CHOWK TO CHANDNI CHOWK, CITY’S CHANGING CENTRES....
Ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui and Indian Vaastushastra state southwest as the direction of wealth and prosperity. Believers often cite South Mumbai and Singapore being prosperous for the same reason. Back home, our city has been changing its centre over the years and interestingly so, as it prospers, it’s heading South Westward.
During the days of yore, Chowk was the main city square. Roads from here, spread out to the Mughal caravan Sarai, to entry/exit points of the walled city, Katargaam darwaja, Lal darwaja, Delhi gate, Majuragate, and the only bridge over the Tapti then, Hope pul.Naginchand hall was home to Andrews library; also, a venue where plays like Shakespeare’s ‘taming of the shrew’ were enacted in their Gujarati adaptation, ’Firangi nathari thekaane avi’by a Parsi theatre group. Chowk Bazaar chaklo was the main market, Chautapul, Bhagal, Zhampa later developed as markets for trade, fruits, vegetables and jewellery.
The core area around the fort was inhabited by prosperous businessmen, officers of the governing body and their serving staff. The inner circumference , which consisted of the ‘puras’ Gopipura,Haripura,Salabatpura,Nanavat were the residential areas of the rich Vaniyas , Jains, money changers[nanavatis]and Parsis, then there were the ‘falias’Sonifalia,Wadifalia,etc.consisting of various traders and beyond these, the outer circumference of ‘waads’Golwaad,Bohra waad of the self contained ,Bohra,Gola communities.
Close by was the Asurbeg chaklo better known as Makkaipul [bridge to Mecca], a busy area during Akbar’s regime. The Navdi Ovara from here was the point from where the Hajjis boarded their ships for Mecca; Surat was known as’ bunder-e-khoobsurat’ [beautiful port]. Makkaipul has the main fish market, as well as oldest bakery in town, Dotiwala. Important roads from this point, later lead to newly developed destinations like the Rang Upvan amphitheatre, Gandhibaug, Dutch Garden and GPO and further on to’ Bahumali,’[multi-storeyed] the old court building.
Later, Athwagate turned the centre of a modern, newly emerging Surat.’Athwa’stands for the eighth gate of the walled city. This new Surat had in its vicinity Chowpatty garden, a swimming pool, the circuit house and residence quarters of the Police and government officers. It also had Athwa general store, a single unit stationary cum grocery shop that went on to become a household name in Surat. Schools and colleges started sprouting up too through Athwalines which ran south-westward.
With time, Parle Point and its high street shop culture took over.Bunglows and apartments here were much sought after. It became the Surti suburban dream destination. It had bigger roads, shops and homes than any other in town .Franchisee outlets of branded goods added to the market value .This area became the centre point for other suburbs such as Citylight, Ghodod, Maskati and the old Umra jakat [octroi] naka.
Present day, Piplod, Chandni Chowk, with its upcoming fancy apartments, gigantic temples, mall mania, multiplexes and better planned roads is the next heir to be crowned centre. Surtis on their Sunday trip to Dumas pass by here. This is the area that has the road which leads to the city airport, whose future shines bright in every Surti’s mind. And who knows, once that turns busy, we might just turn good old Dumas into Surat central someday.
It’s here where the Tapti, that runs by all of the afore mentioned places merges into the Arabian Sea, our city’s Southwest endpoint.
TAPI TOWN TATTLE-Talented India’s slums are good enough to turn producers’ millionaires and win Oscar nominations-Jai Ho!