Agra: In yet another instance of renaming historical landmarks, the Uttar Pradesh government has begun the process of renaming Shahjahan Garden, a prominent green space near the Taj Mahal, after 18th-century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar, reported the Print.
The proposal was initiated by state minister Baby Rani Maurya, who wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath advocating for the change. Following her request, additional chief secretary in the CM’s office, S.P. Goyal, directed the state chief secretary to take necessary action.
Maurya, an MLA from Agra Rural, has previously influenced renaming decisions. Last year, at her request, the government renamed the Bijlighar Metro Station in honor of B.R. Ambedkar.
The move aligns with a broader trend of renaming places in BJP-ruled states. Recently, the Uttarakhand government renamed 11 locations in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar to honor Hindu deities and BJP figures. Similarly, in Maharashtra, the name of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) in Aurangabad was changed to MNLU, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
In Delhi, three BJP MLAs proposed renaming Najafgarh, Mohammadpur, and Mustafabad as Nahargarh, Madhavpuram, and Shiv Vihar, respectively.
Maurya’s proposal has sparked concerns among historians and local residents, who see it as part of an ongoing effort to erase Agra’s Mughal heritage. The city already has a statue of Ahilyabai Holkar on Fatehabad Road, near Old Mandi.
Over the years, Agra has witnessed multiple renaming decisions. Hewitt Park was renamed Pandit Krishna Dutt Paliwal Udyan, Company Garden became Sardar Patel Udyan, and Jones Library was rebranded as Adhishji Library.
There have also been demands from Hindutva groups to rename the Taj Mahal as “Tejo Mahalaya.” In 2021, a BJP MLA suggested renaming it as “Ram Mahal” or “Shiv Mahal,” claiming it was originally a Shiva temple.
Shahjahan Garden derives its name from the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal. In 1905, the Prince of Wales unveiled a bronze statue of Queen Victoria in the park. The statue, sculpted by Thomas Brock, was one of 14 installed across India. After Independence, it was removed, and the park was renamed Shahjahan Garden. The statue was relocated to Jones Library, where it now lies abandoned.
Several voices from Agra’s intellectual and cultural circles have criticized the move. Historian Ram Nath had previously condemned similar actions, calling them a “deliberate attempt to erase medieval history.”
Civil Society of Agra secretary Anil Sharma and Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber secretary Vishal Sharma questioned whether public consultations or municipal referendums were held before making such decisions.
Bhartiya Muslim Vikas Parishad chairman Sami Aghai called the renaming attempt a “systematic conspiracy” to erase Agra’s Mughal heritage. “The Mughals played a crucial role in shaping Agra’s architectural and cultural identity,” he stated.
With renaming efforts intensifying across BJP-led states, Agra’s historical identity faces an uncertain future. Whether the Shahjahan Garden renaming will proceed or face resistance remains to be seen.
