Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park India

World Heritage Site. By cruisingindia.com on Oct 26, 2006.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park Images

The ruins of Champaner are a medieval city ‘frozen in time’ and that seem to have been protected by its sudden desertion 450 years back. The site is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture, and is believed to be the only complete and unscathed Islamic pre-Mughal city. The construction and the various structures within the ruins represent a complete blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture. This trend is exhibited in the Great Mosque or Jami Masjid, which was a model for later mosque architecture in India. There are signs of an ancient Shiva temple (Lakulish), also those of Jain Thirthankaras or religious heads on the Mauliya plateau in and around the hill sites. Exhibiting various architectural styles and cultures, the archeological heritage site of Champaner-Pavagadh is thus a blend of history, architecture and religion within its domain.

Champaner Architecture

The ruins lies buried at the bottom of an underground archaeological site. The site is surrounded by few permanent structures in its present form. Within the inner bastion, excavations show the existence of a 19th century township. Champaner was the medieval capital of Gujarat and is architecturally pegged with a large number of historical monuments belonging to different phases of history.

Spread over six kilometers, the site covers the mounds of the 15th century Islamic capital city of Champaner and the sacred pilgrimage hill side fortress of Pavagadh. Pavagadh is famous for its Kali temple atop the highest peak of the hill, with dense forest towards the east and plain stretches of land to the west. Champaner is holy to the Hindus and the Jains, and there are small communities that continue to live within the ruins. The plateau region of Pavagadh is home to farmers and cattle grazers and therefore this site is considered a “living” heritage site. Archeological excavations of the Champaner fort revealed that it might have been set up by the sultans of Gujarat and was Gujarat’s ancient capital.

The other interesting features in and around the Champaner site can been seen in the primeval granary domes like the Nav Lakha Kotha, the Makai Kotha and Tanksala. The palaces, the likes of the Patai Rawal Palace and the Jhaveri Mahal Palace, the Champaner fort, and the Atak Gates or Royal enclosure add to the Hindu aspects along with the shrines of Bhadra Kali and the Khapra temple. The mosques, such as the Jami Masjid, the Kewada Masjid and the Nagina Masjid, and the ancient water management system at Amir Manzil or noble houses, are assumed to be the Muslim contributions to the area. Traces of numerous mosques, mansions, houses, streets and fortification walls were also discovered. The site primarily exhibits the 15th century ruins of built by the Muslim king Mehmud Begda.

The re-discovered city was considered the latest incarnation of Champaner, with its history dating back to around 1,200 years. The Pavagadh hill shows existence of earlier cities. The hill is an eight-hundred-and-thirty meter high mantle on the landscape that rises up somewhat unpredictably from the surrounding plains. A pilgrimage spot, also called the Shakti Peeth, the Pavagadh hill leads to the hill top temple of the Goddess Kali, who is the incarnation of the Goddesses Parvati, Durga, and Sati as Shakti or power. The mythological belief is that the Pavagadh hill itself is the symbolic toe of the Goddess Sati, who happened to have fallen on earth as the grief-stricken Lord Shiva, Sati’s husband, carried her dead body on his shoulders. The legend and the myth of the hill is what attract around 2.5 million pilgrims and tourists to the site each year.

Champaner- History and Legend

The 15th century deserted capital of Champaner was first excavated by late professor R N Mehta of Maharaja Sayajorao University in 1969-75. Indian officials however took notice in 1987 when the World Heritage Trust commissioned an international study to conserve the remains of the ruins. A report to the study proposed the development of the site as an archeological park. A team from the University of Illinois has been set up to develop and manage the landscape of the Pavagadh site.

Going back to pre historic times, the Champaner-Pavagadh ruin site is believed to have shown signs of Stone Age man. Thereafter, early communities were recorded to have lived in the area during 6th century AD. During the 7th century the site belonged to the Maitrak dynasty which ruled from the Valabhi regions of Gujarat. After the decline of the Maitrak rule in the 9th century, the region came under the influence of the Gurajar Pratihar and the Parmara rulers. In the 13th century the Kichi Chauhans, who were the direct descendants of the famous warrior King Prithviraj Chauhan of Rajasthan, lay siege to the area.

It was in the 15th Century that Islamic influences were sighted in and around the area. The Muslim period began with Muhammad Begada defeating the Patai Raval clan that was ruling the area, and strategically moving his capital from Ahmedabad to the Champaner site. This step was taken in 1484 AD to thwart the threat of the Sultans of Mandu. It was Muhammad Begda who built the town and the famous fort of Champaner, the Vohra mosque, the Mandavi, the Kirtistambh, also the temple of Shalkh. Later he also added the Jama or Jami Masjid, the Nagina Mosque and the Kevda Mosque. The ruins of the Begda palace can be found near the Vad Talav or the Banyan Pond located two kilometers away from Champaner. The site was finally taken over by the mighty Mughal Emperor Humayun when he plundered the fledgling Champaner town in AD 1535. Ignored under the Mughal reign as a secondary town, Champaner lost its appeal as a place of power and as a capital city by 16th century AD.

Champaner is also home to the great 16th century Indian music maestro, Baiju Bawra. He was considered as a contemporary rival to Tansen, a distinguished musician and one of the nine jewels in Emperor Akbar’s court.

Champaner and Gujarat Tourism

Pavagadh is considered as the gateway to the Panchmahals, an area that belongs to the local backward tribes. The Gujarat government has taken special care to enhance the area by offerring concessions and subsidies to industries to develop the area around the ruins.

With its status as a World Heritage Site , the government is looking at the potential of developing the site as a modern tourism destination. The ancient heritage nature provides Champaner as an ideal site for heritage walks pitted against beautiful Indo-Islamic architecture, thick forests, and archaeological spots. The diverse flora and fauna in the region has inspired the Gujarat state government to add the Champaner-Pavagadh site to other tour packages such as travel spots at Nimetabag, the Azwa lake, Jambughoda Sanctuary and Dhaboi.

Traveller feedback for Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park India

Review for Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park India ... on Aug 18, 2008 I had visited pavagadh during my childhood many times in fifties. It was great, open space with delightful climb and breathtaking view atop Kali Temple. Now ... more

Ashtonishing place, a must for tourists. ... on Jun 23, 2007 I am from Ahmedabad and I along with my family and five other friends decided to visit Champaner, Pavaghad and Jambughoda. Our stay at the Champaner Hotel ... more

mahakali temple ... on Jun 22, 2007 i have show this image ... more

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