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| Ajmer
city is a famous pilgrimage place for Hindus
as well as for Muslims alike who come to pray
at the revered Dargah, or the holy shrine
of the popular 13th century Sufi Saint Hazrat
Khwaja Moin-ud-din Hasan Chishti. The Dargah,
together with its mosques is believed to be
a place of wish fulfillment for those who
pray with devout and pure hearts. Every year,
the six-day Urs Festival marks the death anniversary
of Chishti. During this festival thousands
of pilgrims of different faiths visit the
Dargah from all over the world in prayer and
celebration. |
| Ajmer
was founded by Ajayadeva, an 11th-century
Rajput ruler. It was annexed shortly afterwards
by the Delhi Sultanate in 1193, but was returned
to the local rulers upon payment of tribute.
During the medieval period, Ajmer became a
part of the mighty Mughal Empire and was then
an important military center. Military campaigns
against local Rajput rulers were initiated
from Ajmer . |
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At the end of 12 th century, a Sufi saint
Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, the patron saint
of Ajmer , arrived here. Born in Asfahan in
1135 he lost his father at a young age. As
time passed, he came in touch with a mystic,
Hazrat Ibrahim Qandoozi, who left his young
mind with an impression that was never to
be erased. Soon after, he recognized a higher
calling and left for Khorasan. |
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Chishti traveled far and wide and during his
search, met spiritual guide Hazrat Khwaja
Usman Harooni, who accepted him as a mureed
(spiritual disciple) and with whom he met
mystics and sought the Truth. In 1186 he was
appointed successor by his spiritual guide
and a year later, after his visit to Medina
, ensued on his journey to Ajmer . |
| The
revered Sufi saint arrived in Ajmer in 1192
as an ambassador of peace and humanism. Popularly
known as Gharib Nawaz (protector of the poor),
he dedicated his entire life to the service
of mankind. His simple life spanned almost
a 100 years and he embraced death in solitude
in 1236 while he had withdrawn to his cell
for six days, asking not to be disturbed.
The Dargah erected by Humayun also has mosques
that were built by rulers like Shah Jahan,
Jahangir and Akbar. |
| Emperor
Akbar made several pilgrimages to Ajmer on
foot and also built the kos minars (brick
pillars marking every two miles) along the
road from Agra for pilgrims. He also built
a fort here called Akbar's Palace. The Emperor
Shahjahan built marble pavilions around the
Ana Sagar Lake in the 17th century. The Scindia
rulers of Gwalior took over Ajmer , which
was then taken over by the British in 1818.
The British also founded the prestigious school,
Mayo College , in Ajmer in 1875. |
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