21 August 2017

Bajirao Peshva The Destroyer Of The Mughal Empire

Which are some of the best battles fought by Bajirao Peshwa I?

Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa (August 18, 1700 – April 28, 1740)

Bajirao fought over 41 battles and is reputed to have never lost one. He is one of the three Generals in world history who never lost a battle. He is often compared with Napoleon Bonaparte by many great historians. His first encounter, the Battle of Palkhed was a good example of his innovative warfare tactics. Looking back at this battle one is compelled to admire him. His battle with the Nizam at Bhopal is known to be a masterpiece of tactical war strategy and maturity of political view. A brilliant military tactician, a born leader and a brave soldier; in every possible, sense he was the true torchbearer of Chhatrpati Shivaji's dream.

Peshwa Bajirao, the great Maratha general and statesman, changed the map of India in the mid-eighteenth century. His military campaigns were classic examples of his genius.

It was he who expanded the Maratha Kingdom beyond Maharashtra across the Vindhyas and got it recognised in Delhi, the capital of the Mughals who kept Bharat (India) under their rule for many years. The Maratha Kingdom created by its founder, Shivaji, and later expanded by Bajirao reached its peak during his son’s reign twenty years after his death. After driving the Afghans out of the Punjab, they raised the saffron flag not just on the walls of Attock, but even beyond.

Bajirao is thus acknowledged as one of the greatest warriors in Indian history.

Peshwa Bajirao I (b. Aug 18,1699- d.28th April 1740) is considered the most valiant amongst the Peshwas. His swift cavalry movements and brilliant military strategies make him second only to the great Shivaji.

Bajirao was the son and successor of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath Bhat.

A young Bajirao was appointed the Peshwa (prime minister) by Chatrapati Shahu immediately after the death of Balaji Vishwanath (17th April 1720, at Masur camp near Satara).

Early years

Bajirao and his brother Chimaji were trained in the art of warfare, horsemanship and administration from their early teens, and were predestined to play a major role in Maratha history.

Bajirao was also a part of Balaji Vishwanaths entourage to Delhi (1718-19) and had gained first hand experience in mughal politics.

Bajirao was a very ambitious person and dreamt of expanding the borders of the Maratha kingdom further towards the north. He was witnessing a gradual deterioration in the Mughal power and wanted to take full advantage of this situation. Bajirao propounded a ‘forward policy’ for Maratha expansion.

He is said to have thundered in Shahus court, ‘Strike, strike at the trunk and the branches will fall off themselves. Listen but to my counsel, and I shall plant the Maratha banner on the walls of Attock’.

Shahu was deeply impressed and exclaimed, ‘By heaven, you shall plant it on the Himalayas’.

Predictably the young Bajiraos quick ascendency caused resentment amongst several of the senior nobles. Moreso because their own seniority had been disregarded.

Also there was a difference in opinion with Bajirao whom they considered an impetuous upstart.

They believed that the Marathas first ought to consolidate their empire in Maharashtra and continue then with Shivajis policy for strategic depth in the south. Whereas Bajirao found no oppurtunities in an already ravaged deccan and sensed potential in the north.

It was eventually Bajiraos wish that prevailed.

The influence of Sayyad brothers at Delhi had also eclipsed, with the murder of Sayyad Hussain and the confinement (and subsequent death) of Sayyad Abdullah by the mughal emperor Muhammed Shah ‘Rangila’ and the mughals no longer wished to honour their earlier sanads of chauth , sardeshmukhi and swaraj (given to the erstwhile Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath at Delhi, after a due treaty with the Sayyeds and the erstwhile emperor).

Subsequently Nizam Ul Mulk Kamruddin Khan Siddiqui was appointed the new Wazir and it was decided that he would deal with the marathas in the Deccan.

This also led to the maratha concentration in the north. (list of few campaign of the great Peshwa)

1. Clash with Nizam Ul Mulk

Bajirao had many stumbling blocks in his quest for creating Maratha hegemony. There were the Siddis at Janjira and the Portuguese challenging Maratha dominance on the western coast. But the foremost amongst Bajiraos foes was Nizam ul Mulk the mughal viceroy of Deccan (seated at Hyderabad), who sensing the weak control of the mughal emperors, had decided to establish his own independent kingdom in the Deccan.

The Nizam ul Mulk disregarded the right of the Marathas to collect chauth in the Deccan. Initial efforts towards a peacefull settlement (Chikalthan parley 1721) of the matter also failed despite the reaffirmation of the Mughal Maratha treaty from the Delhi court.

But in 1722, Nizam ul Mulks personal ambitions lay exposed before the mughal emperor and the latter (Muhammed Shah) started sidelining him. Nizam ul Mulk now rebelled openly against the mughal emperor and declared his regions as independent with the capital being Hyderabad. When the imperial army led by Mubariz Khan tried to seize the errant Nizam, the latter sought the help from his old enemies the Marathas and agreed to accept all their earlier demands. Shahu instructed Bajirao to send an contingent to assist the Nizam. Their collective armies subdued the imperial forces at Sakherkheda in 1724.

But true to his nature, Nizam ul Mulk after seeing the danger had passed by, once again provoked the Marathas by refusing to honour his word. To rub salt on the wounds, Nizam ul mulk propped up a coalition of Sambhaji II of Kolhapur, Chandrasen Jadhav,Udaji Chavan and Rao Rambha Nimbalkar against Shahu. When Peshwa and his troops had gone to collect Chauth in the south (in 1727), the Nizams forces made an surprise attack on Poona, whereby he proclaimed Sambhaji II to be his accepted Chatrapati. (Satara too came under threat and Ch.Shahu himself had to seek refuge in fort Purandar near Saswad).

2. Battle of Palkhed

Hearing the news of the attack, Bajiraos troops proceeded towards Poona . The Nizam was already waiting for the Peshwa with a huge army and artillery.

But the clever Peshwa was obviously a step ahead of the Nizam as far as war machinations were concerned. Instead of confronting the powerful Nizam's artillery in a pitched battle, he created a detour by plundering Nizams territories like Jalna, Khandesh and proceeded toward Burhanpur a rich mughal outpost in the control of the Nizam. Bajirao thus provoked the Nizam into leaving his base and give the Peshwa a chase. However the Nizam had to leave behind his heavy artillery in order to catch up with the Peshwas army. This was preciscely what the wily Peshwa wanted. As the Nizams army progressed towards the Peshwa, midway at Palkhed (a hill tract near Aurangabad) the Peshwa managed to trap and surround the Nizam.

The Nizam found himself in a precarious situation, surrounded as he was, without food and water supplies for days. The Nizam was soon forced to sign a humiliating treaty at Mungi Shevgaon (6th March, 1728), whereby the Nizam agreed to accept Shahu as the sole Maratha chatrapati and give up the cause of Sambhaji II forever. The Maratha rights for chauth were also recognized.

3. Malwa campaign

In October 1728, Bajirao and his troops launched an attack on Malwa. His contingent consisted of his brother Chimaji Appa, Tanoji Shinde,Malharrao Holkar and Udaji Pawar, all of whom were destined to great heights in the near future.The Marathas subdued the mughal forces and captured Malwa. The mughals later tried to dislodge the Marathas by deputing first Sawai Jaisingh of Amber and then Muhammed Khan Bangash. But their attempts to dislodge the Marathas from Malwa proved unsuccessful and they found themselves humbled.

4.Bundelkhand chapter :

Mughals under the governor Muhammed Khan Bangash had laid a siege in Bundelkhand since 1727. Its king Chatrasal (considering his friendly relations with the Marathas since the time of Shivaji ) appealed to the marathas for help, but the Maratha armies being engaged elsewhere, Shahu wasn’t able to send timely help.

Chatrasal offered a stiff resistance to the mughals but eventually was wounded and captured by Muhammed Khan Bangash at Jaitpur. Chatrasal again appealed to Peshwa Bajirao (in 1729) to come to his aid. This time around Bajirao himself was in proximity to Bundelkhand (at Garha,Malwa) and with his army came to the rescue of Chatrasal.

The Mughal commander Muhammed Bangash was surrounded at Jaitpur (and his son's army, which coming to his aid was also routed), forcing Bangash to accept defeat . He pleaded with Bajirao for a free passage to Delhi which Bajirao accepted in return for a promise that Bangash would never trouble Chatrasal ever again.

Extremely gratified towards Bajirao, Raja Chatrasal declared in an open durbar that the Peshwa was now onwards his adopted son, and accorded him a personal jagir (one third of his kingdom) which included Sagar,Banda and Jhansi (Bajirao entrusted its administration to Govind Pant - who later came to be known as Govind pant Bundele).

Chatrasal also gifted Bajirao his beautiful daughter Mastani (from his Persian muslim concubine). Mastani later bore Bajirao a son who was named Shamsher Bahadur.

4. Gujarat

Gujarat had a lot of free booters (Maratha confederates who often acted independently in the province of Gujarat). Prominent amongst these were Pilaji Gaekwad and Kanthaji Kadam Bande.They owed their allegiance to Sarsenapati Khanderao Dabhade who weilded influence in those regions.

The Maratha senapati Khanderao Dabhade was officially given charge for Gujrat by Ch.Shahu himself after the former had subdued the mughal officers in that state. After the death of Khanderao in 27th Sept,1729 his son Trimbakrao Dabhade was made senapati.

In Gujarat there was another player in the form of Hamid Khan who was a protégé of the Nizam ul Mulk.

When the mughal emperor despatched Sarbulund Khan in July 1724, to get control of Gujrat which was engulfed in rivalry between mughal nobility, Hamid Khan entered into a understanding with Bande to prevent the imperial interference. He gave him rights to collect chauth towards the north of river Mahi. Bajirao then asked (through his representative Udaji Pawar) Sarbulund Khan to grant him the chauth rights of Gujarat but was spurned. So Bajirao despatched his brother Chimaji Appa to Gujrat who looted the towns of Petlad and Dholka.

Sarbulund Khan was unable to simultaneously tackle Bande as well as the Peshwas armies and he was forced to sign an agreement with the Peshwa in 1730 whereby the Peshwa was given chauth and sardeshmukhi rights for Gujrat region (seaport of Surat was excluded from this agreement). But this didn’t go very well with the mughal court and they replaced Sarbulund Khan with Abhay singh, son of Ajit singh of Jodhpur. But Abhay singh too reconciled with the idea that the Peshwa was the only person who could rein in the free booters and compromised with him.

Meanwhile the treaty between the Mughals and the Peshwa didn’t go well with Maratha Senapati Trimbakrao Dabhade, who considered the Gujrat affairs his heridatory right . He was already having ego clashes with the Peshwa, whom he wasnt entirely comfortable accepting as a second supreme authority after the king. Note the Peshwa on his part was also encouraging new blood like Holkar-Shinde-Pawar and starting on war campaigns without consultations with the sarsenapati.Now this Gujarat issue only aggravated matters further. Sarsenapati Trimbakrao Dabhade accused Peshwa Bajirao II of breaching the contract made between the Dabhade family and Chatrapati Shahu.Finding the king also evasive in the matter, he decided to take on Bajirao directly. In a skirmish that followed at Dabhoi in April 1731, Trimbakrao Dabhade was killed (Pilaji Gaekwads son Sambhaji also died in that battle). Also captured were rebels like Udaji Pawar (he had fallen out with Bajirao) and Chimnaji Damodar who were fighting from Dabhades side.

5. The Elephant War with the Siddis

The trouble between Marathas and the Siddis (Abysinnian muslims) resurfaced when a Siddi (Abyssinian) faujdar, Siddi Satt desecrated the hindu temple at Parshuram in the Konkan and insulted a saint by the name of Bramhendra swami. This happened in the year 1729, after a elephant gifted by the Nawab of Savnur to the Siddis of Janjira was being transported through Maratha territory by the disciples of Bramhendra swami and enroute it had been captured by a contingent of the Maratha sarkhel(admiral) Kanhoji Angre. Presuming it to be a conspiracy of the swami, the Siddis faujdar roughed up the swamis disciples and vandalised the Parshuram temple.

Bramhendra swami was a highly revered person and this strained the historically stretched relations between the Marathas and the Siddis. Meanwhile Siddi nawab Rasul Yaqut died in 1733 and a succession war started between his sons. Kanhoji Angre had also died on 4th July 1729 and was succeeded by his son Sekhoji Angre as the Maratha sarkhel.

Bajirao sensing an opportune time despatched his army and besieged Janjira by sea. The fort was just about to fall , but for the untimely death of Sekhoji in 1733.

Sekhojis brother Sambhaji refused to take orders from the Peshwa and due to his non cooperation the siege had to be called off. Luckily for the Marathas, the Siddis son Abdul Rehman approached Bajirao for a succession settlement with his uncles and cousins whereby Marathas gave him the desired help. In return the previous territories of the Siddis like Raigad,Rewas,Chaul and Thal were recognized as parts of Maratha territory (1736).The other brothers too found it futile to resist the marathas and gave in.

Siddi was thereafter confined only to the territories of Janjira, Anjanvel and Gowalkot, with his powers greatly diminished. The main antagonist Siddi Sat was also killed in an encounter with Chimaji appa in few months time.Thus concluded what is now termed as the ‘elephant war’.

6. Bajirao thunders at the gates of Delhi

By 1735, the marathas had virtually gained control over entire Gujrat and Malwa. But some towns and areas under the influence of local mughal officers and zamindars refused to acknowledge Maratha control.

The Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah was also dillydallying over passing an official order chartering chauth and sardeshmukhi rights to the Marathas. Efforts by Bajirao to seek audience with the mughal emperor were also ignored. The Marathas decided to assert themselves and started plundering the adjoining territories of Rajasthan. The Mughals also retaliated by sending troops under under their Vazir Qamruddin Khan and Mir Bakshi Khan i Dauran. But both the contingents were routed by Maratha commanders (Pilaji Jadhav defeated the forces of the Vazir and Ranoji Shinde, Malhararao Holkar subdued the forces of the Mir Bakshi).

The Peshwa then decided to teach the mughal emperor a lesson of his lifetime. Bajirao personally marched towards Delhi with a large Maratha army in Dec 1737.

He divided the army into two. One contingent was led by Peshwa Bajirao and the other by Pilaji Jadhav and Malharrao Holkar. The contingent of Holkar was however anhilated by a much larger army led by Sadat Khan , the Nawab of Oudh and mughal governor of Agra . Malharrao Holkar himself managed to escape and reach the other group led by Bajirao.

Meanwhile, thinking that the Maratha threat was over, Sadat Khan sent the good news to Delhi. To join in the celebrations of his perceived success, the other mughal commanders also joined in , leaving Delhi virtually unguarded.

That was when the contingent of Bajirrao, in a swift movement , completely bypassed the encamped mughal army and reached the outskirts of Delhi (28th March 1737), covering a ten day journey in just fourty eight hours.

What followed thereafter was the total loot of the suburbs of Delhi. The Mughal emperor himself hid in the safe confines of Red Fort, while Bajirao and his men plundered the countryside in glee abandon. A eight thousand strong mughal army led by Mir Hassan Koka did try to take on Bajirao , but they were hopelessly outmanouvered and Mir Hassan himself was wounded in the skirmish.

Then before the main mughal army could gather their wits, Bajirao with his entourage returned back to the Deccan.

On 31st March 1737, the victorious Maratha army left Delhi with their large booty leaving behind Delhi, mauled and humbled.

On the way back to Pune , Bajirao planted his trusted lieutenants at various places in north and central India, which were to remain their permanent places of influence in the near future.

7. Treaty of Bhopal

Now the emperor turned back to Nizam ul Mulk who had earlier fallen out with him. Nizam ul mulk was made the supreme commander of the imperial forces and sent with an seventy thousand strong contingent to attack the Maratha dominions. On the way, many mughal officers, chieftains joined him. This large mughal contingent reached Bhopal to extract revenge from the Marathas.

But it was again a futile exercise. The Marathas led by Bajirao himself and his brother Chimaji Appa were all ready for the imperial army.

They completely surrounded the Mughals in Bhopal, cutting off all their supplies. Finally forcing the Nizam to sign yet another treaty, this time the treaty of Bhopal (7th Jan 1738, Dora Sarai) whereby, the mughals conceded entire Malwa, region between Narmada and Chambal rivers, besides fifty lakh rupees as war indemnity.

8. Bajirao and the Portuguese

Bajirao had already quelled the Portuguese threat to Manaji Angre in the Konkan. In return Angre promised him an annual tribute of 7000 rupees.

Bajirao was also having a grouse against the Portuguese over the island of Salsette (part of Mumbai, which the Portuguese had refused to lease out to the Marathas for construction of a commercial factory), following which Bajiraos brother Chimaji Appa (d.1741) attacked the Portuguese regions (near Bombay/ Mumbai) in March 1738. He successfully captured the regions of Thane,Parsik,Belapur,Dharavi, Arnala and concluded his campaign with the capture of Versova(Feb,1739) and Bassein (Vasai,May 1739).

Last campaign of Bajirao

Bajirao desired a corridor to Delhi through certain regions of Nizam ul Mulk (which earlier had been promised to the marathas in the treaty at Bhopal). Nasir Jung the Nizams son however refused. Hence he was besieged by Bajirao at Aurangabad. He sued for peace (28th Feb 1740) and ceded the districts of Handia and Khargon in Nemad, south of river Narmada to Bajirao.

Unfortunately this proved to be the last campaign of the great Peshwa.

Death

Bajirao was struck by a virulent fever at Raver (near Indore,south of river Narmada) and hardly in a weeks time, he breathed his last (on 18 th April 1740). He was just fourty.

At the time of his death his wife Kashibai and son Janardhan were by his side. His son performed his obsequies.

Thus fate cut short the life of one of the most valorous of the Peshwas, a builder of empires and a leader of men.

The Kingdoms of Scindias (Ranoji Shinde) of Gwalior, Holkars (Malharrao) of Indore, Gaekwads(Pilaji) of Baroda, and Pawars (Udaiji) of Dhar were Bajirao's creation of a Maratha confederacy as he wreaked havoc on the disintegrating Mughal Empire and set up his jagirdars (fiefdoms).

SOME BATTLE TACTICS USED BY BAJIRAO PESHWA – – –

Bajirao’s success depended a great deal on his light foray tactics. He mainly used his cavalry.

Two riders had three horses between them and while one horse was rested the other two in turn were ridden. As a result his army could move forty miles in a day and sustain this rate of advance for many days. This was the highest speed of any army during his time. That’s why he used to attack the enemy before giving any hint about his whereabouts.

It is said that his army moved two thousand miles in six months from the time he left Pune in Oct 1727 until the end of the Battle of Palkhed in March 1728.

Only horse mounted fighting troops went into combat. There were no followers or servants hanging around and encumbering the mobility of the fighting forces

Furthermore, he had no use for an infantry or artillery like the Mughals. His cavalry was lightly armed with a spear and dandapatta, the circular gauntlet sword of the Marathas useful for a close quarter battle or hand to hand combat favoured by them.

His main focus was always on cutting the enemy supply-lines with the help of rapid troop movement and knowledge of the local terrain. He revolutionised military tactics in his times. Encircling the enemy quickly, appearing from the rear of the enemy, attacking from an unexpected direction, distracting the enemy’s attention, keeping the enemy in surprise and deciding the battle field on his own terms, were his trademark war-winning tactics.

‘Night’, said Bajirao ‘is not for sleeping but to engage an enemy superior in numbers’. Bajirao is said to have told his brother Chimaji Appa, "Remember that the night has nothing to do with sleep. It was created by God, to raid the territory held by your enemy. The night is your shield, your screen against the cannons and swords of a vastly superior enemy force."

The major reason of Peshwa Bajiro’s success lies also in his strong intelligence department. His intelligence agency was so strong that every moment he used to get all the information of his enemy’s whereabouts.

Leading by personal example, his banner, a swallow tailed saffron flag signifying sacrifice, held high he always moved into battle with the cry ‘Har har Mahadev,’ inspiring his troops to fight without fear.

Bajirao the destroyer of the Mughal Empire

27 July 2016

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean

Alamere Falls is a waterfall in Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California. Alamere Falls is a rare "tidefall", a waterfall that flows directly into the ocean. The falls can be reached by following the Coast Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead. Alamere Falls is an extremely special waterfall, comprised of the upper fall, middle fall, and lower is the main fall. Alamere Falls so unique is that it is 1 of only 2 major waterfalls, also known as tidefalls, in the state of California that plunge directly into the Pacific Ocean.  The other waterfall is McWay Falls in Big Sur. Alamere Falls listed as 1 of the top 10 lesser known most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean

Photo credit Jeff

The Alamere waterfall at its best and fullest capacity in late Winter and early Spring, in particular after a good rainstorm. The hike follows the coastal trail for 2.2 miles along some spectacular cliffs with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.  Then, the trail turns inland for the next 1.6 miles as it passes by Bass Lake and Pelican Lake.  Finally, a side trail to the left leads 0.4 miles down to the base of Alamere Falls on the beach. 
Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Eric Miraglia

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Rene Rivers

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit ladyhouse

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Jordy Nicole


Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Jason Rodman

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Jeff B.

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Damian Spain

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Stella Hwang

Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit jdegenhardt
Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean
Photo credit Steven Miller Alamere Falls, A waterfall that flows directly into the Ocean

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmark Of Junagadh

Mahabat Maqbara also Mausoleum of Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, is a beautiful mausoleum in Junagadh, India, that was once home to the Nawabs of Junagadh. The splendid arches, many domes, and towering minarets. The architecture is detailed and opulently done. It has finely carved silver doors. Its striking art and architecture make it one of the city's most important historical landmarks. The city of Junagadh has other 18th century mausoleums built by the Nawabs in the area around Chitkana Chowk. Started in 1878 by Mahabat Khanji and completed in 1892 by his successor, Bahadur Khanji, the Mahabat Maqbara houses the tombs of Mahabat Khanji and Bahauddin Maqbara of Bahaduddinbhai Hasainbhai, vizir of Nawab Rasul Khanji. Standing over the grave of Nawab Mahabat Khan II, the tomb is a mixture of Islamic, Hindu and European influences, typical of Junagadh's royal monuments from the late 19th century.
Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Photo credit Manfred Sommer
The Mahabat Maqbara is a palace-mausoleum in the Junagadh district of the Indian state of Gujarat, adjacent to the sacred Girnar Hills in Saurashtra. The etymological meaning of Junagadh "Old Fort" gives the palace its alternativ name of "The Old Fort Palace". The yellow mausoleum, Mahabat Maqbara, is a masterpiece of its kind with finely designed arches, vertical columns and elaborate stone carvings on the walls and windows. Its silver-decorated portals, the winding staircases encircling its four tall minarets, the old step-well in the grounds, and its onion-shaped dome contribute to its splendor.

With a combination of Indo-Islamic and Gothic architecture, Mahabat Maqbara offers a sense of equality and exchange between the two cultures. The Jammi Masjid is on one side of the mausoleum while the Vazir's maqbara is on the other. The Mahabbat Maqbara is generally closed to the public but can be seen by obtaining the keys from the mosque situated beside the mausoleum. Amongst the forts and monuments in the state of Gujarat, the Mahabat Maqbara is an exquisite example the nineteenth century art and architecture.

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Photo credit lrschaff

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Mahabat Maqbara Junagarh, Gujarat, India. Photo credit Nikunj M

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Mohabbat Maqbara Junagarh, Gujarat, India. Photo credit Manfred Sommer


Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Mahabbat Muqbara Junagarh, Gujarat, India. Photo credit hunbille

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Photo credit lrschaff

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Photo credit lrschaff

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Photo credit Manfred

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Photo credit brendror

Mahabat Maqbara, The Historical Landmarks Of Junagadh
Photo credit Jasvipul Chawla

29 June 2015

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia

Kutkhiny Baty an amazing place in terms of geology and extraordinary in its beauty, located in Ust-Bolsheretsky district, Kamchatka Krai, Russia, near the place where the river headed originates from Kuril Lake and the lake are formed by large volcanic explosions, First 41,500 radiocarbon years ago and the second around 6440 BC. The huge amount of material ejected during the second explosion, comparable to some of the largest eruptions in recorded history, produced by thick pyroclastic flowdeposits around the countryside, and some ash fell more than 1000 km away on the Asian mainland. Thus formed porous rock - pumice. Over time, this place was covered with earth and raised new forests. But things are changing. And the small creek began to grind the rock, and the wind completed the initiative and opened it for public gaze the white cliffs. The beautiful valley Kutkhiny Baty, appears in the middle of the green mountains  like an white oasis  in this view from the air, it is a natural depression formed by unique rock pumice, also known as pumice.

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit Commons.Wikimedia
Name Kutkhiny Baty or Kuthiny baht went legend about the main character of Kamchatka - Kutkh. Usually Kutkh appeared before the people in the guise of a crow. According to ltelmen's  or the native tribes also have a legend explaining how the valley was formed – they believed that the valley is a storage place for a god’s canoes. Kutkhu - the Lord and the Creator of Kamchatka - used to live on the Kurile Lake for some time, and used to go fishing on the lake and to the ocean in these canoes. Before leaving Kamchatka, Kutkhu put up his boats "Baty", and since then this place has been considered sacred among the locals. There are many stories on this topic, while local artisans can be purchased Kutkh figurines of wood, as well as bone.


The valley is made from whitish pumice stone. Pumice is a very light volcanic rock. Pumice is created when super-heated, highly pressurized rock is violently ejected from a volcano. The unusual foamy configuration of pumice happens.  This is how famous "Kutkhiny Baty", "obelisks" made of pumice and resembling gigantic canoes left to dry, look like from a helicopter. Each "boat" is approximately 16 stories tall. Kurile Lakeis a national wildlife preserve and a national monument. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the listings of composition of the volcanoes of Kamchatka.

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit Photo credit Eugene Kaspersky

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Kutkhiny Baty Pumice stone reserve. Photo credit Eugene Kaspersky

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit Eugene Kaspersky

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit Eugene Kaspersky

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit Eugene Kaspersky

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit Eugene Kaspersky

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit airpano

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit kronoki

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Photo credit lingvosophy

Kutkhiny Baty, A Beautiful Valley of Kamchatka Krai, Russia

16 December 2014

The Nubra Valley | A Precious treasures of Ladakh, India

The Nubra Valley | A Precious treasures of Ladakh, India

Nubra is a tri-armed valley located to the north east of Ladakh valley. Diskit the capital of Nubra is about 150 km north from Leh town, the capital of Ladakh district, India. The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley. At first glance, the valley seems parched and dry, but this is prime farming land by Ladakhi standard. Here the farmers grow apples, apricots and barley and harvest the orange berries of the Tsetalulu. Dotted around the valley are ancient gompas and ruined palaces and villages are close enough together to make this magnificent walking country. The people of Nubra Valley are friendly and hospitable. The Nubra Valley is indeed a precious treasures of Ladakh where people still living in the complete isolation for most of the year from rest of the world in the heart of the great Himalayas.

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Image credit Sara and Alon Tirosh

Nubra is a high altitude cold desert with rare precipitation and scant vegetation except along river beds. The majority are Buddhists. In the western or lowest altitude end of Nubra Valley near the Line of Control i.e. the Indo-Pak border, along the Shyok River, the inhabitants are Balti of Gilgit-Baltistan, who speak Balti. Siachen Glacier lies to the north of the valley. The Sasser Pass and the famous Karakoram Pass lie to the northwest of the valley and connect Nubra with Uyghur (Mandarin : Xinjiang). Previously there was much trade passing through the area with western China's Xinjiang and Central Asia.

Diskit town in the valley have become the congregation centre for people of the region. Diskit is the headquarters of the Nubra Valley and thus has lot of government offices with basic facilities. the Shayok River, the main village, Diskit, is home to the dramatically positioned Diskit Monastery. Hundar was the capital of the erstwhile Nubra kingdom in the 17th century, and is home to the Chamba Gompa. Between Hundar and Diskit lie several kilometres of sand dunes, and (two-humped) bactrian camels graze in the neighbouring "forests" of seabuckthorn. Non-locals are not allowed below Hundar village into the Balti area, as it is a border area. The beautiful village of Baigdandu is also located in this area. There is a marked presence of people with startling blue eyes, auburn hair and rosy cheeks as against the typical mongoloid features of the Ladakhis. Local lore has it that they were a Greek tribe who came in search of Jesus Christ's tomb and eventually settled here. Baigdandu is also known for the goats that give you the famous Pashmina shawls.

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Image credit Vamsi Chennupalli

The main road access to the Nubra Valleyis over Khardung La pass which is open throughout the year. Its status as the highest motorable road in the world is no longer accepted by most authorities. An alternative route, opened in 2008, crosses the Wari La from Sakti, to the east of Khardung La, connecting to the main Nubra road system via Agham and Khalsar along the Shyok River. There are also trekkable passes over the Ladakh Range from the Indus Valley at various points. Routes from Nubra to Baltistan and Yarkand, though historically important, have been closed since 1947 and 1950 respectively.

The Nubra River is a tributary of the Shyok River, which flows through the Nubra region of Ladakh, into the Indus River to the east of Skardu, Pakistan. The Siachen Glacier melts into this river.
The Nubra River is a tributary of the Shyok River, which flows through the Nubra region of Ladakh, into the Indus River to the east of Skardu, Pakistan. The Siachen Glacier melts into this river. Image credit Dominic Lüdin

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
This is part of the Ladakh region in India, close to the border with China and Pakistan. Image credit mr_o

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Image credit Karunakar Rayker

The main attraction of the Nubra valleyis Bactarian Camels (double hump Camel). These camels can be seen around sand dunes. Other attractions include Deskit, Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet) above sea level. For tourists its ideal to spend here two to three nights. However, you do need a permit, which only allows travel as far as Hunder and Panamik for a maximum of seven days. You must handover the photocopies of your permit on both sides of the Khardung La and also by the bridge to Sumur.

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Image credit Sara and Alon Tirosh

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Image credit Claudio Schlossmacher

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Petrol Station. Image credit Claudio Schlossmacher

35 meter statue of Maitreya Buddha facing down the Shyok River towards Pakistan.
 35 meter statue of Maitreya Buddha facing down the Shyok River towards Pakistan. Image credit Pranav Bhasin ©

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Image credit Brian Bowers

The Nubra Valley literally means the valley of flowers. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 feet above the sea level. The Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit are the main villages of Nubra valley.
Turtuk - Nubra Valley, Ladakh. Image credit Axel Drainville