Friday 29 May 2015

Haveli Bhalki Shah Gumti Bazaar Walled City Lahore

March 31, 2013, & August 14th, 2023 (All pictures and writeup text used in this blog, is author's property, kindly respect copyrights)
Front Elevation (2023)



Haveli Bhalki Shah, also known as Blakki Shah, is an old pre-partitions building that stands in the heart of Gumti Bazaar within Lahore's walled city. The building's front side bears an inscription indicating that it was built on April 17th, 1929. I had the opportunity to visit and photograph this historic structure back in 2013.



Back in its day, this haveli (mansion) was a remarkable piece of architecture. With three stories and elegant hanging balconies adorned with intricate wooden carvings, it was truly a sight to behold. The front of the building was originally painted entirely in white, giving it the appearance of a beautiful white pearl standing gracefully. Unfortunately, today the front view is marred by numerous electric cables crisscrossing the area.

Interestingly, Hindu symbols, including the sacred symbol "Ōṃ," are visible at various spots on the building's façade, indicating its connection to Hinduism. The rear elevation of the haveli features simpler wooden balconies on the first and second floors.



There's another inscription on the front façade, although a few of the words at the front have faded over time. It reads, "Messrs Brothers Kimal & Son Bankers Lahore."



The stories surrounding Bhalki Shah vary. Some say he was a wealthy Hindu banker, while others depict him as a somewhat notorious figure of his time, known for lending money in the city. One common tale from the walled city recounts how, when Bhalki Shah fell ill, people were afraid to visit him, thinking he might demand repayment of their loans. Those who had borrowed smaller amounts took the risk and visited him. Upon learning of their modest debts, he magnanimously forgave them. Learning of this benevolent act, even those who owed larger sums were encouraged to check on his health. When they visited, he inquired about their loans through his assistant, and upon discovering their substantial debts, he instructed his worker to hold them in his house until they settled their loan obligations.

My friend Adil Lahori, who is from the walled city, told me an interesting fact about Bhalki Shah. It's said that almost everyone in Lahore borrowed money from him, except Mian Iftikharuddin and Mian Miruddin. He had three bank branches in Lahore, one near Chori market close to Pani Wala Talab, and another near Neela Gumbad, and the location of the third one is unknown. They weren't exactly bankers but offered high profits on people's money. Being close to Lahore Heera Mandi, many visitors borrowed money from them and returned with significant interest.

Several quotes related to Bhalaki Shah are popular in the walled city, with one still echoing: "Tu bara Bhalki Shah bana phirta hain" (You act like a big shot, just like Bhalki Shah). However, concrete historical references about Bhalki Shah are hard to come by.

It is crucial to urgently preserve and restore this precious gem of Gumti Bazaar before it fades away into oblivion.



Front Elevation (Picture taken in 2013)


Rear Elevation (2013)

Rear Elevation (2013)




Front Elevation (2013)

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Once Upon a Time in Nuwakot - A Wooden Town of Leepa

October 09, 2012

Leepa, Azad Kashmir, is also famous for its typical Kashmiri style of architecture, mostly in the form of 3 to 5 storied wooden houses.

The Leepa Valley is one of the beautiful valley in Pakistan located 45 kilometres rom Muzaffarabad. The valley has many extravagant touristic scenes. It has high peak green mountains covered with pines trees. In the entire winter season the leepa valley is covered with snow. In summer season people from all over the Pakistan come to visit . The valley is divided into the Leepa, Reshian, Dao Khan, and Chananian sections and is open to tourists from May to November.

I have visited this place on October 09, 2012