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| Mughal Road : In historical perspective .. | | | Sunaina Malik | 10/18/2014 9:50:45 PM |
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As said that roads are to con-
nect the lives, so does the
Mughal road. The importance of Mughal road was felt and realized in the recent devastating floods when whole of the Kashmir valley with the population of about 6 million human souls was totally cut of with the rest of the world with the sinking of earth and landslides on the only life line of Kashmir valley called Banihal national highway . Though not completely constructed, but it was only Mughal road which was first restored in the crisis times and it became the alternative life line for Kashmir valley. We must solute all those who had conceived the idea of Constructing Mughal road and we must also salute all those who worked tirelessly to construct this vital project .
Apart from its strategically importance, the Mughal road is connecting three culturally and geographically different areas like Rajouri ,Poonch with the valley of Kashmir. As the word Mughal road indicates that this path had been a route used by the great Mughal emperors like Akber Jhangir and shah jahan for reaching Kashmir valley during their time of reign .It is because of this that Mughal road has acquired a royal status.
Mughal road is one of most charming highways of state of Jammu and Kashmir .This road was basically originated from Bhimber an area situated in the south west of Jammu and Kashmir state in P.O.K in Pakistan. In ancient days this Mughal road was one of the most crowded and safest route used to enter in valley from Punjab and parts of Indian sub continent. This road was also named as (Road of salt) as whole of the valley was devoid of any source of salt as mentioned in book written by Laurance (The valley of Kashmir) so the salt was imported from Punjab ,valley of Jahlem and Bhimber only through this route .It is because of this that Mughal road was also called as road of salt. Mughal road as a high way of salt was also used by a famous Kashmiri poet Kashminder in one of his renowned poem (Samay ma tar ka) . This was further proved by Larance in his book Valley of Kashmir on page 392,he states that when I got a chance to visit valley through this route of peer gali I have seen vehicles loaded with salt on this road .A most famous Chines writer Aokong who happened to come Kaskmir during 659AD he wrote about different routes connecting valley to outer world after describing three main routes he also referred to the fourth road connecting Lahore and Punjab with valley .He further writes that for most part of the year this road remain close due to bad weather more over it get opened only when some royal caravan had to move over it(see to safar nama Aokong page 22).
The real track of Mughals was from Lahore to Gujarat than Bhimber than Saidabad ,Nowshera ,chingus, Rajouri, Thanna Mandi ,Ratanpeer, Behram gala ,Poshana ,Peer ki gali ,Alia bad, Jajinad,Anganari ,Daubji and than through Heerpur one can enter in Kashmir (heaven on earth).In addition to historical releavence ,this road is also blessed by so many attractive spots and over it construction of Mughal forts along the road adds more importance to this great route of Mughals. Our Kashmir was an independent state but it was in 1586 that emperor Akber flagged his victory over Kashmir and it was in 1589 that Jalal -ud-din Mohammed Akber for the first time entered in the land of Kashmir (see to Akber Nama by Abu Fazal) through Mughal road. After going through Akber Nama it gets clearly evident that Bhimbe r,Nowshera ,Chingus, Rajouri ,Thanna ,Ratan peer, Behram gala, Poshana, Peer gali Alia bad , Jaji Nad , Anga nari, Daubji and Heer pur were main spots where Mughal caravan rested .After Akber the great it was Jhangir his son who ordered for the construction of forts for night stay of caravans as it was impossible and very hard to live under tents during bad weather conditions.
Newly contructed Mughal road is about 89km from Bufliaz to Heer pur .Today it is the smoothest and artistically built highway .Dozens of historical spots beautiful grass laden mountains ,waterfalls different and fragrant species of flowers, lash green meadows, charming huts and sweet song of natural wild birds adds more beauty to this road . One can never get bore while traveling on Mughal road In a very shorter span of four hours one can reach heaven on earth from Bufliaz Following are some main areas along with their stories where Mughal emperor loved to stop along with their many wives ,ministers and servants.
Fort of Chingus-Fort of Chingus is one of magnificent forts built by great Mughal emperors. This is one of the Mughal forts present to us in full form it is situated about 20km from district Rajouri after crossing Nowshera Mughal caravan used to take rest at this place .Avery beautiful story is related to fort of chingus .Chingus is a word of Turkish language which mean intestine .It is said that during 1627 when Jhanjir along with his wife Noor jhan and his caravan was returning from Kashmir at place of Chandimargh he felt ill and one day during his illness he ordered one of his servants to bring a deer for him keeping king's order servant bought a deer and while bringing the deer down to base camp servant slipped to death cold bloodily all this being watched by Jhangir caused a sever heart attack to him and on 29 Oct. 1627 this painful incident become cause of his death at Thanna Mandi area later on Noor jahan kept this incident as a top secrete in order to avoid agitation in kingdom .She reacted very boldly ,manage the operation of king's body and buried his intestine at Chingus so that body may not ooze bad smell as a result this place got its name as Chingus.
Rajouri-After Chingus Rajouri was main retiering place of Mughals .In ancient time Rajouri was called as (Raj puri).During 631-633 Raj puri was under the supervision of Kashmir.A visitor named Hayon Sang named Raj puri as (Ho lushi polo)
Thanna Mandi--Thanna is also blessed by art of Mughal artists in the form of a big and versatile fort .This fort was built during 15th and 16th century at the time of Jhangir after fort of Chingus fort of Thanna mandi is another example of Mughal royalty Tall strong and beautifully constructed wall of fort can be seen as epitome of safety and security.
Noori cham --Moving a head there came a spot which have mesmerizing effect over the minds of its visitors the spot is known as Noori Cham after the name of Noor Jahan loving wife of emperor Jhangir .Noori Cham is about 1mile away from Bufliaz area this area is blessed by a charming, refreshing and a life full water fall king Jhangir had constructed a foot step for him from where he used to enjoy the beauty and freshness of this waterfall for hours together .Richard Temple a famous tourist who happened to travel over this track in 1859 he writes that at a distance of 1mile from Behram gala there is small but attractive spot where on an ancient rock some verses in an unknown language have been carved by king Jhangir after impressing from the beauty of Noori Cham in the very left side of fall there is place made for a big mirror where Noor Jahan used to dress her self. Noori Cham is also linked with a very painful story of Behram and Hassan Bano .Behram was one of the ministers of king and Hassan Bano was beautiful servant of queen Noor jehan mean while intimation started between them and reached up to true love once Behram showed his will to marry Hassan Bano but Noor jahan opposed it bitterly she further conspired his killing and threw his body inside the fall of Noori Cham on hearing this Hassan Bano also embraced death and dead bodies of these two true lovers disappeared in the deep water of Noori Cham.
Poshana-Another historically important village which comes after Noori Cham is Poshana .This village is situated at 33.38 latitude and 74.32 longitude, historical relevance of village is proved by its mention in Raj Tarangani(History of Jammu and Kashmir)by kalhan .Kalkan named Poshana as poshan nad a Sanskrit word which mean Narrow track of air according to written records the real track of Mughals for reaching valley was from Poshana but newly constructed Mughal road left the village aside and passed from its periphery ,different types of utensils which show their link with Mughals have been found by inhabitants of this village during the construction of their houses proved the historical relevance of this village.
Peer ki Gali - Moving a head after crossing a frequently used meadow Chatta pani there arrive a religious spot named as Peer ki gali this place got its name because of a converted Hindu saint (Seikh Ahmed Karim).Bernier Francios a most famous Francis visitor who happened to pass this place along with caravan of Mughal emperor Auranzab while going to Kashmir from Lahore in 1665 writes that this saint was living here from the time of king Jhanjir .This saint could perform miracles by producing horrible voices .He could also bring storms along with hail stones and snow .He was an old white bearded man he ordered the people not to create noise in this calm place of God and also demand offerings from them Bernier further writes that he happened to met him inside his cave and told by him that Mughal king Auranzab and Shah jahan were wise enough as they passed this calm place of God very calmly unlike Jahangir as a result Jahangir faced dangerous results during his time of rule.
Aliabad Sarai---Few km away from Peer ki gali and in the quite south of Peer ki gali there situated another Mughal fort named as Aliabad sarai This fort was constructed by Mughal king Shah Jahan this fort is another beautiful example of art of artists of Mughal empire .From Aliabad Sarai there constructed a path to a narrow spot by Shah Jahan for some security reasons an interesting story is related to the construction of this track .As per the written records Ali Mardan Khan was a Mughal constructed he had constructed all the forts and routs along Mughal road When he started constructing this path he has been told by inhabitants that this place is haunted by a man eater LalGhulam who threw every one to death from this mountain but according to local stories Ali Mardan was strong enough he entered inside cave but did not found man eater insides he threw man eater's son to death later on nothing has been found about Lal Gulam so far Daubjai-After passing Aliabad sarai there come another beautiful and attractive meadow Daubjai .Daubjai is followed by Heerpur after crossing Heerpur this road will make you to float in heavenly atmosphere of Kashmir(Heaven on Earth).
( The writer is a government school teacher. She can be mailed at [email protected] ) |
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