The dargah (mausoleum or shrine), mosque and enclosure at the Qalandar Chowk in Panipat were constructed by Mahabat Khan a Muslim noble in service of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Mahabat Khan’s own tomb in red sandstone is adjacent to the saint’s mausoleum. The tombs of Hakim Mukaram Khan and the Urdu poet Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali are also located within the enclosure.

The left wall of the mausoleum has a qaseedeh (panegyric) embossed and painted in blue and gold, written by Zahuri Neishabouri who visited India during the reign of Akbar.

A large number of people from all walks of life – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians – visit the tomb and offer prayers th

Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar is one of the most renowed Sufi saints in history. He was born in early 1400 in Panipat, India. After the Ibadat of 36 years by standing in the water in Karnal he achieved the status of “Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar”. The Prophet Mohammed blessed him with the fragrance Bu Ali. After achieving this Rutba, many Sufi saints came to see Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar. After many years of devotion and service Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar is said to have disappeared into the sky in front of all his devotees. Now there is the Durbar of Bu-Ali-Shah Qalandar Sahib in Panipat, which is very well known as the Qalandari Gate.

More about the saint : His name was Sheikh Sharf Uddin and Bu-Ali Shah the title. His father, Sheikh Fakhar Uddin was a great scholar and saint of his time. The mother, Bibi Hafiza Jamal, was the daughter of Maulana Syed Nemat Ullah Hamdani. His father came from Iraq in the year 600 Hijri and settled down in Panipat. His lineage with several links reached Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa. He was born in 606 Hijri in Panipat.

He completed his studies at an early age and taught near the Qutub Minar in Delhi for 20 years. He was counted among renowned scholars and top-ranking teachers regarded him with respect.

Once during the studies he was lost in absorption and wonder. He got up and threw all the books into the river and trudged into the forest and busied in prayer and meditation there.

He undertook severe penance and meditation, stood in a state of absorption for several days in water till the fish ate away flesh form his calves. One day he was engaged in meditation, a voice he heard. It said, “Sharf Uddin, we granted you your prayer say, what do you want?” He said, “I need none save you. I will give away my life in love while standing at this place.” The voice again descended, “Get out of water, you have to do much for us.” He replied, “I will not emerge myself from the river of love. If you want it, then do it.” Saying this he was lost again. He witnessed, in the state, that a saint appeared and lifted him out of the river and placed him on the bank.

Several chroniclers opine that the saint was Hazrat Ali himself. He taught him some divine secrets and disappeared. From that day he was regularly lost in spiritual wonderment. His heart was filled with heavenly light. From that day he was call Boo-Ali Shah.

Still some chroniclers say that he did not pledge obedience to a holy man but was admitted directly into the fold by Hazrat Ali. Some link him to the Mahboob-e-Ilahi whereas others bind him to Hazrat Qutub Uddin Bakhtiyar Ka’aki and Sheikh Shabu Uddin Suharawardy.

He lived in Panipat till death and served the people form there. Hundreds drew spiritual or divine benefits from him. Besides, he undertook to regular teaching and propagation of Islam. Hundreds embraced Islam because of him. The Rajputs, who lived around, were the great beneficiaries. He left a deep impact on the royal dynasty of Delhi, and preached them of good conduct.

One day a disciple of Shamsuddin Turk went to the city on an errand and saw Boo Ali Shah riding a lion and retold the episode to his teacher. Shamsuddin Turk said to his disciple, “Go to the residence of Boo Ali Shah and if you see him riding the lion, tell him: “The lion should live in the jungle.” The disciple obeyed, found Hazrat Boo Ali Shah in the condition and conveyed his teacher’s message. He rose from his place immediately and went to Ghote.
Death- It is mentioned in ‘Sair-Ul-Akhtab’ that he died on 17, Ramazul Mubarak 724 Hijri at Budha Khera but lay to rest in Panipat instead.

Sources : http://www.aulia-e-hind.com/

Kabuli Bagh Mosque, built in 1526, is an impressive structure located at Panipat, a historical town situated on the banks of the Yamuna. Panipat is about 92 km north of New Delhi.

Kabuli Bagh Mosque was built by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat to commemorate victory over Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. Built in 1526 AD, the mosque, situated inside an enclosure having octagonal towers at its corners, has its entrance on the north. The gateway built of bricks with red sandstone facing consists of a lintel bracket-type opening encased in a huge arch, the spandrels of which are decorated with arched recesses encased in rectangular panels.

The main prayer hall of the mosque has annexes on sides, which are crowned with hemispherical domes sitting on low drums. Its high facade, divided in panels, is plastered with lime. A masonry platform, the Chabutra-I-Fateh Mubarak, constructed by Humayun (the eldest son of Babur), bears an inscription dating back to 1527.

The age and climate ravage the structure to an extent. Kabuli Bagh Mosque is now protected as a heritage building.

Panipat is an ancient and historic city in Panipat District, Haryana state, India. It is 90 km from Delhi on NH-1 and comes under the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Three battles fought at the city were turning points in Indian history.

History

Panipat was one of the five cities (prasthas) founded by the Pandava brothers during the times of the Mahabharata; its historic name being Paneprastha.

Panipat was the scene of three pivotal battles in Indian history. Panipat is also known for textile and Yarn Business.

The First battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 between Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi and Zaheeruddin Babur. Babur’s force of twelve thousand soldiers were equipped with cannons and were better organised, and thus were able overcome Lodhi’s much larger force of over one lakh (one hundred thousand) soldiers. Babur laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.

The Second battle of Panipat was fought in 1556 between Hemu and Bairam Khan Shaibani (Emperor Humayun’s cheiftain of the Persian cavalry lent to him by Tahmasp Safawi Iran’s ruler, in whose realm Humayun had sought sanctuary after being dethroned and chased out of Indian borders by Sher Shah Suri in 1530.) Bairam Khan, caretaker of Akbar was the father of Mirza Abdurraheem Khan i Khanan, Akbar’s renowned general, governor and courtier. Hemu fell unconscious when an arrow hit his eye and his army left the field. He was beheaded and the Mughal comeback in India was complete.

The Third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 between Ahmad Shah Abdali and Marathas under Sadashivrao Bhau, the cousin of Peshwa Nanasaheb, the Pancha Pradhan of the Maratha State at Pune , who were protecting the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II. This battle marked the rise of the British power in India and the end of Pune’s military strength as the head of Maratha rulers in Indian territories.Lutfullah 13:08, 29 March 2007 (UTC)Lutfullah

Industrial scenario of Panipat – A city of handloom

Panipat is a city of textiles and carpets. It is the biggest centre for cheap blankets and carpets in India and has a handloom weaving industry. The pickle “Pachranga International” is also well known. Panipat also has heavy industry, with a refinery of the Indian Oil Corporation, a National Thermal Power Corporation power plant and a National Fertilizers Limited plant.

Salient Features of the industry at Panipat

* Town has three major projects under public sector – IOC Refinery, NFL and Thermal Power Station.
* Biggest Centre in the Country for producing Shoddy Yarn.
* Biggest Centre in the Country for producing low priced blankets.
* Biggest Centre in the Country engaged in Export of Cotton Durries, Made-ups, Throws and Mats.
* Larger consumer of rags for re-processing.
* Panipat Town is a very old supplier of Barrack Blankets to the Armed Forces.
* Samalkha, a smaller town near Panipat, is known for the foundry work and supply of Agriculture machinery to nearby U.P. area.
* A very high per day wage for the labour vis-à-vis national average- a worker earns Rs.70/- to 120/- per day on Handloom/ Powerloom.
* A town has infrastructures such as Rail, Road and ICDS (Inland Container Depots) best suited to Industry and Export.

Sights

The main places of attraction are the grave of Ibrahim Lodhi, Kabuli Bagh, Devi Mandir, Kala Amb, Salar Gunj Gate, and the tomb of the thirteenth century sufi saint Bu Ali Shah Qalandar.

‘Kala Amb’ is a memorial built in memory of the soldiers who died in the battlefield of Panipat. It is said that blood of the dead soldiers was mixed with the soil and the fruit of a mango tree became black in color due to that and hence the name “Kala Amb” meaning ‘Black Mango’.

The famous Urdu shayar Maulana Hali was born in Panipat.

Geographical Structure and Atmosphere

As mentioned above this city is situated on Shershah Suri Marg( Now known as G.T. road- N.H.1.) 90 KM from Delhi. The three sides of this district touches other district of Haryana Viz. Karnal in North, Jind in West and Sonipat in South and in East touches with Uttar Pradesh accross Yamuna.

Panipat was the part of District Karnal till 31 October,1989,which was upgraded as a separate District, including Assandh Tehsil of district Karnal. When the District was reformed on 01 January,1992 Assandh Tehsil was excluded from this District.

Education institutions in Panipat

General colleges

* S D College, Panipat
* I B College, Panipat
* Arya College, Panipat

Engineering Colleges

* N C College of Engineering, Israna
* Panipat Institute of Textile & Engineering, Samalkha
* Asia Pacific Institute of Information & Technology

Schools

* Delhi Public School
* M.A.S.D. Public School
* Bal Vikas School, Model Town
* Kendriya Vidyalaya, NFL
* Dr. M K K Arya Model School
* S D Vidya Mandir, HUDA
* DAV School, Thermal
* St. Mary’s
* S D Senior Secondary School
* Arya Senior Secondary School
* Arya Bal Bharti Public School
* S.D Modren Sen. Secondry School
* S.D. Girls School
* Bal Bharti
* Arya Girls Public School, G.T. Road
* Adarsh Bal Niketan,Assandh Road

Hotels

* Hotel Gold
* Hotel My India
* Hotel Nirulas
* Hotel Maharaja
* Hotel Regency
* Hotel Mid Town
* Hotel Skylark (Haryana tourism development corporation)

Shopping malls

* Gokul Mega Mart
* Mittal Mega Mall
* Saraf Mall
* Angel Prime Mall
(source http://www.answers.com/topic/panipat)