Joined the Gond and Bhonsle Period Walk by Immersive Trails, conducted by Ar Mandira Neware.
Gond and Bhonsle Period Walk.
The walk started from the entry gate to the Palace of the Gond King.
A brief history of the Gond Kings was explained. Which is given towards the end.
As shown in one of the framed photographs hanging in the palace verandah, at one time, the palace was protected by a fortified wall with four main gates built of stone to rival any gates of any fort and were big enough for elephants to pass through. Today, except for one of the gates, through which a narrow tar road passes with densely packed buildings on both sides, the fortified wall and three of the main gates have fallen prey to the passage of time and urbanisation of the area.
After spending and admiring the gate with Nagarkhana, we proceeded towards the palace. At the end of the narrow street, saw an insignificant and dilapidated gate set between a green painted wall. After passing through that gate, we entered a huge courtyard, which was rather ill-maintained. At one end of the courtyard, what we saw was a yellow lime-washed verandah. This was the frontage of the palace of the Gond King. It is private property, and the descendants of the Gond king are residing there.
There were some interesting framed photographs hanging in the verandah, a testament to the past glory of the Gond Kings.
There was not much to see. There was a vintage Morris and a couple of cars of recent origin. A nonfunctional water fountain and a step well. The general impression was of neglect and poor maintenance
After taking a group photograph, we bid farewell to The Place of Gond Kings.
A brief history of the Nagpur Gond Kings.
Nagpur was founded in 1702 by the Gond King Bakht Buland Shah of the Gond dynasty, which had ruled Deogarh, situated about 40 km south of Chindwara.
After his death in 1706, he was succeeded by his elder son Chand Sultan. He carried out a lot of reforms in his kingdom and planned the layout of the new city of Nagpur. The kingdom prospered under him. After his death, the throne was usurped by his illegitimate son Wali Shah. The widow requested Maratha leader Raghuji Bhonsle of Berar for aid to restore the throne to her sons, Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah. With his help, Wali Shah was killed, and the throne was restored to the rightful owners, Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah. Raghoji was rewarded handsomely and sent back to Berar.
A rivalry developed between the brothers. This time, Burhan Shah requested Raghoji Bhonsle for help.
Raghoji Bhonsle came to help Burhan Shah. Akbar Shah was driven into exile. This time, Raghoji Bhonsle did not return to Bera but declared himself as the "protector" of the Gon King. Thus, in 1743, all power was assumed by the Maratha ruler, and Burhan Shah was practically reduced to a pensioner.
PS
Please do read the captions for more info.
Gate to the Palace of Gond King - Deogarh Fort.
The starting point for our Immersive Trails " Gond and Bhosle Period walk."
Staircase to the top of the Gond Raja Palace Gate.
On top of the Gond Raja Palace Gate.
View from the top of the Gond Raja Palace Gate.
View from the top of the Gond Raja Palace Gate.
View of the doors of rooms inside the Gond Raja Palace Gate.
Photo taken from the opposite side of the door of a similar room.
Interior of the rooms inside the Gond Raja Palace Gate.
View from the Doors of rooms inside the Gond Raja Palace Gate.
Vintage Morris car of Gond Kings with registration plate bearing Gond Coat Of Arms and words Nagpur.
Defunct fountain in the courtyard of Palace ofthe Gond King.
This is the gate we exited the Gond King Palace.
Zoom in to see the Gond Kings' Coat of Arms.
Ar Mandira briefing the group.
Gond and Bhonsle Period Walk.
Ar Mandira Naware.
Vingae Morris car of Gond Kings with registration plate bearing Gond Coat Of Arms and words Nagpur.
The Verandah of the Palace of Gond Kings.
"Coins of the Gond Kings of Deogarh"
One of the many informative photo frames is put up in the verandah of the Palace of the Gond King.
"Coins of the Gond Kings of Deogarh"
One of the many informative photo frames is put up in the verandah of the Palace of the Gond King.
"Nagpur founder King Baktbuland Shah, 1702
Boundary of the Fort"
One of the many informative photo frames is put up in the verandah of the Palace of the Gond King.
One of the many informative photo frames put up in the verandah of the Palace of Gond Kings. This one gives a history of the Gond Kings of Deogarh.
Going to see the only remaining बुरुज (bastion of the fort) from the Palace of the Gond King.
Kids from the group are looking over the Defunct fountain in the courtyard of the Palace of the Gond King.
The only remaining बुरुज ( bastion of the fort) from the Palace of Gond King.
Access to the Palace of the Gond King is through this insignificant and dilapidated gate.
View of Kalyaneshwar Temple gate.
On the way to Kalyaneshwar Temple, gate saw the vintage shop frontage still surviving. Note the fine, beautiful woodwork
On the way to Kalyaneshwar Temple, gate saw the vintage shop frontage still surviving. Note the fine, beautiful woodwork.
Kalyaneshwar Temple Gate.
Shree Siddhi Vinayak Temple , Mahal.
