021. Haji Sher Dewan & Gurdwara Pehli Patshahi near Burewala
I do not often visit shrines, but I greatly admire the profound work of the Sufi saints and their enduring message of tolerance, love, peace, and humanity. One of the earliest such saints is Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Dewan Chawali Mashaikh, famously known as Haji Sher. His date of death is recorded as 27th…
020. Bhera: Sher Shah Suri Mosque, Bhera City Gates & Old Houses
Bhera is one of the oldest cities in Pakistan. Its history dates back thousands of years. At the time of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasions, Bhera was a large and important city, and a stronghold of the Hindu Shahis. The Sultan attacked Bhera in 1004 AD. The foundations of the modern city were laid by…
019. Bhoman Shah: Gurdwara of Bhumman Shah
Baba Bhumman Shah was a prominent sadhu of the Udasi Sikhs, born in 1687 and died in 1762. The Udasi sect of Sikhs was quite popular in the 19th century and had a large following in Punjab. Baba Bhumman Shah is still revered for his spiritual teachings by many Sikhs and Hindus. A few years…
018. Gujranwala: Birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Samadhi of Mahan Singh and A Jain Mandir
Gujranwala is a large but comparatively new city. Though settlements existed in this area for a long time, the foundations of the modern city were laid in 1758, when Charat Singh constructed a small mud fort at Sirai Kambohaan. He was the sardar of the Sukerchakia Misl and the grandfather of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The…
017. Rasulnagar – A Historical City: Battle Of Ramnagar, Residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, A Hindu Temple and Fort of Alipur Chatha.
Rasulnagar is a small but historically significant town in the Gujranwala District. It is situated near the River Chenab and was once a busy ford used to cross the river. I visited this town on March 16, 2011, in search of any monuments or historical remnants related to the Battle of Ramnagar. Before going further,…
016. Pharwala Fort – Islamabad
Ever heard of Pharwala? Maybe not. Though it’s not far from Islamabad, it’s often overlooked. So next time you’re planning an excursion, consider visiting it. Pharwala Fort is situated just 18 kilometers from the old airport signal on Islamabad Highway. After traveling about 2.5 kilometers toward Rawat, turn left onto Mehfooz Shaheed Road and continue eastward…
015. Birthplace Of Indian Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh
Do you know how many Indian prime ministers were born in present-day Pakistan? You might be surprised to learn that no fewer than three prime ministers of India were born in what is now Pakistan. They were: Mr. Gulzarilal Nanda, born in Sialkot; Mr. Inder Kumar Gujral, born in Pari Darwaza, district Jhelum; and Dr….
014. Mangat – Gurudwara Of Bhai Bannu
Mangat is not only the name of a small town in Mandi Bahauddin, but also the name of a Sikh clan. The focus of this post is the town’s historical connection to the Sikh community. Mangat is home to a magnificent and splendid gurdwara, which I discovered purely by chance. While traveling from Gujrat to…
013. Suman Burj – Residence Of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Wazirabad)
Suman Burj is a large housing complex located in the northern part of Wazirabad city, at 32°27’00” N, 74°06’54” E. It covers an area of about 10 acres and contains nearly two dozen homes. I was told that it once served as a residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Inside the complex is a beautiful garden,…
012. Fort Of Mir Chakar Khan Rind At Satghara
Mir Chakar Khan Rind was a Baloch chief born in the Sibi region. Due to ongoing conflicts with the Lashari tribe, he migrated to Punjab and settled in Satghara, located in the Okara District, in 1518. He aligned himself with the Mughals in their battles against various adversaries. He supported Babur in his conquest of…