[jyotirmoy]

Sher Shah Suri who had defeated Humayun  started the construction of a road which now is the Grand Trunk road. After Humayun regained his kingdom the Mughals felt the necessity to build roads to facilitate trade and also the movement of troops. The Mughals firmed up the GT Road and introduced “kos minars” which are highway distance markers. A Kos is approximately 2 miles. Caravan sarais were built at regular distances for travelers to rest in.
These sarais were built as small fortresses surrounded by battlements and protected by soldiers. There used to be arrangements for food & water and a mosque for praying. There used to be around hundred rooms for travelers and also stables for horses and elephants.
Today hundreds of these sarais are lying abandoned and many have been encroached by local farmers who cultivate the vast ground inside the sarais. There are some such sarais in Punjab & Haryana which still exist as nuggets of heritage treasures and worth a week end visit.

[noflylist]

MughalSarai railway station probably came from that then.

[jyotirmoy]

Yes this place was an important halt on the GT Road and also close to the important military base at the Chunar fort.

This Chunar fort is one historical and scenic site missed by most travellers.

[sadhuji]

jyotirmoy, on Jul 16 2008, 10:02 AM, said:

....... Caravan sarais were built at regular distances for travelers to rest in.........

like the roadside taverns of britain?

[noflylist]

but without (legal) moonshine!