Ajmer Heritage Walk

11/03/2022

Rediscovering the Chashma - i - Noor # Ursula Weekes

11/03/2022

11/03/2022

This is the main arch construction at Chasma-i Nur, near Ajmer built by Jahangir in 1615. The second picture shows the marble plaque that Jahangir commissioned (see trans below) and third pic shows the valley you walk along to get to it!

The marble plaque:
‘The king of the seven climes, of lofty fortune, whose praise cannot be contained in speech,
The lustre of the house of King Akbar Emperor of the age, King Jahangir,
When he visited this Fountain through his bounty, water began to flow and dust turned to elixir,
The Emperor gave it the name Chasma-i Nur from which the water of immortality acquires its relish,
In the 10th year from the accession of that King, the holy champions at the behest of wise counsel,
On the banks of Chasma-i Nur, this edifice adorned the world as was destined.
Wisdom wrote the chronogram of its completion ‘The Palace of King Nur ad Din Jahangir.
It was written by Abd Allah’
(Trans. Tirmizi 1968).

24/09/2020

The only other Kos Minar that stands on the Ajmer - Jaipur highway besides the 2 that are nearer to Ajmer city is this which is located approx 20kms beyond Dudu.

29/07/2020

Sad but true ! The number of such street vendors with their mobile food carts that can be seen on the roads of Ajmer are gradually diminishing and may soon fade away into oblivion

18/07/2020

The last Kos Minar on the Agra - Ajmer route is of great significance. Not only is it approximately 1 Kos from the Dargah ( As the crow flies) but according to sources it was from this point that Mughal Empreor Akbar is said to have walked to the Sufi Shrine. This particular Kos Minar is now within the Ajmer City limits and could easily be spotted from the main road opposite to the Sophia School. However a couple of years ago it was enclosed within 4 high walls in the compound adjacent to the residence of the Ajmer Superintendent of Police. Though it is well preserved yet public access is now limited as one needs to go through the SP Bungalow to reach it. Also no longer is it visible from the main road.

17/07/2020

One of the Kos Minar can be seen standing in an open field just across the road between the IG Headqaurters, Ajmer and the MDS University / Pushkar by pass crossing while the last one on this route is located opposite to the Sophia School and adjacent to the residence of the Superintendent of Police, Ajmer. Fortunately
the former has a well defined boundary, fence and an ASI protected monument signpost.

17/07/2020

As a child I remember going on a road trip to Agra from Ajmer and enroute counting several of these Kos MInar's. Today only a couple remain on the Agra - Jaipur highway, while on the Jaipur - Ajmer route about 4-5 remain.
One can be seen near Mansarovar - Jaipur, another can be spotted near the Mahla town, and one more on the highway near Dudu. Then there are 2 that are located nearer to Ajmer.

17/07/2020

The Kos Minar made of lime-plaster and stone had specific design structure and were built on a masonry platform. Standing tall between 20-30 feet and although protected under the ASI, many of these structures have been demolished over the years due to reduced usage and owing to urban expansion, modern road constructions and the land mafia. Infact today only about 100 or so remain since their significance in contemporary times is not valued.

16/07/2020

The Kos Minar ( The Mile Minaret )
are medieval Indian milestones that can be found along the Grand Trunk Road constructed by Pashtun ruler Sher Shah Suri ( 1538 AD - 1545 AD) as well on certain erstwhile Royal Mughal routes such as between Agra and Ajmer or Agra and Delhi,that were erected by Mughal Emperor in 1575 AD) These Distance Markers' of One Kos (approximately 2 miles or 3.2 Km) became redundant once the British introduced the Imperial units.

15/07/2020

In search of the Kos Minar ......

08/07/2020

The Soniji Ki Nasiyaan was constructed in 1865 AD and is divided into two sections. The main inner temple is made of pure white marble; However it is the museum section known as the Swarna Nagari hall adjacent to the temple which showcases Jain Mythology that is breathtakingly spectacular. Dominating this grand space is Mount Sumeru which according to Jain belief is the center of the Universe. This glittering structure is made of gilded wood. The city of Ayodhya has also been represented here, complete with the Palace complex and the mansions of the nobility. The entire hall is richly painted and adorned with beautiful glass work and gilded gold leaf and looks resplendent especially when reflected in the strategically placed gigantic mirrors.