162. Shah Bagh Baoli, district Rawalpindi.
Baolis are stepwells that once dotted the entire length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent, especially along the main highways. A large number of them still exist, and many are architectural marvels. In Pakistan, too, several have been preserved and remain in good condition. Unfortunately, however, the vast majority are utterly neglected and either lost…
161. Tipu Sultan, the Lion of Mysore: His family origins in Punjab
A few years ago, I came across a very interesting piece of information about Tipu Sultan, the legendary ruler of Mysore. The writer claimed that the ancestors of Tipu Sultan had moved to the Deccan from Punjab. But neither the details nor the source of this information was given, nor did the writer mention the…
160. Temple of Kalyan Das Suri, Rawalpindi.
Before independence and the partition of the country in 1947, Hindus formed nearly one-third of the population of Rawalpindi city. They were an influential community and constructed many beautiful houses, several of which still survive today. These buildings remind us of the multi-religious character of the city in the past, as well as the rich…
159. Lockhart Memorial, Rawalpindi.
Rawalpindi was an important military station during the British Raj, due to its proximity to the north-western frontier and as the headquarters of the Northern Command of the British Indian Army. After the defeat of the Khalsa Raj in 1849, this area came under British rule. Following independence, the city was made the General Headquarters…
158. Forgotten Gurdwaras of Rawalpindi City
Before 1947, Hindus and Sikhs made up a large proportion of Rawalpindi’s population and owned much of the property in the city. Their presence is still reflected in the grand havelis, elegant houses, and bustling bazaars that survive from that era. Earlier this year, I made several visits to the old quarters of Rawalpindi and…
157. Gurdwara Singh Sabha (Rawalpindi)
In my previous article, I took you to the historic Gurdwara Narankari in Rawalpindi. In this article, we shall visit another prominent gurdwara of the city, Gurdwara Singh Sabha. It is located in Raja Bazar, one of the busiest areas of Rawalpindi. Today, a school named Zia-ul-Uloom for Boys operates in the building. The gurdwara…
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…
155. Heritage Museum Islamabad (Lok Virsa)
Islamabad, the beautiful capital of Pakistan, has many museums, and the biggest of them all is the Heritage Museum. Frankly speaking, I was not expecting much from my visit to the Heritage Museum. After all, what could be there on display—earthen pots, a few gaudy dresses, and perhaps some old-fashioned musical instruments? But I could…
154. Pakistan Museum of Natural History – Islamabad
Islamabad has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and recreation, like parks, monuments and museums. One can find something suitable to his/her age, tastes and inclination. However, I know a place that will excite and fascinate all of you, adults and children alike. It is the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, definitely a very…
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…