Around the Old City

A walk around the old city of Junagadh will take you to many places worth visiting.

The tombs of the Babi Nawabs, including the first Nawab of Junagadh, who made the princely state independent from the Mughals in 1748, have interesting designs, and though somewhat poorly maintained, are still worth seeing. Far more spectacular, however, are the Maqbaras from later in the Babi period, built over the grave of Nawab Mahabat Khan II. The awe-inspiring architecture mixes Moorish, Hindu and European influences with an exquisite eye for detail. The Maqbaras are not to be missed.

The Junagadh Museum, open from 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm every day except Wednesday, houses prehistoric stone and bone implements, 9th-century stone carvings and many bronzes, manuscripts, silverwork, glass crafts, woodcarvings, textiles and other items from the history of the area.

Next door is the Sakkarbaug Zoo, open from 9am-6:30pm (closed on Wednesday, like the museum), which is known for its conservation and captive breeding program for the Asiatic Lion, found in the wild in nearby Gir National Park. Entry to the zoo is Rs.10/- for Indians, Rs.50/- for Foreigners.

The Darbar Hall Museum, open from 9am-12:15pm and 3pm-6pm (closed Wednesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month), exhibits the era of the Babis of Junagadh, with lavish furniture, thrones, textiles, arms, portraits and photographs from the period.

Badshah-no-Hajiro

The tomb of Ahmed Shah the founder of Ahmedabad is called Badshah-no-Hajiro.It is located just outside the east gate of Jama Masjid. It is square in shape with porticos on each side and has perforated stone windows.

Women are not allowed into the central chamber of the structure. The tomb also has cenotaphs of Ahmed Shahs son and grandson. Opposite the Hajiro and across the main gate lies the Rani-no-Hajiro where the queens of subsequent sultans were buried.

Heritage Walk

The best way to learn about a city is through friends who know the place, but here in Ahmedabad, you can get to know the city and its intricacies even as a stranger. You have at least two options for taking a guided Heritage Walk around the old city of Ahmedabad.

One conducted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, with guides who volunteer their precious time for this preservation effort. The tour begins at 8am at the Swaminarayan Mandir in Kalupur with a slideshow. It takes you through various pols, havelis, Hindu and Jain temples, various sites including the famous Manek Chowk, and ends at the soulful Jama Masjid at the center of the city at 10:30am.

Other Buidlings

Tambekar Wada:
Tambekar Wada, a 4-storey haveli, the residence of the Diwan of Vadodara acquired by the Archeological Survey of India, is famous for its wall paintings from the 19th century Maratha tradition depicting scenes from the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna's life and from the Anglo-Maratha war.

Kirti Mandir:
Kirti Mandir was the royal mausoleum of the Gaekwads, commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao on his 75th birthday for his ancestors with a bronze sun, moon, earth and the map of India atop its spire. It is known for its murals by Nandlal Bose, a famous painter from Tagore's Shantiniketan, with scenes from the Mahabharata and of Mirabai's life.

Qutbuddin Hajira:
Qutbuddin Hajira is a tomb over the grave of Qutbuddin Muhammed Khan, one of Mughal Emperor Akbar's generals and later the local governor, built in 1586 and now the most significant Mughal monument in the area. Its quiet charm is enhanced by an old stepwell nearby.

Nyaya Mandir:
Nyaya Mandir, “Temple of Justice”, is an ancient building now used as the district sessions court.
 

Rani no Hajiro

On the street leading to the Queen’s (Rani no) tomb (hajiro), where the female members of the royal family were buried, is now a colorful market for ‘ladies’ goods’, crowded with women’s clothing and other items. It lies to the east of Manek Chowk.