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    Mausoleum of Shad-e (or Shadi) Mulk Aga in Shah e Zinda, Samarqand

    Mausoleum of Mahmud Pahlavon in Khiva, Uzbekistan

    The tomb of Baba Rukn al-Din Shirazi, Takht-i Fulad, Isfahan, Iran

    The Summer Mosque of the Arc in Khiva, Uzbekistan

    Shrine of Sheikh Zainuddin Bobo in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

    The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

    Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

    Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

    AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

    AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

    Helical stepwell in Pavagadh area of Gujarat

    Islam Khoja ensemble in Khiva,Uzbekistan

    Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

    Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

    Lord Buddha statue in Chandigarh Museum

    Akbar’s Inscription in The Ranakpur Jain Temple

    Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

    Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

    Vijai Stambh in Chittorgarh Fort

    The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

    The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

    Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

    Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

    Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

    Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

    Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

    Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

    Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

    Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

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      Mausoleum of Shad-e (or Shadi) Mulk Aga in Shah e Zinda, Samarqand

      Mausoleum of Mahmud Pahlavon in Khiva, Uzbekistan

      The tomb of Baba Rukn al-Din Shirazi, Takht-i Fulad, Isfahan, Iran

      The Summer Mosque of the Arc in Khiva, Uzbekistan

      Shrine of Sheikh Zainuddin Bobo in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

      The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

      The Madrasas ( educational institutions) of Ulugh Beg

      Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

      Dargah of Sheikh Raju Qattal in Khuldabad, Maharashtra

      AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

      AkshayVat in Allahabad/ Prayagraj

      Helical stepwell in Pavagadh area of Gujarat

      Islam Khoja ensemble in Khiva,Uzbekistan

      Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

      Mysore Silk and Tipu Sultan

      Lord Buddha statue in Chandigarh Museum

      Akbar’s Inscription in The Ranakpur Jain Temple

      Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

      Neelkanth Temple in Kumbhalgarh

      Vijai Stambh in Chittorgarh Fort

      The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

      The importance of River Yamuna in Vrindavan

      Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

      Tajuddin Baba of Nagpur or Shahenshah-e Haft-e Aqleem Hazrat Baba Tajuddin

      Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

      Shri Niwas or the House of Mirrors in Jaipur’s City Palace

      Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

      Kanishka statue in Mathura museum

      Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

      Shahji ka Mandir, Vrindavan

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      Rana Safvi
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      Sair e Gul Faroshan – Delhi’s Ganga Jamuni Festival

      inOur Cultural Heritage
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      “Khalqullah kyun khrosha’n hain..
      Aaj kya Sair e Gulfaronshan hain?
      “Baheliyo’n yaqqo’n ka ek taanta hai…
      Jisko dekho wo Qutub jata hai”
      Procession FWKS P10(photograph from 2013 by Syed Mohammed Qasim)

      Delhi has been host to one of the most beautiful festivals of India which truly symbolises its syncretic culture and Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb. This is the annual Sair e Gul Faroshan or Phool Waalon ki Sair which is traditionally held in the month of Bhadon. It is a 3 day festival which sees the participation of people from all walks of life and faith.
      Mughal Emperor, Akbar Shah II (1808 -1837) had wanted to nominate his younger and favourite son Mirza Jahangir as his heir, in lieu of the eldest ( who later succeeded him as Bahadur Shah Zafar) a move not liked by the British Resident, Sir Archibald Seton. Mirza Jahangir, a hot headed youth mocked the resident and later took a shot at him from the Naubat Khana in the Red Fort. Though Sir Archibald was unharmed, Mirza Jahangir was exiled to the Allahabad Fort. This led to great consternation and grief to his parents particularly his mother, Mumtaz Mahal Begum.
      She made a vow that if he came back safely she would offer a chadar at the Dargah of Hazrat Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. In a few years the Prince returned and the devout and grateful Queen undertook a journey from the Red Fort to the Dargah in Mehrauli. As per her vow she walked barefoot and flower sellers spread flowers in her path to act as a cushion. Gate of Qutub Shab Ki Dargah Phool Walon Ki Sair P3-2Photograph by Syed Mohammed Qasim from 2013.

      The Queen spent a week in Mehrauli and there was great merry making. The secular Emperor also sent a floral chadar to the ancient and nearby temple of Yogmaya Devi, the sister of Lord Krishna. Every year the Emperor ensured he and his courtiers went to both the Dargah and Mandir. If he could not go to the Mandir for some reason he would not go to the Dargah either.
      I don’t think there is any other festival which showcases our syncretic culture better.
      When Akber Shah II started Sair e Gul Faroshan , Bahadur Shah Zafar was heir apparent, though not in the good books of the King.In order to please the Emperor, Zafar had composed a poem in praise of the pankha.
      The first verse is:
      “Noor-e-altaf-o-karam ki hai sub uski jhalak
      Ke voh zahir hai malek our hai batin main malak”…….
      “Ye bana is Shahe Akber ki ba doulat pankha”
      Since then every year this festival is celebrated for 3 days.
      YogmayaPhotograph Syed Mohammed Qasim

      The President and Lt. Governor of Delhi send a pankha which is carried in a procession from the Town hall in Chandni Chowk to Mehrauli.On the first day , which is Thursday a joyous procession goes to Qutub Sahab’s dargah and offers floral chadars.Here it is the Hindu brethren who take the lead.
      On Friday the procession goes to Yogmaya Temple and offers the floral chadar there. Here the Muslim brethren take the lead.
      On Saturday there is a cultural function at Jahaz Mahal, a building from the Lodi period which may have been built for use of pilgrims to Qutub Sahab’s dargah.There is a general air of festivity and gay abandon and buildings such as the jharna are decorated and spruced up.
      Jharna from HammamPhotograph Syed Mohammed QasimEartherware seller at Phool Walon Ki Sair e-3Photograph Syed Mohammed Qasim
      A fair is held and people come from far and wide to sell and buy the wares. Cultural troupes come from different states and perform2014-03-24 00.04.26The Mughal Family would come and stay in Zafar Mahal for the duration of the festival. Now the Mughal summer palace is in ruins
      This fair was continued by the British Comissioner of Delhi after 1857. In 1942 during the Quit India movement the British government put a stop to the sair to prevent popular participation and mass gatherings. It was restarted in 1961 by Yogeshwar Dayal & Jawaharlal Nehru as a symbol of secular, modern India.

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      Rana Safvi

      Come, explore and fall in love the Beauties of Delhi (Dilli ki Ranaiya’n) and the World with me, Rana Safvi

      I have a masters in medieval history from the prestigious Centre for Advanced Studies, Dept. of History, AMU. A firm believer in our Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb, I am passionate about gaining and sharing knowledge and these days I am doing it via the social media platform.

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