Patan, Ancient Vedic Capital of Gujarat

08-08-2003, 12:50 PM

Patan, situated about 135 kilometres northwest of Ahmedabad, was the
capital of the Solanki dynasty, the last Hindu kings who ruled over
much of present day Gujarat from 796 AD to the 13th century. The
beginning of Patan's decline is pegged at 1024 AD, the year Mahmud of
Ghazni ransacked the city. Hindu rule continued till the end of the
13th century after which various Muslim sultans and kings controlled
Gujarat's political destiny.

Patan retains the heritage of its imperial past with stunning
monuments dotting the city such as the Rani ki Vav (Queens well with
steps descending into the well), a heritage structure built by Queen
Udaymati in the 11th century, and the Sahastralinga Talav (Lake of a
thousand Shiva shrines).

The state government has drawn up elaborate programmes over two days
to mark India's 56th Independence Day anniversary, which appear to
have a distinct Hindu flavour. On August 14, between 7.30 pm and 8.30
pm, the Patan district collector has asked the city's residents of
Patan to light more than 1,000 lamps and take out a procession, to be
called the Sahstra Jyot Yatra, up to the Rani ki Vav.