Aram Bagh, Karachi: Difference between revisions
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In the past, Ram Bagh also contained the Ram Chandur Temple, among three other [[mandir]]s "situated at the four corners of the Tank."<ref name="2009TSI">{{cite web |title=Infiltration by the gods |url=http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/infiltration-by-the-gods/40/7811/ |publisher=The Sunday Indian |date=19 July 2009 |language=English|quote=Prominent architect and academic Yasmin Cheema points out that Rambagh, spread over nine acres, contained three tanks, the Ram Chandur Temple and several wells. The most famous of the three tanks was Rambagh. Later, the wells of the area supplied water to the British army camp, as well as its cantonment, according to Cheema. Most of the wells are located within the Tank while five are distributed along its periphery, another 10 are scattered in a five-acre irregularly-shaped compound to the north, which also included one of the four temples situated at the four corners of the Tank.}}</ref> |
In the past, Ram Bagh also contained the Ram Chandur Temple, among three other [[mandir]]s "situated at the four corners of the Tank."<ref name="2009TSI">{{cite web |title=Infiltration by the gods |url=http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/infiltration-by-the-gods/40/7811/ |publisher=The Sunday Indian |date=19 July 2009 |language=English|quote=Prominent architect and academic Yasmin Cheema points out that Rambagh, spread over nine acres, contained three tanks, the Ram Chandur Temple and several wells. The most famous of the three tanks was Rambagh. Later, the wells of the area supplied water to the British army camp, as well as its cantonment, according to Cheema. Most of the wells are located within the Tank while five are distributed along its periphery, another 10 are scattered in a five-acre irregularly-shaped compound to the north, which also included one of the four temples situated at the four corners of the Tank.}}</ref> |
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The Aram Bagh Masjid was built in Aram Bagh, atop the stage on which ''[[ |
The Aram Bagh Masjid was built in Aram Bagh, atop the stage on which ''[[Ramlila]]'' performances occurred, by the Muslims refugees that settled around the Aram Bagh.<ref name="Balouch2014">{{cite web |last1=Balouch |first1=Akhtar |title=The story of Ram Bagh |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1079409 |publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=English |date=10 January 2014|quote=The Ram Bagh is still there but it does not host any more Ram Leela performances. The stage where the acts were performed is now replaced by a mosque.}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 15:06, 17 January 2019
Aram Bagh (Template:Lang-ur meaning Garden of relaxation), formerly known as Ram Bagh (Template:Lang-ur meaning Garden of Ram)[1] is located in Saddar Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The Aram Bagh Masjid is also located in the Aram Bagh Park.[2] Aram Bagh is located in densely populated uptown area of Karachi surrounded by apartment buildings and shopping centers.
History
There has been an abundance of water in what is now the Ram Bagh area of Karachi since ancient times and many wells were dug here to supply water to the residents that settled around it. According to Hindu belief, the Hindu avatars Ram, Sita and Lakshman stayed at this location on their way to Hinglaj pilgrimage.[3][4] Since that time, Ram Bagh became a place of pilgrimage for Hindus.[4] Karachi was called Ramya in some Greek texts.[4]
In 1939, Deewan Jethanand made possible the construction of Ram Bagh, a park positioned near Swami Narayan temple, which is located near Burnes Road.[5] Ram Bagh was used for Hindu religious gatherings and celebrations.[6] The Ramlila story was enacted in Ram Bagh annually and this play lasted ten days.[7]
The British built an army cantonment in Ram Bagh area after they conquered Karachi from the Kalmati. The Ram Bagh Quarter had three water tanks, including a prominent one named the Rambagh Tank.[4] In 1857, during the war of liberation against British colonialism the freedom fighters were blasted by canons by the British forces in Ram Bagh.
During the partition of India in 1947, homes of the Hindu community in Ram Bagh were looted;[8] during this time, thousands of Muslim refugees from India set up camps in Ram Bagh and it was renamed as Aram Bagh i.e. Garden of relaxation,[4] to mark the end of their arduous journey to Pakistan.
Religious sites
The Shiv Mandir is located in Aram Bagh and is open on Monday evenings.[9] It was built by Astan Shrimati Hajeebai in memory of Ram Mangat Ram, her husband.[9]
In the past, Ram Bagh also contained the Ram Chandur Temple, among three other mandirs "situated at the four corners of the Tank."[10]
The Aram Bagh Masjid was built in Aram Bagh, atop the stage on which Ramlila performances occurred, by the Muslims refugees that settled around the Aram Bagh.[3]
See also
- Jehangir Kothari Parade
- Bagh Ibne Qasim
- Mazar-e-Quaid
- Karachi Zoo
- List of parks and gardens in Pakistan
- List of parks and gardens in Lahore
- List of parks and gardens in Karachi
- PAF Museum Park
- Maritime Museum Park
- Hill Park
- Safari Park
- Jheel Park
- Bagh-e-Quaid-e-Azam
- Aziz Bhatti Park
- List of parks in Karachi
References
- ^ Khalid, Haroon (4 August 2017). "What's in a name? In Pakistan, it could be an attempt to deface (and reclaim) history". Scroll.in.
- ^ City Landmarks – Aram Bagh
- ^ a b Balouch, Akhtar (10 January 2014). "The story of Ram Bagh". Dawn.
The Ram Bagh is still there but it does not host any more Ram Leela performances. The stage where the acts were performed is now replaced by a mosque.
- ^ a b c d e "Infiltration by the gods". The Sunday Indian. 19 July 2009.
According to Kaleemullah Lashari, Sindh Antiquities Department Secretary, Prior to the Partition, Arambagh was Rambagh, and there was a cluster of temples here. The temples were built in the garden where, according to Hindu mythology, Ram and Sita spent a night while on their way to Hinglaj for offering thanks, after Ram completed 14 years of exile in the jungle with Lakshman and Sita, following court intrigues. Till the 20th century, the area was called Rambagh. It was converted into a refugee camp after 1947 and named Arambagh. ... According to Hasan, Hinglaj is one of the seven places most sacred to Hindu. In fact, lore has it that after Ram rescued Sita from the demon king Ravana, they went to the Mahadev temple in Karachi and spent a night at this Bagh hence the name. After that Rambagh became a place of pilgrimage too, Hasan said. Karachi is also known as Ramya in some Greek texts, he added. Eminent conservation architect and town planner Yasmeen Lari points out that closely following the boundaries of the Artillery Maidan Quarter was the Rambagh Quarter, which boasted three water tanks, including the Rambagh Tank, giving the quarter its name.
- ^ Balouch, Akhtar (10 January 2014). "The story of Ram Bagh". Dawn.
An office bearer of a Hindu social organisation told me on guarantee of anonymity that this Ram Bagh is located near the Swami Narayan temple. Ram Bagh was a park. What the Swami Narayan temple has for us in its history is a tale for another time. The office bearer told me that it was in 1939 that a Hindu, Deewan Jethanand who had made the construction of Ram Bagh possible. The place still exists by the temple on Burne's Road.
- ^ Balouch, Akhtar (10 January 2014). "The story of Ram Bagh". Dawn.
On page 738, he writes, "Ram Bagh is an old, historic ground in Karachi. Parts of the ground have a bit of grass, while some flower beds can also be seen. Before the partition, this ground was always reserved for Hindu religious events and gatherings. However, sometimes it was also used for political gatherings."
- ^ Balouch, Akhtar (10 January 2014). "The story of Ram Bagh". Dawn.
Before and after the partition, Ram Leela (the story of Ram) was presented on stage in Karachi. Ram Bagh was the place where the theatre was usually held. From Ram's exile to his return home, every event of the tale was presented through dramatic art. ... Where was this Ram Bagh in Karachi, a centre for Ram Leela every year? Imagine a 10-day long theatrical event on Hinduism in Karachi.
- ^ Balouch, Akhtar (10 January 2014). "The story of Ram Bagh". Dawn.
Later, the riots slowly spread to the Top Khana Maindan and Ram Bagh, where some homes of the Hindu community were looted.
- ^ a b "Infiltration by the gods". The Sunday Indian. 19 July 2009.
Behind Arambagh, in the heart of Karachi city is a small, obscure and faceless Shiv temple that remains closed six days a week. It remains locked except on Monday evenings for a short while, said a hawker who sits outside the temple. Requesting anonymity, he said: I have been here for the last 18 years but have seen it open only on Monday evening. The temple was built by Astan Shrimati Hajeebai in memory of her husband Seth Ochi Ram Mangat Ram, it says in Sindhi language on a small foundation stone in the temple.
- ^ "Infiltration by the gods". The Sunday Indian. 19 July 2009.
Prominent architect and academic Yasmin Cheema points out that Rambagh, spread over nine acres, contained three tanks, the Ram Chandur Temple and several wells. The most famous of the three tanks was Rambagh. Later, the wells of the area supplied water to the British army camp, as well as its cantonment, according to Cheema. Most of the wells are located within the Tank while five are distributed along its periphery, another 10 are scattered in a five-acre irregularly-shaped compound to the north, which also included one of the four temples situated at the four corners of the Tank.