An abandoned Hindu Temple in Khanqah Dogran

08-03-2018

In the charming town of Khanqah Dogran, my gracious host, Hussain Dogar, and I embarked on a shared quest in search of a centuries-old mosque from the 17th century. Our determination was fueled by the sight of a captivating picture of this mosque on Flicker many years ago. However, despite our best efforts, the elusive mosque remained beyond our grasp. Perhaps the location was mislabeled, adding a touch of mystery to our expedition. Nevertheless, as we made our way back, a remarkable sight greeted us in the heart of Khanqah Dogran Bazaar—an abandoned Hindu mandir.

This ancient place of worship had undergone a transformation, with its lower portion repurposed into shops, bustling with the energy of daily commerce. As we looked up, wooden balconies adorned the first floor, adding an air of elegance to the structure. The chapel rooms, once filled with prayer and devotion, now housed families who had migrated after the partition. Walking through the surrounding street, we discovered a poignant reminder of the town's history—Pre-Partition Hindu Houses that stood as silent witnesses to a bygone era. It was revealed to us by locals that before the year 1947, this very street teemed with the vibrant presence of Hindu families. However, the passage of time had brought change, and today, no Hindu families remained in the area. The mandir itself, abandoned for decades, bore the architectural hallmarks of the early 19th century or possibly the latter half of the 18th century.

In this unexpected encounter, we found ourselves immersed in the layers of Khanqah Dogran's history, where religious narratives intertwine with the passage of time. The abandoned mandir stood as a tangible symbol of the town's multicultural past and the ebb and flow of its inhabitants. As we reflected on our journey, we realized that even though our original objective remained unfulfilled, the stories we encountered along the way painted a vivid portrait of the town's rich tapestry of cultures and traditions.

Abandoned Hindu Tmeple

Entrance 

Enterance

NARAIN SINGH HAVELI

04-03-2018

All pictures and write up in this blog is owned

I was watching a TV documentary, in which a Sikh Family from India came to Pakistan after seventy years to visit their ancestral village and home. They left their home in 1947 and migrated to India.  The TV Host asked from the old lady who was the mother of that Sikh family that what are your feelings after seeing your home, she replied, “After marriage she was brought to this house, there were relatives homes in neighbors, everybody was living happily here, then suddenly they have to migrate to India, they have to leave everything behind, her family have roots from this place and fragrance of this place is with her, with everyday in seventy years this fragrance increases. She brought her children to show last glimpse of their roots”

In every village of Punjab you will hear such heart breaking stories of Partition.

I was travelling to visit Todar mal Bardari from Changa Manga in district Kasur. Suddenly, saw   an old Haveli situated on road side in small village of Muhammadi pur. This Haveli stopped us; we thought to take few photos we also asked from the owners that do they know anything about history of this Haveli. They said, the only thing they know about this Haveli, that it was built by a Sikh Sardar Narain Singh, who left to India with his family during partition. Half of portion of Haveli is not in use and about to fall any time due to poor structure condition. Remaining front arched gateway and few rooms are still present in original condition.

On returning home I searched Muhammadi pur on Google map and found some interesting facts that the villages around are still named after Sikh Sardars.

Kot Arjun singh, village Khushhaal singhwala, Bur Singhwala, Lehna Singhwala, Gajjan Singhwala, Kot Bishan Singh and Wir Singhwala are few names of villages around Muhammadi pur. This shows before partition it was a rich Sikh populated area.

  

BURJ MALKA HANS

06-04-2018

It is square burnt brick burj (bastion) supported with mud bricks. A staircase is located on north side. It is located outside the village of Malka Hans in fields. The burj seems to be part of fort boundary wall, with passage of time bricks from walls taken for construction of houses in nearby villages. 

No, history has been found about this structure. The old villagers told it is standing in fields for centuries. Also it is told some paranormal activities have been observed near this edifice. That’s the only reason which saved it  from destruction.

Special thanks to Pakistan Archaeological department who have documented this place. However, I wish they have done some effort to preserve this place as well. 

Sher Shah Suri Mosque Shergarh

06-03-2018

30°49'51.21"N

73°44'21.66"E

The Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi (history of Sher Shah) dating 1580 CE, is a historical work compiled by Abbas Khan Sarwan. In this book Abbas highlighted that, after few years of Conquering of Multan by Afghans; Sher Shah Suri Nominated Fateh Jang Khan Governor of Multan. Fateh Jang Khan, named the town of Shergarh after the Afghan ruler of India, Sher Shah Suri, who built a mud fort in town.

Fateh Jang Khan also constructed a Jamia Mosque in Shergarh Town the mosque is known as ‘Sher Shah Suri Mosque’. This mosque constructed in middle of tenth Hijri. Most of the structure of this mosque collapsed in 1955 and turned into ruins.  In 1958 the last two entrance gates located on left portions were also fallen.  

The original dimension of mosque was 100 feet in length and 25 feet in width.  It has five entrance doors and also consists of five domes in roof. The middle dome was of larger diameter and height.  Four Octagonal columns of 30 feet height constructed on each corner of mosque. There was stairs constructed on south and north side of mosque. The central courtyard was 30 feet in length and 100 feet in width. The internal walls of mosque were decorated with floral artwork. There was also a well constructed in courtyard.

The new mosque rebuilt on 11^th march 1977 by the Auqaf Department.

HARAPPA OLD MOSQUE

04-04-2018

This ruined mosque appears to have been built in the Mughal period (1526-1707 AD)originally referred to as an Eid-Garh.This structure was probably built as a place for prayer to commemorations of a renowned person from the local community and it may be associated with the tomb of Baba Noor Shah Wail to the west. 

The mosque measures 12 meters north-south and may have had a rectangular shape, no indication of the roof have been found. It has five arches in the western wall which are found only in a few other early mosques generally associated with family burial structures. The mosque was constructed with reused Harappan bricks and is built on the top of a massive city wall of the Harappan period (2600-1900 B.C) that enclosed the part of the site called Mound 'AB": The Harappan city wall was constructed of mud bricks with baked bricks facing and superstructures. Conservation of the mosque began after detailed documentation of the original structure and excavation of the adjacent areas. Decayed bricks were replaced and a supporting foundation revetment was built along the existing walls. 

The preserved walls have been strengthened by re-pointing with kanker lime plaster and the arches were constructed Clay plaster has been applied over the eastern face to limit further damage to the underlying Harappan period structures until additional conservation measures can be implemented. Excavation and conservation is made by  Dr. R.H  .Meadow and Dr. J.M.

Kunala Stupa Taxila

 29-03-2018

33°45'2.27"N,  72°49'50.49"E

MONASTERY VIEW 
Apart from its historical, religious, cultural and legendary background, in the last 2,000 years Taxila was also famous for eye treatment.

In fact officials with the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) believe that the Christ Hospital Taxila is continuation of that old historical legendary story narrated by folk tellers.

“The Stupa of Kunala sitting 100-feet high to the south-east of Takshasila city – Taxila’s ancient name – was where the blind would come to pray, and many had their prayers answered,” said an official of DOAM.

The official said Kunala was Emperor Ashoka’s beloved son, who was heir to the Mauryan empire. While he was supposed to be the future king, he was blinded by one of Ashoka's wives, Tishyaraksha, at a young age in jealousy, the official said.

The story of Kunala was related to this magnificent Stupa on the top of Sirkap city, founded by Greeks in 2nd century BC, the official said. “He was called Kunala because his eyes were small but beautiful. He was gifted with a sweet voice. But the jealous queen manoeuvred to order that his eyes be put out. A minister hesitated to execute the order.

“When the prince came to know about the royal order, he insisted on obedience to his father's command and a hot iron was put to his eyes.

He wandered with his wife far from his father’s kingdom,” the official narrated, adding that one day Ashoka recognised his son’s voice in his court. On learning his queen’s treachery, Ashoka ordered to put

her to death and Kunala was restored to the court.

According to DOAM official, Prince Kunala’s eyesight was restored by a famous surgeon who got his education in medicine in Taxila, then famous for training and knowledge of medicines, mathematics, grammar, archery, languages, and astronomy etc.

“Archaeological remains of Kunala's Stupa do not co-relate with the story. The masonry style of this Stupa belonged to 2nd century AD whereas Kunala was appointed in Taxila in 4th century BC,” the official said.

“How it was named as Kunala Stupa was not fully confirmed and needed deeper investigation and study.

But it is a fact that Taxila was known for the best eye treatment in those days,” he said, supporting his story with several antiquities found in Taxila, which were used for eye treatment.

Such surgical instruments were on display in Taxila Museum for public.

MONASTERY ROOMS FOR PILGRIMS AND STUDENTS

VIEW OF KHANPUR DAM

STUPA

MONASTERY

MONASTERY

MONASTERY

STUPA

MONASTERY

STAIRS TO REACH HILLTOP MONASTERY

A 20 MINUTES WALK FROM SIRKAPP TO KUNALA , KUNAL SITUATED ON THIS HILLTOP

MONASTERY

KHANPUR DAM MOUNTAINS

A 20 MINUTES WALK FROM SIRKAPP TO KUNALA , KUNAL SITUATED ON THIS HILLTOP

Mir Chakar Khan Tomb & Fort of Raja Raneet Singh Satgarah (Pictorial Blog)

The Punjab government has made the decision to preserve and restore two historical landmarks in Okara: the Satgarah Fort, constructed by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh approximately 180 years ago, and the tomb of Mir Chakar Khan Rind, a Baloch chieftain and folk hero, which predates the fort by over two centuries.

As a first step towards conserving and restoring these monuments, the provincial government has allocated a budget of Rs2.875 million. This funding will be utilized for archaeological surveys, documentation, and the development of a master plan to guide the conservation and development of the historic village of Satgarah in Okara. The project's PC-II has already been prepared, and documentation work is expected to commence next month.

Satgarah is a village located approximately 17 kilometers from Okara City. According to a concept paper prepared by the Punjab archaeology department, Mir Chakar Khan, a Baloch chieftain from the Rind tribe, migrated from Balochistan to the region in 1518. He settled in the present-day precincts of Okara and used the area as a base for his campaigns against the rulers of Multan. Mir Chakar Khan allied with Mughal emperor Humayun in his battles against Sher Shah Suri and established his power in the region. He is believed to have constructed a fort and a mosque near Satgarah village. Local residents believe that the site served as a Baloch graveyard and that Mir Chakar Khan was buried there in 1565.

In 1830, during his campaigns for Multan, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh constructed a fort on the site of the Baloch graveyard. He demolished the roof of Mir Chakar Khan's tomb, desecrated the grave, and incorporated it into one of the bastions of his fort. Although the Sikh fort still stands, it is in a dilapidated condition. The tomb was excavated and restored in 1960 by the then Multan commissioner, Atta Muhammad Khan Leghari, and was subsequently entrusted to the archaeology department. Despite a restoration effort in 2007 under the supervision of a provincial committee, the tomb remains in a state of disrepair. The plastering and alterations made during the restoration deviated from the original design, causing damage to the architectural and historical significance of the monument. The restoration work at that time focused only on the tomb, with no attention given to the Sikh-era fort or the site of Mir Chakar Khan's citadel.

The Satgarah village has been haphazardly developed around the fort and consists of old houses and fortification walls constructed with brick tiles. An annual congregation takes place at Satgarah, attracting Baloch people from neighboring areas and even from Balochistan.

The Punjab archaeology department has proposed a three-phase project for preservation and restoration. In Phase I, it is suggested that the entire site, including the Satgarah village, be protected under the Punjab Special Premises (Protection) Act 1985. Additionally, the department recommends the establishment of a small museum within the tomb or any other historically significant building in the village. Furthermore, it proposes the construction of a building for the Baloch congregation, equipped with facilities such as eateries.

Phase II entails the restoration of the fortification wall and other fort structures, as well as the preservation of selected village buildings based on their historical and architectural importance. The old Satgarah Baloch settlement would be retained and protected.

Phase III focuses on the preservation and restoration of old houses, the rehabilitation of the village area within the fort as a living monument, and the development of tourist facilities such as an information center, landscaped park, and outdoor congregation area