Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Ali_Syed · March 9, 2012, 4:27pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Swat’s historical places, government should try to protect its historical and archaeological sites…

muqawwee123 · March 9, 2012, 4:30pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Its a pity that we and our government are failed to protect such rich historical heritage :(

Ali_Syed · March 9, 2012, 5:07pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Derawar Fort, cholistan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq6-mhjT4JM ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq6-mhjT4JM&feature=related)

Ali_Syed · March 9, 2012, 5:07pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Bahawalpur

muqawwee123 · March 9, 2012, 5:10pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

The haunting Rohi and Derawer. :k:

Multan itself is a historical city (probably the oldest one in region).

Ali_Syed · March 9, 2012, 5:14pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

yes the whole region Sahiwal all the way to Moenjodaro (including Multan, Bahawalpur, Sukkur and other cities coming in between).

muqawwee123 · March 9, 2012, 5:17pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Do you about Hinglaaj, Balochistan. I read that its been sacred place for Hindus since centuries and even Sita and Raam (probbaly after killing Ravan) visited there. On there way to Hinglaaj, they stayed in Sindh. Interesting to note that the place where they stayed was then converted to a Mandir alongwith a bagh known as 'Raam Bagh'. Now its called 'Araam Bagh' Karachi.

Ali_Syed · March 9, 2012, 5:19pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

I have heard about Hinglaj but havent got any info about it though.

Ali_Syed · March 9, 2012, 5:21pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

The history of the areas forming Pakistan is very interesting over a period spanning thousands of years different people have come/invaded these areas including greeks, scythians, sakas, huns, afghans, arabs, british etc.

muqawwee123 · March 9, 2012, 5:22pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Here is a report a pictures of journey from Karachi to Hinglaaj. will add further material soon :)

muqawwee123 · March 9, 2012, 5:23pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Yes and the most interesting point of our history is our land is capable of conquering the conquerors. :k:

muqawwee123 · March 10, 2012, 3:32pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Shahi Qila (Royal Fort), Lahore

Although most parts of the Royal Fort were constructed around 1566 A.D. by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great, there is evidence that a mud fort was in existence here in 1021 A.D. as well, when Mahmood of Ghazna invaded this area. Akbar demolished the old mud fort and constructed most of the modern Fort, as we see it today, on the old foundations.

The Royal Fort is rectangular. The main gates are located alongside the centre of the western and eastern walls. Every succeeding Mughal Emperor as well as the Sikhs, and the British in their turn, added a pavilion, palace or wall to the Fort. Emperor Jehangir extended the gardens and constructed the palaces that we see today in the Jehangir’s Quadrangle, while Shah-Jehan added Diwan-e-Khas, Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) and his own Sleeping Chambers. Aurangzeb built the impressive main gate which faces the Hazoori Bagh lying in between the Badshahi Mosque and the Fort. The Famous Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors is in the north-east corner of the Fort. This is the most beautiful palace in the Fort and is decorated with small mirrors of different colours set.

            The  part of the wall of the Elephant Steps towards the Fort’s inner gate  are scarred by bullet marks, bearing testimony to the Sikh Civil War of  1847 A.D.

The Sleeping Chamber of Mai Jindan houses a very interesting museum with relics from Mughal and the Sikh periods

muqawwee123 · March 10, 2012, 3:37pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Chokundi Graveyard near Karachi

Chaukhandi tombs, are attributed to Jokhio and Baloch tribes and were build between 15th and 18th centuries. It is situated 29 km east of Karachi on N-5 National Highway near Landhi Town.The Chaukhandi tombs are remarkable for the elaborate and exquisite carving; the style of architecture is not only typical to the region of Sindh but unique in the sense that it is no where else to be found in the Islamic world.

**In early 20th century Scholars were attracted by these peculiar type of Graveyards in Sindh and Baluchistan with their orientation from South to North. These graves are constructed in buff sand stone. Their carved decoration presents exquisite craftsmanship. These graves are constructed single or some time from two to eight raised on a common platform **.Their primary sarcophagus having six vertical slabs as two long slabs stands on each sides of the grave and covers the body and rest of two vertical slabs covers the head and foot side. These Six slabs are covered by second sarcophagus and having six more vertical slabs on it but similar in size to make this grave as pyramid in shape .This upper (second sarcophagus) is further covered four or five horizontally slabs and the top most (third) Sarcophagus is set vertically with its northern end carved in to knob knows as crown or turban. These tombs are embellished besides geometrical hoard and motifs with figural representation such as mounted horsemen, hunting scene, arms, jewelery etc.

There was a long play produced by PTV ‘Dil Dil Da Mamla’, which was picturised in this graveyard.

muqawwee123 · March 11, 2012, 2:13pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Rawat Fort, Rawalpindi

The information displayed at Rawat Fort’s by archaeology department reveals that it was built in early 15th century by Salteen-e-Dehli. However there are some contradictions about the historical background of this fort.

According to some historians, the fort was built by Sultan Masood, son of Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi in 1036 AD while some other books of history reveal that Sarang Khan, the leader of Gakhar tribes in Pothohar, built the fort.

The Rawat Fort remained in the use of different conquerors. According to some of the historical evidences the fort was in use of Sultan Masood, son of Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi, whose rebel soldiers captivated him inside this fort and later they took him to the Gatri Fort near Taxila where they assassinated him.
**
For a long time the fort remained under the possession of Sarang Khan, the tribal leader of Ghakhar tribes. Ghakhars were famous for their chivalry and warrior attitude. Sultan Sarang died along with his sixteen sons while fighting a war with Sher Shah Soori in 1546 AD.The grave of Sarang Khan is also inside this fort. The building contains some of the old graves and a hexagonal tomb in it and if someone dares to climb through this tomb one may get a panoramic view of the plateau and the Mankiala Stupa.

**

Historical Rawat Fort needs preservation | Pak Tea House

Restored attachments:

Ali_Syed · March 11, 2012, 2:21pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

I didnt know that there was a fort at Rawat too.

muqawwee123 · March 11, 2012, 2:46pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

And Rohtas is also not far from Rawalpindi

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif,sans-serif]Rohtas Fort is 109 km from Rawalpindi. It is located about 6 km south-west of Dina Town. Going from Rawalpindi/Islamabad, you have to turn right from G.T. Road to a narrow road just before Dina Police Station and then go left until you find the dry bed of Kahan River. The fort is visible from this point. However, you have to cross the river to reach it. During rainy season, you need a four-wheel-drive to cross the river. The fort is one of the most impressive historical monuments in Pakistan. It was built by Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri, between 1540 and 1547 AD. It served as a huge fortified base for military operations against Gakkhars by Sher Shah Suri. It was later used by Mughal emperor Akbar and Sikhs. Within the huge terraced rampart walls with robust bastions and twelve gates, is located another fortress, palaces and ancillary buildings.

Interesting story of building of the fort by Raza Ali Abidi.

Ali_Syed · March 11, 2012, 3:52pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

I have not been able to see this as well but heard about it a lot…

This is hiran minar sheikhupura

muqawwee123 · March 11, 2012, 3:55pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Yes, we discussed Hiran Minar earlier.. was made by Jehangir in memory of a deer (Hiran) called Mansukh :)

Those were the days, when ruler even feel for the animals and now ...... :(

Ali_Syed · March 11, 2012, 4:00pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

One of my phupha was telling me one day that in Sindh (maybe Sehwan) there is a building/mazaar/maybe whole town which is upside down, do you know about that?

muqawwee123 · March 11, 2012, 4:24pm

Re: Historical Places of the Subcontinent

Yes, I’ve heard about this Ulta Qila from my friends belonging to Sehwan too. The area (historically known as Sestaan / Sevistaan) is full of historical places and many myths are spreaded by locals including a place near Sehwan Lakki Shah Sadar ( a hilly area) for which it is believed that Hazrat Ali (RA) visited there. We know that is not historically true, but people try to defend it with spiritual reasoning. There is also a cave there, for which it is believed that Qalandar Shahbaz used to go to Makkah / Medina through this cave :smack2:

Here is the article from Dawn, abou Sehwan and its historical places.

A hot weekend in Sehwan -DAWN - The Review; May 13, 2004

The terrible divide between urban and rural or semi-rural Sindh was brought home on a weekend spent travelling from Karachi to Sehwan Sharif and Manchhar Lake in Dadu district. Those who haven’t ventured out of Karachi can have no concept of the mind-defying poverty in the barren countryside nor of the callousness of our political leaders and administrators.

You approach Sehwan from Jamshoro past Petaro and Sann (G.M. Syed’s birthplace, just off the highway) by a good, metalled road. The area is sparsely cultivated, and the few fields you see are only a weakly green. Men, women and children from the surrounding habitations wait for a wagon or a bus in the open, under the scorching sun. No minister or wadera whizzing past in his air-conditioned car has ever thought of building bus shelters at the most frequented stops. Those who wait cannot write letters to the editor or issue statements. Even a thatched roof over a few bamboo poles will bring relief.

**Through Sehwan town, you climb to the huge mound which is known as Ulta Qila, inverted fort, or Kafir Qila. According to legend Shahbaz Qalandar had become so incensed over the cruelties of the ruler with the people that he had turned the entire city upside down, including the ruler’s fort.
**
A team of French archeologists had tried to dig at the site, but was scared away by the heat. On top of the mound sits the irrigation department’s rest house, with its AC rooms. This has become a vantage point for sightseers, with the Sindh river on one side and the golden cupola of Shahbaz Qalandar’s mazar beckoning a few metres away. Below is Sheikh Mohalla, built on several levels so that sometimes you have this strange sensation of seeing water buffaloes tethered on a rooftop, which is actually the courtyard of a house built on a height.

The houses bake in the heat. The people living in them, depending for their livelihood on fitful periods of activity as farmers or fishermen or casual employment, are often so poor that they get the rotis for their evening meal from the mazar langar. The visitors at the rest house drink bottled mineral water; the residents of Sheikh Mohalla get their water from the river nearby or the occasional hand-pump. Many of the residents eke out a living by renting our portions of their abodes to devotees who come to pay their respects at the Shahbaz Qalandar mazar.

Half-an-hour’s drive away is Manchhar Lake, with its boat people and its fisherfolk. You take a boat and phut-phut past craft where families have been born, grown up and live. Each boat has a small “hindola”, hanging cot, for children. The lake water is polluted and smells. The air is dank and heavy to breathe. The beauty of a horn-billed stork cleaning the mouth of a water buffalo waddling in the lake is lost on you. The boat people cook with the dirty water, they bathe in it and they drink it. They survive. But is this what the state is about — bare survival? Not a better life?

It is argued that fishermen’s families everywhere live on boats, that those in Manchhar have known no other life, and even if they were offered better facilities on land, they would not give up their cherished boats, some of them lovingly decorated. But at least they can be provided with cleaner drinking water and some rudimentary form of health care and education for their children.

Probably they earn much more than those who toil in the fields or those who work as day labourers. But that is no reason to abandon them to their fate. At least a survey should be carried out to assess their living conditions and how their incomes have been affected by the pollution of the lake and its declining water level.

Everyone said you must buy some fresh fish when you go to Manchhar. There is a shed under which the catch is sold. It has dogs and cats lolling about, and the floor is littered with bits and pieces of flesh. It was a wise man who said you shouldn’t see how animals are slaughtered or fish cleaned; it’s best to eat quietly what you are served on your plate without being too inquisitive.

It was hot throughout the weekend. The mazar was crowded. Once the lights went out, and there was panic among the devotees. The mendicants inside the tomb impose themselves on those who just want to spend a moment of quiet contemplation. Everywhere there are signs of commercialization. At the dhammal session in the courtyard in the evening, in each group of women devotees, there are a couple of women doing the “haal”, swinging their hair in a trance. The mazar is clearly running out of space.

Perhaps those in places like Sehwan have open air to breathe, and they are not always cooped up in suffocating rooms in city slums. Perhaps they don’t have to spend hours daily commuting on crowded buses or perched on scaffolding, building houses for the better off to live in. Perhaps there can really be no dividing line in poverty. **But why is it that you feel that the people in the countryside of Sindh have been left alone and forgotten? (I know because our ruling Jiyalas own their land at the time of election )
**