"My Visit to Gabd-Rimdan: The Final Border Crossing on the Pakistan-Iran Border"

06th February, 2020 (Date of Visit)

After Pakistan's independence from British India in 1947, Iran and Pakistan established the boundaries between their respective territories in 1958-59. The process involved both the delineation of the borders and the physical marking of the boundary lined their mutual border, marking a significant step in their historical relationship.

Among the four official border crossings shared by Iran and Pakistan, Rimdan stands as a critical junction linking the southeastern Sistan province of Iran to Pakistan's Balochistan province. Serving as a pivotal entry point for both travelers and goods, Rimdan plays a central role in facilitating trade, commerce, and interactions between these neighboring nations.

In the realm of trade and commerce, the two primary border crossings, Taftan and Gabd, serve not only as routes for pedestrians but also as conduits for trade. Conversely, Mand and Chadgi are exclusively reserved for trade purposes. Recognizing the potential for economic growth, Iran and Pakistan have joined hands to establish joint-border markets aimed at bolstering trade. The initial phase witnessed the operationalization of three markets at Gabd, Mand, and Chadgi, promoting economic engagements at these border points.

Strategically positioned approximately 120 kilometers from Iran's bustling port city of Chabahar and merely 70 kilometers from Pakistan's thriving port city of Gwadar, Rimdan's geographical proximity to these major ports underscores its significance. 

Gabd-Rimdan, as the second entry point along the 900-kilometer border between Iran and Pakistan, acts as an additional link fostering trade and public movement. Its inauguration symbolized the joint efforts and shared aspirations of both countries to promote trade, cultural affinity, and people-to-people connections.

Once Mandi Bolawali, now thriving as Mandi Sadiq Ganj

(All pictures and writeup text used in this blog, is author's property, kindly respect copyrights)

05-11-2023 (Date of Visit)

Mandi Sadiq Gunj is a town with a rich history situated in the Bahawalnagar district of Pakistani Punjab. Once called Mandi Bolawali, it used to be home to lively Hindu and Sikh communities until the partition of Hindustan in 1947 changed the population.

The town's story began in 1904 when Nawab Sadiq Abbasi, while hunting, got the happy news of his son's birth. To celebrate, he built a grand gateway called 'Babe Sadiq,' marking the start of the town's growth following careful planning.

The town became even more important when a railway station called the 'Mac Leod Ganj Road Junction' was constructed in 1892. This railway, managed by the Southern Punjab Railway, aimed to connect Karachi to Delhi directly. The opening of the Delhi-Bhatinda-Samasatta line in 1897, passing through Mandi Sadiq Gunj, was a big deal. The beautiful architecture of the Mac Leod Ganj Road Junction showed off the town's beginning, now known as Mandi Sadiq Ganj to honor Nawab Sadiq V.

Historical records document notable personalities who visited or stayed at this junction, including Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, who purportedly spent a night here before Pakistan's inception. The site once accommodated a guest house and staff colony and found mention in the works of acclaimed writer Intezar Hussain. Despite the cessation of train services on these tracks since July 26, 2011, the building remains in its original condition, cherished by local residents as a heritage site. Locals express a shared desire to preserve this historical station, considering conversion into a museum or town hall to safeguard its rich heritage. At its zenith in 1935, the Railways Junction served as a crucial link connecting Karachi, Delhi, and Lahore, witnessing regular freight train operations from Quetta to Delhi. In 1970, the local Chairman, Moulvi Abdul Aziz, renamed it Mandi Sadiq Ganj.

Between 1922 and 1933, during the Sutlej Valley Project, Mandi Sadiq Ganj became a lively place for business. It became famous for its crops market, linking to eighty-four nearby villages. Known as the second-largest chickpea market in Punjab, its goods even reached Delhi before the 1947 partition, thanks to the flourishing train routes.

Formerly part of Minchinabad Tehsil, Mandi Sadiq Gunj saw the growth of Sheik Qasim Ali Missu's successful workshop, which played a big role in the local economy. The town values its culture and holds two yearly festivals, the Khawaja Abul Hakeem Urs Shareef and the Sunder Mela, celebrating a revered local saint. These events bring the community together, promoting cultural exchanges and traditional sports like kabaddi.

Exploring Mandi Sadiq Ganj Junction: A Historical Visit

 

(All pictures and writeup text used in this blog, is author's property, kindly respect copyrights)

05-11-2023 (Date of Visit)

During a recent excursion to the border villages of Minchin Abad in Bahawalnagar to capture the wildlife of the area, I had the opportunity to visit the historic Mandi Sadiq Ganj Junction Railway station. This station, established in 1892 during the British colonial era, was an essential part of our journey's culmination.

Origin and Naming

Originally named 'Mac Loed Ganj Road Junction,' this railway station is situated 12 kilometers south of Mac Loed Ganj town. Both the town and the junction were named after Sir Donald McLeod, a distinguished British colonial administrator who served as the lieutenant governor of the Punjab in British India from 1865 to 1870.

Sir Donald McLeod's Background

Sir Donald McLeod's roots trace back to Fort William in Calcutta, then a part of the Bengal Presidency. His father, Duncan McLeod, a Scotsman, later became a lieutenant general of the Bengal engineers and achieved recognition for designing the Hazarduari Palace. His mother, Henrietta Friell, belonged maternally to the Boileau of Castelnau family.

Southern Punjab Railway (SPR)

The Southern Punjab Railway (SPR), operating on a 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge, was established to create a more direct route from Karachi to Delhi. It linked with the original Indus Valley State Railway at Samasata, bypassing the North Western Railway loop via Lahore. The Delhi-Bhatinda-Samasatta line was inaugurated by the Southern Punjab Railway Co. in 1897, passing through Muktasar and Fazilka tehsils. This line provided a direct connection to Karachi through Samma Satta (now in Pakistan). The extension from the Macleodganj (later renamed Mandi Sadiqganj and now in Pakistan) railway line to Ludhiana was opened by the same company in 1905. The 42 km (26 mi) new 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) wide broad gauge line between Fazilka and Abohar was opened in 2012.

Development and Connections

Initially, the rail service introduced by the Southern Punjab Railway Company spanned 257 kilometers, connecting Delhi, Bhatinda, and Samma Satta. One part of the track extended from Samma Satta to Amrooka at the Pakistan-India border, linking various stations like Baghdad-ul-Jadeed, Khairpur, Tamewali, Qaimpur, Hasilpur, Chishtian, Bahawalnagar, and Mandi Sadiq Ganj to Ferozpur and Amrooka stations through multiple lines.

Additionally, another railway track was laid between Bhatinda and Hindumal Kot in the Indian state. Before the subcontinent's partition, this railway line served as a crucial route connecting Delhi and Karachi, playing a significant role in transportation and trade.

The Mac Loed Ganj Road Junction stands as an exemplar of colonial-era architecture, featuring an elegant Colonial-style building that remains remarkably well-preserved. Its establishment marked the genesis of the adjacent town, Mandi Sadiq Ganj, named after Nawab Sadiq V. During the era of the Sutlej Valley Project from 1922 to 1933, Mandi Sadiq Ganj emerged as a vibrant center for commerce and business activities.

The Samarsata Bathinda-Delhi railway line played a pivotal role in enhancing connectivity between regions, fostering trade, expediting the movement of agricultural produce and goods, and contributing significantly to socio-economic development. The Mac Loed Ganj Road Junction, existing prior to Bahawalnagar and Minchinabad and serving numerous railway lines, boasted distinctive features, including two water towers with cast iron water tanks supplying steam engines. Traces of the intricate valve systems of the pipeline leading to these tanks are still visible. Adjacent to these towers, a sizable pond exists, rumored to be the site where a jet plane crashed during the 1971 Pakistan-India war, with its debris never recovered.

Historical records document notable personalities who visited or stayed at this junction, including Quaid Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, who purportedly spent a night here before Pakistan's inception. The site once accommodated a guest house and staff colony and found mention in the works of acclaimed writer Intezar Hussain.

Despite the cessation of train services on these tracks since July 26, 2011, the building remains in its original condition, cherished by local residents as a heritage site. Locals express a shared desire to preserve this historical station, considering conversion into a museum or town hall to safeguard its rich heritage.

At its zenith in 1935, the Railways Junction served as a crucial link connecting Karachi, Delhi, and Lahore, witnessing regular freight train operations from Quetta to Delhi. In 1970, the local Chairman, Moulvi Abdul Aziz, renamed it Mandi Sadiq Ganj.

Preserving such historical treasures ensures the remembrance and acknowledgment of our heritage, representing pivotal moments in our history. Not only should their protection be prioritized, but their original names should remain unchanged, as it serves as another way of understanding and learning history.