Samadhis of three Sikh Royal Queen's (2018)

                   Nakayain Kaur, Chand Kaur and Sahib Kaur's Samadhis

Date of Visit:- 18-08-2018

(All images copyright 2018 Mirza Ali Usman Baig, text written in this article is the author's Research and shouldn't be reproduced)

Situated within the grounds of Islamia College at Civil Lines, just southwest of the Chilla of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar, are the magnificent tombs of the royal ladies from the Sikh Empire. These tombs rest upon a sturdy 10-foot-high square platform. Originally, a staircase on the east end of the platform led up to the tomb of Maharani Nakain Kaur. Her tomb is square in structure, measuring 16 feet on each side, and crowned with a fluted dome. Though the metal finial that once adorned the dome is no longer present, doors have been installed on all four sides. Inside the tomb, at the center, there is an 18-inch-high platform measuring 3 feet by 3 feet. Resting atop this platform is the stone urn containing the ashes of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's second wife, and the mother of Kharak Singh, originally named Raj Kaur but later known as Datar Kaur. To avoid confusion with Ranjit Singh's mother, also named Raj Kaur, she changed her name. Maharaja Ranjit Singh affectionately referred to her as Mal Nakain. Datar Kaur passed away on June 20, 1838, and her tomb was constructed around the same time.

Adjacent to Nakain Kaur's tomb, to the south on the same platform, stands the tomb of Maharani Chand Kaur, wife of Kharak Singh and mother of Naunehal Singh. Like her mother-in-law's tomb, Chand Kaur's tomb is also square in shape, measuring 16 feet on each side. Small domed towers crown each of the four corners of the building, while a fluted dome similar to Nakain Kaur's adorns the center. However, unlike Nakain Kaur's tomb, this dome was never furnished with a finial, and only a metal rod could be seen protruding from the top when Kanhaiya Lal described the tombs in 1884. Chand Kaur was married Kharak Singh at the tender age of 10 in 1812. In November 1840, after the deaths of her husband and son, she claimed the throne of Lahore, holding the position for approximately two and a half months. Chand Kaur challenged Sher Singh, the second son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, asserting that her daughter-in-law, Sahib Kaur, the widow of Kanvar Naunehal Singh, was pregnant, and she would assume regency on behalf of the unborn heir to her husband's throne. However, Sher Singh garnered support from a rival faction at the court and a section of the army, and he marched upon Lahore. In July 1841, Sahib Kaur, widow of Nau Nihal Singh, gave birth to a stillborn son, thus extinguishing Chand Kaur's hopes of realizing her claims. On June 11, 1842, Chand Kaur was assassinated by her maids, who had been appointed by Dhian Singh in collaboration with Sher Singh.

 

Between these tombs, to the west, stands a smaller tomb belonging to Sahib Kaur, the wife of Naunehal Singh. This octagonal-shaped tomb is about half the height of the other two tombs and is crowned by a simpler, smaller dome. Naunehal Singh was married to Sahib Kaur in 1837 when he was 16 years old. Sahib Kaur passed away in 1841.

Samadhi of Mahrani Chand Kaur, Saheb Kaur and Nakayian Kaur (L to R)

Samadhi of Chand Kaur

Samadhi of Nakian Kaur

Samadhi of Saheb Kaur

Jat Mahal situated in Mohala Dhallan Wali Chiniot

Pictorial Blog

07-03-2018

Jat Mahal isituated n Mohala Dhallan Wali #Chiniot constructed by Ram Lal S/o Lala Jatamal Cast Khatri.

An air flight of Life time experience 2015

All photos are owned

All label done by self

date of flight 24th July, 2015

I am a civil engineer by profession, and trekking has been my passion since I was young. Pakistan is uniquely positioned at the confluence of the majestic Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges. With over a hundred peaks exceeding 7,000 meters, Pakistan is home to five of the world's 14 highest peaks.

For trekkers worldwide, exploring Concordia and the K2 Base Camp is considered a dream adventure. Back in 2015, this trek became my greatest aspiration. The journey to K2 Base Camp demands a minimum of 18 days, making it a challenging expedition.

The biggest obstacle standing between me and this dream was my job. At the time, I was working in the private construction sector, where getting an 18-day leave seemed almost impossible. However, I chose to defy these constraints, resigned from my job, and embarked on this once-in-a-lifetime trek on July 24, 2015.

To reach K2 Base Camp, one must first travel to Skardu. I opted for a flight from Islamabad to Skardu, a mere 45-minute journey. Little did I know that this would turn out to be the most breathtaking flight of my life. Flying alongside the towering peaks of the Karakoram Range, the aerial views were nothing short of extraordinary. The sight of some of the world’s tallest mountains, along with mesmerizing valleys, lakes, and glaciers, from the comfort of my airplane seat, was an unforgettable experience etched into my memory forever.

Shortly after takeoff, the plane flew over the enchanting Northern Areas of Pakistan. I was fortunate to witness iconic landmarks such as Saif-ul-Malook, Naran, Lulusar Lake, and an array of towering peaks, including the mighty Nanga Parbat, Laila Peak, Seiri Dorkush, Kampire e Dior, Rakaposhi, Batura I, II, III, IV, V, VI, Sang-e-Marmar, Passu Sar, Diran, Shispare Sar, Ultar Sar, Miar Chhish, Lupghar Sar, Momhil Sar, Trivor Sar, Malubiting, Khunyang Chhish, Spantik, Haramosh, Mlangutti Sar, Bularunsar, KCH E, Disteghil Sar, Yazghil Sar, Pumari Chhish, Yukshin Garden Sar, Yutmaru Sar, Hisper Sar, Glotter Peak, Kanjut Sar, Kapaltang Kun, Gloster Sar, Lukpe Lawa, Broad Tower, Baintha Brakk, Latok, Crown Peak, Skamri Peak, Chongtar, Skyang Kangri, Biale, K2, Skil Brum, Muztagh Tower, Praqpa Ri, Payo Peak, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, II, III, IV, Thyor, Summa Ri, Koser Gunge, Choricho, Marble Peak, Mango Gusor, Yermanendu, Masherbrum, Mandu Peak, and Chogolisa—all in a single flight. Witnessing these snow-clad giants left me utterly spellbound.

The sheer magnificence of Nanga Parbat (8,125m), the stunning Rakaposhi (7,788m), and the mighty K2 (8,611m), the second-highest peak in the world, towering above all others, left me deeply mesmerized. Witnessing such wonders of nature felt like a divine blessing, a reward from the Almighty.

I captured photographs of these legendary mountains and lakes from the airplane, determined to preserve this memory. Upon returning home, it took me nearly a year to identify and label each peak and its altitude on the photographs. To accomplish this, I relied on various aerial surveys and references from the Karakoram Range. This meticulous process not only deepened my admiration for these mountains but also allowed me to relive the journey through each image.

This unforgettable flight and the trek to K2 Base Camp remain cherished milestones in my life, serving as a testament to the beauty of following one’s dreams against all odds.

INDUS RIVER AT SKARDU

Also, besides providing some thrills and chills is, undoubtedly, a wonder that motivates you to a better understanding of the lure and charm that has seduced mountaineers to take on the perilous task of conquering these giants of nature, since time immemorial. A close visual, though intangible, contact with the manifestations of nature is a mystical experience that transcends one from the peripheral to the spiritual.