Rani Tal, Jabalpur

Not only the public but the Civic Authorities also are not less irresponsible in destroying the beauty of the Jabalpur city e.g. the dirty Nala water has been connected to the Beautiful old Rani Talab in the heart of the Jabalpur city. Most of the area of the Talab  has been covered by the Sports Authorities. The best use of remaining part of this Talab could be if it would have been used as a natural pond for Water Sports by the Sports authorities after renovation.

Bad condition of River Pariyat,Panagar Tahaseel, District Jabalpur

Bad condition of River Pariyat,Panagar Tahaseel, District Jabalpur

----Residents of Karonda by pass and Kandrakheda have buffalos pet in large numbers and they are throwing their dung into the river Pariyat and making it polluted. Surprisingly, this is happening at the next door of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishvavidyalaya and non of the academic staff approaching them to not throw this tons of waste into the Pariyat and make it dirty rather advise them to install gas plant /bo energy –Electricity as well as sell it for organic Kheti (compost  khad). In case they are not interested , the Vishvavidyalaya can ask them to supply it to the university instead of throwing this useful waste for preparing organic fertilizer. Nothing would be wrong if some tempting money is paid to them by the Vishvavidyalaya and vishvavidyalaya may sell the organic fertilizer to the Agriculturists and encourage  to use organic compost fertilizer for their fields. The Vishvavidyalaya may also install projects for producing gas & electric.

Above all not yet the academicians nor civic authorities are bothering  that these villagers are making  dirty the Pariyat  as well as Hiran river where the Pariyat is joining it.

Hope you will consider it and raise the above issue at the right platform.

Vijay Nath DSondhi

Retired from ICSSR

The manuansondhi@gmail.com

Bawlisi of Jujhari,Seohra Tahaseel,Jabalpur- some hidden history

Bawli of Jujhari,Seohra Tahaseel,Jabalpur- some hidden history

The Director, Rani Durgawati Sangrhalaya picked up me on 29.04.2014 at 8.30 in the morning from my colony at Jabalpur for survey  as I wanted to show few undeclared/unnoticed  monuments as well as he had some official work simultaneously. During this visit I  gathered some information and generated curiosity to get answer of my questions. The following query is based on that trip.

Convesation with Dr.Anupam Sinha , Byohar Bagh, Jabalpur

Dear Byohar Dr.Sinha,

Actually it was by chance the Department of Archeology has repaired the Jujhari Bawdi ,Sehora Tahaseel,Jabalpur as the owner of the Bawdi  which is situated on road at Gosalpur is very  cunning and due his foresightedness (about the adjacent agricultural land) he was not agreed to hand over the charge of renovation of it to the Department of Archeology.

 He has future plan to demolish that Bawdi and to build shops.So, the budget was exhausted on the Jujhari Bawdi. 

Jujhari Bawdi.

On survey along with the Department of Archeology, I asked them to depute some care taker/security guard cum sweeper to keep clean the premises as well as the water of the Bawdi to maintain its beauty, otherwise it is a wastage of public fund as after some time it will turn in its bad shape as it was.
' I am happy to note that you are the owner of that Bawdi,it would be better if you employ some care taker and turn it into a tourist spot with the help of PARYATAN BHAWAN(Ashok Mehra, Rajeev Srivastava,..) and salary could be managed out of the token ticket for the Bawdi as well as parking tickets.

You  are claiming that the Bawdi is yours then who are they  who have handed over the EKRANAMA yesterday  to the Department of Archeology? You have mentioned about the rest house at Bawdi which is now locked. Do they have your permission? Secondly according to you the prince Narbadabux Singh was crowned at that place , was it not the royal premises latter came into the possession of Byohar Gandharv Simha? Perhaps Narbadabux did not rule the empire ever? What was the reason of irritation of Shankarshahi and Raghunath Shahi when the Narbadabux was crowned by the Byohar and why he was not crowned at one of the palaces of Gondwana instead at the Bawdi? Please solve my curiosity

{Would you like to develop Budhgar Sarovar as a tourist spot with the collaboration of Department of Archeology and Tourism?}

I feel very happy on receiving your mails.thanks.. '

Reply from  Byohar Dr. Anupam Sinha to my quarries on Jujhari's Bawdi ,Sehora Tahaseel,Jabalpur and about the actual right on the crown of Gond Dynasty in mid 1900th century>

"A few points to ponder:

1. We have always been the owners of the Beohar-Baoli (Stepwell) in Jujhari. Our earlier caretaker, by the surname Gupta, has 'somehow' become title-holder of the adjoining land belonging to our family trust (Sri Radhakrisna Charitable Private Trust) of which I am now the Managing-Trustee.

2. Any 'Agreement' (Ikrarnama) signed with regard to the Beohar-Baoli by Gupta has no legal sanctity whatsoever. Even now, Gupta has nothing to do with the Baoli. Moreover, residents of Jujhari village are dead against Gupta. No proposal in Gram-Panchayat or Gram-Sabha can be passed IF put forwarded by this Gupta. He can not even put a brick there. Gupta is a historysheeter and has criminal record. MP State Archaeology Department should be aware of these facts. Moreover, even I verbally informed them years ago. But they never came to me for further details or to know the truth.

3. If you study Gond lineage, after Raja Narharisahi, his 'son' Prince Nerbadabux should have been his successor but he 'disappeared' (either jailed along with mother Rani Laxmankuwari by Maratha subedar Visaji Chandokar, or on pilgrimage). So, in his absence, Raja Narharisahi's younger brother's son Shankarsahi 'declared' himself the successor, hence Raja. However, when Beohar Gandharv (Kandarp/Kandrup) Simha rescued the true successor to the throne, brought him back to Garha-Katanga and crowned him in Gosalpur-Jujhari, Sankarsahi was OBVIOUSLY not happy 'losing' the Gaddi. Since the British approved Narbadabux's claim, Sankarsahi revolted against them in 1842 which, 15 years later, eventually culminated into 1857.

4. Why Gosalpur-Jujhari? Please read my earlier eMail. What is a mere Baoli at present used to be a sturdy Stone-Citadel (Garhi) of the Beohars till mid-1800. After rescuing Laxmankuwari (along with Nerbadabux?), she was accommodated here. The Baoli used to be within the Citadel's premises and was a private source of water for the Beohars (you must have noticed that, unlike all other Baolis, ours is slightly away from the main road, for this reason only). Jujhari was a safe place, at some distance from Sankarsahi (Purwa) and close to Gosaldevi's abode (Gosalpur) where Beohars had considerable force and influence."

06.05.2014.

Today the 27 June,2014, I visited again the Jujhari for taking photographs of the Baodi.After completing photography, I discussed to the people residing in its surroundings about the history of the Baodi but they know this much only that it is very old and the response of Mr.Pradeep Gupta the owner of a private school and the member of the Samiti formed by Byohar (as told Mr.Gupta) to look after the Bawdi was more funny.He said the Baodi is of Ashoka's period, then I told the history of the Baodi.It proves that the people are least concerned with the history and importance of the heritage except interested to do encroachment. However at the end he accepted that the owners of the Bawdi  are Byohars. Then I asked how the people of Jujhari signed the EKRARNAMA and handed over to Rani Durgawati Sangrahalaya totake care of the Baodi. The Bawdi was surrounded by 11Acre land and its distribution and possession of its pieces has another story but the registry of the Bawdi cannot be done as it is a historical monument and now it is under the supervision of Rani Durgawati Sangrahalaya, Jabalpur otherwise this place could be disappeared.

vijaynathsondhi@gmail.com

Sahed-sthal of Avanti Bai- BALPUR, Dindori (MP)

Sahed-sthal BALPUR, Dindori (MP)

Balpur in Shahapur,(after Vikrampur) district Dindori (Madhya Pradesh) 120 Kmts. from Jabalpur on Jabalpur-Kundm Highway,is a  pious Saheed Sthal which is surrounded by the natural beauty of  the green forests, river, Talab full of lotus plants.

One of the great freedom fighters Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi d/o Rao Jujhar Singh Lodhi of Gram Mankhedi, district Sivani (Madhya Pradesh) was born on 16 August 1831 and married with the Prince Kunwar Vikramaditya of Ramgarh who died in early age. So, she ruled the estate. When British Govt.killed Raja Shankarshahi and price Raghunathshahi of Mandala, the freedom fighters of 1857, after their arrest with the assistance of Girdharilal of Belkhedu with the conspiracy in Jabalpur, Rani Avanti Bai became very anguished and this incident had motivated her to fall in the freedom struggle. She defeated two times the British army captain Waddington the commissioner of Mandala region but in the third battle at Balpur of Shahapur about 40 Kmts from Sahapura, she killed herself when she was surrounded by the British army 0n 20 March,1858.

There are number of picnic spots on Jabalpur-Kundam Road. The source of Hiran river the Hiran Kund is in Kundam. It is about 1 Kilometer towards right from the High way. On moving about 40 Kms from Kundam ,we reach Sahapura. From Sahapura there is a left turn and on moving about12 Kms. We reach an attractive forest Ghughua, where fossils could be seen.There is a cave on the Mahadwani road in Sahapura. This place is known as Balumar/Ghodamara in the village Sarasdoli.We could not visit these places as it was already became sunset on returning from Balpur and it was not advisable to go there in the evening time. From Sahapura there is another turn for Bandhawgarh Forest of wild animals.

The Department of Tourism may form a package and attract tourist.

vijaynathsondhi@gmail.com

24.06.2014

The Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur

The Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur

The Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur was started in the year 1904 by the British in India. {Here is an historical temple of lord hanuman and the temple is famous as PAAT BABA. There Is a story behind the establishment of this project on this place}This Factory is the oldest Ordnance factory in entire Central India, apart from GCF there are Ordnance factory Khamaria, Vehicle Factory,  Jabalpur and Grey Iron Foundry located in Jabalpur.

The location of this place has pictorial view. It appears that a huge hill is surrounded by the deep valley from three sides and then circled by another hill range and a huge size of Talab known as Gokulpur Talab as natural protection.

 Photographs of one of the check post on top of the hill facing towards the valley.

This place is full of green forest and the reason of it as per my perception is that this place is under the control of military otherwise the forest are being invisible not only in the Jabalpur, this is a common phenomenon all over the country. I have also seen a Jharna which floats through out the year.

I entered this forest behind the PAAT BABA temple and moving about a kilometer I observed check posts on the top of the hiulls from where the whole view of the valley and beyond the outer boundary made by natural hills could be seen. But except one such check post maintained by the military all the other three-four check posts which were built for vigilance purpose where hidden windows were built for firing on need, have been ruined and are now in dilapidated form. It is beyond my imagination why such useful check post have become the victim of negligence. In case these have now no meaning, at least these should be protected as monuments a historical evidence. The authorities of the GCF, Jabalpur may give attention towards this aspect.

vijaynathsondhi@gmail.com

22.06.2014

Few more icons of British Period in Jabalpur:

Upper Guest House - Bedha Ghat

    Recently the spelling of the Jabalpore has been changed recently as Jabalpur

Kamaniya Gate. This is the best shoping center of Jabalpur for all types of goods and of all standard.

These Stambh of direction of Roads have been removed one by one within the span of two years

Sweet dish of PARWAL

Sweet dish of PARWAL

Ingredients:One kg. PARWAL, 400grams Sugar, 200 grams of KHOYA and 200 grams of PANEER, 5grams cardamom, 10 grams. PISTA, 10 grams Chopped KAJU and 10 grams chopped BADAM, 500ml.water

Procedure: Peal the PARWAL  and cut it from one side and remove the seeds so that it should remain as one  piece. Put deep pan on the medium flame pour 500 ml of water  and put 200grams of sugar in it and boil for 2-3-minuts then add PARWAL and it boil for another 5 minutes . By this time the colour of the PARWAL will be a semi transparent with lovely green colour. It shows that the PARWAL has become tender and it has soaked sugar content as required. Remove the PARWALs from the pan and let these cool down. Meanwhile, another pan on the other burner at a medium flame and put KHOYA in it and then add 150 grams of sugar, grinded cardamom , chopped KAJU  and BADAM and mix well and remove the pan after two minutes.

Kaddukash the PANEER, and grind the remaining 50 grams of sugar. Mix well the sugar with the POANEER grater .

               Now, fill all the PARWALS  with the KHOYA mixture. Latter fill the remaining cavity of  the PARWALS with the PANEER mixture and put a PISTA on its center for ecoration as well as for taste.

vijaynathsondhi@gmail.com

ANDARSE KI GOLI - A sweet dish of Eastern UP & Bihar

ANDARSE KI  GOLI : ( A sweet dish specially of rainy season)

Ingredients:250 grams.Rice( it would be economical if broken rice is used) , 100 grams of grinned sugar, cardamom seed powder, a pinch of dry yeast,50 ml hot milk,oil (Desi Ghee/refined oil), White Til seeds/Khashkhash seeds

Process:   Rinse rice with water and soak the rice in water for two hours and then dry it in air. When it becomes dry, grind it in the Mixi. Mix this rice flour with the sugar and cardamom powder. Put the yeast in the hot milk and satire it well. Add this in the mixture and mix it well. Keep it aside for half an hour.

              Spread Til seeds/Khashkhash seeds in a plate. Put pan on burner at medium flame and pour Gee/oil in the pan. Make small bolls of the mixture and coat these with Til seeds/Khashkhash seeds one by one and put in the pan and fry till these become pink. Remove it from the pan and put on blighting paper to extract extra oil of the bolls of the Andarsa Goli.

Aam (Mango) Ki Kheer

Aam (Mango) Ki  Kheer :

Ingredients:         250 grams Kalmi  Aam Ka Lachcha by Kaddu-kus (mango grater), a pinch of Kesar , 10 gram of Pista, 10 grams of Chirongi dry fruit, 100 grams of sugar, 50 grams cream, 500 ml milk, 500 ml water.

Procedure: - Put water in a pan and boil it. As the water starts boiling put the mango grater ( (Aam Ka Lachcha) in the pan and close it with a lid for 3-4 minutes and then Remove it from the flame and let it cool down. Then pour it in a net and let the mango grater water less and on a fan. Simultaneously on the other burner boil the milk and add sugar and keep boiling till it become a little bit thick i.e. till its volume become about 300ml. Remove it from the flame and let it cool down and let it come to room temperature . Add the dry fruits . Then add the mango greater and cream in it and put in the frizzier for 5 minutes quickly after that keep in the frieze and serve.