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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial is a museum and exhibition
centre dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Moti Shahi Mahal,
located in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Moti Shahi Mahal was
constructed by Mughal emperor Shahjahan between 1618 and 1622. It is
surrounded by a garden.
History
Moti Shahi Mahal was constructed by Mughal emperor Shahjahan between
1618 and 1622 when he was the governor, of Gujarat, then a part of the
Mughal Empire. The palace later controlled by British Raj when Ahmedabad
was established as a cantonment in the mid-nineteenth century, and used
for government purposes. |
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Following Indian independence, this palace was the Raj Bhavan - an
official residence of the Governor of Gujarat, from 1960 to 1978. It was
endowed by the Government of Gujarat in 1975, upon the centennial birth
anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to establish a memorial to
honour him. The memorial was founded on March 7, 1980.
Architecture
Moti Shahi Mahal is an example of Mughal architecture. According to
historian James Douglas, it inspired Shahjahan to built Taj Mahal later.
Four pillars mark the four wings, one floor and central hall of the
palace.
Memorials
Sardar Patel
Vallabhbhai Patel memorial is located on the ground floor, covering the
central hall and four adjacent rooms. The central hall is filled with
portraits of Patel, his family, friends and colleagues in the Indian
freedom struggle.
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They are in chronological order and with biographical descriptions
of periods of his life, and quotes by his colleagues and admirers.
Two of the four adjacent rooms house relics of Patel's life, his
personal possessions as well as displayed accounts and political
cartoons from newspapers of the time. One room is devoted to a
particular phase of Patel's work - his comradeship with Mohandas
Gandhi in the 1930s, his youth, education and legal career, and his
work as India's home minister in integrating princely states into
India. In a room to the right of the main entrance into the palace,
is where Patel's personal effects are on display. |
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These include his khadi kurta, jacket and dhoti, his shoes, slippers and
European-style clothes from his younger days. Also on display is a flag
of India as created by the Indian National Congress in 1930-31.
Mahatma Gandhi
In a room connected through the Sardar Sarovar hall, the life and work
of Mahatma Gandhi are on display. These include portraits, pictures,
quotes, busts, statues and books. Gandhi's close partnership and
personal friendship with Patel is an important and recurrent theme
throughout the memorial.
Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali poet, writer and philosopher stayed in the
palace in 1878, when he was seventeen years old. He wrote his only ghost
story, The Hungry Stones and his first song here.
On the first floor in the right wing of the palace, is the room where
Rabindranath Tagore lived during his time at the palace, and it is
dedicated to his memory. It is accessed by a staircase and a pathway
into the right column. There are numerous portraits, pictures and
information on display, and the main room consists of a large statue of
Tagore, including paintings to preserve his memory and contributions.
Exhibits
Sardar Sarovar Project
A major room and sub-hall on the ground floor is devoted to Sardar
Sarovar Project - a major dam and hydroelectric power plants project on
Narmada River valley, covering the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and
Madhya Pradesh. The room contains pictures, graphics, books, statistics
and other information on the project - from its inception, technical
details, construction and present functioning.
Renovation
Government of India funded 17 crore rupees for renovation of structure.
Due to PIL regarding damage to heritage structure, Gujarat High Court
ordered a stay on the renovation work.
Visitor
Information
Location:
Housed in the Moti Shahi Mahal in the Shahibaug area
Timings: Open round the year 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (Except On Sundays and
Public holidays)
Fees: Admission is free
Nearest airport is
Surat Airport in located in Magdalla, 11 kilometres south-west of
Surat. Auto and taxi facility to this attractions are available.
Hotels pickup and car rental services can be arrange.
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