Jahan Begum’s Tomb, Ainapur Mahal and Ain-ul-Mulk’s Tomb, Bijapur

Jahan Begum’s Tomb, Ain-ul-Mulk’s Tomb and more

Exploring the heritage sites east of Bijapur

Also see: Bijapur Travelogues

Bijapur served as the capital of the Adil Shah dynasty, which was an early modern kingdom in the western Deccan of South India from 1490 to 1686. During the period, the city became a massive citadel, complete with towering domed structures.

Heritage sites east of Bijapur
Top row left to right: Jahan Begum’s Tomb and Graves of Jahan Begum’s Tomb
Bottom row left to right: Ainapur Mahal and Ain-ul-Mulk’s Tomb

Today, the medieval domes, including that of Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rouza, still dominate the Bijapur skyline. The heritage of Bijapur extends beyond the city limits and is extended both on the eastern and western fringes (Also see: Heritage sites west of Bijapur). About 5 km east of Gol Gumbaz and outside the citadel of Bijpur lies the sleepy village of Ainapur. The village lies on the left side of the highway and houses 4 heritage sites.

Heritage sites east of Bijapur:

• Jahan Begum’s Tomb
• Mosque No. 366 (Ainapur Mosque)
• Ainapur Mahal (Jahan Begum Mahal)
• Ain-ul-Mulk’s Tomb (Chota Gol Gumbaz)

Exploring the temples of eastern Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar – Temple Series 2

Also see: Bhubaneswar Travelogues

According to legend, Bhubaneswar once housed a thousand temples. Sadly, many of these have crumbled to dust and many more have been reconstructed into modern structures, but the few that have survived the test of time and still stand to this day are worth a visit.

Temples of eastern Bhubaneswar
Top row left to rigt: Megheswar and Bhaskereswar Temple
Bottom row left to right: Rajarani and Brahmeswar Temple

Visiting all the temples of Bhubaneswar in a single day is an almost impossible task. 3 to 4 days are a bare minimum to explore the temples of Bhubaneswar and this needs a systematic planning. The planning involves dividing the temples into different zones.

Haripur Garh, ruins of an ancient fort of Mayurbhanj Estate

Haripur Garh

Ruins of an ancient fort of Mayurbhanj Estate

Also see: FAM trip of Seraikela & Kharsawan and Mayurbhanj District

Haripur Garh or Haripur Gada is a 15^th century fort (Google Map Location) located 25 km south of Baripada, the present district headquarters of Mayurbhanj District in Odisha. The fort once served as the capital of the Bhanja dynasty of the Mayurbhanj estate.

Haripur Garh
Top row left to right: Cows graze inside the Haripur Garh complex, Rasik Raya Temple and an archway inside the Haripur Garh complex
Bottom row left to right: Ruins of the queen’s palace, Jaganath Temple and Radhamohan Temple

Harihar Bhanja was a powerful 14th-century ruler of the Bhanja dynasty who famously founded the historic city of Hariharpur (now Haripur Garh) in 1400. After the invasion of Firuz Shah Tughlaq, Harihar Bhanja decided to shift his capital from Khiching to the newly built fortress of Haripur Garh.

Plassey War Memorial, Palashi, Nadia

Memorial of the war that marked the beginning of British rule in India

Today, Palashi is a nondescript town located around 170km north of Kolkata in Nadia district. National Highway (previously NH 34, now NH-12) meanders through the crowded, unplanned town.

Plassey War Memorial Complex

The name originates from the palash tree, known for its bright red flowers, and it is often referred to as the Flame of the Forest. But Palashi is no ordinary place! On June 23, 1757, this very place witnessed the battle that changed the course of the subcontinent’s history.

Sarnath – where Buddha preached his first sermon

Buddhist heritage near Varanasi

Also see: Day trips from Varanasi

Sarnath, along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar, is directly involved with the life of Gautama Buddha. Lumbini was the place of his birth, while Kushinagar was the place of his death. Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and preached his first sermon at Sarnath.

Dharmarajika Stupa, Sarnath

So, Sarnath happens to be a prime Buddhist pilgrimage spot and part of the famed Buddhist circuit. Today, Sarnath houses an interesting mix of archaeological ruins and new Buddhist temples. It is a popular tourist destination and is best explored in a day from Varanasi.

Gulbarga Fort, Gulbarga (Kalaburagi)

The mighty citadel of Gulbarga (Kalaburagi)

Also see: Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) Travelogues

The Gulbarga Fort stands as a massive stone sentinel in the heart of Gulbarga (now Kalaburagi) town. Gulbarga served as the first capital of the mighty Bahmani Sultanate since its inception in 1347 until 1424. The 9^th ruler, Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani, shifted the capital to Bidar, which served as the capital till the disintegration of the Bahamani kingdom in 1527.

Gulabarga Fort
First row left to right: Bala Hisar and canon atop Bala Hisar
Second row left to right: Jami Masjid and inside Jami Masjid

Since November 1, 2014, Gulbarga (Persian for “city of flowers and gardens”) has been known as Kalaburagi (Kannada for “land of stones and thorns”). The move was part of a larger initiative to rename several cities in Karnataka to reflect their local history and Kannada heritage.

Walking tour of Fort Kochi

Churches, Museums, Chinese Fishing nets and more

Also see: Travelogues from Kochi (Cochin)

Fort Kochi is a living museum where history breathes through every cobblestone and seaside breeze. This historic seaside neighbourhood in Kerala serves as a captivating gateway to a bygone era. It beautifully blends centuries of maritime heritage with a thriving modern art scene.

Fort Kochi
Top row, left to right: Dutch Cemetery, Sunset at Fort Kochi Beach and Display at Indian Naval Museum
Bottom row, left to right St. Francis Church, Interior of Santa Cruz Cathedral and Streets of Kochi

As one steps into Fort Kochi, the frantic pace of modern-day life melts away into a world of shadowed alleyways and giant rain trees. A walk through the streets of Kochi traces a journey through a town that not only preserves its past but also blends with the modern-day world.

Aga Khan Palace, Pune – Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and more

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

Legacy of Aga Khan to Mahatma Gandhi and India freedom movement

Also see: FAM Trip of Pune

Nestled amidst the bustling city of Pune, Aga Khan Palace stands as a testimony to history, heritage, and architecture. It also narrates the tale of generosity, kindness and philanthropy. It also connects to the history of the Indian freedom struggle, linking the Quit India Movement and Mahatma Gandhi.

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

Aga Khans: The Aga Khan is the hereditary title of the spiritual leader (Imam) of the Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslims, a global community of 12-15 million people. They trace their lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali.

Gour of Bangladesh – Mosques and tombs of Chapai Nawabganj

Gour of Bangladesh

Mosques and tombs of Chapai Nawabganj

Also see: Tour of Rasjhahi region, Bangladesh

The Boro Sona Masjid (Big Golden Mosque) is a popular tourist destination in Gour, near Malda. Now, if there is a big one, there has to be a small one, but is there a Choto Sona Masjid (Small Golden Mosque)? Yes, the Choto Sona Masjid does exist, and it is just 9 km south of its larger counterpart.

Mosques and tombs of Bangladesh Gour
Top row left to right: Darasbari Masjid; Terracotta ornamentation of Darasbari Masjid; Interior of Darasbari Masjid
Bottom row left to right: Shahi Niamatullah Masjid amd Majar; Tahkhana; At the Sona Masjid – Mahadipur border

This 9 km distance is blocked by a barbed wire separating the two countries of India and Bangladesh. The barbed wire is punctured by Mahadipur – Sona Masjid border gate. Indian and Bangladeshi citizens with a proper passport and visa can cross over the international border to explore the ruins of the citadel of Gour located on both sides of the border.

Saat Kabar – Graves of Afzal Khan’s 60 wives

Exploring the heritage sites west of Bijapur

Also see: Bijapur Travelogues

Bijapur served as the capital of the Adil Shah dynasty, which was an early modern kingdom in the western Deccan of South India from 1490 to 1686. During the period, the city became a massive citadel, complete with towering domed structures.

Saat Kabar

Today, the medieval domes, including that of Gol Gumbaz, still dominate the Bijapur skyline. The heritage of Bijapur extends beyond the city limits and includes the Saat Kabar, the garaves of Afzal Khan’s 60 wives.