Date of Visit (29-03-2023)
(All pictures and writeup text used in this blog, is author's property, kindly respect copyrights)
Right
at the entrance of Poonch House Colony, a neglected and weathered Mughal-era
tomb from the seventeenth century stands forlorn. Its architectural style is
somewhat reminiscent of the Zeb-un-Nisa tomb a few kilometers south at Nawakot.
Once,
the tomb's original outer plaster remained untouched, but regrettably, the
current caretaker covered it with a layer of cement and sand. Even the plaque
indicating that the tomb belonged to Mian Bai was replaced with a new name, Mai
Bukhari. Interestingly, this tomb has transformed into a shrine, where an
annual Mela festival is celebrated.
Not
far from this tomb, merely a few hundred meters away, the historic Chauburji
gate stands. This splendid architectural marvel was once encircled by a grand
garden, now lost to the passage of time. The story behind its creation is as
captivating, intertwined with the enigmatic figure of Mian Bai.
In
the year 1646, the Chauburji gate proudly showcases an inscription attributing
its construction to "Sahib-e-Zebinda Begam-e-Dauran." The arch above
it carries verses in Persian that describe the garden as a reflection of
paradise, founded with the bounty of Zebinda Begam, gifted to Mian Bai.
"This
garden, In the pattern of the garden of paradise, has been founded,
(The
second line has been effaced)
"The
garden has been bestowed on Mian Bai.
"By
the bounty of Zebinda Begam, the lady of the age."
According
to the nineteenth-century historian Syad Muhammad Latif, Mian Bai held a
special place in Zebinda Begam's heart. As the garden's completion approached,
Zebinda Begam presented it to Mian Bai. The Shah Jahan-nama, a historical text,
narrates how this gift came to be. The garden was planned by Zebinda Begam, and
Mian Bai was entrusted with its construction and supervision.
A
remarkable incident occurred when the garden was near completion. The Princess,
Zebinda Begam's daughter, heard people discussing her visit to "Mian Bai's
Garden." Recognizing the garden's connection to Mian Bai, the Princess
decided to gift it to her. Upon reaching the garden, Mian Bai warmly welcomed
the Princess, praying for her long life. This gesture was seen as a positive
omen, leading Zebinda Begam to immediately transfer ownership of the garden to
Mian Bai.
Syad
Muhammad Latif's assumption that the inscribed "Zebinda Begam" refers
to Zeb-un-Nisa might not withstand scrutiny. Zeb-un-Nisa, born in 1637, would
have been a mere child when the garden's construction took place, making it
improbable for her to command the resources needed for such an endeavor. A more
plausible candidate emerges in the form of Jahan Ara Begam, Shah Jahan's
daughter and Zeb-un-Nisa's aunt.
 |
| photo taken by Dr. Zishan |
My good historian friend Dr. Zishan helped me out in
writing this article, he also told there were
two other graves in outer perimeter of some person from Gurdaspur.
