051. The Last Assembly (Punjab Provincial Assemly: 1946 – 1947)
A few weeks ago, I came across a website listing the names of all the members of the Punjab Assembly of 1946–1947. Students of history will readily understand the significance of this information, as this was only the second, and the last, elected assembly of the Province of Punjab in British India. It was this…
050. Gurdwara Nanak Sar – Jhang
There are dozens of Gurdwaras and religious institutes in India, Pakistan, Europe, and North Africa named Nanaksar. Nanaksar or Nanak Sar, as far as I understand, means “(sacred) Pond of Nanak” (the first Guru of the Sikhs). But in Pakistan, there is a village 12 km away from Jhang on the Toba Tek Singh Road,…
049. Tulamba: An Ancient City Of Pakistan
Tulamba is one of the oldest cities in Pakistan, located about 80 kilometers from Multan, in District Khanewal, at coordinates 30° 31′ 35.87″ N, 72° 14′ 23.81″ E. Though much smaller than Multan, it rivals it in antiquity. The history of Tulamba is ancient, dating back to at least the time of Alexander’s invasion of…
048. Makhdoom Pur Pahuran – Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi
During my exploratory excursions, I have had the opportunity to visit many Gurdwaras. These were all abandoned after the upheavals of 1947. After all these years of neglect, many are in poor condition and occupied by families. However, quite a few are still in remarkably good condition and could easily be repaired, if someone takes…
047. Tomb & Mosque Of Syed Waris Shah
Waris Shah was born in Jandiala Sher Khan in 1722 and died in 1798. Through his magnum opus, Heer Waris Shah, he not only immortalized the legendary love story of Heer and Ranjha but also earned the title of the “Shakespeare of the Punjabi language.” He is buried in Jandiala Sher Khan, where a beautiful…
046. Muslim Princely States Of India
The British created the largest empire in the history of the world, with territories spread across all continents. Among these, India was the largest colony and was regarded as the “Jewel in the Crown” of the British Empire. This vast country was divided into eleven provinces, which were directly ruled and administered by the British….
045. Making & Naming Of Pakistan
Stanley Wolpert (born December 23, 1927) is an American historian. Among Wolpert’s well-known works is Jinnah of Pakistan (1982), a biography of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Wolpert described his subject as: “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state….
044. Temples Of Kafir Kot & Bilout
Aryans migrated to India around 1500 BC and made the Indus Valley their home. For the next few centuries, they settled in the river valleys of Punjab before spreading towards the Ganges plains. This period is called the Vedic period, as the holy scriptures of the Hindu religion, known as the Vedas, were written during…
043. Rohtas: Gurdwara Choa Sahib & Gurdwara Mata Kaur ji
Rohtas is a village in District Jhelum, just 10 kilometers south of Dina, a town on the GT Road. It is famous for the fort built here by the great king Sher Shah Suri in the mid-16th century. I, too, knew Rohtas only for this fort. While trying to find more about the fort, I…
042. Rohtas Fort
Rohtas Fort is one of the largest and most majestic forts in Pakistan. The famous king Sher Shah Suri (1486–1545 AD) had it constructed during his reign from 1540 to 1545 AD. Sher Shah Suri was the son of a jagirdar in Bihar. But due to his talent and hard work, he gradually increased his…