Abdullah Hall

It would not be unfair to say that Aligarh has two old and historical forts namely, Aligarh Fort and Abdullah Hall (Fort). I can’t comment much about the first one but the second one fascinated the imagination of most aligs of my time.

Abdullah Hall is a miniature walled city in its own. It houses several astabals (hostels), granaries (Dining Halls), aslah-khanas (Warden Houses), arenas and training grounds (playgrounds). Replenishment and supplies for the residents of this fort are procured in a highly secure arrangement. Besides this, I have heard that punctuality and attendance are two important customs there. There is a bell (ghanti) before all the meal and tea timings. All the inmates are counted before putting them in well-guarded pavilions. There are only two gates: Lal Diggy Gate and Marris Road Gate. The whole fort has 2 feet wide wall painted in brick-red colour. One side of the Fort wall is exposed to a road leading to Marris Road crossroads. But, this doesn’t compromise the security of the fort as there is 8-10 feet wide Nallah between the road and the Fort wall. I always wondered that this nallah might be inhabited by some unseen crocodiles 😉 While riding my bicycle on that road which has Zia compound on the other side of it, I always fancied the world on the other side of fence, rather “the Great Wall of China”. I never knew how it was in there but was always curious. To tell you the truth, these were the thoughts of 90 percent of the Aligarian boys of my time.

Recently, I got to know that this dream can now be fulfilled and scores of people have already had an aerial view of the mysterious Abdullah Hall. Someone told me that this year Aligarh Numaish had a brand new item (tamasha). They were offering a Helicopter ride for 1200 rupees. The helicopter gave an aerial view of the entire Aligarh city and two rounds over Abdullah Hall. The popularity of this khel can be deliberated by the fact that the charges went up to Rs 1800/- towards the end of Numaish this year.

People from all parts of the country visit Aligarh to meet their relatives (especially the Aligarian cousins) based in the fort. I have also had a few chances of seeing the Provost’s office at Abdullah Hall on a few Sundays. I would love to share the uncommon but common experience. Obviously, uncommon only for non-aligs and common for all aligs.

8:45 AM IST Sunday
Gentlemen dressed smartly waiting at the main entrance on Marris Road for the gates to open for common public.

9:00 AM IST Sunday
The Gate opens. Motorbike riders zoom in their bikes along with their pillion accomplices. Bicycle riders, slowly and shyly, follow them.

Scene outside the Provost’s office and Hostel Main Gate
The visitors can be seen posing with their bikes. Some of them sporting designer sunglasses and watches. The air seems to be filled with concocted fragrance of perfumes and bodysprays. The bearers are ready with their respective Hostel Registers and bicycles. Well, because the Fort is so much spread out that they actually need bicycles to reach a hostel quickly. One can see them screaming the name of the hostel they are assigned to (Sultania Hostel, Waheedia Hostel, New Hostel, TW Hostel and MJ).
Visitors grab the registers quickly and make the entries.

A peek into the register makes everyone notice that the relationship column has maximum instances of “cousin” followed by a double quote indicationg ditto.

9:15 AM IST Sunday
The girls start coming out to meet the visitors or to go out for the “Outing (The official word!)”.
To describe this, I need help from our Tarana. “Har sham hai sham-e-misr yahan, har shab hai shab e sheeraz yahan…” I would love adding to this… “Har itwaar hai jaise Eid yahan” Dressed in their best outfits, some of the girls start coming out of the small side-door, next to main gate, as if the stage is all set and the ramp has been laid down for them.
While the visitors wait for the person they want to meet, they don’t mind observing and discussing other people around. This is the time when one comes to know that “The world is round and a very small place”. Everyone seems to everyone here. If you haven’t known them till today, it’s time you recognize them and add them to your list of knowns.
After a while, it becomes a sport to identify the “visitor” and the ‘visited’ by either their names or their relatives. In no time, it is Noon.

12:00 Noon IST Sunday
Closing time for visiting hours, first session. If you couldn’t meet the person you wanted to, please come back at 3:00 PM when the second session starts. If you have already met the person but aren’t done with your chat, kindly leave the premises. Milk Bar and Kwality could be where you are heading, now.

Fast forward to 5:00 PM IST Sunday
End of visiting hours for the day. Visitors sitting in the lawns, verandahs, near the fences, over the benches are disturbed by the guards of the Fort. Bibi…chaliye.. visiting ka time khatm hua….
One can hear the contesting voices: Abhi to paanch minute baaqi hain.. bhaeee… or Haan han, bas ja rahe hain….

That brings a visitor’s visit to an end. Only the privileged ones who are related to wardens get to catch the inside glimpse of Abdullah “Fort”. Others return contented after the meeting with their relatives and counterparts in Abdullah Hall.

~ Qais