What is Rani no Hajiro famous for?

Rani no Hajiro is a place that consists of tombs of the Queens of Sultan Ahmed Shah and other kings.

Who built Ahmed Shah’s tomb?

Ahmed Shah’s tomb was built by his elder son Muhammad Shah II in between 15th century.

When was Rani no Hajiro built?

According to historians and reports it is said that the Rani no Hajiro was built in the year 1445.

Who built Rani no Hajiro?

The Rani no Hajiro was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah I to preserve the legacy of Mughal Queens.

Witnessing Rani No Hajiro: The Tomb Of Queens In Ahmedabad

Everyone knows about the iconic tombs of India, such as the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, and Bibi ka Maqbara, built by Aurangzeb, which shows their affection towards their Queen. But have you ever heard about the Rani no Hajiro which is not dedicated to a single Queen but the Queens of Gujarat Sultanate. Let’s dive deeper into the Rani no Hajiro in Ahmedabad.

About Rani no Hajiro

The Rani no Hajiro in Ahmedabad, also known as the Mughalai Bibi’s Tomb, is located in the Manek Chowk area and recites the history of Old Ahmedabad. This tomb is dedicated to the Queens of Sultan Ahmed Shah; one is said to be the founder of Gujarat and made Ahmedabad its capital. These tombs are located at the east of the Ahmed Shah’s Tomb.

Rani no Hajiro History & Architecture

If we look at Rani no Hajiro history, it was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1445 to preserve the legacy of the Mughal Queens of the Gujarat Sultanate. Each tomb is made to look like an intricately carved masterpiece designed with the finest metalwork that narrates the story itself.

Whenever you enter the Rani no Hajiro, you will find that the enclosure is highly elevated above the ground and is entered by a lofty gateway and a beautiful courtyard surrounded by the cloister. The square has a gap of about 37 metres.

The courtyard consists of eight marble tombs dedicated to the Queens of Sultan Ahmed Shah I and other rulers of Gujarat. If we look at the tombs, the principal tomb belongs to the Queen “Mughalai Bibi” who was the wife of Sultan Muhammad Shah II and the mother of Mehmud Begada; hence, the tomb has another name, “Mughalai Bibi’s Tomb” or “Mughalai Bibi’s Maqbara.”” The Mughalai Bibi’s tomb of Rani no Hajiro in Ahmedabad is richly decorated in white marble and has a Persian inscription.

Adjacent tomb in Rani no Hajiro, you will find another tomb made up of black marble, which was once inlaid with mother of pearl; it is an organic material that is produced by mollusks for protection since it is solid and resilient, is dedicated to the Murki Bibi or Mirki Bibi who was the wife of Shah-e-Alam who was the sister of the Queen and daughter of the Jam of Sindh. You will find rich brocades.

The tombs of Rani no Hajiro in Ahmedabad are covered with rich brocade works; these are the textiles developed under the reign of Ahmed Shah I. Look at the carvings and stone tracery of Rani no Hajiro. You will find that it is a combination of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic styles of architecture, as well as Indo-Islamic styles of architecture. Some Muslim families living inside the Rani no Hajiro take care of the tombs.

Things To Do in Rani no Hajiro

1. Explore The Tombs

The main attraction of the Rani no Hajiro is the tombs. They are finely crafted with marble and are the mother of pearls. You can explore every minute detail of these tombs whenever you enter the Rani no Hajiros of Ahmedabad.

2. Learn About The History Of Every Queen

We know that this tomb is dedicated to the Queen of Ahmed Shah and other emperors of Gujarat, so you can learn about these Queens, such as the story of Mughalai Bibi or the tale of Mirki Bibi, their role in the King’s life, their contribution towards Gujarat, etc. You can hire a history expert to learn more about the Queens.

Suggested Read: 15 Best Things To Do In Gujarat

3. Photography

Whether you are a history and heritage enthusiast or a traveller, everyone loves photography. You can take beautiful images of those intricately carved pillars of the corridors in Rani no Hajiro and those tombs and keep them forever in your memories.

4. Tasting The Delicacy of Manek Chowk

As the Rani no Hajiro is located near Manek Chowk, you can explore the bustling street food market of Manek Chowk, where you can find more than 150 scrumptious food items. The Manek Chowk is a multifunctional square of Ahmedabad that works as a vegetable market in the morning and a jewellery market in the afternoon. It transitions into a crowded street food market after 9:00 pm.

5. Shopping

As we know, Manek Chowk near the Tomb is a multifunctional market where you can shop for souvenirs such as handicrafts, traditional clothes, jewellery, and local snacks.

How to Reach Rani no Hajiro

As you know, everything about how to reach Rani no Hajiro of Ahmedabad is here. Here are some suitable routes that you can choose

1. By Road

Ahmedabad city is well connected with well-maintained routes and highways, and you can easily reach here by any private bus, car, or state bus. From there, you can reach Manek Chowk to visit the Queen’s Tomb.

2. By Railways

The nearest railway station to Rani no Hajiro in Ahmedabad Junction railway station, and from here, you can opt for any auto rickshaw, cab, or city bus according to your convenience.

3. By Airlines

The nearest airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, from which you can book any private cab or auto rickshaw to reach Manek Chowk, depending on your luggage and budget. Manek Chowk is one of the most well-known places in Ahmedabad, and anyone can quickly get there.

Best Time To Visit Rani no Hajiro

Now you know about the Queen’s Tombs and how to get there, and you must be thinking about the best time to visit Rani no Hajiro. Looking at the weather conditions of Gujarat and Ahmedabad city, the best time to visit Rani no Hajiro is from October to February since the climate is cool and comfortable enough to explore. If you stay here in summer, you must take extra precautions from the scorching heat.

Places To Visit Near Rani no Hajiro

1. Sidi Saiyyed Mosque:

If you are looking for another historical and architectural place near Ahmedabad, visit the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque. The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque is renowned for its intricately carved “lattice work,” or the “Jali work” on its mosque’s You willMosquefind the latticework in the form of a ‘Tree of ‘life’ pattern that later became the symbol of Ahmedabad. The “Tree of “life” is also”seen in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism inscriptions.

2. Akshardham Temple:

The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is one of the best places to visit near Rani no Hajiro. It is the largest Hindu complex in Gujarat. It is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, said to be the manifestation of the Hindu God, Lord Krishna. This temple is one of the architectural marvels that everyone must visit once in their lifetime. The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is located in the Gandhinagar area of Ahmedabad which is dedicated to devotion and peace.

3. Vastrapur Lake:

Another spot after Rani no Hajiro is the Vastrapur Lake, located near the banks of the Sabarmati River, 25 km from Ahmedabad. Vastrapur Lake is one of the most beautiful places in Gujarat state. It is surrounded by lush greenery, and the riverside is decorated with various stones. The lake was established in 2002 by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). It was later named Bhakt Kavi Narsinh Mehta Sarovar to honour Kavi Narsinh Mehta, also known as Narsinh Bhagatwas, a saint born in Gujarat in the 15th century.

4. Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaza:

The Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaza are other locations where you can visit. The Bhadra Fort is named after the “Bhadrakali temple,” which” is inside the Ahmed Sarair region fort. There are various stories related to Bhadrakali. One of them is that Goddess Laxmi once entered the Bhadra Fort and blessed the city to always remain prosperous. The Teen Darwaza is a doorway with three intricately carved arches. According to reports, the construction of these gates was completed in 1915. Another interesting fact about these arches is that they were added to the logo of AMC, which is Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

5. Hathee Singh Jain Temple

The Hathee Singh Jain Temple, also known as Huthee Singh Temple, is one of the best attractions of Ahmedabad. It was built in 1848 by a renowned Jain merchant, Hathee Singh, whose wife completed it after his death. Let’s look at the architecture of Hathee Singh Jain Temple. It is made of white marble and is dedicated to 52 Tirthankaras of the Jain community. You can also find the Indo-Islamic style of architecture in some areas of the temple.

6. Qutub-ud-din Mosque

If you want another mosque, visit the Qutub-ud-din Mosque in Ahmedabad. The Mosque was builtMosqueltan Qutub-ud-din Ahmed Shah II under the reign of Muhammad Shah II. This mosque is anotheMosqueple of Indo-Islamic style of architecture. You will see five large and ten smaller domes with beautiful arched gates whenever you visit the mosque. The mosque combines Hindu and Islamic architecture, and another name for the mosque is “Patthar Wali Masjid.”

Restaurants near Rani no Hajiro

You have explored everything about the Tomb of Queens of Ahmed Shah and other Kings and visited the places nearby, but why kill the stomach in between? You can see some areas near the Tomb of Queens in Ahmedabad.

1. Khanpur Restaurant

Near the Patthar Wali Masjid Square, you can visit the Khanpur Restaurant, one of the best family-friendly restaurants that serve delicious food at an affordable price.

2. New Irani Restaurant

At walking distance from Manek Chowk, you will find the New Irani Restaurant, known for its value-for-money food with a delicious taste. The New Irani Restaurant is one of the best restaurants near Rani no Hajiro, and it has various cuisines, including Asian food. The New Iranian Restaurant also has vegetarian-friendly options suitable for lunch.

3. Agashiye Restaurant

Agashiye must be on your bucket list if you are looking for sic restaurants. It is just 0.3 km from the Manek Chowk area. This restaurant is best for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It serves a variety of Indian and Asian cuisines at a pocket-friendly price. Agashiye also provides gluten-free and vegan cuisines for consumers.

Hotels Near Rani no Hajiro

1. The House Of Mg:

At a distance of 0.7 km from the Tomb of Queens, you will find The House of Mg, one of the best hotels near Rani no Hajiro. They provide spacious, big premium rooms and call themselves boutique tea in Ahmedabad. You will get all the amenities and comforts of contemporary living.

2. Hotel Volga:

Located approximately 0.5 km away, the Hotel Volga is known for its value-for-money services. You will get the premium rooms at a reasonable price. The amenities they provide are high-speed internet, free parking, and much more.

3. Hotel Alka Inn

If you are looking for a comfortable room at a reasonable price, you can visit the Hotel Alka Inn, which is just 1 km from the tomb. This hotel is known for its value-for-money services and provides premium and comfortable accommodation at a pocket-friendly price; they also provide other amenities like free internet, toiletries, Television, etc.

Conclusion:

Whether you are a heritage or history enthusiast or a typical tourist, the Rani no Hajiro is a place that narrates stories from the past using its Indo-Islamic style of architecture. It’s a hidden gem of Ahmedabad. So whenever you are in Manek Chowk of Ahmedabad, do not forget to visit the Tomb of Queens.

Rani No Hajiro: The Tomb of Ahmed Shah’s Queens