Islamic Terrorism in Ahmedabad

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ISLAMIC TERRORISMIN AHMEDABAD

Nikhil PatwardhanMARCH 2002

Let me tell you the story of a beautiful city state. This city was built on the banks of a sacred river. So rich and bountiful was the harvest that was nurtured by the waters of this river that the river itself wasnamed "Sabarmati" meaning "The provider of nectar". Along thebanks of this river many sacred spots of pilgrimage flourished. Thepresiding deity of this rich and beautifulcity was DeviBhadrakali, thedivine protectress of good Karma. The people in and around this citywere such devout Hindus that they built thousands of temples andshrines dedicated to the divine couple Lord Shiva and Devi. Nowhereelse was the nine day festival of Devi, the "NavaRatri" celebratedwith such pomp and splendor. Colorful Garbas to theaccompaniment of Bhajans filled the air.Intricate carvings,sumptuous embroidered cloths, jewelry, foodstuffs, cotton, preciousstones all added to the wealth of the city, which soon became famous for its traditionof trade or business.Lord Kartikeya the son of the divine couple himself was moved tovisit this place, when he heard accounts of the spiritual depth andbeauty of this city and its citizens. The grand wise sages, theSaptaRishis too came to visit the city and stayed at a spot whereSabarmati merged with six other rivers in a place called the

Saptasangam meaning "The Unionof Seven Rivers". It was here that young Lord Krishna rested on his way to the famous Shiva temple of Siddhanath for his "Mundan" (tonsure) ceremony. It was here that the Pandavas rested on their way to the "Swayamvara" competitionnear the ancient Trinetreshwar Mahadeva Temple of PanchalPradesh. That was where the heroic Arjuna of the Mahabharata wonthe competition that won Draupadi for the Pandavas. Such was theresplendent and sacredheritageof this

ancientcityknownasAshaval,RajnagarorKarnavati.

Today that city is called Ahmedabad.

Karnavati's name was changed to "Ahmedabad" in honor of amonster by the name of Sultan Ahmed Shah who came to rob anddesecrate this beautiful city in 1411. Overnight the thousands of books and manuscripts which spokeof the wondrous Karnavati wereburnt to ashes and it's identity desecrated to Ahmedabad - "City of Ahmed" in an obscene gesture of assertion of power. Sultan AhmedShah, the devout Muslim that he was, swore to destroy all traces of "Kafir" (Non Muslim) worship in the land, for the sake of Allah. InIslam it is the religious duty of every Muslim to destroy any placewhich promotes "Ignorance" meaning any religion other than Islam.In 1414, Ahmed Shah appointed officers to break the idols and stripthe riches off every Hindu templein the vicinity.In 1415, Sultan Ahmed Shah himself went to Siddhapur to break theShiva shrine of Rudramahalaya of Siddharaj. The broken pieceswere buried underfoot at the entrance and the vast and beautifulTemple was converted into a Mosque. The ancient BhadrakaliTemple at the heart of Karnavati, was desecrated also completely.Idols of the Devi were crushed and broken and buried under thedoorstep. Tantric patterns which decorated the friezes and pillars

were chipped off. The golden ceiling which was lined with rubies,emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and jade was stripped completely.The Sanctum Sanctorum where throne pedestals once held imagesof the benevolent and glorious goddess, was converted into agraveyard. The thrones of the Goddess were used as gravestones.One of the rising spires of the roof was broken off as it wascompletely covered with carvings of various Shaktis. And since that day the Bhadrakali temple of Karnavati was changed to the JamaMasjid of Ahmedabad.The walled fortresses and palaces, the Hindu towers which wereengineering marvels that shook, the local specialty of incrediblyintricate carving skill, the artisanshipof stonecutting, the vast Baoliswhere accountants sat amidst the breeze cooled by the sweet waters of the well, all of these were snatched and converted toMosques and Muslim palaces for the pleasure of the Sultan's court.Thousands of the Hindu citizens of Karnavati were massacred orenslaved. Rani Sipri and Rupmati both of who were local princesseswere forcibly kidnapped, raped and thrown into Harems. To this daytheir temple palaces are known by their names, but sadly referred toas Mosques. Muslims soon filled the entire walled fortress area of thecity which used to be called "Bhadra" in reference to BhadraKali.The disillusioned Hindus of Ahmedabad had no choice but toreconcile themselvesto living with theirneighbors.But soon the Hindus found that they could no longer practise theirown faith peacefully within the very city which had been created andnurtured by their hard work. The history of Ahmedabad is riddledwith instances of Islamic intolerance forcing the Hindus to defendthemselves.In 1713 , the Hindus of "Ahmedabad" were celebrating Holi, whensuddenly they were rudely startled by the agonized sounds of Cows

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There are many ways to honor the deceased like with jewelry for ashes http://www.jewelrykeepsakes.com/Jewel... to hold a small remembrance such as cremated ashes, sacred ground or a few strands of hair.

reply09 / 28 / 2011