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178. Gurdwara Singh Sabha & A Temple in Chak Jhumra!
God knows what I was doing in Chak Jhumra on that summer day on July 13, 2017, and how I happened to discover this gurdwara. Now, after eight long years, I cannot recall at all. Later on, I completely forgot about it and even lost its pictures somewhere in the digital space of my computer….
156. Gurdwara Narankari (Rawalpindi)
Before 1947, Rawalpindi was a multi-religious city. A large number of Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs lived together. The following table would give you an idea of the composition of the religious demographics: Total Muslims % Hindus % Sikhs % City 185,042 81,038 43.79 62,393 33.72 32054 17.32 Tehsil 380,395 261,720 68.80 68,389 17.98 40,224…
153. Attock Khurd Railway Station
The British Raj began expanding in India in the mid-eighteenth century, and by the middle of the nineteenth century, they had completely subdued this vast land. It was a time of rapid change, not only in India but across the world. One of the most significant forces driving these changes was the Industrial Revolution, which…
096. An old garden at Qila Mian Singh, Gujranwala. (Qila Mihan Singh)
About ten kilometers from Gujranwala, there is a village known as Qila Mian Singh. The word Qila in Arabic, Urdu, and Punjabi means “fort,” so I assumed there might be a fort or at least remnants of one. An internet search revealed some old structures in the village. To explore further, I marked the location…
090. Sargodha: M.C. Girls Model High School, Block No. 2 (Formerly A Hindu Pathshala For Girls)
We mostly don’t have a collective memory of a time when India was united and under the rule of the British. Or it seems like a very remote past that has ended without leaving any traces. Similarly, most of us, including myself, have not experienced a multicultural and multi-religious society. Though I often met Christians…
076. The Chenab Colony
During my childhood, my favourite genre of movies was Westerns. These films were simple, packed with action, and easy to understand. The typical storyline involved a young lady travelling on a stagecoach who comes under attack by bandits, only to be rescued by a dashing hero. Or a caravan of settlers ambushed by Native Americans,…
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,…
009. Tilla Jogian
Tilla Jogian is a hill located in District Jhelum. Its name means “Hill of the Jogis” or “Yogis.” It is an ancient site, considered sacred by Hindus for over two thousand years. The hilltop houses a large complex of several Hindu temples, which are now crumbling and in a state of neglect. A local resident…
008. Haranpur (Victoria) Railway Bridge , Jhelum. (And a gruesome story of 1947)
The railway bridge at Haranpur is a beautiful example of old iron railway bridges constructed during the British era. It was likely built in the 1890s and underwent renovation or repair in 1936. The bridge is also known as Victoria Bridge. It is a remarkable piece of engineering and well worth seeing. The scenery is…