I’ve known that my dad’s family had
lived in Khambatt for a long time, but I only discovered its historical secrets
on this trip. Khambatt or Cambay as it was called by the colonials was an
important trading port until the 1900s. Ships carrying cotton, spices and other
goods used to leave from the Bay of Cambay to the Middle East and lands beyond.
The sea went out in the 1900s and with it went the trade ships as well. The
swaying palm trees welcome you into the Bay of Cambay as you approach the
village. There’s something quite magical about this place.
Both photos above were taken from
the top of the Jumma Masjid in the village of Khambatt. In the first one, the empty land beyond
the buildings is apparently where the first cricket match in the world was
played! The archway on the right is what was known as the ‘Gateway to Mecca’.
It is here that muslims came from all over India to make the pilgrimage to
Mecca. The Shah Jahan himself apparently started his journey here. The Jumma Masjid was
built by the Nawabs of Cambay and it is probably one of the most beautifully
preserved relics I’ve seen so far in India. The intricate engravings on the
pillars are still exquisite as are the tombs of the Mughal King and Queen who
built the Masjid. We were the only visitors in the Masjid (quite the norm) and
it was lovely and peaceful to walk around. I’d been to a number of historical
sites in Rajasthan a few weeks before, all swamped by the masses, and I have to
say this was by far my favourite.
