Mian Wadda, or Shaikh Muhammad Ismail, was a revered figure who established the Madrassa during the reign of Akbar near Shalimar Garden in Lahore. This educational institution was renowned for providing comprehensive theology, jurisprudence, Hadis, and Tafsir education. Despite Shaikh Muhammad Ismail's passing in the year 1095 A.H. (1683 A.D.) during Aurangzeb's rule, his Madrassa continued to serve as a renowned Islamic institute and a refuge for the homeless, needy, disabled, and helpless for almost 150 years after his death. Generous donations from noble Muslim courtiers sustained the institution.
However, the Madrassa faced a tragic turn of events during the reign of Raja Hira Singh Dogra, the prime minister of the Sikh Kingdom of Lahore in the mid-19th century. Hira Singh responded decisively after the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh and Raja Dhian Singh, orchestrating the killing of the Sandhawala brothers, Attar Singh and Lehna Singh. Subsequently, Maharaja Duleep Singh, Ranjit Singh's five-year-old son, was proclaimed the new ruler, with Hira Singh assuming the role of prime minister.
Hira Singh's aggressive pursuit of justice involved confiscating the properties of Sandhawalia sardars and exiling his uncle, Suchet Singh Dogra. Tensions escalated as Raja Suchet Singh sought to assume the prime ministerial position, seeking refuge with students and the needy at Mian Wadda Madrassa. Ignoring the vulnerability of the population within the Madrassa, Hira Singh ordered cannon fire at the site, resulting in a tragic loss of lives, including followers and students.
The conflict between Hira Singh and his uncle not only led to the death of numerous individuals but also caused significant damage to the Madrassa and mosque. The article highlights the collateral damage suffered by cultural and educational institutions during power struggles, underscoring the devastating impact on Mian Wadda's legacy and the lives of those associated with the Madrassa."
