“Badshahpur,” a name echoing through time whispers tales of Mughal emperors and forgotten forts. Right here in Gurgaon, Haryana lies Badshahpur. It is more than just a locality. It is a place steeped in history. The history of Badshahpur dates back to medieval times.
Badshahpur’s story is interwoven with the legacy of Bahadur Shah Zafar. Fort Badshahpur was once a palace. It housed one of the Mughal emperor’s wives. Imagine the emperor’s frequent visits. Picture the fort as the heart of this growing village. Over the centuries that village embraced its royal connection and became Badshahpur.
Begum Samru also left her mark on Badshahpur. She ruled the paragana of Badshahpur-Jharsa. She even built a palace between Badshahpur and Jharsa. Sadly, encroachment has claimed her palace.
The fort now lies in ruins. It needs restoration. Encroachment is a major issue. More than 150 residential structures have sprung up around the fort. Despite being listed as a government tourism site, preservation efforts have been slow.
But there is hope. The Haryana Government is planning to restore Gurugram’s heritage sites. This includes Badshahpur Fort. The goal is to promote tourism. The state archaeology department is planning a survey. It will list everyone living on the encroached land. The department also has access to technology that could restore the fort.
Badshahpur also boasts stepwells. The Badshahpur Mohanlal Stepwell was built in 1905. Mohan Lal built it to conserve water. It was also a water source for animals. Ansal University students researched it in 2005. Sadly, construction has damaged the catchment area. INTACH offered to preserve the stepwell.
Akhara Stepwell is another gem. It sits inside a functional akhara. Local materials were used for its construction. The stepwell features a mix of architectural styles. These styles include Ahir, Rajput, Jat and Mughal.
Dhumaspur Stepwell is also nearby. This five-story stepwell is 200 years old. Stones from Makrana and Jaipur mines were used to build it.
Badshahpur is not just about history. It is also a vibrant community. The Badshahpur assembly constituency is dominated by Ahir voters. Rakesh Daulatbad is the current MLA.
Punjabi and Hindi are commonly spoken here. The pin code for Badshahpur is 122101. The weather today is haze with a temperature of 19.9°C.
Badshahpur is accessible by road. National Highways NH248BB and NH44 pass nearby. While there is no railway station in Badshahpur, Gurgaon Rail Way Station is close.
As we conclude our visit to Badshahpur, remember its layers of history. From Mughal royalty to stepwells. From political dynamics to community life. Badshahpur is a place where the past and present intertwine. It offers a glimpse into Haryana’s rich heritage.