The Broken Heritage!!

What lies ahead--is the demise of this monument!!

It was not a usual morning---my usual mornings usually start at a very unusual time---probably at 9 AM—and I hate to be an early riser—call me the Mistress of Bad Habits--- but that’s how it has always been –

But as I mentioned since it was an unusual morning—I got up at 5 AM—(if that’s some time to get up when it's freezing cold outside), had my warm cup of tea and got ready for a Walk to Jamali Kamali, near Chatarpur Metro station.

This walk was organized by Mr. Sohail Hashmi, Hashmi Sahab are amongst people who work on their own will to bring about some change in the society and also contributing their bit towards the betterment of our heritage, our culture.

Mr. Sohail Hashmi, we need people like him to bring some change!!

It was a perfect winter morning but with imperfect surroundings, Sohail Sahab told us that how the area had been encroached upon by builders which had severely affected a Lake in the heart of the area. Seeing the green, dirty, BOD rich, algae replenished water -I felt so pathetic being human. We talk of development and this is what we have done to a water body. Was wondering what do the authorities do regarding the cleanliness of the area which encompasses a rich heritage- Nothing. Here are some pictures---

What was a beautiful History---is a present full of remorse!!

Water of no use!!

And we make barriers for everything!!

The meandering roads, spices, shops, houses everything in the area had a medieval feel, like you are time travelling in the past. Looking at the tombs and the shattered remains wasn’t a great feeling altogether.  But we as a group were all happy getting a chance to get aquainted with our culture, heritage...It is totally missing somewhere, atleast I am not that culture enriched---

Market Place

Overview!!

Briefed up by Sohail Saab!!

Sohail saab was a very interesting, witty person in his 70’s I presumed looking at his white beard and a slight bend. He told us all many stories, incidents that were an eminent part of this area.

He told us about Jamal Miyaan, Miyaan ji was really bad in studies. He flunked in eighth standard some ten times and finally did away with his zeal to study when his son finally reached eighth standard. He coudn’t ever pass through eighth standard but he surely made something which many Tikka and Kabab walas stil cherish. A wonder masala which is still sold in the Muslim markets, the peculiarity being that you would not find this masala in any local markets. But people who know about it know about what wonders it does to the food.

Another interesting story which Sohail Sahab told was about a Brahmin custom in which on getting married the mother in law gives her bride a fish with Sindoor on its head to cook. The bride is supposed to clean and cook the fish and only then she is considered to be a good asset for the family.

Made me wonder—we have an array of traditions—from bizarre to bizarrest.

The walk ended at the Jamali Kamali area around many tombs, the only thing I lacked was a good camera but still managed to get some pictures.

Once a tomb--now just some broken remains!!

Beautiful remains!!

The Group

I suggest if anyone of you happen to go to Jamali Kamali for a walk or a stroll, take your camera. The place has a lot to offer.

In the end, why it was not a usual morning, when at the end of the journey we all climbed the ladders of the tomb, to see the green plantations around and right infront of us stood Qutub Minar...I was just thinking one thing-----
" We get up with a realization that our surroundings are beautiful, because we want them to be hygienic for us, but we do not think twice about places where we do not dwell. They are lying there all dead, abandoned, dirty, screaming for help……but who cares!!"