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| MR Gunj loses sheen to official apathy | | | Majid Nabi
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Sept 6: Maharaj Gunj, which was once considered as nerve center of commercial activities in Kashmir valley has lost its historical magnificence owing to the negligent approach of the successive regimes in terms of its development.
Notwithstanding, the heritage market where from merchandise was transported to South Asian Markets either on handmade Kashmiri wooden boats commonly known as (Tkhoch) or horse carts is desperately waiting for official attention so that its lost glory is restored.
Maharaja Gunj falling in congested area of old city, according to elderly folks of the area was constructed by the then Maharaja of the state Maharaja Ranbir Singh, in 1806 AD and the market being the only biggest wholesale market of the valley was always abuzz with people till the armed uprising started here in 1988.
Haji Mohammad Subhan Guru an elderly resident of the area said that the market which was once considered to be the nerve centre of the commercial activities has a recorded history of more than 200 years but government's negligent approach in developing this heritage market has turned it from bad to worst. "I cannot describe in words what Maharaj Gunj means for Kashmir, but being son of this soil I must not hesitate to say that governments has never been serious towards its upliftment," Guru told 'Early Times' amid sobs, adding roads are damaged while places located around it have been craving for official apathy. He alleged that the state government has never been serious to develope Maharaj Gunj which has severely spoiled its glory over the years. "Who would believe that this market was once considered a nerve center of trade, damaged roads, chocked drainage and encroachment have played a spoilsport,'' added he
"I am 83 at present counting the days when death knocks my door as most of my childhood buddy's with whom all my saccharine memories are connected have left. Whenever I recall my childhood days I cannot stop my tears. I don't know when I will breathe my last but I appeal government to take some serious steps in restoring the Maharaj Gunj my birth places past glory," Guru said.
Talking to 'Early Times' President, Maharaj Gunj Traders Association, Ghulam Rasool Sheikh said "Before 1947, this market was the centre of all commercial activities as goods worth crores of rupees were supplied from here to every market of the Valley. People from all corners of the Valley were coming here to make purchase, but now hardly any one prefers to come to this market, which has a history of more than 200 years," Sheikh said.
"Maharaj Gunj market has been neglected by the authorities since late 1940's. The government's negligence turned things from bad to worse as they gave preference to uptown markets and totally ignored this historical market," he said, adding the turmoil in the Valley during last more than two decades also badly hit to this market.
This historical market is also very famous because of Budshah Tomb, which has the six hundred years old graveyard of famous ruler of Kashmir, Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din Zain-ul-Abidin commonly known as Budshah.
Turning nostalgic, Haji Habib-ul-Lah Shangloo, a cloth merchant recalls good old days when this market used to be main importer of goods from all parts of the world."We would import goods from England, Germany and from many other countries, which wouldn't have been even available in big markets of India."
Muhammad Ramzan, a local trader of Maharaj Gunj claimed that they were paying more taxes as compared to other markets but still 'Government has never bothered about the development of the market. |
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