“Cocooned safely by the ancient Aravallis, this small city of Ajmer stands as a striking symbol of communal harmony, unity, peace and fraternity in this world torn apart with violence and mutual distrust. “Read on for information about the historical background of Ajmer and what makes it so unique.
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Author: Atiqa Kelsy
Cocooned safely by the ancient Aravallis, this small city stands as a striking symbol of communal harmony, unity, peace and fraternity in this world torn apart with violence and mutual distrust. Ajmer being equally sacred to the Hindus and the Muslims boasts a unique position on the world map. The city is the final resting place of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisty and also has the world’s only Brahma Temple at Tirthraj Pushkar only 14 kilometers away.
The history of the city goes back to the chivalrous age of the Rajputs, when it was built by King Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th century AD and thus is also called Ajaumeru. Prithvi Raj Chauhan, its most famous ruler due to his love affair with Princess Sayunkta, lost it to Mohd. Ghori in 1193. Resultantly Ajmer became a part of the Delhi Sultanate. Interestingly, one of the ghatis or hills is named after the famous incident of a small ghoonghru falling out of Sayunkta’s jewelry while she was eloping with Prithvi Raj Chauhan on his horse, hence the name Ghooghra Ghati.
Later the city passed into Mughal hands with Emperor Akbar winning it in 1559. Akbar, made annual pilgrimage on foot from Agra to Ajmer as a part of a vow he had made to Dargah, while praying for an heir and son. Hence, one cannot miss the Kos Minars built by Akbar when one reaches Ajmer via Jaipur. The kos minars were built by the emperor wherever his convoy stopped to eat and rest. Thereafter, Ajmer also became a favourite spot for the Mughals to escape the heat and find some calm because of its pleasant climate.
Under the British Rule, Ajmer rose to prominence as a centre of learning and education. Mayo college was established to educate the blue blooded Indians. Sophia Girls College which later turned into a PG college was also established to educate Rajput girls solely, who otherwise had no chance of getting educated.
Besides Dargah and the Brahma Temple, there are various other places of historical interest. The Taragarh fort, the royal seat of the Chauhans stands aloft overlooking the city, is considered to be Asia oldest hill fort.
Dhai din Ka Jhopra is intriguing not only because of its name but also the numerous folklore associated with the history behind this name. There are so many versions to it, but as historical sources reveal that it was originally a Jain Temple which was converted into a mosque by Qutub-ud-din Aibak and as the myth goes the conversion took place in just two and a half days. Thus it curiously came to be known as Dhai Din ka Jhopra. The whole place is unfortunately in ruins now because it was destroyed and rebuilt a number of time as per the locals tell. The remains are enough to bedazzle one’s imagination in architectural beauty. The roof is supported by forty pillars but no two pillars are alike in their construction and engravings.
The Museum, which at one time was the palace of Prince Salim, who later became Emperor Jehangir, houses a unique collection of Rajput and Mughal armour and other valuables even form British times. This is also the palace where Jehangir issued the historic ‘firman’ declaring to trade with East India Company after his historic meeting with Sir Thomas Roe in 1616—a historic decision which altered the country’s destiny forever.
The artificial lake called Ana Sagar is named after its builder King Anaji, grandfather of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, is another sight to behold. The lake feels like an oasis within an oasis, Ajmer being the latter. Unfortunately, the water is drying as there is no source for more water to come in due to illegal and unplanned construction all around this once beautiful lake of the city. Every year students of the city do campaign to save it, but it needs more than campaigning to save nature as we all know. Daulat Bagh facing the sparkling water of this lake, was built by Jehangir. It must have provided scenic beauty to the emperor and his wife Noor Jahan while walking amidst the lush green gardens. Later, Shah Jahan, the master architect emperor added Baradari next to the gardens.
Nasiyan is the Digambar Jain Temple dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar Rishabh. The main hall known as Swarna Nagri is dazzling with its gold plated wooden figurines which portray characters from Jain mythology.
Foy Sagar, is another artificial lake built by Engineer Foy in 1891 as a part of a Famine Relief Project.
Maharishi Dayanad Saraswati also breathed his last in Ajmer on 30th October 1883 on Diwali in Bhinai House. History says he was poisoned by his jealous contemporaries who failed to comprehend the great teachings of this 19th centiury sage.
The city today is mainly famous for its annual Urs Fair, celebrating the death annieversary of Khawaj Moin-ud-din Chisty, during the first six days of Rajab (seventh month in the Islamic Calender). Khawaja Moin-ud-din Chisty founded the Chistia order of Fakirs and hence is lovingly kkown as Gharib Nawaz or the protector of the poor by his devotees. Lakhs of Zayrins or pilgrims from around the globe come every year to pay their respects to the humble saint who lived and died serving mankind.
Pushkar has the world’s only Brahma Temple and hence is know as Tirthraj or the king of Pilgrims. As per the ancient legends, Brhama was contemplating over a place to perform Yajna, when the Lotus from his hand fell down. Water sprang from the place where the flower struck and thus the holy Lake of Pushkar was created. The lake is surrounded by 52 ghats where the ritualistic dip is performed specially on Kartik Poornima. This city throbs with greater activity during Kartik when world’s largest Cattle and Camel Fair is held. One can see riotously painted and colourfully adorned animals and specially camels all over the place brought by their masters to be sold.
It is not merely the presence of Mayo or Sophia that has made Ajmer famous as the education hub of Rajasthan, but also various other institutions. The first accredited Music college of Rajputana for teaching classical hindustani sangeet was opened in 1942. Post independence, its prominence continued to rise with the establishment of Rajasthan Board of Education at Ajmer, regional centre of CBSE, Dayanand Anglo Vedic school and college, one of the 4 regional college etc. are all at Ajmer.
Thus the so called tired and retired city of Ajmer actually is a historical bonanza to any historian and poses its simplicity as a façade—unveil it and there is a kaliedoscopic range of historical images, myths, legends, folklore, myriads of cultural divergence and convergence, enough to fire your imagination and colour your life.
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