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Sight Seeing in Panipat

Jun 11
Posted by Sushant in Panipat, Tourist places

Panipat is the historic city in India which is situated on Sher Shah Suri Marg now known as GT Road or NH-1, 90 kms away from Delhi in the state of Haryana. Panipat is also known for its collection of handloom products. There are several places in Panipat that attract tourists like Panipat Museum, Grave of Ibrahim Lodhi, Kabuli Shah Mosque, Tomb of Bu Ali Shah Kalandar, Devi temple & the Kala Amb tree site.

Sight Seeing in Panipat All the historic information of Panipat is contained in the Panipat Museum along with artifacts of the different eras. Panipat museum is located at the Canal Rest House in Binijhol which is 5 kms away from Panipat. This museum has galleries that display various artifacts. Information about history, archaeology, art & crafts of Haryana could be gathered at this museum. The whole idea behind setting up this museum is to create awareness among visitors about the three successive battles of Panipat, which changed the course of history in India.

Then there is the grave of Ibrahim Lodhi. Ibrahim Lodhi was buried at this place where he died after he fought violently with his uncle Babur in the battle known as the “First battle of Panipat”.

Kabuli Shah Mosque is another historic place . it is located at a distance of 2 kms away from Panipat and was built by Babur.He named it after his wife Kabuli Begum.It was constructed by the king to keep alive the memory of his victory over Ibrahim Lodhi.

Tomb of Bu ali Shah Kalandar is another must see place. It is well known as Dargah of Shah Kalandar Khizar Khan, son of Allau-Din-Khilji who got this tomb constructed. It is seven hundred years old. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh & Christians visit this tomb to offer their prayers on every Thursdays.

Devi Temple is an archeological wonder and next to it lies the Shiva temple which exists on the bank of a large tank. It was buit by a Maratha named Mangal Raghunath who remained in Panipat after the battle. It is a beautiful pilgrim’s destination in Panipat.

Kala Amb Tree is the spot where the Maratha troops were located in the third battle of Panipat.

This is situated at a distance of 8 kms from Panipat. It was built in memory of Maratha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the battlefield of Panipat.

Besides these places of historic interest, one can visit the various cosmopolitan malls which have come up in this town offering modern day shopping and entertainment. Then again, the wholesale handloom and textile market here is a must visit.

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Tourist Places in Panipat

Jun 09
Posted by Sushant in Tourist places

Panipat tourism is highly promoted due to the great historical significance of this town. This town was the gateway to Delhi and hence has witnessed some major battles from the time of the Mahabharatas. Due to the historical significance, there are various historical monuments whose remnants can be seen around the town. Also known as the city of weavers, Panipat holds a great position in handloom manufactured goods in the county and one can witness the booming industry in this town.

There are various tourist places in Panipat. The main ones include the Panipat Museum, the grave of the Hindu ruler Hemu known as ‘Samadhi-sthal’, camp site of Babur and Akbar at village Sodhapur, the grave of Ibrahim Lodhi as well as Kabuli Bagh, Devi Mandir, Salar Gunj Gate, Kala Amb and the tomb of the thirteenth century sufi saint Bu Ali Shah Qalandar.

Tourist Places in Panipat Panipat Museum was especially set up to highlight the historical events that took place in Panipat over the last two hundred years. This museum contains remnants of the battles such as arms, armours, weapons, art and craft pieces, inscription, potteries and so forth of the historical eras. Each historical item is highlighted by descriptions and writings to provide education to visitors about the various historical instances, items and events recorded in the museum.

The tomb erected on the grave of Ibrahim Lodhi is the next tourist landmark which commemorates the life of the slain hero who lay down his life in the First Battle of Panipat and laid way for Babur to establish the Mughal dynasty in India.

Hemu’s Samadhi Sthal is another place of historical significance. Though he was beheaded and his head was sent off to Kabul and his torso hung in outside Purana Quila in Delhi, Hemu’s supporters erected this memorial tomb later on to commemorate his death.

Kala Amb is the site which was demarcated by a black mango tree whereby Sadashiv Rao Bhau directed his Maratha troops in the third battle of Panipat. The mango tree is no longer there but the site is demarcated for tourists to come and see the place.

The Devi Temple draws numerous tourists since it is architecturally well made and is set against a beautiful backdrop.

The garden of Kabuli Bagh was built by Babur to commemorate his victory over Ibrahim Lodhi in the first battle of Panipat. Named after his wife, Mussammat Kabuli begum, this garden also contains a mosque and a tank built by Babur and a masonry platform built by Humayn after his victory on the same grounds.

Tomb of Bu-Ali Shah Kalandar is another great place for tourist attraction. This tomb was erected in memory of the great Urdu poet by son of allau-din Khilji.

Besides these historic places, the wholesale handloom and textile market attracts tourists equally from all over the world.

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Panipat War – Battle of Panipat

Jun 06
Posted by Sushant in Panipat, Tourist places

A mention of the word Panipat to any Indian at once evokes a sense of nationalism, and conjures visions of fierce battle, warfare, skirmishes and a desire to occupy a pre-eminent position in the Indian sub continent i.e. South Asia.

Panipat war – battle of Panipat is an important chapter in the history textbooks of all Indian school students. The history of Panipat consists of three major battles fought in the region within two centuries. It is a period when North Indian military history was more intricately involved with that of Central Asia, more closely with Afghanistan. Each of the battles held at Panipat led to a turning point in Indian history and hence, their importance in Indian history is reiterated time and again.

Panipat War - Battle of Panipat The First battle of Panipat was in the year 1526 which saw the emergence of the Great Moghuls; it was a battle in which gunpowder in firearms and field artillery was tested. It was a Battle between two sub continental mega powers-the Delhi Sultanate of Ibrahim Lodi and Babur, the Ruler of Kabul. In this battle the Lodhi’s outmoded force of 40,000 men and 400 elephants were no match to a trim swift artillery force of about 8000 men of Babur’s which was well strategized with leadership skills and far better maneuverability in field. Ibrahim Lodhi was killed in battle and thereafter Babur established the rule of the Moghuls in India which in the next 30 yrs spread over Kabul, Kandahar, Delhi and Punjab.

The Second battle of Panipat was in the year 1556 which was fought between the Pusthun ruler of the Suri dynasty, Md. Adil Shah and the Moghul ruler Akbar who was in the first year of his rule. The former was assisted by the ruler of Chunar, Samrat HemChandra Vikramaditya, known as “Hemu” who acted as the military chief in the Battle. He took over Delhi & Agra. However, the Moghuls had a matching leader and Chief Minister assisting Akbar, by the name of Bairam Shah. He gathered a large army and retook Delhi having killed Hemu in Battle. This battle exemplified how matching leadership skills made the difference between winning and losing a war.

The Third Battle of Panipat in the year 1761 was fought between the Afghans and the Marathas. It was at a time when the Peshwa Rule of the Marathas replaced the decline of the Moghul Rule and covered the whole of north India. Afghan ambitions to occupy the northern regions of India was once again fostered by the unpopularity of the Peshwas. The Aghan ruler Ahmed Shah Abdali employed new warfare strategies placing himself at the centre of his moving forces so that he could oversee the flanks on all sides. They were swift and tough with men and materials drawn from the difficult Pashtu & Rohilla terrains of the North West India. They defeated the Marathas after a protracted fight over two months. The battle is considered one of the largest fought in the 18th century.

The Battles of Panipat were fought to establish hegemony over the fertile plains of North India. The invaders brought in newer warfare techniques, co-ordination and leadership qualities; they exposed obsolescence in the native forces which indeed was a lesson for the native rulers.

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Panipat Fairs and Festivals

Jun 05
Posted by Sushant in Panipat, Tourist places

Panipat is a historical town in the state of Haryana which attracts thousand of tourists to its premises every year. The favored tourist months being October to March, this region attracts tourist not only for the historic remains scattered in and around the town but also for the booming handloom industry to be found here.

Panipat fairs and festivals are another great occasion to visit this city. One can not only experience history here, but also the vibrant colours of local fairs and festival of Haryana.

Panipat Fairs and Festivals Specific seasons bring along their own type of festivities which are celebrated with great sprit and fervor in these parts of Northern India. The festival of Lohri or the time of the winter harvest marks the beginning of all festivities which are held during different months of the year. In the festival of Lohri, as in rest of Haryana, Panipat witnesses worship of the goddess Lohri by lighting bonfires in which various agricultural products like sugarcane, sesame seeds and nits are thrown in to invoke the blessings of the goddess. Lohri festivals in Panipat are brightened up by traditional dances and songs which are performed around bonfires.

The harvest festival of Baisakhi in the month of April which marks the beginning of a new harvesting year is celebrated with huge fervor. Baisakhi is a popular festival amongst the states of Punjab and Haryana especially whereby people dress up in traditional costumes and join in songs and dances and other cultural programs. Amongst the Panipat fairs and festivals, the Baisakhi festival is celebrated extensively with a lot of colour and festivity.

The third popular festival of the year is the Teej festival to celebrate the onset of the monsoons. This festival is mostly popular amongst women in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Women dress in colourful bangles, new clothes and worship the Goddess Parvati for the long life of their husbands.

Panipat artisans participate in the Surajkund Crafts Mela every year which is held in the month of February. This large fair goes on fifteen days and has stalls of artisans from all over the state and beyond, displaying their craft items.

Thus, Panipat fairs and festivals are numerous and tourists visiting Panipat during the time of festivals can witness colourful festivities, local customs and special food which are served in the various eating places throughout the town. The time of Lohri and Baisakhi are especially good times for tourist visits to savor the local customs and traditions.

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History of Panipat

Jun 02
Posted by Sushant in Panipat, Tourist places

The legendary city of Panduprastha has in later times come to be known as Panipat. Legend has it that at the time of the battle of Mahabharata, five villages were demanded by the Pandavas from Duryodhana of which one was “Panpat”. This developed into one of the five cities-“prasthas”- founded by the Pandava brothers. Panipat in modern times was designated a District. It is located 90 km from Delhi on the National Highway-1 on the Sher Shah Suri Marg. This city could very well have become the capital of India, had the Great Moghul Babur decided to do so. The name of this city occupies primacy in Indian history at a later period because three famous pivotal battles of Panipat which were fought here over the two centuries between 1526 to 1756.

It was in the First Battle of Panipat, fought in AD 1526 in which invader Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, of the Delhi Sultanate. In the Second Battle of Panipat fought in 1556, Akbar’s guardian Bairam Khan defeated the Hindu ruler Hemu. In the Third Battle of Panipat fought in 1761, Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan ruler defeated the Peshwa Marathas.

History of Panipat Today Panipat is an industrial town and is known for its handloom products. The district headquarter is situated in Panipat town. Other smaller towns are Samalkha, Israna and Naultha which have developed in its neighborhood. The total area of Panipat district is 1,754 sq km and its population is 8,33,000.
Among historical sites in Panipat, there is the Tomb of Ibrahim Lodi: This king was defeated by Babur in 1526. His grave is a simple affair; just a rectangular block on a high platform approached by a flight of steps made of lakhori bricks. The tomb was renovated by the British in 1866.

The Kabuli Shah mosque was built by Babur after his victory over Ibrahim Lodhi. He named the mosque after his wife Kabuli Begum. Six years later when Humayun defeated Salim Shah, he got a platform called Chabutara Fateh Mubarak made around the mosque. The mosque has chambers on two sides and an inscription in Persian runs along the parapet.
The secular nature of the city is exemplified in its temples and mosques. There are Jain temples in Holi mohalla and a shrine to the Muslim saint Abu Ali Kalandar. A fort rises up away from Panipat to its highest point, still guarding the city from invaders. A large park commemorates the famous Urdu poet & critic Altaaf Hussein Haali who was born in this city in 1837.

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