1. The Northern Ridge B.A. Honours Group Members: Sahil Agrawal - 7165 Saransh Gupta - 7164 Pradeep Kumar - 7166 Jyotsana - 5076 Lalita - 5077 Manorama - 5079 Ajit Kumar Pathak - 6678 Piyush Dubey - 6679 Sachin Kasana - 6665 Supervisor : Mr. Manish Karmwar Shyam Lal College (Evening) University of Delhi Session 2013-14 (Semester-II) 2. Abstract The ridge is a northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Range, some 1500 million years old (compared to just 50 million for the Himalaya). It protects Delhi from the hot winds of the deserts of Rajasthan to the west and is thus said to be the green lungs for the city. The Northern Ridge of Delhi is considered as a symbol of unity of every religion. It consists of total 6 monuments namely: The Flagstaff Tower The Ashoka Pillar The Pir Ghaib The Baoli The Chauburji The Mutiny Memorial The Northern Ridge is connected to history because of the monuments present over there. It has the main importance during the period of revolt of 1857. 3. Table of content Sl. No. Particulars 1 Introduction 2 Major issues and problems 3 Suggested readings and solutions 4 Observation and discussion 5 Conclusion 4. Introduction The Northern Ridge, is a ridge in the National Capital Territory of Delhi in India. The ridge is a northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Range. some 1500 million years old (compared to just 50 million for the Himalaya). The ridge consists of quartzite rocks and extends from the Southeast at Tughlaqabad, near the Bhatti mines, branching out in places and tapering off in the north near Wazirabad on the west bank of the river Yamuna, covering a distance of about 35 kilometers. 5. History In 1993, parts of north Delhi, central Delhi, south West Delhi and south Delhi covering 7,777 hectares was declared a reserve forest. Thereafter in 1994 and 1996, a major part of the ridge was notified by the Government, thus stopping all construction. Over the years, pressures of urban development, have seen forests of Delhi ridge under threat. In many areas, landscaped public parks, and public housing have come up, plus the area also faces dumping of construction waste. 6. The Ashoka Pillar • It was built by Ashoka The great around 250 B.C. engraved with edicts spreading the message of righteousness and morals based on Buddhist tenets. • This 32 feet tall rock pillar weighing a gazillion tons was moved by Firoz Shah Tughlaq from Meerut to Delhi in A.D. 1356 and was installed in his hunting palace known as Kushk-i-Shikar. 7. Pir Ghaib • The last remains of Kushk-i-Shikar are now known as Pir Ghaib. • The place got associated with a mystic saint (Pir) who suddenly disappeared (Ghaib) one day. There is a cenotaph erected in his memory by his followers. • The structure may have been used as an observatory or as a look-out tower for animals to be hunted. • It is high and there is a hollow cylindrical feature to enable one to see through. 8. The Flagstaff Tower • It is a circular building, situated on the highest point of the ridge. • Was likely to have been built around 1828 when the British moved their cantonment here. • It was used to hoist their flag to symbolize their dominance. • English survivors sought refuge here on 10 May 1857. 9. Chauburji Masjid • It was originally a tomb built during the Tughlaq period, with additional brick work done on it in the 18th century during the Mughal period. • In 1857, it functioned as a battery to mount guns on, damaging it further. • It is often referred to as the mosque near Bara Hindu Rao, but there is no evidence it was ever used as one. 10. Old Baoli • It must have been part of Firoz Shah’s hunting lodge. • The walls of the Baoli are made of random rubble masonry. • At the very bottom of the well, there are some obvious Tughlaq features such as a wall and double pillars. Above this level, there is evidence of a tunnel, approximately 193 m long that leads from the north end. The purpose of this tunnel, which was 2.15 m high with ventilation shafts and doorways, is unknown. 11. The Mutiny Memorial • The Mutiny Memorial was built in 1863 in the memory of the officers and soldiers of the Delhi Field Force who were killed between 30th May and 20th September of 1857. • The memorial consists of a tapering tower of high Victorian Gothic design. The tower itself is about 29.5 m high and is crowned by a red sandstone spire surmounted by a marble crucifix. • The names of the soldiers who lost their lives here are inscribed on marble plaques on all sides of the façade. In the year 1972, on the 25th anniversary of Indian independence, a modest plaque was installed to enshrine the heroism of the immortal martyrs of Indian freedom. 12. Major issues and problems The main problem is deforestation. Human’s evil interruption, construction of buildings, roads and establishment of human settlements have threatened the ecosystem. e.g.. Hindu Rao Hospital: Starting as a tiny unit, now covers about a hectare. Conversion of forest into park lands is threatening the Ridge ecosystem. Miscellaneous activities like garbage dumping, lopping for fuel and fodder, and razing by livestock. Animals are not able to live and feed properly because the food chain is disturbed because of deforestation. The monuments are not at all in good conditions. Government is not taking any initiative to take care of the monuments. The two dangers facing the ridge forest today are encroachments and plans to convert it into a park. Though legally declared a Reserved Forest, almost 50 years ago, today more than 40% of its has been destroyed. 13. Suggested solutions Indian Government should take some initiative to protect the forestry area of the ridge. They should implement some rules to save flora and fauna living there. There must be some law and order for the people visiting the ridge. There should be some awareness programme for the common people who are not aware of the ridge or the monuments present over there. The people of our city should know the importance of the monuments present in the ridge. Every monuments has its own history and it should be familiar to every common citizen. 14. Observations The Ridge, a densely forested region within the Union Territory of Delhi contains several species of trees that include Kirar, the healing neem, babul, ber, amaltash, dhok and the magnificent gulmohar among others. Mammals such as the leopard, rhesus macaque, palm-squirrel, fox, jackal, wolf, blackbuck, chinkara, nilgai, wildboar, porcupine and a myriad of lesser denizens make themselves at home here. The bird life in this region is rich and varied, inviting both casual birders and seasoned birders alike. Colored birds such as the Rose Finch and Green Herons, woodpeckers, barbets, Leaf Warblers and others like the Crested Serpent Eagles, Booted Eagles, Oriental Honey-buzzards, vultures and Great Horned Owls known to be magnificent raptors are among the 200 species of birds found in this insect-rich region. 15. Conclusion The Northern Ridge, situated in the north campus of Delhi University, is a northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Range. It is among the renowned reserved forest area in the national capital Delhi because of many historic reasons from past. It has its importance as it protects Delhi from the hot winds of the deserts of Rajasthan and it has helped Delhi in becoming the second most bird rich capital city in the world. It is considered as a symbol of unity of every religion. A number of monuments are situated whose maintenance is undertaken by the Delhi government’s Department of Archaeology. Like other forest reserves, it is under-attended by the concerned authority. Problems like deforestation, erosion and human's evil interruption is helping this nature's gift to erode. While working on this project, we observed the benefits of flora and fauna and repented on our deeds; that we harm them who wants nothing from us rather than just a mere attention. We felt privileged while meeting, observing and describing our greatest friend for life. 16. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi_Ridge http://kunzum.com/2012/05/31/delhi-101-23- the-northern-ridge-history-in-one-sweep/ http://www.archinomy.com/case- studies/1923/delhi-ridge http://blog.delhiheritagewalks.com/landmark s-of-1857-a-heritage-walk-in-northern-ridge- 30-jan-%E2%80%9811/