Manek Burj
Manek Burj, also spelled Manek Buraj (lit. 'Ruby bastion') is the foundation bastion of Bhadra Fort in the old city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.[1] The Burj is associated with legendary saint Maneknath.
| Manek Burj | |
|---|---|
માણેક બુરજ | |
Manek Burj from Ellis Bridge | |
Location of Manek Burj in Ahmedabad | |
| Etymology | Maneknath |
| General information | |
| Type | Bastion of the city wall |
| Location | East end of Ellis Bridge |
| Town or city | Ahmedabad |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 23°01′20″N 72°34′38″E / 23.0221373°N 72.577357°E |
| Named for | Maneknath |
| Construction started | 1411 |
| Renovated | 2003 |
| Height | 53 foot (16 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Circumference | 77 foot (23 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Bricks and mortar |
Etymology edit
Manek Burj is named after the legendary 15th century Hindu saint, Maneknath, who intervened to help Ahmed Shah I build Bhadra Fort in 1411.[2][3][4][5]
History edit
Manek Burj was the original bastion of Ahmedabad. It was built around the foundation stone of the city, laid by Ahmed Shah I on 26 February 1411. The bastion is 53 feet (16 m) high on the outside. It once contained a roofed stepwell with a circumference of 77 feet (23 m), the Manek Kuva. The well was filled and sealed in 1866 after the Sabarmati river changed its course, causing the Manek Kuva to run dry. A water channel near the bastion once brought water to the royal baths.[6][7]
In 1869, Ellis Bridge, the city's first bridge across the Sabarmati river, was constructed near the bastion.[8] In May 1989, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation declared Ellis bridge and its boundary, Manek Burj, and the natural water drain near one of the banks of the Sabarmati river protected sites.[citation needed]
The original Ellis Bridge was narrow, and not suited for heavy motorized traffic. It was closed in 1997, and in 1999 a new concrete bridge was constructed on either side of the 19th century steel structure. Manek Burj was partially demolished to make way for the bridge expansion.[1][8][9]
After the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, and riots in 2002, many believed that the city had suffered as a result of the damage done to the bastion. Manek Burj was restored in 2003.[7]
Culture edit
Chandan and Rajesh Nath, 13th generation descendants of Saint Maneknath, perform puja and hoist the flag on Manek Burj on Ahmedabad's foundation day and for the Vijayadashami festival every year.[10][3][4][7][11]
Gallery edit
- From north
- In evening
- Staircase leading to the roof of the Burj
- From south
References edit
- ^ a b "Ahmedabad's quiet birthday at Manek Burj". dna. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Desai, Anjali H., ed. (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. pp. 93–94. ISBN 9780978951702.
- ^ a b More, Anuj (18 October 2010). "Baba Maneknath's kin keep alive 600-yr old tradition". The Indian Express. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Flags changed at city's foundation by Manek Nath baba's descendants". The Times of India. TNN. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- ^ Ruturaj Jadav and Mehul Jani (26 February 2010). . Ahmedabad Mirror. AM. Archived from the original on 7 December 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- ^ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad. Government Central Press. 1879. p. 276. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c Shastri, Parth (27 February 2011). "Ahmedabad says abracadabra". Times of India Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ a b . Ahmedabad Mirror. 4 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ John, Paul (2 September 2011). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ Ajay, Lakshmi (27 February 2015). "Ahmedabad city turns 604". The Indian Express. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Manek Burj's sorry state fails to move AMC". DNA. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2015.