The extremely name Aligarh evokes wonderful memories and photos of AMU (Aligarh Muslim University), its famed lock market (Aligarh ke taale) and also its adab (cultured and refined behaviour). In actuality, it’s maybe Aligarh the place a person finds the previous vestiges of proverbial Muslim nafasat (fashion and tenderness in manners). Even once famed Lakhanavi adab is on the wane. But simply because of AMU, the varsity started by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the 19th century, Aligarh still has the remnants of Mughal tradition and that magnificent tahzeeb (sophistication) that flooring you.
It can be a town with a pronounced background. Apart from AMU, Aligarh is a town of poets. Urdu poet and lyricist Shakeel Badayuni examined at AMU and attributed the depth and profundity of his poetry to the contagiously cultural air and aura of Aligarh.
Poet Akhlaq Muhammad Khan ‘Shaharyaar’ (well known for the movie Umrao Jaan’s songs) taught Urdu at AMU. ‘Shaharyaar’ was his sobriquet. Wonderful historians Dr Muhammad Habib and his similarly illustrious son Professor Dr Irfan Habib have been Emeritus Professors at AMU’s Historical past Department.
There’re quite a few legends linked with Aligarh’s well-known lock field. The contributor came throughout an article in Manohar Kahaniyaan (Hindi, Mitra Prakashan, Mutthiganj, Allahabad now published by Delhi Press in a distinct get-up) that appeared in 1977. The article stated that there was an exodus of lock mechanics/makers (tala kaarigar) from Saurashtra’s Surat to Aligarh in the next 50 percent of the 18th century. That obscure short article (or most likely my memory is failing me) failed to point out the purpose/s as to why lock-makers of Surat left the area en masse to choose for a faraway place like Aligarh. It signifies, Surat was popular for its locks in advance of Aligarh donned this mantle- Town of locks. There could be a modicum of truth in it mainly because you will find nonetheless a saying in Hindi and Gujarati: Gujarati taale ki mazbooti (the energy and protection of Gujarati locks).
AMU has been witness to cultural upheavals and cavalcades of all sorts. It noticed its very best as perfectly as worst times. Its legendary Abdullah Corridor carries a deluge of recollections. The cine-goers however recall the great tune ‘Mere mahboob tujhe meri muhabbat ki qasam’ (penned by an ex-AMU scholar: Shakeel Badayuni) that was filmed on Rajendra Kumar in Mere Mahboob (1963). The movie was extensively shot on the campus of AMU. 1 can see the well known ‘Victoria Gate’ of AMU in the movie. Muhammad Rafi was so enamoured of the ambiance of AMU that he wistfully reported, ‘Kaash ke primary yahaan taalib-e-ilm hota’ (Wish, I have been a scholar right here).
Aligarh may perhaps not be as great or excellent as Lucknow is in conditions of Mughlai delicacies, just one continue to finds incredibly excellent and signature non-veg delicacies in Aligarh. Well-known ‘paaya soup’ and ‘nihari’ can be had at a handful of extremely very affordable and cleanse eateries in the vicinity of AMU.
If you stop by Aligarh, make it a level to check out AMU. It’s akin to viewing BHU when a single goes to Varanasi. Poet Gopaldas Saxena ‘Neeraj’ hailed from Aligarh and he as soon as wrote, ‘Iss Aligarh shahar ki baat hai nirali/aaya jo yahaan fauran iski taareef kar daali’ (You will find a little something extremely unique about Aligarh/Whoever visits, immediately falls in love with the spot and praises eloquently).
The fantastic Urdu poet Saghar Nizami belonged to Aligarh. So did Qura’tul-Ain Hyder, who wrote novels in English and Urdu.
The city’s ambiance is surcharged with tahzeeb and tammaddun (fantastic etiquette and civilized conduct).
I recall, how one gentleman took me to AMU in his automobile when I requested for the way to reach the varsity on my maiden check out to the town. He was Dr Aleem Khan, a former student of AMU from 1972 to 1974. Many thanks, Dr Khan. I still remember your nice gesture.
Others also had the same soul-gladdening and coronary heart-warming activities whilst interacting with the persons of this stunning metropolis. To encapsulate, Aligarh ( Pin Code 202001 ) leaves its indelible imprints on your heart, head and consciousness.
You feel like traveling to it at the time all over again.
