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The Legendary City
Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, 92km north of
Delhi , Panipat is
famous in Indian history as a place where the fate of great empires was
decided more than once. The cradle of rich Indian cultural heritage,
Panipat is known for its handloom products.
The land of flies
Panipat is reputed to be one of the most fly-infested places in India. It
is said that a Muslim saint, Bu Ali Shah Qalandar who is buried here had
totally rid Panipat of flies. But when people complained that he had done
too good a job he gave them all the flies back, multiplied by a thousand.
Since it fell on the route of land invasions to Delhi from the northwest,
history was more often made at Panipat than Delhi. The repeated battles at
Panipat did not leave much by way of historic relics, but the tomb of
Ibrahim Lodi, the Kabuli Bagh Mosque built by Babar to commemorate his
victory, the Salarjung Gate, all architectural masterpieces in themselves,
bear testimony to those tumultuous times.
Today, Panipat has carved out its place among not only the first few fast
developing cities, but also those having the highest per capita income in
the country.
The Historical Battles
The first battle of Panipat fought in AD 1526 in which invader Babur
defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, the Sultan of Delhi, on April 26. In the second
battle of Panipat, on November 5, 1556, Akbar's guardian Bairam Khan
defeated the Hindu ruler Hemu. Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan ruler
defeated the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat that took place on 13
January 1761.
Tourist Attractions
Ibrahim Lodi's
Tomb: This king who was defeated by Babur in 1526 AD in the
first battle of Panipat lies buried here within a tomb. The grave is
simply a rectangular block placed on a high platform approached by a
flight of steps made of lakhori bricks. The tomb was renovated by the
British, and an inscription mentioning Ibrahim Lodhi's defeat at the hands
of Babur and the renovation was included by them in 1866 AD.
Dargah
Of Bu Ali Shah Qalandar: The tomb of the revered sufi saint, Bu
Ali Shah Qalandar who lived in the 13th century AD has been a place of
pilgrimage for people of religions. The grave is made of marble and
decorated with beautiful sculpture. The monument underwent successive
additions and alterations. Today, the Dargah beckons pilgrims from far and
near and Urs Mubarak is celebrated joyously with Sufi abandon every year
on the Saint's death anniversary.
Kabuli Shah
Mosque: situated 2 kms away from Panipat, Babur built this
mosque. Named after his wife Kabuli Begum, it was constructed by the king
to commemorate his victory over Ibrahim Lodhi. Six years later, when
Humayun defeated Salim Shah, he got a platform called Chabutara Fateh
Mubarak made around the mosque. The mosque is flanked by chambers on two
sides and an inscription in Persian runs along the parapet.
Jain Temples: There are Jain temples in Holi Mohalla and a shrine,
which is dedicated to the Muslim saint, Bu Ali Shah Qalandar. A fort rises
up away from Panipat at its highest point, still guarding the city from
invaders. There is a park named after the famous Urdu poet and critic
Altaf Hussein Haali, who was born in Panipat in 1837 AD.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
How To Get There
Rail: A well-developed network of rail network connects Panipat to
the rest of the country.
Road: The district is well connected by National Highway. It is
connected by road and rail with Delhi (south) and Ambala (north).
Where to Stay: Hotels & Restaurants
Midtown Hotel, AC rooms and restaurant.
Skylark Motel, AC rooms as well a dormitory and restaurant.
Blue Jay Tourist Complex.
Kala Amb Tourist Complex is also a decent place for short stays.
Also many smaller hotels and guesthouses on GT road offer accommodation.
SHOPPING
Panipat is a famous handloom centre. Furnishing fabrics and woollen
carpets are a speciality here. You can visit the weaving centres, see
craftsmen at work and buy directly from them what is exported to markets
around the world. One can expect great bargains here.
General Information
Population: 192,000
STD Code: 01742
Click Here for District Map Of
Panipat City
Click Here for Road Map Of
Panipat City
Click Here for Railway
Network Map Of Panipat City
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