Munger
Munger is a town in the Mithila region of Bihar. [edit] UnderstandMunger (Hindi: मुंगेर) town is the headquarters of Munger district, in the Indian state of Bihar. Historically, Munger is known for its manufacturing of iron articles such as firearms and swords. It is ancient city of Mahabharata legend Karna, the eldest son of Kunti and Sun Lord. [edit] Get inRail There are many railway stations here Monghyr,Lal darwaza or Purab sarai but Jamalpur Junction(JMP) railway station is the main station having trains from each and every city of East and north india and also from Mumbai,Bangalore,Nagpur,Guwahati etc. It is on the Gaya-Sahibganj and NewDelhi-Howrah(Kolkata) rail route. The station is located about 6 km from Ganga Darshan campus, which encompasses Bihar Yoga Bharati University. The main train connections include Vikramshila Express, Surat-Bhagalpur Tapti Ganga Express, Farakka Express, Bhagalpur-Muzaffarpur Jansewa Express and Jamalpur-Howrah Express. Traveling south-west, Kiul Junction Railway Station is the main station next to Jamalpur. Going east, Bhagalpur Junction Railway Station is the nearest main station.
Road: Buses are available from all town in Bihar and major town in East India but Railway is preferred. Chartered cars is available from anywhere in India. Water: Munger being on the banks of river Ganges is connected by waterways with hugli, Allahabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Patna, Haridwar, Bhagalpur etc. [edit] Get aroundCHANDIKA ASTAHAN
Being a pilgrimage it is believed that on his return journey from Mithila to Ayodhya after marrying Sita, Sri Ram Chandra and company took a dip in this water to relieve themselves from fatigue. This is also the place people like to visit in Morning and evening to catch the glorious glimpse of Sunrise and Sunset.
There is an inscription on the entrance of the Dargah which speaks: “Bari Aalee Teri Sarkar Hai Nafah-Shah; Mashaa-Allah Sakhi Darbar Hai Nafah-Shah.’
It was he who ordered a mosque to be built over that place. So since 1497 the particular place has been known as the Dargah of Shah Nafah, nafah being a Persian word meaning ‘pod of musk.’ Over the gateway there is an inscription set up by Prince Danyal and a round the Shrine are many old tombs in a delapitated state. There is a popular tradition that Prince danyal got a divine dream about the exact location of the Dargah of Shah Nafah. A hint was given to him that the Dargah existed where the earth gave out the fragrance of Nafah (Kasturi). It is significant to note that the Dargah attracts not only the Muslims but also the Hindus of the town. The offering of Chaddar and holding a musicial programme has become an annual feature on 1st of January every year. The dargah is said to be the protector of the town and a place of wish fulfillments. All those who pass through the road bow their heads in remembrance of the of the Great Saint.
It has a very interesting ancient story about this place, which belongs in the period of Ramayana. According to which Sita after being rescued form Lanka, Ram to satisfy all public opinion asked Sita to prove her chasti and she gladly agreed to the Agni Pariksha (the fire ordeal). She came out of the fire test uncatched and imparted to the pool in which she bathed, the heat of her body which she had absorbed from the fire. The hot spring is now an enclosed and grilled reservoir and is visited by a large number of pilgrims on the full moon day of Magh. The water is beautifully clear and transparent and sends up numerous bubbles from its rocky bed. Various explanations of this phenomenon have been suggested, such as “Deep seated thermodynamics action and variation of under ground volcanic activities.”
MANPATHAR (SITA CHARAN)
Very close to Kastaharni Ghat there is another place of interest called. Manpathar. It is a rock in the bed of river about two miles away from the fort. The Rock contains the impression of two feet, which is supposed to be the feet of Sita when she touched the rock in crossing the Ganga. It is 250 meter long and 30 meter wide. There is a small Mandir at that place.
UCHESWAR NATH In Kharagpur area, there is a very important temple of Lord Shiva which is famous as Ucheswar Nath . It is also important for Santhals and a public fair is held here,where is Santhal boys and a girls marry, according to their tribal custom.
Patna, the state capital of Bihar, is an important place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs also, since it was at Patna City that the famous 10th Guru Govind Singh jee was born. Since then the place remained an important place of Sikh pilgrims from all over the country. It is perhaps not known that the father of Guru Govind Singh, Sri Teg Bahadur jee, the 9th Guru, and, the famous martyr, en route to his journey to Assam to settle a dispute, had chosen to stay, at Munger in a temple on the Piparpanti road just opposite the Dak- Bungalow for a few days on Magh 1724 Vikrami. Raja Ram Singh was selected by Aurangzed during his 10th year of his rule to lead a contingent of army to Assam, had met Guru Teg Bahadur at Munger. He requested the Guru Teg Bahadur to accompany him to Assam and he agreed to go there along with him. It is on record that from here he had written a letter to his wife, who was then at Patna awaiting the delivery of a son, who subsequently, became famous as Guru Govind Singh jee. This temple converted into gurudwara is gaining importance for the local Sikh population. Besides the Munger Gurudwara, there is another big Gurudwara at Jamalpur, which serves the place of pilgrimage and Sikh congregation on days of important Sikh festivals like annual Baishakhi Day and others. At Jamalpur one of the important roads is also known as Gurudwara road.
Goenka Sivalaya ( Machchli Talab)
BAPTIST MISSION Munger has also been famous from the point of view of charistianity with a large number of christian population here.According to the district Gazetteer of 1909 the Bapitist Mission is said to have been established at Munger in 1860, and the translation of Hindi New Tastament at present in use in different churches is the work of one of the Munger Missionaries. This hindi translation was published from Calcutta in 1884. There is a reference to one Bapitist Missionary named Andrew Leslie who came to India in 1824. and was posted at Munger and died in 1870. Incidentally, it may be maintained that another Bapitist Missionary called John Parsons, who was associated with the Hindi translation of the New Testament came to India in 1840 was stationed at Munger and died in 1869. The cemetery towards Sita kund has the grave of Revered Johan parson and it is mentioned on grave that he had made the Hindi translation of THE NEW TESTAMENT. This received persons was born at Loporton,Sommerset (England).The inscription of the grave, thus, indicates that it was probably persons and not A.Leslie who made the first hindi translation of new Testament which is in the use. The cemetery has also the grave of Hershchell Dear born at Dobrz-you (Russian Poland) who spent most of his life ar Munger he died in October 1887 at Mussoorie.his remains where brought and buried at Munger Dear was famous for his charities for the different institutions existing at that time.This cemetery has also the grave of major General charles Murray.Born in London in 1827 he had served the Gwalior Campaign (1843-44), Punjab Campaign (1848-49), Battle of Chaianianwala , Kohat Expendition Insurrection of 1857 and Bhutan wars. Charls Murray was a resident in Munger from 1871 till his death in Munger in 1893 both Mr. Dear and Murray contributed largely to the development of Munger and some of the existing residential quarters in the fort area remind us of there name and contributions.
Sri Krishna Vatika is also one of the most interesting as well as adventurous venue available in Munger as it has two “Surangs” (tunnels). Some efforts in the past had been made to pass through the tunnels also known as- Mir Kasim’s Surang but these have only proved to be life taking. There are some tombs of Gul and Bahar, wards of Mir Kasim Ali.
Three miles east of the town is a hill called Pirpahar, from the top of which a fine view of the surrounding country is obtained. The hill is called after an old Muhammadan Saint or Pir, whose name is no longer remembered, though devotees occasionally come to worship at his grave. There are two old tombs side by side at the foot of the hill, on one of which there is an inscription to the foot of the hill, on one of which there is an inscription to the memory of one Mary Anne Beckett, who died in 1832, while the other has a damaged inscription showing, till a few years ago, that it is in memory of a person named D’Oyly; the portion containing the name has now disappeared. The former is somewhat unconventional in form and character, consisting of a mausoleum surrounded by four walls open to the sky, and has a memorial tablet inserted in the northern wall, with the uncommon and not unaffecting inscription “Be still, she sleeps”. It is not known who Mary Anne Beckett was, but several legends are current about the manner in which she met her death. One is to the effect that she was a young girl who was killed when riding down the hill; another is that she threw herself down the hill owing to some love trouble; while another account says that she was the Kashmirian wife of a Colonel Beckett. Nothing is known about the person to whom the other tomb was erected, but Sir Warren Hastings D’Oyly, formerly Collector of Munger, to whom a reference was made, states that it is possible that he or she was a relative of a D’Oyly, who was formerly an indigo planter in the district. The inscription which is now obliterated shows that he or she died in 183-, i.e., between 1830and 1840.
A village in the Kharagpur subdivision, within the Kharagpur police-station with an area of 4137 acres. It is situated about 12 miles south-west of Kharagpur and four miles north of Guddih. Close to the village are some hot springs, called Tatal-pani (Tapta-pani) with are by far the finest in the district. The District Gazetteer of Monghyr published in 1926 quoted Captain Sherwill “The first spring is situated about 300 yards to north of village immediately under a small detached Hill named Mahadeva, from whose base the water issued in a fine stream at temperature of 1470 Fahrenheit . A few hundred yards farther to the north, at foot of the hornstone hill Damadama, we came upon a region of hot springs. Hot water appeared to be spouting from the ground in every direction; the principal spring, of which there are eight or ten, had uniform temperature of 1450, all rising within a space of about 300 yards square.
Across numerous hot streams are, of course, many foot-paths used by the cultivators round about Bhimbhand, but nowhere at the point of crossing did one find water above 1200, and even the temperature made the men and woman hurry the stream when fording from bank to bank. To the European skins the hit of 1100 was intolerable, nor could of the party walk coolly across any of the fords at that temperature without being severely scalded not blister. Luxuriant crops of rice raised by the aid of the streams large fields being fed by the water, but at a reduced temperature by leading it in devious courses to the cultivated land. The united waters of all these hot springs are conveyed pool of cold water under an over-hanging rock in that river, called Bhimkund, which is sacred to the Bhima and is visited by pilgrims. These springs, rising at about 300 feet above sea-level are the principal source of the Man itself. The highest temperature recorded by Dr. Buchanan on the 21st March, 1811, was 150`. Sherwill in September of 1847, Waddell in January of 1890, and Schulten in August of 1913, observed temperatures of 147`, 146.2`, and 148` respectively; but Mr. V.H. Jackson considers that there are twelve sources in the Mahadeva group and at least nineteen in the Damadama group; and the hottest of them may not have been observed; readings taken between 1912 and 1919 varied from 145.5` to 146` in the Mahadeva, and from 148` to 148.8` in the Damadama series.
KHARAGPUR LAKE Kharagpur is perhaps best known for a large reservoir constructed by Maharaja of Darbhanga. It is formed by a damp built, two miles west of Kharagpur across the Man river, which at this point debauches through a narrow gorge in the hills. To the south-west the gorge widens out into a valley hemmed in on all sides by low but abrupt hills, and here a large reservoir has been formed by the accumulation of the river water and of the drainage from the hills and valleys.
About 2½ miles south-west of the Panchkumari fall, not far from Karmantari village, is a group of hot springs known as Lakshmikund, which emerge from crevices in rocks on the west side of a narrow torrend bed, some distance above and not far north of the lake, into which they discharge. These springs are most conveniently reached from Kharagpur, eight miles to the north east, by taking a boat across the lake. In 1917 Mr. V.H. Jackson found that the temperature of the eleven Principal out flows was over 146, while the temperature at the largest watch 151.30 which is higher than the maximum temperature recorded in the Bhimbhand or Janamkund groups, which these springs closely resemble. As at both of the later groups of springs, there is another series of springs lower down, which are distinctly cooler.
MALNIPAHAR A hill in the Kharagpur subdivision, situated in the Kharagpur Hills about seven miles north-east of Bhimbandh. There are several springs, known as Janamkund, at the bottom of the hill, which form the source of the Anjan River. One spring, which issues at all seasons of the year directly from a crevice in the rock, is apparently that of which the temperature was tested by Buchanan in 1811. Mr.V.H.Jackson, making tests at different seasons, has found that its temperature varies from 147.2` to 149`. A second series of springs, the existence of which was suspected by Buchanan, was discovered in 1912. These occur along the bed of the Anjan for about 150yards, at a quarter of a mile from the source. Their highest temperature yet observed is 140.
A hill in the Kharagpur subdivision, situated in Kharagpur Hills 13 miles south of Munger. An interesting account of the hill is quoted in an article on the Kharagpur Hills by Captain Sherwill. The origin of the name Maruk is not known, but it is probably so called after the maharuk tree (Ailanthus Excelsa). An ideal picnic spot but hardly used.
Mirza Safiy retitled Saif Khan, was the husband of Malka Banu, eldest sister of Mumtaz Mahal, the lady of the Taj. When Saif Khan became the Governor of Bihar in 1628 A.D. he undertook construction of public utilities. Peter Mundy speaks very highly of them. The inception of safiabad township near Jamalpur and Safiasarai and a big well in Munger are commonly attributed to saif Khan.
MULLAH MOHAMMAD SAYYID GRAVE The historians of Aurnagzeb’s region mention one Mullah Muhammad Sayyid, who wrote under the nom-de-plume of ‘ Ashraf ’. He was a poet of repute and enjoyed the favours of Prince Azim-us-shan, Aurangzeb’s grandson. He was also the teacher of Zebunnissa Begam, the daughter of Aurangzeb and a renowned poetess. The poet died at Munger in 1672 on his way to Mecca and was buried there. His grave is within the fort.
The quarter known as Dilawarpur conatins the residence of a leading Muhammadan family known as the shah family. It trace back its descent to Hazrat Maulana Shah Mustapha Suh, a man of great learning. Who was a native of Seistan in Persia. The fame of his learning reached the ears of Akbar, who invited his to his court in Delhi, where Akbar marcired south to crush the rebellion of the Afghans in Bihar and Bengal, he was accompanied by Shah Mustapha Sufi, who distinguished himself in the field and made it clear that he possessed supernatural powers. Hearing of the holy life led by a saint of Munger, called Hazrat Shah Allaabad Arafin, and of the miracles he wrought, he gave up the idea of worldy career and came to Munger to meet the saint. As soon as Shah Mushtapha Sufi looked upon the saint, he become insensible, and when he revived, found himself in possession of divine secrets. He became the disciple of the Hazrat, who made him Sajjada-nashin, and on his death in 1050 A.H. (1650 A.D.) he was buried in Dilawarpur. Where his tomb may still be seen. His descendants still reside at Dilawarpur.
HAHA PUNCH KUMARI It is on the western side of Rameshwar Kund. It is a waterfall coming from the hills with straight drop. The natural scenery is beautiful. This fall is named after the five girls of Hindu Raja of Kharagpur whose daughters committed suicide by jumping from the hill top to escape capture by the Muslim invaders.
It is situated in Kharagpur police-station and on the north-west corner of the Kharagpur lake. The legend goes that during the Muslim invasion one of the Generals camped at this site and dug the earth for water and accidentally a hot water sprig came out.
A hot spring in the Munger subdivision situated about six miles south of Sitakund at the head of a picturesque little valley between two ridges of the Kharagpur Hills. It has been made a place of worship and a reservoir, about 140 feet square, has been built to collect the water. The bottom is in some places sandy, in others rocky; and the water seems to issue all along the western side from numerous crevice in the rock. Bubble rise from the whole extent of the pool near the hill, and where the gas issues from among sand is forms cavities like minute craters. According to observations taken by Buchanan on the morning of the 8th April, 1811 the thermometer in the air stood at 720 in the water were it issued from the crevice of a rock, it rose to 110o, and one of the cavities to 114o.
MELAS · At Rishikund at Kharagpur police-station every year in the Malmas, a big mela is held which has a religious sanctity.
· At Rangnath in Kharagpur police-station also a big mela is held at Shivaratri day for two days. · At Rangnath in Tarapur police-station a big mela is held on Shivaratri day and it continues for five days. This village is situated on the road to Bhagalpur. · In Munger town Dashara Mela is held on a gigantic scale and about a lakh of people congregate here on the occasion from different parts of the district · At Kastaharinighat in Munger town on Maghi Purnima day a big mela is held. · At Sitakund in Mufassil police-station every year a big mela is held on the occasion of Maghi Purnima. It is started that it is held since the days of Ram.
SRINGIRIKH One of the peaks of the Kharagpur group of hills, situated 20 miles to the south-west of Munger so situated in Lakhisarai district of Munger Commissionary. The hill is named after the famous Rishya Sringa of the Ramayana, who performed a yajna sacrifice at the instance of king Dasharatha in order that the latter might have offspring. It is a much frequented place of pilgrimage especially on the Sivaratri day in February. There is a spring here in a gorge among the hills, which issues in six or seven places from below a high cliff of quartzite and forms a considerable stream lower down. A small reservoir has been constructed at the foot of the cliff, and is used for bathing. It is believed to have miraculous properties the story being that whoever goes into it, whether child or adult, short or tall, finds the water only waist deep.
LACHHUAR A village in the Jamui District situated about five miles west of Somaria and four miles south of Sikandara. It contains a large Jain temple and dharmasala built in 1857 by Raj Dhanpat singh Bahadur of Murshidabad, for the benefit of Jain pilgrims, who visit some places in the adjacent hills. The nearest are three mikes south of Lachhaur and are marked “Muth Boodhroop” and “Muth Purusnath” on the Indian atlas sheet. They are two small shrines picturesquely situated in the valley between two parallel ranges of hills. In each of these shrines is a small statue of Mahavira, one of which dates back to Sambat 1505, while the other appears to be older. The temples themselves, however, are of recent date. Some Jains hold Lachhaur to be the birth place of Mahabir Swamin ,the 24th Tirthankar of the Jains. Lachhaur is said to have been several centuries ago the residence of Puran Mal Raja of Gidhaur, who built the temples mentioned in the account of Simaria. On the outskirts of the village there is a temple dedicated to kali.
SIMULTALA It is just over 1000 feet above sea-level, and its healthy climate and picturesque surroundings have made it a popular health resort with Bengalis. It is situated on undulating ground, partly gravel and partly sand, and owing to the slope is rapidly drained. To the north and west are pretty little hills of diverse shapes; and the climate is always coller than in the low alluvial lands of the district.
Simultala used to attract a large number of visitors twice in the year. Calcutta doctors used to prescribe a change at Simultala for recouping health. The price control measures scared away the visitors and during this period there was a certain amount of criminal activities. The high prices of the essential commodities made the employment of the caretakers and malis of the houses rather expensive. A visit to Simultala now has a depressing effect because it shows lakhs and lakhs of rupees lying waste in beautiful untenanted houses falling into disrepairs. About four miles in the south-west corner of Simultala there is one Haridiya fall which serves as a sight scene place for the changer coming to Simultala”. [edit][add listing] DoVisit Yog Ashram The first and only one of its kind a yoga university having students from all over the world. Bihar School of Yoga Official Web Site [www.yogavision.net]
Address: Ganga Darshan, Munger, Bihar, India
Fax: 06344-23169
Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) was established in 1964 as the headquarters of International Yoga Fellowship. It aims to impart yogic training to householders and sannyasins alike. Since the first Yoga Teacher Training Courses which was held in 1968, the school has grown into a reputable International Training center of great renown. The yoga School is situated at Ganga Darshan, which is built over a large hill overlooking the Utter vahini Ganga. Here, amidst an atmosphere of natural beauty, surrounding by scenic gardens,, green paddy fields and a majestic 180 degree panoramic sweep of the river Ganga, a new vision of yogic life is inspired. The techniques of integral Yoga taught here are a synthesis of all approaches to personal development. Yoga Teachers Training, Yoga Health Management, Individual Sadhana, Hriya Yoga, Mantra Meditation and other advance courses are conducted by trained sannyasins on a group or individual basis for day and life residential students. The Bihar School of Yoga has always been known for its excellent sannyasa training and was one of the first institutions to initiate and train female and overseas sannyasins on a large scale. The institution houses a well-stocked Yoga Research Library with a large collection of books and data where most of the school’s publication of Yoga, health techniques and research are compiled. Ashram graphics, the modern printing press, prints all the BSY publications. It has a wide range of equipment's and is staffed and managed by the sannyasins and disciples of the ashram who do everything from typesetting to dispatch. Conventions, tours, seminars, workshops and lectures help spread the yogic message “from door to door and from shore to shore”. In addition to these, trained sannyasins are ever ready to conduct organized conventions, seminars and lecture tours throughout all the India and the world. This provides a solutions for the Yoga minded people who find it impossible to undertake a journey to Munger or any of the branch ashrams.
Fort Area, Munger, Bihar - 811201, India
Phone: 91+6344+22430
Paramhamsa Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, in order to preserve and regenerate the total scope of yogic science by combining academic and scientific methodology with a spiritual vision, established Bihar Yoga Bharati (BYB) as a charitable educational institution at Munger in the year 1994. BYB offers scholars, scientist, doctors and yoga aspirants from all over the world a golden opportunity to work together to formulate on scientific basis for the growth, expansion and rapid integration of Yoga into modern society. Bihar Yoga Bharati is the first university of its kind to impart a comprehensive Yogic education with provision for MA, M.Sc., Mphil, Phd, DSc, Dlitt. The Undergraduate department offers a four month certificate course and a one year Diploma course in Yogic Studies. The postgraduate department offers a One year diploma in Yoga Ecology and Two year Master Course, MA in Yoga philosophy, MA/MSc in yoga psychology and M.Sc. in Applied Science. Bihar Yoga Bharati offers complete, academics, yogic education and training in the traditional Gurukul or ashram environment. This combination of academics training and residential ashram lifestyle, helps the student imbibe the Yogic principles in an integral way. It ensure that, along with an intellectual yoga education, each student imbibes the spirit of seva (selfless services), samarpan(dedication) and karuna ( Compassion) for humankind. [edit][add listing] BuyGUNS: Very cheap and good quality guns. Amazing but true at one side this town gives you peace in Bihar School of Yoga but violence in its awesome gun factories. It also has cigarette factories.= [edit][add listing] EatBiharis are fond of food Litti chokha, Murga bhat(chicken and rice) various places to eat are: shivam, rimjhim, madras coffee house, sudha many other resturents are there . its a saying at every corner you can find a man eating something at a place of eating, Dont forget to have a delicious break fast here that is puri sabji and jalebi. Munger is also famous for jalebis, rasgullas and creamchops. At once don't forget to have a nice meal at Yoga Ashram(BSY). And always have an egg roll in the evening at any road side joint. [edit][add listing] DrinkLassi is a very healthy dring you can get it anywhere in munger. But alcoholic drinks should be taken with great care dring only the drinks whose names you have heard. taari can be usefull if consumed early morning before sunrise and never never buy a brink in a plastic bag. Instead of glass bottle its kept in plastic ones. [edit][add listing] SleepRaj Palace Hotel is located in Rajiv Gandhi Chowk, near Taxi Stand, Munger. The hotel is 175 km away from Patna Airport. The nearest railhead is Jamalpur Railway Station, which is 8 km away. The nearest Bus station is Munger Bus Depot and it is 0.2 km away. Rooms & Amenities Raj Palace Hotel has 38 rooms, out of which 14 are A/c rooms, 20 are Non A/c rooms, 3 are Deluxe rooms and the remaining 1 is a Suite. The hotel also provides sightseeing packages to the tourists.
Pickup and drop, Price per day: From Rs. 400 To Rs. 1500 Address: Rajiv Gandhi Chowk Munger Bihar - 811201 India
Raj Hans Hotel is located near Town Hall, opposite to Taxi Stand, Munger. The hotel is 175 km away from Patna Airport. The nearest railhead is Jamaalpur Railway Station, which is 8 km away. The nearest Bus station is Munger Bus Depot and it is 0.2 km away. Rooms & Amenities Raj Hans Hotel has 20 Non A/c rooms. The hotel also provides sightseeing packages to the tourists. In-room facilities: Room Service, Hot/cold water, Television
Price per day: From Rs. 200 To Rs. 300 Address : Townhall Road, Chowk Bazaar Munger Bihar - 811201 India [edit] Contact100 in any case of emergency. You can trust strangers here. [edit] My visit ThereMunger is a district town in Bihar in eastern India. I first visited Munger in April,08 on invitation of ITC to be one of their representatives in Institute Management Committee of ITI, Munger. The 2nd visit was on 30th June,08. After the meeting at ITI was over, I took a break to have a look at the scenic spots of Munger. I had a plan to visit a near-by hill-top and the Fort area. Light was fading and what I could manage was 30 to 40 minutes on the hill top. Reportedly, both Rabindranath and Saratchandra, the famous Bengali writers , found a quiet area on this hill top to sit down and pen their writings.But, there was no plaque or Notice Board to be found on this hill giving a visitor more details. What drew my interest was a ruin of a Military quarters ,built by Mir Qasem, king of Bengal and Bihar between 1760 and 1764 AD. Later, on my way to Lakkisarai station on the morning of 1st July,08, I passed through the Fort area, which is tight on the bank of the Ganges. Here , I saw the underground tunnel Mir Qasem had constructed, joining the Fort with the Military barrack I saw the previous evening. On my return to Calcutta, I searched the Internet to learn more about Munger and its history. I learnt that Munger first got a major position in the history of Eastern India.Muhammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khalji was probably a Turkish slave and later became a Turkish general.He approached India in 1193 AD . His influence in Delhi started after his remarkable campaigns in Bihar and Bengal. The fortress of Munger was captured by him and in early 13th century and thus started the Muslim rule of eastern part of India.Later, during the period of Akbar, his general Todar Mal established his HQ at this place in the 17th century.Shuja was Sultan of this area when he started his rebellion against his brother Auranghjeb. Later during the 18th century, Munger became capital of Mir Qasem's capital when he decided to shift out of Murshidabad. He was offered the throne by the Britishers of the East India Company. He made a handsome payment to the Britishers and built up a good army through re-adjustment of land revenue. But, he did not get along with the Britishers for long and lost his kingdom. The Military barrack's ruin I saw is known by the nos of rooms and doors it had: 56 rooms and 52 doors. First floor of the brick structure is nearly roofless..A few vertical pillars stand.Ground floor rooms are sealed with brick walls for safety.The connection of the tunnel I wrote about earlier in this hub cannot be seen as a group of workers are chipping away the rock around to make stone chips! Three boys, playing in the building , took me around and help me to climb down as the staircase was dark after the sun went down. On this hill, there was a big Pir-baba's tomb and a large mansion converted to Doordarshan's set-up. Right in front of the staircase leading up to the Pir-baba's tomb, I found a grave with no clue about its age . Its prominence led me to believe, the person buried here might have had important connection with the Pir-baba.At the foot of the hill, while I was taking snaps of a decades old banyan tree and Hanumanji's idol, I met an old man who looks after the Pir-baba set-up. He revealed his identity at the very last minute when I was about to return to ITC.I could have spent a few minutes with him, learning about the history of the buildings on the hill. Next morning,I started from the Guest House a little early to spend some time at the Fort area. I could see only a bit of it. The morning sky was very cloudy.The light was not helpful for photography. The river was full. But, capturing the expanse and the rush of water were not possible in the dim light condition.I saw another Pir-baba's tomb, the boundary wall of a very large college of Yoga ( a must visit during the next trip to Munger) , the end of the tunnel Mir Qasem got constructed from this river-bank to the hill I was strolling around yesterday. On a slight elevation, next to the staircase of this tunnel,there was the grave of Mir Qasem’s daughter. The whole area was covered with thick undergrowth and it was raining….therefore, I could not go up and take photographs of this relic. Whatever photographs I took this morning, however, disappointed me. But, on the whole, I enjoyed this brief introduction to this place which has a big place in the history of Muslim rule of India.I wish Bihar Tourism had devoted a bit more attention to the potential of Munger developing as a torist spot.Apart from the Military history, it offers breath-taking view of the Ganges, which, I could not capture in my camera. If a visitor of Munger has time , s/he can visit Bhimbandh sanctuary ,50 km away from the town.There are hot springs and dense forest.WEll, I have learnt about it from Internet site of Bihar Tourism.Please view :http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/Destinations.htm [edit] Get outYou can go by road, rail or water to Bhagalpur, Patna, Kolkata, Darjeeling or Kathmandu in Nepal. |
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