- author, Azizullah Khan
- position, BBC Urdu
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image source, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
Jahan Ara is a beautiful and talented princess. Many historians remember her as ‘the most influential princess of the Mughal era’ and ‘the richest princess in the world’. In history, much has been written about his ‘Amarat’ i.e. his reign and his influence and dominance during the Mughal period.
But not much is mentioned about Princess Jahan Ara’s visit to Peshawar in present day Pakistan and the construction of a modern hostel during her time for the convenience of merchants. Peshawar was a major commercial center during the Mughal period. Trade from Delhi to Central Asia was carried on through Peshawar. A group of businessmen from different countries stay here. Their business operations are held here. After this the traders will rest and refresh themselves. Cattle carrying goods also get rest. The expedition then moves on to the next destination. These facilities for merchants in Peshawar did not exist before the arrival of Jahan Ara. Jahan Ara reached Peshawar in 1638. He made a big announcement during his time there.
Sarai Jahan Ara Begum
Jahan Ara saw the problems of the people here. He announced that he would build a modern inn here especially after seeing the problems of the merchants staying. The work of the inn began in 1638. It was completed in 1641. The building is remembered in history books by the names ‘Caravan Sarai’, ‘Sarai Jahan Begum’ and ‘Sarai To Dhar’. ”Jahan Ara Begum built this inn at an important location in Peshawar city. It is very secure as it is built inside the city fort,” said Abdus Samad Khan, Director of Archaeology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Apart from living rooms, all kinds of facilities were made for traders. The inn was built at a very high place in the middle of the city called ‘Ghor Khatri’ where a small verandah was built in front of each room and a large reception room was built near the room. Merchants sat in reception and made their deals. Apart from that, a separate place was provided for resting the cattle carrying goods.
There was a well for water and a beautiful mosque with it.
“There were so many rooms in this hostel. Only 140 of them were usable,” Noor Khan, who is in charge of Ghor Khatri, told the BBC.
He said that there were a total of eight satras in Peshawar at that time, where traders and people from other areas stayed, but the facilities in them were not as good as the one built by Ara.
image source, HULTON ARCHIVEHULTON ARCHIVE
Who is Jahan Ara?
Ara Begum is one of the most important women of the Mughal era. She was the eldest daughter of Shahabuddin Muhammad Khurram, popularly known as Shah Jahan. His mother’s name was Arjumant Bano Begum popularly known as ‘Mumtaj Mahal’. Ara was the eldest and ‘favourite daughter’ of Shahjahan. She was also given honorific titles like ‘Badshah Begum’ and ‘Fatima Zaman Begum’. “Nowhere is there much mention of Jahan Ara Begum’s time in Peshawar or beyond. Peshawar was an important city from the point of view of trade during the Mughal period. Jahan Ara was an impressive figure in that period,” noted historian and archaeologist Ali Jan told the BBC.
Historical texts indicate that Ara Begum paid much attention to public welfare work. He also did a lot of public welfare work in Delhi. He built mosques. The economy was also arranged for them. Waqfs (administrative bodies) were established for them. The money for them came from the shops in the markets adjacent to the mosques. From this income, salaries were paid to the mosque’s Imam, Mu’azin (caller of Azan), Khatif (sermonist) and other employees. The same money was spent on repairs and other works of the mosque.
A princess who did business
Jahan Ara was given a large share from the properties of his mother Mumtaz Mahal and father Shah Jahan. It includes income from estates along with cash. He inherited the largest share from his parents’ assets as compared to his siblings. Aara took care of her siblings after her mother passed away. But later the power struggle led to a dispute between the brothers. Historical records say that Jahan Ara favored his elder brother Tara Shikoh. But at the same time Aurangzeb seized power through his might. Many wars were fought in this regard.
What is a core cartridge?
Ghor Ghatri is the highest point in the hinterland of Peshawar. Ali Jan says that the word means ‘grave of fighters’. The history of this place is as old as the history of ancient Peshawar. The city was inhabited before the Common Age. Some experts claim that archaeological remains of a civilization dating back seven thousand years have been discovered in Peshawar. “Buddhist archeological remains have been found here. It is known from history books that Buddha’s ‘Yasaka Bowl’ was kept here.” Ali John said about ‘Gor Khatri’. Apart from Buddhism, ruins of ancient Hindu civilization have also been found here. People from different civilizations lived here. The rulers during the Mughal period paid special attention to this place. “The Mughal emperor Zahiruddin Babur wrote in his biography ‘Babarnama’ that on 17 November 1525, I expanded my army thinking to conquer India,” Ali John said. On reaching Peshawar, Ali John noted that Babur visited Ghor Khatri. “Here (Ghor In Gatri) there are no dark, cramped chillakas (meditation places) for worshipers anywhere in the world. After entering through the door and descending a step or two, one must first crouch and then crawl forward,” wrote Babur. “You can’t go in here without light. Apart from this, long hair is seen on the heads and beards of those who come for jayarat (pilgrimage) or worship.”
Relationship between Ghor Khatri and Gorakhnath
Historical records say that a Hindu physician named Gorakhnath used to sit at this place and people came from far and wide to him for treatment. A temple named Gorakhnath was also established here. It is also said that the name Gor Khadri is due to the fact that Vaidyar Gorakhnath was mentioned here.
There are two large doors leading into the Core Gutrie. Because of these doors Aara Chatram is also known as ‘Sarai Do Dhar’. When Ranjit Singh came to power in this region, he also chose this place to administer the city. A municipal office was established here,” noted Abdus Samad.
Apart from this, the administrative officer of the city will also sit and work at this place. This gate is very high. Above the gate was the living room. The rooms of the inn here are very good. These rooms are spread out in a row on all four sides and offer a beautiful view. In the middle is a temple with huge trees and gardens. During the British era, Tahsil Committee offices and fire stations were built here. Fire engines can still be seen there today. After 2000, a ten-year plan was launched to promote tourism and protect archaeology. Its aim is to preserve these buildings and other archaeological ruins. Hostel rooms were converted into shops. Traditional artisans were invited here. Apart from this, excavations were carried out at some places of archaeological importance. Various historical materials were also obtained from it. All these are housed in a small museum located in Gor Khatri. Over time the artisans left those shops. Now again these rooms or shops have started turning into ruins. Therefore, continuous efforts should be made to preserve these buildings.
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