Jaulian, Buddhist Monastery and Stupa, Taxila, Punjab, Pk

March 29, 2018

Location:- 33.7649 N, 72.8749 E

Buddhist Site

Jaulian monastery is among the prominent heritage sites of the province and located close to Taxila. Sir John Marshall, director of the Archaeological Survey of India (1902-28), in his book Guide to Taxila noted the monastery is at the top of a hill close to the village of Jaulian. Marshall said there was reason to believe that the destruction of the Buddhist settlement took place in 5CE at the hands of the invading Huns.

There are two main parts of these ruins, one is the main stupa and other one is the monastery and university of Jaulian.

The main stupa at Jaulian is surrounded by twenty-one votive stupas and is badly damaged. Some of the experts believe that few of these votive stupas here are the tombs of revered monks. There are statues at stupas and most of the statues are preserved. For the purpose of exhibition at museum, a number of these statues are removed. Along with the plaster, at some places, the original structure of the building of Stupa is preserved.

Hall for Main Stupa

Monastery 

Monastery

Healing Buddha :- An odd artifact that is a statue of Buddha with a hole in its navel can be seen here that is called “healing Buddha”. People visit this place with the belief that by putting their finger in the naval hole and praying for the alimenting of patients would help to cure the illness. The carved writing under the statue reveals that this statue was gifted by “Budhamitra Dharmanandin” a friar. 

Votive Stupas

Votive Stupas

Votive Stupa & Healing Buddha

A monastery was also built here that contained a number of rooms for the students. In addition to these rooms, a large pool for washing was also built here. Two floors are built within the monastery and each floor has twenty-eight rooms. In front of some of the rooms, statues of Buddha are preserved. Stairs were made of stones to reach the upper floor and are still preserved. As a source of some light and the supply of fresh air, each of these rooms had a window. These holes of windows were also used as niche to grip the lamps for students.

Monastery

Monastery

Monastery

Votive Stupa

Buddhist Stupa

Buddhist Stupa

Votive Stupa

Main Stupa Hall

In 455 CE, White Huns burnt the monastery and thus destroyed.

History of Services Hospital Lahore

10-07-18

In 1958, an independent outpatient department was established within Mayo Hospital in Lahore, specifically dedicated to serving government employees. Recognizing the growing demand for healthcare services, the department underwent further development and expansion. By 1960, it had transformed into a fully-fledged 55-bedded hospital, bearing the name "Wahdat Hospital." This upgraded facility boasted comprehensive medical and surgical capabilities, along with a well-equipped laboratory and X-ray unit to support diagnostics.

As the hospital continued to thrive and cater to the healthcare needs of the community, it underwent a name change to reflect its evolving purpose and commitment. Hence, it was renamed "Services Hospital." The decision to rebrand the hospital highlighted its mission to provide excellent medical services to the public, with a particular emphasis on serving the government employees who had been instrumental in its establishment.

This plaque discovered in the outpatient department commemorates the inauguration of "Wahdat Hospital" by Lt. General Bakhtiar Rana, who served as the Martial Law Administrator. The hospital was officially opened on December 23, 1960.

Gurudwara Chhevin Patshahi, Mozang Lahore

07-05-18

In 1619 AD, Guru Hargobind Ji arrived in Lahore accompanied by Diwan Chandu. During his time in Lahore, an incident took place where he asked Bibi Kaulan, a devoted follower, to ride his horse. The shrine commemorating this event is located on Temple Road in Mozang.

Originally, the sacred place was established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, but it was later relocated to its current building in 1926 AD with the help of the late Sardar Mehar Singh. The maintenance of the shrine was entrusted to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee from 1927 to 1947. Presently, it is under the custodianship of the Waqf Board.

The Gurdwara Sahib is adorned with nine shops that have been endowed to support its upkeep. A significant event celebrated at this shrine is the Akhand Path, which involves the uninterrupted recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. This special recitation is conducted annually on the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind Ji.

The doors of the Gurdwara Sahib are open to the Sangat (congregation) at all times, welcoming devotees and visitors alike. The daily congregational prayers are held there, fostering a sense of spiritual unity and devotion among the Sikh community.

This shrine holds historical and religious significance, commemorating the presence of Guru Hargobind Ji in Lahore and the interactions he had with his devoted followers. It continues to serve as a place of worship, reflection, and community for Sikhs, honoring the teachings and legacy of Guru Hargobind Ji.

Remnants of Fort in Khanqah Dogran

Remnants of Fort in Khanqah Dogran, which supposed to be Constructed from Bricks Taken from Ancient city of Asarur

References taken from the Archaeological Survey of India

08-03-2018

Hussain Dogar was my host in Khanqah Dogran. We both were in search of an old mosque of 17^th Century.  The only source of information about that mosque was a picture that earlier, I have seen on flicker.  We walked for hours in streets of Khanqah Dogran but could not able to find that mosque, may be that mosque location was wrongly marked.

We abandoned our exploring journey after reaching at Tomb of “Haji Dewan Namet Ullah Suharwardi”. It is said that, Khanqah Dogran was populated some five hundred years agok, when “Haji Dewan Namet Ullah Suharwardi” settled in this area.  Before him it was found in books by name of “Cha Masroor” and “Khitah Dogran”.  Neighboring to the tomb of Dewan Sahib there are remnants of an old fort. Locals only know that some Hindu family was living here before Indo-Pak partition. Well that fort has something which has history more than two thousand years old.   In order to understand it we have to go some fourteen hundred years back, Villages in the Khangah Dogran tahsil of Sheikhupura District, Punjab, situated in 31 47' N. and 73 42' E. It is identified by Cunningham with the ancient city of Tse-kie or Taki, which was visited by Hiuen Tsiang in a. d. 630. The city was then one of great importance, and is said by the Chinese pilgrim to have been 3 miles in circuit, a measurement which agrees well enough with that of the ruins still existing. The antiquity claimed for the place is confirmed by the large size of the bricks, 18 by 10 by 3 inches, which are found all over the ruins, and by the great numbers of Indo-Scythian coins that are discovered after heavy rain. Its history therefore certainly reaches back to the beginning of the Christian era. The ruins consist of an extensive mound, 15,600 feet, or nearly 3 miles, in circuit. The highest point is in the north-west quarter, where the mound rises to 59 feet above the fields. This part, which Cunningham takes to have been the ancient palace, is 600 feet long and 400 feet broad, and quite regular in shape. It contains an old well, 21 feet in diameter, which has not been used for many years and is now dry. The place is com- pletely surrounded by a line of large mounds about 25 feet in height, and 8,100 feet, or \\ miles, in circuit, which was evidently the strong- hold or citadel of the place. The mounds are round and prominent, like the ruins of large towers or bastions. On the east and south sides of the citadel the mass of ruins sinks to 10 and 15 feet in height, but it is twice the size of the citadel, and is no doubt the remains of the old city. There are no visible traces of any ancient buildings, as all the surface bricks have been long ago carried off to the neighbouring shrine of Ugah Shah at Khangah Masrur on the road from Lahore to Pindi Bhattian ; but among the old bricks forming the surrounding wall of the mosque, Cunningham found three moulded in different patterns, which could only have belonged to buildings of some importance.

He found also a wedge-shaped brick, 15 inches long and 3 inches thick, with a breadth of ro inches at the narrow end and nearly 10^ inches at the broad end. This must have been made for a stupa, or for a well, but most probably for the latter, as the existing well is 2 1 feet in diameter. The modern village of Asarur contains only forty-five houses. At the time of Hiuen Tsiang's visit there were ten monasteries, but very few Buddhists, and the mass of the people worshipped the Brah- manical gods. North-east of the town, at 10 //, or nearly 2 miles, was a stTlpa of Asoka, 200 feet in height, which marked the spot where Buddha had halted, and which was said to contain a large number of his relics. This stupa General Cunningham identifies with the little mound of Salar, near Thatta Saiyidan, just 2 miles to the north of Asarur.

Now come to the fort which I have found in Khanqah Dogran that looks to be constructed of surface bricks taken from the ancient town of Asarur.  

Asarur, The Buddhist town which exists on land of Khanqah Dogran some  fifteen hundred to two thousand years back. 

BARA MANDIR CHINIOT

07-03-2018

The classic Hindu Temple was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh. It is one of the many landmarks in the city of Chiniot. The astonishing temple is believed to be constructed during the second Anglo-Sikh war.

CHINIOT FORT

06th  March 2018

Remnant of Fort

You can find the earliest references about “Chiniot Fort’’, when the Mongol Empire launched several invasions into the Indian subcontinent from 1221 to 1327. Mongol commander Mughlai killed Machi Khan, the ruler of Bhera. Afterwards, the cities of Chiniot and Bhera got captured by Mongols. In year 1391, Chini the sister of Machi Khan attacked Chiniot. The Mongol commander Mughlai came out of the Chiniot city but got defeated by Chini army. Mughlai escaped from the war site and took refuge inside the Chiniot Fort. Chini army sieges the fort for three month and at last got victorious. The fort was badly destroyed in this period. Chini rebuilt the fort and city.

In some references also found out Mughal Commander Tar Tai attacked Chiniot in 1398. The Fort rebuilt by Chini again got destroyed.

The Ain-i-Akbari or the “Constitution of Akbar” is a 16^th Century detailed document recording the administration of Emperor Akbar’s Empire.   You can find earliest references about “Chiniot Fort “in this book.

Remnant of Fort

According, to Ain-i-Akbari there was a strong fortified Fort present in Chiniot, a military of five hundred horsemen along with five thousand infantry was stationed inside this fort. From Akbar Azam to Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Fort remained under the control of Mughal Rulers.  During the rule of Emperor Jahangir, this fort was renovated by Lahore Governor Nawab Wazir Khan.

After the Mughals, this fort was used under “Sials Nawab”.  In the book “History of Punjab” by Kenhya Lal you will find the names of Sardar Karam Singh and Sardar Jasa Singh. These Sikh Sardar took control of this fort from Sials. These Sikh Sardar’s created an atmosphere of fear and discomfort in the whole area. Looting and killing unarmed villagers was common during this time. Complain against these Sardar at last reached in a court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After conquering the fort of Daska in the year 1802, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh reached Chiniot with his army to help the populace of Chiniot. These Sikh Sardar run from the site and took refuge inside the Fort.  Maharaja siege the fort, however, he has to leave Chiniot after two months after hearing news that the Kasur Muslim ruler was preparing to attack Lahore. Raja Ranjeet Singh Army again attacked this fort in the year 1806, this time they came with heavy artillery. The city of Chiniot was completely destroyed after this attack. People of Chiniot still remembered that day, there is one story famous among the Chiniot populace. When Raja Ranjeet Singh's army attacked Chiniot, along with other populace seventy grooms were killed on the same day.

Remnant of Fort Wall

No renovation or protection work was done in the British period.  Now only, a few parts of the external wall have left.

It is said that all old houses of Chiniot were constructed from bricks stolen from this fort. An edifice of historical importance that has seen the different civilizations of our land is no more with us.

An Abandoned Hindu Shiva Temple in Hazro

—All photos and text by author

Date of Visit: -      29-03-2018

Hazro is a town located at north-west of Pakistan in Attock District of the Punjab province Pakistan. According to the Gazetteer of Rawalpindi, Hazro was the scene of the great battle in which, in AD 1008, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznawi defeated the united forces of the Rajas of Hindustan and the Hindus of the Punjab with a slaughter of 20,000 men, it was afterwards fixed upon by some of the Pathan followers of that chieftain to be the site of the colony

The population according to the 1901 census of India was 9,799. According to the Gazetteer of Rawalpindi, Hazro had a significant Hindu population which was "half Pathan, half Hindu".

A small Shiva Temple located in Shahbaz Mohalla Hazro.  The top spire seems to be gold plated. Famous anthropologist Zulifqar Ali Kalharo visited this site; he observed chevron lines on outer surface of conical part. According to him, these lines symbolize life. This mandir was constructed for the shudar community of town.