027. Tomb of Mirza and Sahiban & The Mosque in Kheiwa
Mirza Sahiban is one of the most famous love stories of Punjab and the Indian subcontinent. Mirza was a Kharal Rajput from Danabad village (31°12’51” N, 72°27’09” E) in Tehsil Jaranwala, District Faisalabad. Sahiban belonged to the Sial tribe and lived in Kheiwa (31°27’13” N, 72°27’32” E), a village about 20 kilometers north of Jhang….
026. Birthplace of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Pakistan
I hope many of you have heard the name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh—thanks to Bollywood movies, if nothing else. He is probably one of the most famous revolutionaries who fought against British rule in India. During my recent visit to Pakistan, visiting his ancestral village, Banga, was one of my top priorities. Despite all the…
025. Katas Temples
Katas is probably the most sacred site of the Hindu faith in Pakistan and certainly the most well-known. It is an ancient place, rich in Hindu history and mythology. According to the Mahabharata, the five Pandava brothers, heroes of that epic, lived here for four years. The temple complex is believed to have existed since…
024. Nandana Fort, Pakistan.
This short post is about the ancient city of Nandana, located in the Salt Range. Once an important city during the time of the Hindu Shahi dynasty, it went into decay after the invasions of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. Today, Nandana is an archaeological site of considerable significance. With proper excavation, it holds the potential…
023. Monument Of John Nicholson & GT Road Of Sher Shah Suri
The Rebellion of 1857 is a landmark event in the modern history of India. During this uprising, which began in that year, the British came dangerously close to losing their Indian Empire. However, due to a general lack of public interest in history, many remain unaware of the full scope and significance of this rebellion….
022. Dipalpur: A historical city lost in time and Gurdwara Chota Nanakiana
Dipalpur is a small city in District Okara, but it boasts an ancient history dating back to the Vedic period of the early Indo-Aryan civilization. During the era of the Delhi Sultanate, particularly in the 13th century, it rose to significant prominence. Dipalpur was not only the seat of the governor of Punjab, but also…
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…