11th March was the day chosen for the 'History Tour', organized by none other than Dr. Manish Karmwar Sir (History Dept.). I was just passing by the notice board, when my eyes caught the notice of the trip. I contacted sir as soon as I could. And then the day arrived.
We were to report in college by 8:30 A.M, and after collecting in the bus, we were briefed by Sir, as what this trip is going to be about. A
journey through various heritage sites, preserving within them years of history and architectural marvels. And so, everyone was quite excited about what the day was about to unfold in front of us. The first stop was the famed Shanti Van.
The landscape was identical to the Windows XP wallpaper, and the ambiance was too calm to easily get mesmerized. A walk to the inner part was all too exciting. Various Engraved stones, informing us about the complex and its constituents and their history. A further expedition brought us to a lake, where a family of swans was baking in the sun. After chasing them down to quite further, we returned to the gate, but not before sir told us to observe the swans, and how swimmers use the techniques of these birds for better swimming. Sure we have to observe nature on a history trip. Thus ended the first step of our journey.
Next stop was the Kotla Firoz Shah (not the stadium!!!). The Feroz Shah Kotla was a fortress built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq to house his version of Delhi city called Ferozabad. A pristine polished sandstone pillar from the 3rd. century B.C. rises from the palace's crumbling remains. This Mughal structure, spread in a vast area was no less of a marvel, albeit less popular. Most of the structure was in ruins. Only 2 structures were still in a healthy shape, a mosque, and the sky-high inscribed Ashoka Pillar, brought from Punjab and installed here. Several small rooms underneath and surrounding it is used for worshiping spirits.
Next in line was again a garden. But not just any garden, something having bearing royal footsteps. So there we were, standing inside Lodhi Garden!
Lodhi Gardens is a city park situated in New Delhi, India. Spread over 90 acres it contains, Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century by Lodhis.
The inner chamber of these domes was engraved, but contains lots of empty pockets. Sir explained how there were used to be gems, but was looted by the following dynasties. The garden was quite dense; having lot of corners where one would advise you not to go. The garden too had a lake, but unfortunately without any bird, as the water was much dirty.
By this time, everyone was quite tired, but everyone rejoiced when the name of last landmark was announced. We were about to see one of Delhi's most renowned historical structure- The Humayun's Tomb.
As the name suggests, it contains the tomb of Mughal king Humanyun, and various others. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The grand door leading to the pathway to the main tomb was quite a marvel. But the main tomb was something far greater. The grand structure was breath-taking. Various minarets surrounding it, the dome-shaped top and giant doorways, all lead to the magnificence of the structure. The inside chamber of the tomb was designed with white marble, and was painted with fine handmanship. And the reader will be further pleased when I will add the detail, that at this time, a drizzle began. To see the tomb in the rain was to experience the beauty and sanctity of the tomb in another dimension altogether.
When we were on the premises, a question was well raised by one of the fellow student, that the structures we visited today, especially the tomb, was built by people who wanted to be remembered. But weren't these a big waste of money, and land and labor, when we can build something useful for the common masses? To these, the sir replied-
"You are correct in one way. But the way I see it, all of these are necessary. What is a country without history, and what is history? The record of the cultural transformation of a country. And this culture is what depicted in these monuments. Today, after hundreds of year we stand here, we cannot help but feel what it was like in those dynasties, those times. They give us identity, a national one. They complete our emotional need to escape into the history, and relive it. And thus they are important."
And this ended our journey. On our way back, when the rain stopped, and the sun shone through clouds, far on the horizon was a rainbow. It felt like the rainbow was smiling upon us for this day, spent in the different era, and we couldn't help but sharing that smile on our faces as well.
