REWARI - Its British Railway Colony

With my two grand daughters.

Found this book at the railway cafeteria. Gandhi's sojourn with railways in India and Africa. Interesting read. 

I had no idea that there was a place called Rewari on the Indian map prior to 2007. It is the year when Kuki - my younger daughter - found her husband to be, who was from Rewari, Haryana. My children and I knew Gurgaon because our offices were there; but Rewari - what on earth was that!? My first visit to this city left a lot to be desired and suffice it to say, I was pretty disappointed with my daughter's choice. 

Anyway that was years ago. I am again here from November 25th and today went out for the first time after my illness. People who know me did not expect me to survive dengue and the continuous bleeding - but surprise! I did. So off we went to see this railway colony my son-in-law has been talking about. He said it used to be a British colony and their bungalows were still around. British? In Rewari? That was my first reaction. 

But I was quite surprised to see that it had been a very well-laid out township or colony. The road to it is pretty dreary, but then that is now. Am sure it must have been clean and well-kept in the past. The bungalows are still there - occupied by local railway employees, who unfortunately do not occupy the huge bungalows with the respect they deserve. The less said the better. I found a Church North India graveyard and a Catholic Church, too! And quite close an ancient Shiv Mandir and Peer Dargah. All these within the English colony of the railways in the past. A school to boot and an army outlet and a medical facility. 

Honestly, I do not remember reading anywhere in my history lessons about Rewari or its importance as a railway headquarters. I have read about Chittaranjan etc.     

I wonder why Rewari has been more or less obliterated from railway history lessons. 

Many Hindi films have shot scenes in this place and city! I even saw the exact location of the heroine (Sonam Kapoor) bringing a pitcher of water in the film - Bhag Milkha Bhag. 

Inside the cafeteria where you get some mementos. Met Subbaram, who looks after the outlet. He is ex-army and ex-Indian Railways. Got some stuff from here.

Beautiful open area.

A plaque outside the engine.

Do not miss the registration - 2151 YP.

The 1855 famous locomotive - Fairy Queen being given a paint job and beautification overhaul before it starts to run between Delhi Cantonment and Rewari on second saturdays very soon.

My grand daughters and son-in-law kindly giving me a pose in front of Fairy queen.

could not resist this one among so many of these logo photos of the different Indian states. I am a Bengali. Hehehe!

A photo of the Darjeeling loop from the past. wonder if there
 has been any change in the route ever since. 

My grand daughter, Munni wanted to take a snap with these two Japanese visitors. They took two and I took some. Munni is learning Japanese language in her school! 

The Gol-ghar. The Britishers idea of a place to relax in the tropical evenings, have cocktails and discuss matters. And ofcourse, socialise. I recognised it because I had seen these in the Tiger Tops resorts when I worked with them.  

A Catholic Church right behind the Heritage Museum. No one around except this canine behind locked gates. I made friends with him right from start. Little did I know it would give me a safe chance to retrieve my mobile pieces when it fell on the other side of the gate. hahaha!

A group of Haryana ladies singing Ram-Sita songs outside the museum as we came out at 4 p.m. They were sporting enough and obliged.