidemic of 1841–42. The cantonment houses the ‘2 Corps’ one of the three Strike Corps of the Indian Army and is of immense strategic importance.
Grand Trunk Road, at Ambala Cantonment, during British Raj
Ambala was constituted as a district in 1847, and was formed by merging the jagir estates of hitherto independent chieftains whose territories had lapsed or had been confiscated by the British Indian Government. In its 160 years of existence as a district, Ambala has witnessed many changes in its boundaries. In its heyday the district boundaries extended across tehsils of Ambala, saphera, Jagadhri, Pipli, Kharar, Mohali, Ropar and Nalagarh. Kalka-cum-Kurari State, Pinjore, Manimajra, Kasauli & Sanawar were also merged into the district at different points of time.
Ambala Air Force Base is one of the oldest and largest airbases that were inherited from the British by the IAF. It was from this airbase that Spitfires and Harvards flown by Instructors of the Advanced Flying Training School took part in the 1947-48 Kashmir Operations. Subsequently, Ambala was the front line airfield for many years. It was home to various aircraft that were inducted into the Indian Air Force. Vampires, Ouragans, Hunters, etc. all flew from this base. The airbase was briefly attacked in 1965 by Pakistan Air Force's B-57 bombers. Today, the Airbase houses the ‘7 Wing’ with squadrons of Jaguars and MiG-21 Bisons. Ambala airfield has a war memorial called jatt di pasand dedicated to all aircrew who lost their lives in times of war and peace flying missions from the airfield.
The district headquarter is situated in Ambala City. Other towns are Ambala Cantt., Barara, Naggal, Mulana, Saha and Shahzadpur. The total area of Ambala district is 1569 sq km and its population is 11,06,000. It is famous for its big army cantonment, air force base and a very busy railway junction.
There are a number of stories regarding the name 'Ambala'. According to one, this town was founded in the 14th century by one Amba Rajput. According to another the town is named after the Goddess Bhawani Amba. Yet another stories claims that the town was originally called Amb Wala (place of Mangoes), and over time this got corrupted into the present name of Ambala.
In 1841, after an outbreak of malaria, the British abandoned the cantonment at Karnal. In its place a large cantonment was founded in Ambala in 1843. Ambala district is famous for its industries, especially that of scientific instruments, metal casting, kitchen mixer grinders and submersible motor pumps.
Ambala lies on the North-Eastern edge of Haryana between 27-39"-45' North latitude and 74-33"-53' to 76-36"-52' East longitude. It is bounded by the district Yamunanagar to the South-East. To its South lies Kurukshetra district while in its west is situated Patiala and Ropar districts of Punjab and Chandigarh (UT). Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh bounds the district in the North-East. The height from the sea level is 900 feet. The district is mainly drained by the following non-perennial streams:
1. The Markanda & its tributaries
2. The Dangri (Tangri) & its tributaries
3. The Ghagghar & its tributaries
The Markanda drains the southern slopes of Dharti Dhar range (Himachal Pradesh), cuts through the Shivalik hills and enters Ambala district. The Markanda and the Dangri streams ultimately drain into the Ghagghar river beyond the territory of the district. The Ghagghar along with its tributaries however constitutes an inland drainage system.
There are many shrines in and around Ambala City. There is a temple, Bhawani Amba, named after the goddess Bhawani. The Badshahi Bag Gurdwara, Sis Ganj Gurdwara, Manji Sahib Gurdwara, Sangat Sahib Gurdwara are the historical gurdwaras here. These are associated with Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Hargobind respectively.
Besides there are the popular Muslim shrines of Lakhi Shah and Taqwal Shah, Saint Paul’s Church and an old British Christian cemetery. Patel Park in Ambala Cantt and City Park in Ambala City are two beautiful gardens. Rang Mahal, at nearby place Buria, is a well crafted palace with stone arches and pillars with beautiful carvings, erected during Shah Jahan’s reign. Haryana Tourism has the Kingfisher resort on the national highway just outside the cantonment.
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