Manek Burj

Manek Burj (the "Ruby bastion") is the foundation bastion of Bhadra Fort in the old city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.[1]

Manek Burj
માણેક બુરજ
Manek Burj from Ellis Bridge
Location of Manek Burj in Ahmedabad
EtymologyManeknath
General information
TypeBastion of the city wall
LocationEast end of Ellis Bridge
Town or cityAhmedabad
CountryIndia
Coordinates23.0221373°N 72.577357°E / 23.0221373; 72.577357
Named forManeknath
Construction started1411
Renovated2003
Height53 feet
Dimensions
Circumference77 feet
Technical details
MaterialBricks and mortar

Etymology
Main article: Maneknath

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

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.

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

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]

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References
  1. "Ahmedabad's quiet birthday at Manek Burj". dna. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  2. Desai, Anjali H., ed. (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. pp. 93–94. ISBN 9780978951702.
  3. More, Anuj (18 October 2010). "Baba Maneknath's kin keep alive 600-yr old tradition". The Indian Express. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. "Flags changed at city's foundation by Manek Nath baba's descendants". The Times of India. TNN. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  5. Ruturaj Jadav and Mehul Jani (26 February 2010). "Multi-layered expansion". Ahmedabad Mirror. AM. Archived from the original on 7 December 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad. Government Central Press. 1879. p. 276.
  7. Shastri, Parth (27 February 2011). "Ahmedabad says abracadabra". Times of India Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  8. "Bridges - To past, present & Future". Ahmedabad Mirror. 4 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  9. John, Paul (2 September 2011). "Hope lies in Ellisbridge". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  10. Ajay, Lakshmi (27 February 2015). "Ahmedabad city turns 604". The Indian Express. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  11. "Manek Burj's sorry state fails to move AMC". DNA. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
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