Chingus Sarai: The Half-Grave of Emperor Jehangir
Jammu, July 07: Chingus Sarai is the Mughal era rest house of Royal Mughal Carvans located on ancient Mughal Road surrounded by natural atmosphere on the right bank of Sukhtao river in between Nowshera and Rajouri about 131 KM away from winter capital Jammu.
The 16th century Sarai was built by an Iranian engineer Ali Mardan Khan on the orders of emperor Jahangir in between 1605to 1621 AD, and was frequently used by the emperor and his queen during their sojourns to Srinagar and back.
The sarai becomes historically important because it can be called as half-grave of emperor Jehangir whose entrails were buried here while the rest body was buried at Shahadara in Lahore.
On the other hand the sarai is a huge attraction for local as well as domestic tourists for its archeological splendor and historical value.
Situated in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, Chingus Fort or Chingus Sarai, is one of the oldest fort also called one night fort as Mughals used it every year to stay for a single night while on their way to Kashmir. This fort offers a panoramic view of the valley and lies on the banks of Tawi River. Chingus is a small yet historical village and Chingus Sarai is located about 2,000 feet above sea level on a nallah.
As with all ancient monuments, Chingus Fort also carries an interesting tale. The word ‘Chingus’ is a Persian term that signifies intestines. Inside the fort rests one of the two graves of Mughal Emperor Jehangir, who died while on his way back from Kashmir in 1627 AD. It is said that in order to avoid war and make way for safe passage to Delhi, his Queen Noor Jahan decided to bury Jehangir’s intestine and other abdominal parts inside the premises of the sarai. His other grave lies in Lahore, Pakistan.
Built in Mughal architectural style, Chingus Fort holds two apartments. It is a well planned edifice of Mughal architectural style having two apartments comprising of a residential complex and an open yard. There are separate passages to enter both apartments. However, from inside, both of them are connected. The residential complex within Chingus Fort is surrounded by walled enclosure. There are arched cells that open towards the courtyard.
There’s a central chamber at the entrance in the western wall with arched roof and a small guard’s room on either side. On the outside, there are shops on both the sides. The fort is constructed of rubbles, large pebbles and lakhauri bricks in lime surkhi mortar.
The original name of the village was Khanpur which was established by Jaral Rajas of Rajouri. However, after the burial of entrails of emperor Jahangir in the Sarai the name of the Sarai and village was changed to Chingus Sarai.
The village is also known for a prominent Hindu Bawali, ancient stone sculptures with figures of snakes and small lingams under Pipal trees.
As per Iqbal Nama Akbri, Emperor Jahangir visited Kashmir 13 times, Akbar two times and Shahjahan and Aurangzeb once. Jahangir visited 11 times via Mughal road in between 1605 to 1627 AD and stayed in the Sarai for few days during each journey. In 1627 emperor Jahangir while returning from Kashmir fell seriously ill at Behramgala in Poonch area. He was advised by Physicians for complete rest of few days. Therefore, the royal caravan halted at Bharmgala. During this period the king started recovering. One day he decided for a hunting trip. He came out from his camp along with Queen Noor Jahan, sat on a terrace near Noori Chamb waterfall and started waiting for a dear to hunt. At that time an attendant was trying hard to bring a dear in front of the king on the opposite hill so that he could shoot him. When the attendant reached on a dangerous spot exactly on the opposite side of the emperor, he abruptly slipped from a stone, fell in front of the emperor and died on the spot. His mother who was present there started crying and weeping badly on the death of her son. This was very shocking scene for the king and affected adversely his health and his condition became critical. Therefore, Queen Noor Jahan immediately decided to rush towards Lahore. However, Emperor Jahangir passed away at next halting station Rajouri. In order to avoid possible confrontation of succession among the princes, Noor Jahan kept the fact a secret from the people and the carvan and to avoid decomposition of the body the entrails were buried at Chingus Sarai while the rest part of the body was taken to Lahore where it was buried at Shahadara Lahore. Since then the sarai is known as Chnigus sarai and the village also got the same name.
Jammu and Kashmir being a land of rich heritage, culture, monuments and tales is a hotspot for holidays and vacations and places like Chingus etc can be promoted to be the major tourist attractions for Jammu. (Compiled with inputs from various websites)