Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park History | Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Timings | Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Ticket Price | Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park UPSC
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park is located in Panchmahal District of Gujarath State in India, This is the Famous Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared status in 2004, There are a group of monuments on this site like Religious buildings, Places, Forts, Court Yards, etc.
Champaner is placed withinside the Panchmahal district, some kilometers far from Vadodara on the foot of Pavagadh Hill in Gujarat. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is studded with 114 monuments, of which the handiest 39 are maintained through the ASI.
This module offers an in-depth account of those monuments and increases essential questions on the demanding situations confronted by architects and archaeologists in preserving a site as massive as this.
Located on the hill of Pavagadh which is formed by a Volcano a few million years ago above 800m from Land. The Transition of the Monuments is from Hindu to Islamic Architecture, As the Rule went from Hindu Kings to Mughal Emperors it has undergone Many Changes.
The Pavagadh Hill is surrounded by a panorama that turned into shaped through volcanic hobby consisting of numerous hillocks, escarpments, and plateaus.
On the hill’s top, you’ll locate the Kalikameta Temple that capabilities fortifications, status structures, and water installations that date again to the eighth and 4th centuries. You can even locate the abandoned metropolis of Mahmud Beghartha in addition to the village of Champaner inside the ancient middle of the town
History
During the Chavda Dynasty, The Champaner City was built by king Vanraj Cahavda in the 8th Century, Later During his reign, he built many Forts, Buildings, Palaces, Religious shrines, Temples, and the Temple is dedicated to Kalika Matha and also Stepwells are also found dating back to his era,.
Later in the 14th Century The transition has happened, The Rule went from Hindu kings to Islamic Kings
Champaner is the Only Ancient Site that still has unchanged Islamic-Mughal Architecture over Centuries, Most of the Mosques are built in 16th Century during Mughal Rule, But Now those places are not used for worship.
The Chauhan Rajputs made Pavagadh its Capital in 1300. But in 1484 this place was captured by Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada.
Following the defeat, Rajputs Committed mass suicides, Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada Turned Champaner Hill as his base and turned it into new Capital. In 1535, Mughal Emperor Humayun changed the Capital to Ahmedabad, From then this place went into ruins and became untouched.
Architecture.
Champaner Pavagadh is an Archeological Park and is famous because of its Architecture, UNESCO gave World Heritage Site Status after analyzing the Cultural and Historical reasons behind it.
This Place is located on the top of the hill and is dotted with forts, mosques, monuments, tombs, arches, temples, step-wells, and fortresses from the 8th to 14th century.
The Excavations are still going on in this area, The Total area of Champaner Pavagadh is approximately around 3300 Acres. The Pavadagh Hill was formed by a Volcanic eruption a few million years back and of Basalt Rock.
This Place has a mix of Monuments, Like there are Hindu Temples, Jain Temples, and Also Islamic Mosques. Forts before Mughal Era, The Step Wells were built 1500 years ago. The Fort Walls are very strong and above 30 Metres high, Built during Khichi Chauhans 1484 Era.
Places to Visit in Champaner
- Helical stepped well
- Sakar Khan’s Dargah
- City Gate near Kasbin Talao
- Citadel walls
- City walls at the south-east corner of the citadel going up the hill
- East and South Bhadra Gates
- Sahar ki Masjid (Bohrani)
- Three cells inside the citadel wall between Sahar ki Masjid the local fund Dharmashala
- Mandvi or Custom House
- Jami Masjid
- Stepwell north of Jama Masjid
- Kevda Masjid and Cenotaph
- Tomb with a big dome in the center and small corner domes on way to Khajuri Masjid near Wada Talao
- Cenotaph of Kevda Masjid
- Nagina Masjid
- Cenotaph of Nagina Masjid
- Lila Gumbaz ki Masjid, Chapaner
- Kabutarkhana Pavilion on the north bank of Wada Talao near Khajuri Masjid
- Kamani Masjid
- Bawaman Mosque
Places to Visit in Pavagadh
- Gate No. 1 on Pavagarh hill (Atak Gate)
- Gate No. 2 (with three gateways, Budhiya gate)
- Gate No. 3 (Moti gate, Sadanshah-Gate)
- Gate No. 4 with big bastion with cells in the interior
- Sat Manzil between gate Nos. 4 and 5 right up to bastions on top
- Mint above Gate No4
- Gate No. 5 near Machi (Gulan Bulan Gate)
- Gate No. 6 (Buland Darwaza)
- Makai Kothar
- Palace of Patai Rawal with tanks
- Gate No. 7 near the iron bridge (Makai Gate)
- Gate No. 8 (Tarapore Gate)
- The fort of Pavagad and ruined Hindu and Jain temples on the top of Pavagad hills
- Navlakha Kothar
- Walls of the fort on top
Tourism
The Champaner and Pavagadh are the most visited tourist Site in Gujarat, This is an archeological park Maintained by the Government of India and As well as the Archeological Survey of India. Funds from the International United nations also will be provided as this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO WHS Status
This Place was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site Status in 2004 because of its Islamic – Mughal architecture, As well as a Group of Monuments belonging to all religions having Cultural and Historical Backgrounds.
Travel
The Champaner Pavagadh Archeological Park is just 45 km away from Vadodara, The City of Gujarath, Tourist Buses and Transport Facilities are very much available from here. Also, Many Electric Buses maintained by ASI are also available to the destination.
Ticket Prices
The Park is Open All days, The Timings are between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
The Ticket Cost is 40 for Adults, 600 For Foreigners, and Free for Children up to 15 years Age.
References
The Above Article is written by taking many references from various articles , Also the Images are taken from different sites and all which are taken from other Sites are credited with links provided below.
History and Sites- Wikipedia
Architecture – India Culture
Timings and Tickets- gosachin
Booking.com