BARKAT ALI KHAN MUHAMMEDAN HALL MOCHI GATE LAHORE

25-11-2018

(All pictures are owned)

Khan Bahadur Barkat Ali Khan, a renowned member of the nobility in Lahore, made significant contributions to the preservation and restoration of the historic Badshahi Mosque. Serving as a tehsildar, he dedicated himself to reviving the mosque's former grandeur. Recognizing the importance of fostering the advancement of the Muslim community, he selflessly offered his services, leading to the establishment of Anjuman Islamia in Lahore around 1868.

In 1887, a momentous event took place when Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a prominent figure in the Muslim community, visited Lahore and participated in a conference held at the Anjuman. The gathering served as a catalyst, highlighting the need for a dedicated space in Lahore to promote Islamic values and culture. This realization led to the decision to construct a magnificent hall that would serve this purpose.

The construction of the Mohammedan Hall commenced in 1888, situated just outside the Mochi Darwaza of Lahore. With a budget of approximately 1800 Rs, the Anjuman undertook the ambitious project to create a hub where Islamic ideals could flourish. To commemorate this endeavor, the Anjuman published a brochure in 1888, proudly highlighting the completion of the Mohammedan Hall and its significance as a symbol of promoting Islamic values in the city of Lahore.

Masjid Qamaruddin Baghbanpura

09-09-2018

Masjid Qamaruddin located near Borhwal chowk in Baghnapura. The mosque is constructed in 1867 by a local Arian family. In construction, traditional Shah Jhani local bricks were used. A few years back, the structure of the mosque got collapsed so the walls and roof were renovated and reinforced again with new construction materials.

An abandoned Hindu Temple in Khanqah Dogran

08-03-2018

In the charming town of Khanqah Dogran, my gracious host, Hussain Dogar, and I embarked on a shared quest in search of a centuries-old mosque from the 17th century. Our determination was fueled by the sight of a captivating picture of this mosque on Flicker many years ago. However, despite our best efforts, the elusive mosque remained beyond our grasp. Perhaps the location was mislabeled, adding a touch of mystery to our expedition. Nevertheless, as we made our way back, a remarkable sight greeted us in the heart of Khanqah Dogran Bazaar—an abandoned Hindu mandir.

This ancient place of worship had undergone a transformation, with its lower portion repurposed into shops, bustling with the energy of daily commerce. As we looked up, wooden balconies adorned the first floor, adding an air of elegance to the structure. The chapel rooms, once filled with prayer and devotion, now housed families who had migrated after the partition. Walking through the surrounding street, we discovered a poignant reminder of the town's history—Pre-Partition Hindu Houses that stood as silent witnesses to a bygone era. It was revealed to us by locals that before the year 1947, this very street teemed with the vibrant presence of Hindu families. However, the passage of time had brought change, and today, no Hindu families remained in the area. The mandir itself, abandoned for decades, bore the architectural hallmarks of the early 19th century or possibly the latter half of the 18th century.

In this unexpected encounter, we found ourselves immersed in the layers of Khanqah Dogran's history, where religious narratives intertwine with the passage of time. The abandoned mandir stood as a tangible symbol of the town's multicultural past and the ebb and flow of its inhabitants. As we reflected on our journey, we realized that even though our original objective remained unfulfilled, the stories we encountered along the way painted a vivid portrait of the town's rich tapestry of cultures and traditions.

Abandoned Hindu Tmeple

Entrance 

Enterance

Bansi Mandir Anarkali Lahore

 30-12-2017

 31°34'30.56"N

 74°18'47.81"E

Bansi Mandir located in congested streets of Anarkali Bazaar.

The mandir itself is located within the courtyard of a massive haveli. At present, portions are rented out to various tenants and even the main building of the mandir is used as a home by one of the numbers of families here. 

This building would have been built during the colonial period by a prosperous family wanting to expand out of the congested walled city. Kanhaiya Lal and Latif don't mention it in their descriptions of Anarkali so it must have been built or completed after the 1890s. 

The façade is a long one and lines the Anarkali bazaar. 

The decorative features on the main façade are broadly European but the central section has a traditional arch framed by pillars and contains an elaborate jharokha above the entrance. The wooden jharokha or balcony with its fine woodwork is still in a good state of preservation. I could not able to take a photo of that work.  The stairs lead up to the courtyard, in the center of which is located the fine temple with plaster moldings.

Bansi Mandir, in the background the tall standing four minarets are of Badshahi mosque. Picture taken from top of Surgical Tower Mayo Hospital. 

The Forgotten Mahan Singh Garden and his Samadhi in Lahore

22-04-2018

Samadhi

One of the cherished memories from my childhood is the sight of an old structure standing proudly between Naz Cinema and St. John Church as I crossed Mission Road in Lahore. During that time, some of our relatives resided near Civil Lines College in Lahore, and whenever we visited them, we would hire a Tonga from Lahore Railway Station. The usual route would take us through Lakshami Chowk, and occasionally Tonga would turn from Mission Road into Bansaanwala Bazaar, Shah Alam, until finally reaching our last stop, Daata Sahib. It was during these journeys, approximately thirty years ago, that I first became acquainted with this intriguing edifice.

As a child, I couldn't discern the difference between a 'Samadhi' and a 'Mandir.' Whenever I inquired about this particular structure from my father, he would always refer to it as a 'Mandir' and explain that this area was once inhabited by a thriving Hindu community before the Partition of 1947.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit this edifice. I discovered that it is, in fact, a 'Samadhi' dedicated to Mahan Singh. Situated within the housing quarters of St. John Church, the area encompassing St. John Church and Naz Cinema is also known as "Mahan Singh ka Bagh" (Mahan Singh's Garden).

Although not much historical information is available about Mahan Singh, it is believed that he was an esteemed courtier during the reign of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. The Maharaja granted him this land as a token of appreciation. When examining historical records, the only name that matches that of Mahan Singh during Maharaja Ranjeet Singh's era is that of Sardar Raja Mahan Singh Mirpuri (d. 1844). Sardar Raja Mahan Singh Mirpuri was a renowned general in the Sikh Khalsa Army and served as the second-in-command to General Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa. He earned the title of Raja from Maharaja Ranjit Singh for his conquests in Haripur, Nowshehra, and Peshawar. The town of Mansehra derives its name from him. During a hunting expedition of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, Mahan Singh, who was in search of employment at the time, caught the Maharaja's attention by single-handedly slaying a leopard with his sword. Impressed by his bravery, the Maharaja enlisted him into the army under the renowned General Hari Singh Nalwa.

Mahan Singh played a pivotal role in the battles of Peshawar and Kashmir. He also showed remarkable courage during the siege of Multan in 1818, where he was seriously wounded on two occasions. Eventually, he rose to become the second-in-command to Hari Singh Nalwa. In April 1837, he valiantly defended the Jamrud Fort against Afghan invaders, even concealing the news of Hari Singh Nalwa's demise until reinforcements arrived from Lahore.

Following the death of Hari Singh Nalwa, Mai Desan, his widow adopted Mahan Singh as her son and arranged his marriage into a Mohan family from Gujranwala, following Muhiyal traditions. Tragically, Sardar Raja Mahan Singh met his untimely demise in 1844 when mutiny erupted within the Sikh Khalsa Army, and he was murdered by his own soldiers.

Regrettably, the Samadhi is currently in a state of disrepair and is being used for storage purposes. Nonetheless, traces of fresco artwork can still be observed within the premises. The approximate coordinates of this site are 31°34'4.62"N, 74°19'13.55"E

Another view of Samadhi

Inside View of Samadhi

Inside View of Samadhi

Inside Roof 

 Another View of Samadhi

This place  was used to be Mahan Singh Garden

 This place used to be Mahan Singh Garden

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