Buildings of Qutubuddin in Ahmedabad



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  Ahmedabad - 0 KM
Buildings of Qutubuddin in Ahmedabad
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The city continued to expand during the Muslim rule and several beautiful buildigs continued to be added. Muhammad Begda who built the fort around the city actually also extended the original city laid by Ahmed Shah. The fort was given 12 Gates or Darwazas, and some of these are still standing intact. The brother of Begda who had ascended the throne earlier, was Ahmed Shah II and he was also known as Qutubuddin. During his short reign however he was very active in building Masjids, palaces and lakes in Ahmedabad.

When he was still a prince during the reign of his father Muzaffar Shah, Qututbuddin had already begun building some of the buildings in Sarkhej and certain mosques. The huge masjids at Delhi Chakla and Sarangpur Chakla, besides the Roza and lake of Malek Saban were constructed in this period. Malek Saban was a very powerful noble in Ahmedabad and patronized the arts. He had constructed his own Resting Place or Aramgah at Rakhial.

However, the construction that has made Qutubuddin immortal is that of Hauj-I-Qutub, or what we know as the Kankaria Lake. Within the short reign of only 7 years, Qutubuddin continued his building activities when he came to the throne. Among the construction that thus continued was the making of a huge lake, and it was completed by the time he became the ruler. This is considered as one of the biggest city lakes of India. Its design is attractive. Spread over 76 acres, its diameter is 650 m. and circumference is nearly 2 km. It has 34 sides that are 60 m. long. A small island with a garden and a Resting Place or Aramgah are placed at the center that enhances the beauty of the lake. From the shore a lovely bridge carries the visitor to this beautiful garden or Naginawadi. During the heat of summer the rulers would spend time and feel cool winds blowing from over the water surface. Today this place for royal enjoyment has become the place of general public for picnicking and visiting. From the autobiography of the ruler it seems that at the time of digging of this lake the sand was full of small stone particles, called in Gujarati as 'Kanakari', and hence the name of the lake turned in popular reference as Kankaria lake.

Dalpatram has noted that the stones on the railings of Kanakaria Lake were used for new railway station of Ahmedabad! It had turned into a dirty and smelly water-body with broken railing. However on the completion of the 500 years, it was enthusiastically renovated by the great efforts of the then Mayor of the city, Seth Chinubhai. The water was changed, the borders cleaned up, the railings were repaired, the beautiful road was built around its border for walkers, and the lightings were arranged for night visitors too. Around the Lake some small hills were also cleaned up and gardens were laid here. A zoo also is now housed nearby. Besides, a garden for kids was constructed with many entertainment facilities. Arrangements were also made to allow boat rides on the lake. As a result, today Hauj -1- Qutub or Kankaria Lake has turned into a enchanting place for the city dwellers for enjoyment and a showpiece of their city. The garden for the little ones and the exceptional zoo came up due to loving and knowledgeable care of Rubin David, and we can gaze at many species of animals and water creatures along with the kids here.



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