Latest news with #Mughals
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Congress MP Randhawa slams J-K CM Omar Abdullah over remarks on Indus waters
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 21 (ANI): Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa strongly rebuked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his opposition to a proposed 113-km canal to divert surplus water from the Indus river system to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, emphasising Punjab's historical and agricultural significance. He recalled the challenges Punjab faced during Operation Sindoor, asserting that there wasn't as much 'Pakistani attack in J&K as there was in Punjab.' Speaking in to ANI, Randhawa said, 'One should not make statements that cast doubt on patriotism. Punjabis have never done that. And even during Operation Sindoor, there wasn't as much Pakistani attack in J&K as there was in Punjab. Punjab was turned into a battlefield. The patriotism of Punjab, the strength of Punjab, and the strength of its agriculture -- as long as Punjab remains strong, India remains strong.' Randhawa said he was 'sad' and 'hurt' by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister's recent comments. 'I don't know in what context Mr. Abdullah made his statement, but I'm sad. Considering the relationships his grandfather, father, and himself have had with Punjabis and with Punjab, and the faith his father and grandfather had in Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), I am hurt by his statement.' He directly replied to CM Abdullah's remarks: 'Punjab should be given water because when India gained Independence, we used to beg to the world for (food) grain.' The Congress MP underscored the historic significance of Punjab's irrigation system, recalling the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. 'It is because of this water, and the three dams built there, and if they have even a little knowledge of history, they would know that the best canal system existed during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's time. From Khyber Pass, where the Mughals used to enter and loot India, Maharaja Ranjit Singh blocked that route and stopped the Mughals from entering, turning the country into a capable and independent state. He ruled over Jammu & Kashmir for over 40 years.' He stated that Punjab's border regions, including areas right up to the no-man's-land where farming continues today, are not only symbols of the state's resilience but crucial contributors to national food supplies. 'That water is Punjab's lifeline,' he said. Randhawa's remarks come in response to CM Abdullah's June 20 statement in Jammu, where he rejected the canal, citing Jammu's drought-like conditions and questioning Punjab's past support asking 'Did they give us water when we needed it?' (ANI)
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress MP Randhawa slams J&K CM Omar Abdullah over remarks on Indus waters
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa strongly rebuked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his opposition to a proposed 113-km canal to divert surplus water from the Indus river system to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, emphasising Punjab's historical and agricultural significance. He recalled the challenges Punjab faced during Operation Sindoor , asserting that there wasn't as much "Pakistattack in J&K as there was in Punjab." Speaking in to ANI, Randhawa said, "One should not make statements that cast doubt on patriotism. Punjabis have never done that. And even during Operation Sindoor, there wasn't as much Pakistani attack in J&K as there was in Punjab. Punjab was turned into a battlefield. The patriotism of Punjab, the strength of Punjab, and the strength of its agriculture -- as long as Punjab remains strong, India remains strong." Randhawa said he was "sad" and "hurt" by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister's recent comments. "I don't know in what context Mr. Abdullah made his statement, but I'm sad. Considering the relationships his grandfather, father, and himself have had with Punjabis and with Punjab, and the faith his father and grandfather had in Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), I am hurt by his statement." Live Events He directly replied to CM Abdullah's remarks: "Punjab should be given water because when India gained Independence, we used to beg to the world for (food) grain." The Congress MP underscored the historic significance of Punjab's irrigation system, recalling the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. "It is because of this water, and the three dams built there, and if they have even a little knowledge of history, they would know that the best canal system existed during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's time. From Khyber Pass, where the Mughals used to enter and loot India, Maharaja Ranjit Singh blocked that route and stopped the Mughals from entering, turning the country into a capable and independent state. He ruled over Jammu & Kashmir for over 40 years." He stated that Punjab's border regions, including areas right up to the no-man's-land where farming continues today, are not only symbols of the state's resilience but crucial contributors to national food supplies. "That water is Punjab's lifeline," he said. Randhawa's remarks come in response to CM Abdullah's June 20 statement in Jammu, where he rejected the canal, citing Jammu's drought-like conditions and questioning Punjab's past support asking "Did they give us water when we needed it?" Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhiwale: Tughlakabad underground
The silent, secretive tunnel-like corridor crawls through facing rows of darkened cells. The underground place is truly a revelation. This is one of the most puzzling segments of Tughlakabad Fort. In fact, the entire 14th century citadel, here in the southern tip of Delhi, is a kind of puzzle. The fort is huge, yet sits somewhat detached from mainstream Delhi—so unlike the equally splendid Red Fort. That monument, further north, commands a dynamic presence in the capital's public life. Red Fort hosts the Prime Minister on Independence Day, and poets on Republic Day. Teeming with tourists, it is permeated with the story of Mughals, whose legends have seeped into the most minute crevices of our popular culture. But Tughlakabad Fort remains deserted (though is full of monkeys). Its austere ramparts and swollen bastions lie spread along a hillock, looking grim, ancient and windswept. This was the third city of Delhi, raised by the Tughlak dynasty founder, Ghiyasuddin. It must have been a Versailles of its times. Traveller Ibn Battuta talked of Tughlakabad's 'gilded tiles' and 'vast stores of wealth'. After Ghiasuddin's death in a freak accident, his successor forced Tughlakabad's population to move into a new capital—very far from Delhi. The abandoned fort fell into prolonged dereliction, a downward slide that still hasn't ended. Today, the ramparts shelter a land of stone ruins, wild grass, and eerie silence. Some edifices are no longer whole. One of these resembles a Roman aqueduct. The oddest is the aforementioned underground corridor. It lies hidden under the rugged earth. This afternoon, the dusty wind is freely blowing through the fort, and the white-hot sun is hurting the eyes. An opening in the ground leads to a flight of steep stairs. These steps go down into the mysterious corridor. Here, the daylight at once becomes less intense, the air less hot. The corridor isn't long, quickly ending into another set of staircase that goes up back to the dusty, hot exteriors. Nobody can confidently tell about the exact point of the passage. Was it an army barrack? A horse stable? A shrine for djinns? A hostel for cloistered monks? An escape route? A guard patrolling the fort's bleak environs mutters that at night strange voices stream out from inside the underground passage. That must be the sound of bats, one might infer. But the guard says—'ghosts.'
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
No Sikh group to Pakistan for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Death Anniversary this year: SGPC
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], June 17 (ANI): Stressing the current situation between India and Pakistan, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced on Tuesday that no Sikh pilgrim group will travel to the neighbouring country this year to observe Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary. Speaking to ANI, SGPC official Harbhajan Singh Vakta said the decision was made due to the current diplomatic situation between India and Pakistan, following the April 22 Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, conducted by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7. 'Every year, the SGPC sends a group of Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan for religious visits. One of these visits is for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary, which is observed there on June 29. This year, we sent a batch of passports to Delhi for clearance to go to Pakistan. But now, SGPC has decided not to send the group. Our secretary officially announced this decision yesterday. Due to the current situation between the two countries, the group will not be sent this time,' Vakta said. 'We had sent 249 passport applications to Pakistan for this visit. Since the trip is now cancelled, these passports will be returned after June 20. People can collect their passports from our travel department after that date,' Vakta said. Last year, Pakistan issued 509 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the Maharaja Ranjeet Singh's death anniversary. Led by interim committee member Khushvinder Singh Bhatia, the delegation, comprised of 317 pilgrims, was sent for this spiritual voyage. In addition to Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, tourists from other countries visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was the first king of the Sikh Empire in the 19th century. He is popularly known as 'Sher-e-Punjab.' Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born on November 13, 1780, in Budrukhan, or Gujranwala (now in Pakistan), and died on June 27, 1839, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). According to Sikh beliefs, he ruled Punjab for 40 years. It is said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh fought against the Mughals and also conquered Lahore. Also, religious tolerance was promoted during his time, as many important ministers of his were Muslims. (ANI)
India.com
5 days ago
- India.com
Join A Special Walk In Delhi Where Every Wall Has A Tale To Tell
Delhi, the capital of India, is not only a busy city but also an open-air museum where history and the modern world have blended seamlessly. The city's streets reveal countless stories, ranging from the ancient stories that are untold to the vivid art that captures the day-to-day life there. One has to take a special walk around the boulevards and narrow lanes to truly get a feel of Delhi. Each section has a unique tale to share through the walls and other structures. Here: Old Delhi Old Delhi marks the start point of the trip as it is a fine blend of the Mughal period alongside British rule. As you enter the age-old market street called Chandni Chowk, you cannot help but be enchanted by the overpowering scents from the nearby Paranthe Wali Gali. The scent of parathas being freshly cooked fills the air while the vendors shout their products. The shops add on to the beauty of the streets with their bright colored displays. In this place, the walls tell a story of ancient times. Delhi's history is encapsulated within every crumbling facade. The remnants of Urdu lettering from the Mughals as well as the scars from the partition tell the tale of the chaos that ensued as families were torn apart. Yet, these structures also serve as a testament to the ever resilient communities that reclaimed order amidst the devastation and despondency. The UNESCO world heritage site, the Red Fort, is still known for the many secrets the walls hold, staying silent for over 350 years. Fortresses made from red sandstone encase tales of emperors and battles while the intricately carved marble within pours over with a sumptuous power. The Red Fort stands guarding these stories while today's modern artists skillfully employ these walls to express ever prevalent social issues. It is remarkable to see how history and modern day art exist almost symbiotically. The next location brings a shift from the jazzed up streets of old Delhi to Lodhi colony. Delhi's open air art gallery is truly an enchanting site thanks to the St+Art Foundation. Art emerges from every corner in the form of bold murals and engaging designs which blankets the entire area. One mural illustrates a young girl reading beneath a tree, which represents how education serves as a light of hope. Another mural illustrates a woman freeing herself from chains which signifies awards and emancipation of equality. Each of the murals focuses on social themes of gender issues, environmental conservation, and cultural pluralism to remind onlookers to think. The unique aspect of the space is its inclusivity since art is not limited to only museums but extends into public areas for everyone to enjoy. As you take a walk in Lodhi Colony, you notice that these walls are not just for beautification purposes, but they are waiting to interact. They reshape ideas, ignite conversations, and motivate new endeavors. Like these murals, they bring together people from different cultures and ages, illustrating that stories can be told without using any words. Spiritual Walls of Nizamuddin Basti Your visit in Delhi is not complete without going to Nizamuddin Basti where the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya lived. His dargah or shrine is preceded by a set of narrow streets which has walls ornamented with lines from the Quran and incredible Persian poetry. These writings are spiritual attractions welcoming worshippers to reflect and find peace. The walls here also resonate with qawwalis (peotart songs), that can be heard during evening get-togethers. Above all else, check out the shrines of Delhi where Musicians sit cross-armed and their voices rise and fall like waves while sitting cross-legged, creating the divine atmosphere of ecstatic waves. For countless tourists, teeth beset Grim heralds of inexorable rest for the city against which was once punctured. Funny enough, imon structures tell of meat being twast about the city's food culture. In the distance, the food village becomes a phirni kebab and kheer whilst feast whimpering back and forth as decades of sunlight twittle blind roaming like through dirty walls. These alone places tell the narratives as an ever emerging set of discussions, festive including faces and rituals that were replaced and repeated within customary lines. Imperial Designs of Lutyens Delhi At last, we come to Lutyens' Delhi where the epithet was given to british designer Edwin Lutyens who was responsible for a huge part of the city's administrative structures built during British rule. This is where the architecture changes its expression, imposing, stoic and symmetrical. And similarly, the imperial dreams now quartered in specially, serve as head of democratic India's Rajpath Bhavan, India Gate and the Parliament House. Even such stoic structures have a story to tell if you pay attention. The pristine lawns and grandiose columns whisper of an era where people made decisions for millions behind closed doors. Now these prefabricated walls endure protests, rallies, and vigils, giving a voice to the citizens' aspirations and struggles. From farmers asking for reasonable payment to students pushing for reforms in the education system, Lutyens' Delhi does not remain static but changes along with the needs of an energetic country. Summary: A Tapestry of Stories Delhi is more than just another city, it is a tapestry where each narrative adds a new layer. From the ancient walls of Old Delhi, the exuberant paintings of Lodhi Colony, the pious adages of Nizamuddin Basti, and the imposing Lutyens' Delhi, every inch is significant. All of these form a single memory box that keeps the happiness, sadness, victories and struggles of the people who live in this city. So, next time you are roaming in Delhi, take a minute and observe your surroundings. Let the walls tell you what they have been dying to share with you. Because every wall in Delhi is a storyteller patiently waiting for an audience.
