# Mahipalpur

Mahipalpur on National Highway - 8, leading to Gurugram and Jaipur has ancient roots and it is amongst the oldest villages of India. It is located at the edge of south central ridge of 1500 million year old Aravali Hills; It is bound by the South Central Ridge in the North East, Vasant Kunj towards East, Shankar Vihar (Military Cantonment) towards North, National Highway -8 towards North West and Rangpuri village toward South West. Currently the most popular hotel and guest house destination in Delhi. In revenue department record it is an urban village, located in New Delhi district of Delhi, India. It is located near the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Delhi Aerocity metro station is the nearest metro station.

## History

The village dates back to the 11th century, and is named after a Tomara ruler named Mahipala. The area around the village has been inhabited since earlier. For example, the Sultan Ghari monument was built in around 10th century by the Pratihara dynasty. The area around the village has been inhabited since earlier. For example, the Sultan Ghari monument was built in around 10th century by the Pratihara dynasty. .Mahipalpur has an ancient Hauz and Mahal, two historical monuments which reveal the habitation of this area during the seven capitals that existed in Delhi in historic times. During the 17th century people from the nearby malikpur migrated here and removed the local people.

## Significance of the village

Mahipalpur is a politically active village, in the first legislative assembly of Delhi in 1952, public representative for Najafgarh Constituency, Shri Ajit Singh, MLA hailed from Mahipalpur village.
In the 8th Legislative assembly of Delhi Colonel Devinder Sehrawat, who was elected as public representative i.e. MLA of Bijwasan Constituency also hails from this village.
Mahipalpur is on of the village affected by land acquisition. Individual agriculture land was acquired for construction of the Indira Gandhi International Airport and National Highway 8. The village was given very less compensation for their individual private agriculture land. The Gram Sabha Land of the village was acquired and in most of the former gram sabha land of Mahipalpur, the Aravali Bio Diversity park is set up. The villagers however have no access to the Aravali Bio Diversity park ass the passage from village is blocked by Shankar vihar Cantt.
Like all rural villages Mahipalpur also has a rich heritage of celebration of festivals and seasonal and celestial occurrences. The Nangara of Village Mahipalpur is visible at most political events in the capital.
Mahipalpur has hosted two Mahapanchayats.

### Maha- Panchayat at Mahipalpur On 25 October 2010

It was organised by Colonel Devinder Sehrawat, the then Secretary of Delhi Gramin Samaj.Shri Balram Jakhar, former speaker of Lok Sabha of India presided over the meeting and Shri Jayant Chaudhary, MP of RLD party was special guest. The mah-Panchayat was conducted with the aim of protect & safeguard the interest of villagers.
The Maha-Panchayat was very well attended and several rural leaders were present in this meeting.
The agenda points included:-
* Regularisation of extended Lal Dora/ existing Abadi
* Construction should be permitted in Extended Lal Dora and Existing Abadi and the order on getting the building plan sanctioned should be withdrawn being impractical.
* Acquisition of Land be carried out only after negotiation with the landowners. No force able acquisition of land. First right of utilising land for commercial activity be given to the land owners, role of DDA as middle man should be minimised.
* The land of villages of South Delhi acquired in 1980 be denotified as most of the area has come under construction and occupation and the sword of land acquisition should be removed from their head.
* Delhi Land Reform Act 1954 should be abolished immediately and section 81 be withdrawn to protect the interest of villagers
* Villagers should be involved and have the right in Management of Gram Sabha Land.
* Prepare a comprehensive Development plan for Villages of Delhi. Provide basic amenities like Sewage system, Parks, Mother Dairy and Safal outlets, sport facilities e.g. playground &stadiums, colleges for boys & girls and dispensaries in villages. The villages should be developed before acquisition of the land by DDA.
* No Conversion charge be levied on properties located on roads of rural as well as urbanised villages where land has been acquired by the govt as the rent is the only source of income for farmers rendered jobless due to land acquisition.
* Restore representation rights to villages of Delhi and rectify the folly of abolition of erstwhile Panchayats.
* Review the decision to impose House Tax in Villages without providing any facilities.
* Issue the gazette notification and Implementation of rent control Act which has not been implemented even after having been passed by both the houses of the parliament and signed by the president.
* Provide reservation to children of farmers whose land has been acquired in schools built on the allotted land.
* Institutions of higher education located in Delhi should recognize the OBC status of farmers of Delhi who have been declared backward as a result of the land acquisition by the State commission.
* Safeguard the old customs and traditions of the villages.
* DTC shelters are not provided in rural areas, these should be provided being essential for the commuters.
* Public utilities and urinals are totally absent in rural areas these should be developed in rural belt to provide basic civic facilities to the rural population.