Amid the historic alleys of Kot Rukandin in Kasur, the red-brick gateway of Fazal Manzil rises with quiet dignity — a relic of early 20th-century Muslim architectural finesse. Constructed in 1326 Hijri (1908 AD) by Fazal Din, this gateway is a rare surviving specimen of vernacular Mughal-Punjabi style, blending craftsmanship, religious devotion, and poetic sensibility into a single facade.
Architectural Details
The structure's central feature is a four-centered arch rooted in Indo-Islamic tradition, housing a tall wooden gate. The arch is bordered by intricately inlaid brickwork, and the spandrel area above it hosts a large leaf motif carved in relief. This section is adorned with brick jaali (lattice) work, offering decoration and ventilation.
A brick border resembling miniature pillars forms an extended shade, leading upward to a jharokha-style balcony. This gallery, resting on ribbed brick brackets, is capped with a parapet that supports three small wooden arched windows, painted in green. Each window is framed with a delicate brick arch, collectively crowned by a larger unifying brick arch. The visual cohesion is enhanced by filleted brick lines spreading from the arches, connecting the entire upper composition into a unified architectural rhythm.
The thoughtful layering of material and form reflects not just local building practices, but also a deep appreciation for proportion, ornamentation, and symbolic meaning.
Five Inscriptions:
Perhaps the most spiritually profound element of Fazal Manzil’s gateway is the presence of five engraved plaques, embedded into the brick facade. These inscriptions combine Qur’anic verses, Persian poetry, and devotional expressions, representing the religious ethos and cultural pride of the builder.
🪧Plaque 1 – Qur’anic Verse (Arabic)
قُلْ إِنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
(Surah Aal-e-Imran, 3:73)
Translation:
"Say: Indeed, all bounty is in the hand of Allah—He grants it to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing."
This verse anchors the gateway in divine gratitude and faith, attributing all blessings to the will of Allah.
🪧 Plaques 2 & 4 – Persian Poetry in Praise of the Prophet (ﷺ)
محمد عربیؐ کہ آبروئے ہر دو سرا است
کسی کہ خاک درش نیست خاک بر سر او
Translation:
"Muhammad, the Arab, is the honor of both worlds (this world and the hereafter).
He who does not become the dust of His feet, let dust be upon his head!"
This poetic couplet emphasizes the central role of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the spiritual world and conveys deep reverence through Sufi-inflected imagery.
🪧 Plaque 3 – Historical Dedication (Urdu)
بذریعہ فضل دین، ۱۳۲۶ ہجری (مطابق ۱۹۰۸ عیسوی)
Translation:
"By Fazal Din, in the year 1326 Hijri (corresponding to 1908 AD)."
A simple but important inscription that gives the mansion its historical context and credit to its builder.
🪧 Plaque 5 – Arabic Devotional Phrase
لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
Translation:
"There is no power and no strength except with Allah."
This phrase is often recited to acknowledge divine control over all matters, especially when human strength falls short.
Fazal Manzil’s gateway is not merely an entrance—it is a physical expression of an era when architecture reflected identity, devotion, and artistry. The inscriptions, motifs, and layout together create a narrative where faith and form are interwoven.
Sadly, the building is in an extreme state of neglect, and the inner portions of the mansion have been dismantled over time.
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