Ranigunj arch – A gateway to Queen’s Market
The gateway was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Delhi Durbar of 1877; 20 years after the British Crown took over direct administration of India from the East India Company.
Every ubiquitous structure has a remarkable story; every tomb has an indelible anecdote, likewise, every kaman (arch) had a specific purpose and symbolised the pinnacle of the city’s past glorious days. Meandering through lanes and by-lanes of Secunderabad’s old and busiest market place – Ranigunj – one would certainly explore the quintessential arches, the jharokhas (arched windows), the darwazas (gates), facades, porticos, chilman (hanging screen) tucked away in the area so intrinsic to the city’s essence.
As I waited outside a shop in Secunderabad, for my father to return, I noticed that our car was parked under an old arch.
There was something written on it. I was curious to know what it said and so I got out of the car and clicked a picture. On careful inspection, I realised that the following words were etched on it – “Victoria Grain Market Square. Est: 1st January 1883.” Below it, in the regional language, Telugu, it said – “Maharani Dhaanya Vikrayasaala”.
It looked like this was the location of a grain market in Secunderabad and it was named after the then reigning queen of India, Queen Victoria. It comes as no surprise that today the area in where the arch stands is named “Ranigunj”.
I was awestruck by the architecture which still stands strong on its feet. This old structure, which served as a landmark, was built in 1883 and the beautiful arch exhibits the name in three languages (English, Telugu and Urdu) and a small prayer inscribed on top to make the market prosperous – Khudawand, Kaiser Ganj Abaad Kar.
The gateway was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Delhi Durbar of 1877; 20 years after the British Crown took over direct administration of India from the East India Company.
The Victoria Grain Market or Queen’s Market (present-day Ranigunj), the now-famous hardware and tools shops, was of the city’s once celebrated, multicultural past. The arched gateway (though reeling under neglect) was synonymous with the city’s culture irrespective of rich and poor and had a different function originally.
Avani Rao Mummulla,
Class VII-A
Gitanjali Devashray, Secunderabad
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