𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐤𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞

18th December 2022

Karbath is a small village located on the outskirts of Lahore on Beidan road very near the famous BRB canal. Before the partition of  Hindustan, a large number of Sikh families used to live here, one still can find remains of many Sikh Havelis here, sadly these are not restored and with the passage of time, only a few of them have survived. In past, there was a Gurdwara building inside this village as well but now nothing has been left behind. 

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Site of Gurdwara no remains have been left

A Forgotten Dak Chowki (Mail Station) in Lahore

27th August 2022

Nestled behind Shalimar Hospital in Lahore city, a hidden gem awaits those seeking a glimpse into the past - the graveyard and mosque of the revered religious scholar, Chota Mian Saheb. Chota Mian Saheb, the younger brother of the renowned Quranic preacher Mian Muhammad Ismail Suharwardy, known as Mian Wadda, left behind a legacy that still resonates in the hearts of many.

Within the precincts of Chota Mian Saheb's graveyard, a weathered quarter constructed from ancient Badshahi Bricks stands as a testament to the passage of time. These bricks, which later earned the moniker of Lahori bricks, were first employed during the illustrious reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The quarter, boasting a rectangular shape, reveals an extended roof that gracefully covers all four sides. While the walls bear the marks of defaced architectural embellishments, their design patterns harken back to the grandeur of Mughal edifices scattered across the Punjab region. Sadly, an unseemly steel door has been installed on one of the walls, detracting from the original aesthetic charm.

Originally, this quarter served as a Dakh Chowki, a mail station believed to have been erected during the era of Shah Jahan. Many decades ago, remnants of a pond adorned the front of the quarter, presumably providing much-needed refreshment to weary horses during their travels.

Despite its current state of disrepair, the quarter exudes an undeniable historical significance, offering a captivating window into the architectural and functional aspects of eras long gone. The presence of the Badshahi Bricks, with their rich history, and the vestiges of the mail station, serve as poignant reminders of the vibrant Mughal heritage and the pivotal role it played in facilitating communication and transportation during its time.

Standing in the presence of this weathered quarter, one can almost envision the bustling activity that once filled the air. Couriers, mounted on swift horses, would have arrived with news from distant lands, while travelers would have sought refuge within its walls. The quarter stands as a silent witness to the stories of the past, holding within it the echoes of a bygone era.

While the ravages of time have left their mark on this architectural treasure, it remains a cherished reminder of the enduring legacy of the Mughal era. It urges us to appreciate the rich history that surrounds us and to preserve and protect these fragments of the past for future generations to behold and admire. Within the walls of Chota Mian Saheb's quarter, the essence of Lahore's cultural tapestry and its historical grandeur intertwine, inviting all who visit to immerse themselves in the captivating narrative of our shared heritage.

لاہور شہر میں شالیمار ہسپتال کے پیچھے اپنے وقت کے عظیم عالم دین چھوٹے میاں صاحب کا قبرستان اور مسجد موجود ہے۔ چھوٹے میاں صاحب مشہور قرآنی مبلغ میاں محمد اسماعیل سہروردی کے چھوٹے بھائی تھے جنہیں عرف عام میں میاں وڈا کہا جاتا ہے۔

چھوٹے میاں صاحب کے قبرستان کے درمیان پرانی بادشاہی اینٹوں سے تعمیر شدہ خستہ حال کوارٹر ابھی تک کھڑا ہے۔ تعمیر میں بادشاہی اینٹوں کا استعمال (جو بعد میں لاہوری اینٹوں کے نام سے بھی جانا جاتا ہے) مغل شہنشاہ شاہ جہاں کے دور میں شروع ہوا تھا۔ چوتھائی مستطیل ہے، جس کے چاروں اطراف ایک توسیع شدہ چھت ہے۔ دیواروں پر، خستہ حال آرکیٹیکچرل  کی باقیات ہیں۔ یہ ڈیزائن کے نمونے عام طور پر پنجاب کے ارد گرد مغل عمارتوں میں پائے جاتے ہیں۔ دیواروں میں سے ایک پر بدصورت نظر آنے والا فولادی دروازہ نصب کیا گیا ہے۔

یہ سہ ماہی بنیادی طور پر ایک ڈاک چوکی تھی، ایک ڈاک اسٹیشن جو غالباً شاہ جہاں کے دور میں تعمیر کیا گیا تھا۔ چند دہائیاں قبل اس کے سامنے ایک تالاب کی باقیات بھی موجود ہیں جو یقیناً پیاسے گھوڑوں کی خدمت کرتا تھا۔

The 13th Century Shrine of Hazrat Pir Syed Hadi Rahnuma Shamsi Qadri Lahore

28th August 2022

(All images copyright 2022 Mirza Ali Usman Baig, text written in this article is the author's Research and shouldn't be reproduced)

The shrine of Hazrat Pir Hadi Rahnuma, situated on Lawrence Road, is a magnificent yet antiquated structure that currently suffers from neglect and decay. Elevated on a platform, this edifice resembles a charming summer house, featuring double rooms and verandas on all four sides, each adorned with a dome-shaped design. The sides of the mausoleum consist of five arched rooms each, exuding an air of grandeur and serenity.

Pir Hadi Rahnuma, a revered figure, traces his lineage back to the renowned Hazrat Shams Tabrizi, whose mausoleum can be found in Multan. The saint passed away in 1282, leaving behind an enduring legacy. His profound influence and spiritual teachings endeared him to the Khoja community, who subsequently erected an awe-inspiring structure as a tribute to his memory.

Originally, the mausoleum boasted exquisite embellishments, including intricate marble latticework of remarkable beauty. Delicate marble railings adorned the roof, while sandstone pillars provided sturdy support to the elegant arches. Unfortunately, during the Sikh era, these precious decorations were stripped away, leaving the mausoleum bereft of its former splendor.

Haveli Alif Shah Walled City of Lahore (2016)

Visited on November 12, 2016

One of the oldest Havelis inside Kucha charakhgran inside Dehli gate. Alif Shah migrated from Iran

It is known for its religious importance and association with the procession on the 9th and10th of Muharram.

Anarkali's Tomb Lahore (2018)

Anarkali's Tomb Lahore 

Relevance: Historical Architecture 

Date of Visit:- 14.08.2018

(All pictures are owned, kindly respect copyrights)

Among the earliest extant Mughal tombs, Anarkali's sepulcher is also one of the most significant Mughal buildings of the period. The tomb, to the south of Lahore's Old City, is part of the compound of Punjab Secretariat on Lower Mall, and is located at the rear of Chief Secretary's Office. Since the tomb is utilized as the Punjab Archives, access to the building is restricted. Make sure that you plan a visit to it during office hours, otherwise you will find the gates to the secretariat locked and the sentry at the gate unwilling to allow even a peep.

Not only is it a "most ingeniously planned octagonal building", it is a memorial to the love legend centering around prince Salim (later emperor Jahangir), and Anarkali (pomegranate blossom) who belonged to the harem of Emperor Akbar, Salim's father. Although Mughal sources are silent about Anarkali, European contemporary travelers such as William Finch related the popular gossip rife at the time, mentioning her as Akbar's "most beloved wife."

Latif, quoting popular legend says that Sharf-un-Nisa or Nadira Begam, with the title of Anarkali, was found giving a return smile to the prince by the emperor in the mirrors of his palace. Suspecting an intrigue or worse, Akbar ordered Anarkali to be interred alive. Accordingly, she was placed in an upright position and buried alive in a masonry wall, brick by brick. The prince, who must have been devastated, on succeeding the throne in 1605, "had an immense superstructure raised over her sepulcher" 16 years after her death.

The tomb, once set off as the centerpiece of a beautifully laid out garden setting, is today hemmed in by the structures surrounding it. However, it is this tomb that gifted the name Anarkali to the whole area when the British first set up a cantonment here. The monument employs a popular format using an octagonal plan, its sides alternately measuring 44 feet and 30 feet. Architecturally, however, it is unique in its utilization of semi-octagonal towers dominating each corner, rising well above the walls and terminated with cupolas over pavilion-like kiosks. A low-pitched dome—among the earliest Mughal examples of double-dome—spans the central chamber and is carried on a drum or neck. The lower shell of the dome is constructed of small bricks in five stages or rings. The central dome is supported inside by eight arches 12 feet 3 inches thick. It is a masterpiece of solid masonry work of the early Mughal period.

Over the last couple of hundred years, the tomb has been put to several uses. In the first half of the 19th century, it served as the residence of Ranjit Singh's French general Jean Baptiste Ventura's Armenian wife. From 1847 it was used as offices for the clerical staff of the first British Resident, Henry Lawrence. From 1851 it was the venue for divine service, while in early 1857 it was consecrated as St. James' Church, later being declared a Pro-Cathedral.

The sarcophagus made of pure marble of extraordinary beauty and exquisite workmanship is, in view of 19th-century scholars, "one of the finest pieces of carving in the world." It was put away in one of the side bays when the building was first converted into a church. It was then placed in the spot from which the altar had been removed rather than being replaced in its original central position. In 1940 the grave was found intact in its original position, five feet below the present floor. From accounts of its discovery, the grave is apparently of plastered brickwork, inscribed on the top and sides with the ninety-nine attributes of God and below with a Persian couplet. The Persian couplet inscribed on the sarcophagus has been translated by Latif into English. "Ah! could I behold the face of my beloved once more, I would give thanks unto my God until the day of resurrection," and is signed "Majnoon Salim Akbar" or "The profoundly enamored Salim, son of Akbar" and expresses Jahangir's intense passion for the beautiful Anarkali. No doubt the two inscribed dates 1008 [1599] and 1024 [1615] refer to the date of Anarkali's death and the completion of the sepulcher respectively. Historians now believe the tomb to be that of Sahab-e-Jamal, one of the wives of Jahangir, who died in Lahore in 1599.

Today the monument appears as a simple, whitewashed massive brick structure, robbed of its decorative veneer, and its apertures and aiwan profiles filled in to serve its varied usage. However, the internal spaces, in spite of the alteration, are exciting, the viewing of which coupled with the amazing treasure of archival material of Punjab Archives—set up as Punjab Record Office in 1891, when the cathedral was shifted to its new premises—is wonderfully rewarding. For those interested in the history of British Punjab, it is a treasure trove, for, along with rare images and other documents, files dating back to the earliest days of British administration are carefully and meticulously maintained here.