Monument – Kerala Houseboat, Kerala

“The southern Indian state of Kerala is home to some of the most flamboyant houseboats in the world. The houseboats of Kerala are used for navigating the area’s lush backwaters and lagoons, offering tranquil journeys through otherwise unreachable remote and historic sites.

Traditionally known as Kettuvallams in Kerala, the houseboats were first built around 3000 BCE in southwestern India. These boats, used to transport merchandise such as rice, spices, and passengers, had an average length of 100 ft. The immense scale of the boats allowed them to transport vast quantities of goods for long distances.

The houseboats of Kerela are the modified versions of what was earlier known as Kettuvallams. ‘Kettu’ means ‘tie’ and ‘vallam’ means ‘country boat’. The traditional boats were made using wooden planks tied together by coir ropes. Not a single nail was used in the construction. Anjali wood was used for its construction, and palm leaves were thatched to form the roof. Varnish made of cashew nut oil was used to coat the boats.

With the advent of urbanization and advancement in modern technology, traders began to prefer efficiency and speed over the elegant charm of the Kettuvallams. These boats were ultimately overtaken by trains and motor vehicles.”

Photo Courtesy –  www.keralahouseboat.in

Monument – Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad
Built by – Sultan Qutab-ud-Din
Built in – 1451

“Kankaria Lake is a multisided lake that Sultan Qutab-ud-Din built in 1451 A.D. An artificial lake with thirty-four sides lies on the southeastern side of Ahmedabad. The lake also features a stunning island summer palace. It is believed that the Mughal Emperor Jahangir often visited Kankaria Lake along with his wife, Empress Noor Jahan.

The origin of Kankaria Lake goes back to Chalukyan times. According to the 14th-century chronicler Merutunga, the Chalukya ruler Karna built a temple dedicated to the goddess Kochharba. He also established the Karnavati city close to Ahmedabad, where he commissioned the Karnamukteshwara and Jayantidevi temples. The king also built the Karnasagara tank at Karnavati next to Karneshvara Temple. They say Karnasagar tank is today’s Kankaria Lake.

Though the construction was started by lake started by Sultan Muizz-ud-Din Muhammad Shah II, it was completed in 1451 in Ahmedabad’s architectural golden period by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II. Researchers say that the name Hauj-e-Qutb (the tank of Qutb) after the Sultan Qutb-ud-Din was the original name of the lake.

Historians believe that the lake gets its name from the large quantities of limestone (kankar in Gujarati) that was dug out of it during excavation. Another story narrates that Sultan Qutb-ud-Din asked Saint Shah Alam to select the site for a tank and a garden in his kingdom. The saint scattered some pebbles on the site, which was later excavated, and the lake was built on the exact spot.

The historical Kankaria Lake having a periphery of about 2.5 Km, has been the symbol of Ahmadabad’s identity for almost 500 years. The historic lake around an island garden called Naginawadi has been an evergreen outing place for the people of Ahmedabad. Along with the adjoining Zoo, Balvatika, Aquarium and surrounding hill gardens, it offered a complete entertainment centre.

Given an expanse of around 4 sq km of permanently filled water body, it has acted as the lungs of the relatively lower-income South Eastern part of the city.”

Photo Courtesy –  www.triphobo.com

Monument – Kalupur Tower, Ahmedabad
Built in – 1925

“‘Kalupur Tower’ has lost its identity as a clock tower for the past few years. Perhaps the only free-standing clock tower in the city was dilapidated, and its mechanism rusted.

The inscription on the tower reads ‘Nanamiya Hava Tower’, established in 1925, giving the tower age 97 years old. The tower is a Grade IIA protected structure and part of the inscribed UNESCO World Heritage City of Ahmedabad.

Clock towers in civic areas were a feature introduced by the British, and they became an important element of civic architecture in the city in the early 20th century. The Kalupur Tower is a miniaturized version of the tower typology that was prominent with four-sided four-storied structures. Built out of masonry, the design followed the typical stone construction motifs with strengthened corners and central windows on all sides.”

Photo Courtesy – www.facebook.com

Monument – Jhulta Minara, Sarangpur, Ahmedabad
Built by – Sidi Bashir
Built in – 1452 AD

There are two well-known pairs of Shaking Minarets in Ahmedabad, one opposite the Sarangpur Darwaja and the other near the Kalupur Railway Station Area.

The Sarangpur Jhulta Minara was constructed in 1452 AD by Sidi Bashir, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. There are numerous beliefs surrounding the mystery of the Sidi Bashir Mosque. It is believed that the minarets were constructed in such a manner to avoid collapse during earthquakes. The main mosque was destroyed in 1753 during the war between the Marathas and the Khan of Gujarat Sultane. The two minarets and the central gateway are the remnants of the Sidi Bashir Mosque.

The Jhulta Minara were once the entrance to the Sidi Bashir Mosque. Each minaret is three storeys tall and designed with intricate details. The carved minarets have stone balconies that are around 21.34 meters high. Known for their mysterious vibrations, this phenomenon was first observed in the 19th century by Monier M. Williams, an English Sanskrit scholar. These movements have led to its name, Jhulta Minara, which translates to shaking minarets.

Over the years, this architectural and construction marvel has attracted architects, engineers, archaeologists and history enthusiasts worldwide. It is also believed that Britishers were so curious to unravel the mystery of the Jhulta Minar that they destroyed one of the minarets at Raj Bibi Mosque!

A gentle shaking of either minaret results in the other minaret vibrating after a few seconds, though the connecting passage between them remains free of vibration. The mechanism of this is unknown, although the layered construction is considered a factor. The minarets can withstand fast-moving trains passing close by.

Photo Courtesy – www.sahapedia.org

Monument – Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
Built by – Conceptualised by Lord Curzon
Built in – 1906-1921

The Victoria Memorial Hall is a veritable city icon, representing the Indo-Saracenic revivalist style of Architecture. one of the most magnificent monuments, Not only of the city of Kolkata but of the entire country.

The architectural style encompassed a blend of British architecture with Egyptian, Venetian, Deccani, Mughal and other Islamic styles. Build of Makrana marble brought from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, it measures 103 m by 69 m with a height of 56 m.

Dedicated to Queen Victoria, this iconic monument is more than a memorial. The museum housed in the memorial holds the record of India’s wonderful history. There are 25 galleries inside the memorial, including the royal gallery, the sculpture gallery and the Calcutta gallery. It is a house of remarkable collections of paintings, artefacts, weapons, textiles, coins and stamps, among others and maintains a few possessions of the Queen like her writing desk and chair and scrapbooks.

Photo Courtesy – www.india-a2z.com

Monument – Rajabai Clock Tower, Mumbai
Built by – Sir George
Built in – 1869-1878

“The 143-year-old Rajabai Clock Tower in South Mumbai’s Fort area, located inside the University of Mumbai’s campus, is iconic for its Victorian-Gothic architecture. The Rajabai Clock Tower was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, an English architect. Sir George modelled the Rajabai Clock Tower on Big Ben in London. The foundation stone for the tower was laid on 1st March 1869, and its construction was completed in November 1878.

The majestic tower is built in a fusion of Venetian and Gothic Styles. It is made out of the locally available buff-coloured Kurla stone. The tower showcases one of the best-stained glass windows in the city.

The 85 m tall tower is part of The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai, which was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 2018.”

Photo Courtesy – wallpapers.com

Monument – Qutub Minar, Delhi
Built by – Started by Qutub ud-Din Aibak Completed by Iltutmish
Built in – 1193

“A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Qutub Minar is a 73m high tower made of red sandstone and marble. The tallest brick minaret in the world, it is one of India’s most famous historical landmarks. The construction of Qutub Minar was started by Qutb ud-Din Aibak and completed by his successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish.

Located in the heart of Delhi, it was constructed as a tower of victory. There are six stories in the minaret, with the first three constructed with red sandstone and the next three with sandstone and marble. A circular staircase of 379 steps allows one to reach the top of the tower to witness a panoramic view of the city.

A number of monuments and buildings that are historically significant and associated with the minaret surround it and the whole area forms part of the Qutb complex. The structures inside the complex include the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the Iron Pillar of Delhi, the Tomb of Imam Zamin, the Tomb of Iltutmish and Major Smith’s Cupola among others. ”

Photo Courtesy –  www.trawell.in

Monument – Manek Burj, Ahmedabad
Built by – Ahmad Shah I
Built in – 1411

Manek Burj is named after the legendary 15th-century Hindu saint, Maneknath, who intervened to help Ahmed Shah I built the Bhadra Fort in 1411

Manek Burj was the original bastion of Ahmedabad. It was built around the city’s foundation stone, laid by Ahmed Shah I on 26 February 1411. The bastion is 53 feet (16 m) high on the outside. It once contained a roofed stepwell with a circumference of 77 feet (23 m), the Manek Kuva. The well was filled and sealed in 1866 after the Sabarmati river changed its course, causing the Manek Kuva to run dry. A water channel near the bastion once brought water to the royal baths.”

Photo Courtesy –  in.pinterest.com

Monument – Jami Masjid, Champaner
Built by – Sultan Mahmud Begada
Built in – 1513

“Jami Masjid, also known as Jama Masjid in Champaner, is a part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. The historical city of Champaner was founded in the 8th century by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Dynasty.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is amongst the 114 monuments the Baroda Heritage Trust listed. The Jami Masjid is located about 150 feet east of the city walls near the eastern gate.

Dating back to 1513, the mosque’s construction took over 25 years. One of the most notable monuments built by Sultan Mahmud Begada, it is built in Mughal Architectural style. The Mughal architecture is said to have drawn from the architecture of the Sultanates. It is a blend of Jain connotations with the workmanship of Muslim ethos.

It is considered one of the finest mosques in western India with its elegant interiors. The ornamentation on the facade of mosques and tombs consists of symbols and motifs of the sun, diamond, pots, vines and lotus insignia, which were used in the earlier temples. The craftsman had imbibed their craft from their forefathers, who passed on the knowledge of Hindu, Muslim and Jain motifs.

The mosque is an architectural marvel and has become a place of pilgrimage for those who seek blessings from the pir, buried in one corner of the garden.”

Photo Courtesy – www.findmessages.com