Suraj Kund
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Surajkund (सुरजकुंड) is an ancient reservoir of the 10th century located on Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli range in Faridabad city of Haryana state about 8 km from South Delhi.[1] Surajkund is known for its annual fair "Surajkund International Craft Mela".
Origin
Variants
History
It is said to have been built by the king Surajpal of the Tomara dynasty in the 10th century. Tomar, a younger son of Anangpal Tomar - the ruler of Delhi, was a sun worshipper and he had therefore built a Sun temple on its western bank.[2]
Archaeological excavations have revealed existence of a Sun temple here based on ruins that can be seen even now. Certain carved stones were recently recovered from the reservoir. Some stones have also been re–used in subsequent restoration works. Some historians also claim it was named after King Surajpal himself who built it.[3] It is also said that Suraj Pal built this lake for his daughter.[4]
During the Tughlaq Dynasty rule of Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1351–88), the reservoir was refurbished by rebuilding the steps and terraces with stones in lime mortar. On the western bank of the reservoir, a garhi (cave like structure) was built close to the ancient site of the Sun temple.[5]
Though historians have not specifically alluded to this tank, it is also said that it was built in 686 AD by Suraj Pal (after whom the tank is probably named) son of Anang Pal I. It is in the form of a segment (semi circular) with the chord on its west side.[10] Another theory for the name 'Suraj' suffixed to the kund (lake) is that it was named after the Sun Temple that existed on the east side of the lake.[6]
Even though the Tomar dynasty vanished in the 12th century, the Surajkund has not been affected. It attracted the attention of the Haryana Government to develop the area as a tourist spot by introducing an annual crafts 'Mela' or "fair" titled "Surajkund Crafts Mela" in the precincts of the lake, which over the years has attracted wide publicity and become an iconic event.[7]
सुरजकुंड
सुरजकुंड (AS, p.983) : दिल्ली से प्राय: 15 मील दक्षिण की ओर पूर्वमध्यकालीन एक नगर के खंडहर इस स्थान पर हैं. इस नगर की स्थापना 1000 ई. के लगभग तोमर नरेश अनंग पाल ने की थी. सूरजकुंड इस क्षेत्र का सर्व प्राचीन स्मारक है. महाराज पृथ्वीराज चौहान की राजधानी 12 वीं सदी में इसी स्थान पर बसे हुए नगर में थी. पृथ्वीराज की ईस्ट देवी जोगमाया का मंदिर जो सूरजकुंड से कुछ दूरी पर स्थित है मूल रूप में पृथ्वीराज के समय का बताया जाता है. [8]
External links
References
- ↑ Sharma, Y.D (2001). Delhi and its Neighbourhood. Surj
- ↑ Peck, Lucy (2005). Delhi - A thousand years of Building. Suraj Kund dam and Surajkund tank. New Delhi: Roli Books Pvt Ltd. p. 29. ISBN 81-743
- ↑ J. F. Blakiston (2007). 11- Annual Report of the Archaeological Survey of India 1924–1925. ISBN 1-4067-5201-0.
- ↑ "Suraj Kund"
- ↑ Sharma, Y.D (2001). Delhi and its Neighbourhood. Surjakund and Anagpur Dam. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. p. 100 in 161.
- ↑ Peck, Lucy (2005). Delhi - A thousand years of Building. Suraj Kund dam and Surajkund tank. New Delhi: Roli Books Pvt Ltd. p. 29. ISBN 81-7436-354-8.
- ↑ "A village goes global". How it all began. Tribune. 10 February 2007.
- ↑ Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.983