India, Aug. 31 -- Aminabad, though often eclipsed by Lucknow's esteemed commercial hubs, Chowk and Hazratganj, holds a rich tapestry of history that deserves recognition. While Chowk radiates historic charm and Hazratganj captivates with its colonial elegance, Aminabad tells its own compelling story rooted in the past. Once a garden known as Bagh Pandain, this locale also housed the 'Panditain ki Masjid,' built by Rani Jai Kunwar Pandey, a Brahmin woman believed to have had a close connection with Khadeja Khanum - an Indian consort of Burhan-ul-Mulk, who laid the foundations of the Nawabi dynasty in Awadh in 1722. Today, the legacy of Khadeja Khanum endures with her grave resting in what is now referred to as Jhandewala Park, while the beautifully preserved 'Panditain ki Masjid' stands as a testament to the historical richness of Aminabad and communal harmony of the city. Bagh Pandain later passed into the possession of Mughal prince, Mirza Suleiman Shikoh, who migrated to Lucknow during the times of Asaf-ud-Daula, due to palace intrigues in Delhi. The vast area then came to be known as 'Mahalsara Suleiman Shikoh'. The Mughal prince later left for Agra due to differences with Nasir-ud-Din Haider, the second king of Awadh, and the Mahalsara eventually became the property of Imdad Hussain Khan (Amin-ud-Daula), the Prime Minister of Amjad Ali Shah 'Hazrat' - the second last king of Awadh and father of Wajid Ali Shah. The nucleus of Aminabad as a market was laid during this period. However, it was a 'native bazaar' and not the Aminabad we know today. During colonial rule, Babu Ganga Prasad Verma was responsible for the makeover of Aminabad market, through the Lucknow Improvement Trust. The native market was uprooted and a planned commercial centre was put into place, with open spaces, colonnaded buildings having residential quarters above, fountains, lights, a post office and a clock tower. It soon became an acknowledged business centre of Indian merchants in the eastern part of the city. The conversion of a native bazaar to a planned modern market also resulted in 'the thinning of population, making it more sanitary. At nearby Qaiserbagh, the Marris Market and Saunders Market came up for providing groceries, vegetables, meat and fish - catering exclusively to the British population, thereby addressing the problem of hygiene and cleanliness. As the Freedom Movement gathered momentum, Room 227 of the century-old Chhedi Lal Dharmshala in Aminabad was the venue for the meeting of Ram Prasad Bismil and his intrepid band of revolutionaries under the banner of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. They later carried out the train action in Kakori on August 9, 1925. November 30, 1928, saw Aminabad Park as a venue for speeches by Motilal Nehru and Gobind Ballabh Pant, against the Simon Commission Report. It was decided by freedom fighters to hoist the national flag in the Aminabad Park, as a mark of protest against British rule, who understandably, cordoned off the area. But a persistent nationalist, Gulab Singh, hid on the branches of a tree all night and hoisted the flag early next morning. The British promptly shot him down. Hence the name: 'Jhandewala Park'. The stump of the tree exists in the park even today. Post 1947, the area faced another challenge due to the influx of refugees from Pakistan after the Partition. Mohan Market came up, occupying a substantial chunk of Aminabad; it was meant to be a temporary measure for providing livelihood to the dispossessed migrants, but it remained as a permanent fixture. With the passage of time, crowding and traffic jams started becoming a hallmark of the once sophisticated area. Today, a chaotic Aminabad, with crumbling civic amenities, encroachments, overhanging wires, and crooked hoardings, looks forward to a makeover, like Hazratganj. Despite its ramshackle appearance, it remains crowded throughout the day. The roads and lanes dedicated for different goods - be it footwear, second-hand books, stationary, dresses, and even food - remain the USP of the market. Aminabad's rejuvenation needs active participation and cooperation from all stake-holders, and the iron-will of the administration, to implement whatever decisions are taken by the government and municipal authorities. These would include the removal of shanties and illegal constructions in the market area. Naturally, sections of the population who have based their livelihood in the market are bound to suffer in this corrective exercise. However, short-term priorities will have to give way for long-term goals. (The writer is a former scientist who has authored books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow)...