Sunaina Malik
Roads are to connect the lives so does the Mughal Road. Today Mughal Road is connecting three culturally and geographically different areas like Rajouri, Poonch and Kashmir. As the word Mughal Road indicates that this path had been a route used by the great Mughal Emperors like Akbar Jhangir and Shah Jahan for reaching Kashmir Valley during their time of reign .It is because of this that Mughal Road has acquired a royal status.
Mughal Road is one of most charming highways of state of Jammu and Kashmir.This road was basically originated from Bhimber an area situated in the south west of Jammu and Kashmir State in PoK in Pakistan. In ancient days this Road was one of the most crowded and safest route used to enter in Valley from Punjab and parts of Indian Sub Continent. This road was also named as (Road of Salt) as whole of the Valley was devoid of any source of salt as mentioned in book written by Laurance (The Valley of Kashmir) so the salt was imported from Punjab ,Valley of Jahlem and Bhimber only through this route. It is because of this that Mughal road was also called as Road of Salt. Mughal Road as a high way of salt was also used by a famous Kashmiri poet Kashminder in one of his renowned poem (Samay ma tar ka). This was further proved by Larance in his book Valley of Kashmir on page 392, he states that when I got a chance to visit Valley through this route of Peer Gali I have seen vehicles loaded with salt on this road. A most famous Chinese writer Aokong who happened to come to Kashmir during 659AD wrote about different routes connecting Valley to outer world after describing three main routes he also referred to the fourth road connecting Lahore and Punjab with Valley. He further writes that for most part of the year this road remains close due to bad weather more over it gets opened only when some royal caravan had to move over it(see to safar nama Aokong page 22).
The real track of Mughals was from Lahore to Gujarat, Bhimber, Saidabad, Nowshera ,Chingus, Rajouri, Thanna Mandi ,Ratanpeer, Behram Gala, Poshana, Peer ki Gali, Alia Bad, Jajinad, Anganari, Daubji and then through Heerpur one can enter in Kashmir (Heaven on Earth). In addition to historical releavence, this road is also blessed by so many attractive spots and over it construction of Mughal forts along the road adds more importance to this great route of Mughals. Our Kashmir was an independent State but it was in 586 that emperor Akbar flagged his victory over Kashmir and it was in 1589 that Jalal -ud-din Mohammed Akbar for the first time entered in the land of Kashmir (see Akbar Nama by Abu Fazal) through Mughal road. After going through Akbar Nama it gets clearly evident that Bhimber, Nowshera, Chingus, Rajouri ,Thanna, Ratan Peer, Behram Gala, Poshana, Peer Gali Aliabad, Jaji Nad, Anga Nari, Daubji and Heer Pur were main spots where Mughal caravan rested. After Akbar the great it was Jhangir his son who ordered for the construction of forts for night stay of caravans as it was impossible and very hard to live under tents during bad weather conditions.
Newly contructed Mughal Road is about 89km from Bufliaz to Heer Pur .Today it is the smoothest and artistically built highway. Dozens of historical spots, beautiful grass laden mountains, waterfalls, different and fragrant species of flowers, lush green meadows, charming huts and sweet song of natural wild birds adds more beauty to this road. One can never get bored while traveling on Mughal Road. In a very shorter span of four hours one can reach heaven on earth from Bufliaz. Following are some main areas along with their stories where Mughal emperor loved to stop along with their many wives, ministers and servants.
Fort of Chingus-Fort of Chingus is one of magnificent forts built by great Mughal emperors. This is one of the Mughal forts presented to us in full form situated about 20km from district Rajouri after crossing Nowshera. Mughal caravan used to take rest at this place. Avery beautiful story is related to fort of Chingus. Chingus is a word of Turkish language which mean intestine. It is said that during 1627 when Jahangir along with his wife Noorjhan and his caravan was returning from Kashmir at place of Chandimargh he felt ill and one day during his illness he ordered one of his servants to bring a deer for him keeping king’s order servant bought a deer and while bringing the deer down to base camp servant slipped to death cold bloodily all this being watched by Jahangir caused a sever heart attack to him and on 29th Oct. 1627 this painful incident became cause of his death at Thanna Mandi area. Later on Noorjahan kept this incident as a top secret in order to avoid agitation in kingdom .She reacted very boldly ,managed the operation of king’s body and buried his intestine at Chingus so that body may ooze bad smell as a result this place got its name as Chingus.
Rajouri-After Chingus Rajouri was main retiring place of Mughals. In ancient time Rajouri was called as (Rajpuri). During 631-633 Raj Puri was under the supervision of Kashmir. A visitor named Hauon Sang named Rajpuri as (Ho lushi polo).
Thanna Mandi–Thanna is also blessed by art of Mughal artists in the form of a big and versatile fort.This fort was built during 15th and 16th century at the time of Jhangir after fort of Chingus. Fort of Thanna Mandi is another example of Mughal royalty Tall strong and beautifully constructed wall of fort can be seen as epitome of safety and security.
Noori Cham–Moving a head there came a spot which has mesmerising effect over the minds of its visitors the spot is known as Noori Cham after the name of Noor Jahan loving wife of emperor Jahangir. Noori Cham is about one mile away from Bufliaz area. This area is blessed by a charming, refreshing and a life full water fall. King Jhangir had constructed a foot step for him from where he used to enjoy the beauty and freshness of this waterfall for hours
together.
(To be continued)