Rani no Hajiro[edit]

Introduction[edit]

Tombs of Ahmed Shah`s Queens otherwise called Mughalai Bibi's Tomb or Rani no Hajiro is a tomb complex close to Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad, India. It was worked in the fifteenth century by awesome sultan Ahmed Shah. Rani no Hajiro is situated close Manek Chowk on the east of the Ahmed Shah`s Tomb. The fenced in area is high over the ground entered by a cavalier entryway and the yard encompassed by a trellised cloister. The dividers of the walkway are fitted with cut stone screens. The square open field of 36.58 meters side is likely worked in 1445. The patio contains in every one of the eight marble tombs of rulers of Ahmed Shah I and other Gujarat Sultanate rulers. They are luxuriously cut and decorated with work of mother-of-pearl and metal. The fundamental tomb has a place with Mughalai Bibi, the spouse of Muhammad Shah II and mother of Mahmud Begada. It is lavishly cut in white marble, and wrapped with a Persian engraving in minute help. A neighboring tomb in dark marble which once decorated with mother-of-pearl, has a place with Mirki or Murki Bibi, the spouse of Shah e Alam, the sister of ruler and the little girl of Jam of Sindh. These tombs are secured with rich brocade works, the material style created amid the rule of Ahmed Shah I. The many-sided stone outline and cutting is an amalgamation of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic architectural styles.^[1] ^[2]Some Muslim families live inside complex which deals with the tombs.On the road prompting Rani no hajiro, where the female individuals from the regal family were covered, is currently a vivid market for 'women merchandise', swarmed with ladies' attire and different things. It misleads the east of Manek Chowk.^[3]

Architecture[edit]

As the person who is climbing the arrangement of stairs which are heading towards the Rani no Hajiro, will initially cross an excellent Verandah, which is trailed by the fantastic entryway that leads you to the Rani-no-Hajiro^[4]. Everybody is invited to such a delightful legacy, a sepulcher lodging a gathering of tombs and the overseer who keeps the catacomb spotless as he vigorously floor brushes this engineering wonder utilizing a peacock feathered sweeper. The Rani no Hajiro is an open yard that is encompassed by a round arcade. In its wide chowk, three delightful tombs of white marble^[5] are developed. These tombs are of Ahmed Shah's begum "Mugalbibi" , Hazarat Shah Alam's begum "Muglibibi" and Hazarat Sayedali-Miradatar's begum Miskibibi. The charm of this Hajira is uncover in its "Jalis". The Pillars of this wonderful landmark bear unpredictably cut examples, which brings out astonishing outlines and textures.The multifaceted stone tracery and cutting is an amalgamation^[6] of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic compositional styles. An excellent impact is made by the daylight which leaves the lovely cut windows.

The tombs^[7] are made of marble stones and are secured by splendid silk material and blooms. At first the tombs were done with profitable metals and stones, embedded on them.

The internment put or the internal zone is kept darted to keep up quietness and tidiness of the place. The place is kept up by a gathering of managers, who have been doing this for practically five ages now. They ensure that the legacy remains untainted and unadulterated . Yards on the north, south, east, and west sides offer access to the inside.

An adjacent tomb in dull dark marble, once trimmed with mother-of-pearl, has a place with Mirki or Murki Bibi, the life partner of Shah e Alam, the sister of ruler and the young lady of Jam of Sindh. These tombs are secured with rich brocade works, the material style^[8] made in the midst of lead of Ahmed Shah.

Surroundings[edit]

Market[edit]

The market surrounding Rani no Hajiro (Queen's tomb) is famous by that name itself, it is located towards the east side of Manekchowk and is one of the busiest markets of the city Ahmedabad. The streets are filled with stalls and shops selling female clothes, accessories, footwear, other decorative items and also mouth freshening mukhwas. It's situated by Manekchowk, which is a vegetable market during the day time and turns into an eatery market at night. The market changes its theme according to the festivals approaching, the traditional garba clothes sold during Navratri are the most famous items sold in the market.^[9]^[10]

Buildings and sites nearby[edit]

Badshah no Hajiro (King's Tomb)[edit]

Just like Rani no Hajiro, Badshah no Hajiro is known for burying male members of royal families after their death. It was built in the year 1451. Women are not allowed inside and to maintain the ethnicity of the place, men are supposed to cover their heads when they enter the tomb.^[11]

Ahmedabad Stock Exchange Building[edit]

After Mumbai Stock Exchange, the oldest stock exchange of India is Ahmedabad Stock Exchange. it was established in 1894 and it became functional in 1996.^[12] This exchange was made by the British and it reflects the design and patterns of their culture.^[10]

Mahurat Pol[edit]

The Jains were the first ones to build the housing cluster and started the trend of pols in Ahmedabad. It was constructed in 1450.^[13]The pol has a Jain temple (The Shitalnath Jain temple) and a Hindu temple (The Dholeshwar Mahadev temple).^[10]

The Bhadra Fort[edit]

Bhadra Fort is the oldest fort of the monuments that had been built by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the founder of Ahmedabad. It was built in the year 1411.^[14] The fort has a square structure and covers 43 acres of land. The design encompasses of 14 bastions, 8 gates, and 18 cannons.^[15]

Tourism[edit]

One can visit this amazingly beautiful place by taking a Heritage Walk in the old city of Ahmedabad. It is a 2-hours journey that visitors undertake to see the old city. The walk takes one through the major architectural landmarks and places of historical significance located in the city. The heritage walk is not only popular amongst the tourists but locals also take the walk to make themselves aware about the heritage value of the city they live in.^[15]

Monument Preservation[edit]

At present-day, heritage monument is protected in one of four different ways: –

It is verified in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP).

It is listed in the Register of Historic Monuments^[16] (RHM).

It is a national monument substance to a preservation order.
It is a national in the ownership & supervision of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Local Authority.

Various levels of protection relate to a monument depending on which of the four categories it falls under. Anyone offering to carry out work at or in relation or in immediacy to a monument should be aware of the following:

Preservation and Protection of Rani no Hajiro; Steps to preserve the heritage of Ahmedabad.[edit]

The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) is the most extensively applying establishment of the National Monuments Acts. It involves a list of recorded monuments and places and escorting maps on which such monuments and places are shown for each county. It can be consulted in county libraries and main local power offices and an e-copy may be edited here. The National Monuments Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage will recommend on the protection applying to any particular monument or place under the National Monuments Acts by reason of it being entered in the Record of Monuments and Places and should be consulted if there is any doubt as to the prestige of the site.

Examination of information available at our Archaeological Survey Database can be of support in checking whether the monument is likely to be subject to legal protection under the National Monuments Acts, but is not certain. Accordingly, it is the printed lists and maps as referred to above which must be trusted on. When the owner or resident of the monument, any other person proposes to carry out, or to cause, or to permit the carrying out of any work at or in relation to a Recorded Monument or a Registered Monument they are required to give notice in writing to the Minister 2 months before initiation that work. This is to allow the National Monuments^[17] Service time consider the future works and how to progress to further the protection of the monument.