Heritage Magazine Issue #27

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www.waseemjewellers.com
waseem.jewellers@yahoo.com
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CONTENTS
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A HOME OF RICH HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
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ISSUE 27
Landi Kotal
Loosing A Heritage
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This historical, landmark railway
track which is an engineering
wonder was built on November 3,
1925,
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Travelling To The Source Of
Romantic River Kunhar
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Heavenly beauty, River Kunhar, the
lifeline of the Kaghan valley, flows
throughout the valley.
For The Love Of
Written Word
Faiz appreciators from all over
Pakistan thronging the halls , the
Adbi Baithaks and the lawns and
bye-lanes of the Alhamra complex
and the open air shows at Burney
Gardens.
Paisley in Pashmina
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The song of the paisley is an old one.
Sung by numerous weavers and now
the automatic weaving machines.
Say It With Chocolates
A gift of chocolates makes it easy to
express our feelings, it is also remedy
to cure a broken heart
Hari Singh Nalwa
Sikh warrior Hari Singh Nalwa topped
the list as one of the most outstanding
conquerors of the world followed by
Changez Khan and Alexander as second
& third in ranking
Kharoshtī script
Kharoshtī script is one of the
legacies the remind the modern
world the glory of Gandhara
civilization
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Punjpeer Rocks
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Golf In Pakistan
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Virtual Pakistan
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Skardu
A Doorway To Adventure
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Desi Writers’ Lounge - a dedicated
website with accompanying forums.
Faiz International Festival
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Where the grass is green forever
Google Cultural Institute, a special
project is dedicated to some of
Pakistan’s cultural and historical
sites. Called the “Wonder of
Pakistan”
Skardu is the administrative town
of Baltistan and a staging post to
witness some of nature’s most
violent episodes
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“Open Sesame”, and there opens the
doors to an invisible land which only
reveals its beauty to one who utters
the magical words.
Tent In Islamic History
Tent primarily is a temporary shelter,
usually made of flexible materials
stretched over poles, wooden or of
bamboos.
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Our Heritage is an in-house magazine of Hashoo Group-Hotel Division. No part of it may be
reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Views expressed are those of the
writers and not necessarily those of Editorial Board. Responsibility of the contents of the
advertisements lies with advertisers. Our Heritage is published by Pakistan Services Limited for
Hashoo Group-Hotel Division.
This magazine has been prepared by Events, Marketing & Communications Department,
Pakistan Services Limited
For advertisements and articles for this magazine,
marketing-related proposals, joint promotions and cobranding etc. with Hashoo Group Hotels, please contact
Vice President
Events, Marketing & Communications Department
NESPAK House, Ground Floor, Ataturk Avenue
G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2272890-98 • Fax: +92-51-2274812
Email: tahir.khan@hashoohotels.com
EDITORIAL BOARD
Andrew Ashmore
Tahir Mahmood Khan
Arslan Ahmed
Editor’s Note
E-mail: pchk@pchotels.com
Hashoo Hotels’ awards-winning in-house magazine “our
Heritage”, enables the readers to learn about our heritage sites,
historical values, traditions and cultures, ecology, and the latest
trends of Pakistan. This magazine has been instrumental in
promoting Pakistan’s positive image at the international level.
E-mail: pchl@pchotels.com
I am very thankful to my team members, contributors, and the
management of Hashoo Hotels for their outright support.
E-mail: pchr@pchotels.com
The readers’ valuable suggestions have also played a pivotal role
in further improving the quality of the magazine.
E-mail: pchp@pchotels.com
TAHIR MAHMOOD KHAN
E-mail: pchb@pchotels.com
EDITOR, OUR HERITAGE
E-mail: pchm@pchotels.com
E-mail: zpchg@pchotels.com
ISSUE 26
E-mail: imh@marriottislamabad.com
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Let’s make a fresh start and set
ambitious goals to become the best,
truest, happiest and most fulfilled
version of ourselves.
Mr. Sadaruddin Hashwani
Chairman, Hashoo Group
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By: Dr. Babur Zahiruddin
In early October 2015, as I traveled
from JAMRUD to TURKHAM there
were tears in my eyes on seeing the
destruction and dilapidation of the
railway track which was once the
envy of many tourists both foreign
and local who used to feel pride in
making a journey on KHYBER STEAM
SAFARI.
This historical, landmark railway
track which is an engineering
wonder was built on November 3,
1925, was finally closed in 1982
because of poor patronage. A
private enterprise by the name of
Khyber steam Safari used to run
chartered services on this railway
track which was visited by diplomats
and local tourists but in 2006 the
floods washed away the railway
tracks since then no effort has been
undertaken by the railway authorities
to repair and rehabilitate this track.
Two steam locomotives were used
to pull the train which signified the
effort required in hauling this train
from Peshawar, up the KHYBER
PASS to LANDIKOTAL.
I went down the memory lane when
somewhere in 1974, I boarded this
train at about 8:00 a.m. on a sunny
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Sunday morning at the Peshawar
Cantonment. The Steam locomotive
which was pulling the train was no.
2216, which was built in 1916 by
KITSON AND COMPANY OF LEEDS,
UK.
The train slowly gained speed and
passed through Peshawar localities
of Notia Gate, Swati Gate and Bara
Gate.
After crossing Bara Gate the train
had to slowdown and finally came to
a halt as it had to pass through the
breath of the 9000 ft long runway of
Peshawar International Airport.
Pakistani’s must take
pride that the Peshawar
international airport is the
only airport in the world
through which a railway line
crosses and must find its
place in the Guinness book
of world records.
Why was there a need to build this
railway track? It was because of the
Great Game in 1857 and there was
a fear of the Russian invasion from
Khyber or Bolan pass in order to
thwart Russian invasion.
After crossing the runway the
train passed through the areas of
University town, Kacha Garhi and
Hayatabad. The famous 1756 km
long Karachi-Torkham highway (N5)
comes in the close vicinity of the
rail track and both travel in parallel
towards Jamrud the gate way to
KHYBER PASS located 18 km west of
Peshawar.
The journey time to Jamrud was
about an hour and after a short stop
it continued westward onwards to
the Khyber Pass.
The trains on this track in the Khyber
Pass very seldom run on this section
therefore many locals along with
children showed up to greet the
train and as the train approached
the platform local children found
excitement in running along with the
train.
The changing world politics scenario
and the third Anglo-Afghan war of
May 1919 brought life back to Khyber
Pass Railway project. Colonel Gordon
Hearn was assigned the work of
surveying and recommending the
best route through Khyber Pass.
Previously all surveys recommended
a meter gauge (1000 mm) track
however Gordon Hearn proposed and
demonstrated by a masterly survey
that broad-gauge (1676 mm) line
could be laid through the pass.
The distances from Peshawar
to Landi Khana is about 60
kms and the altitude gain is
from 1048 to 2622 feet.
Second time the construction
restarted in 1920 and the section
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from Jamrud to Landi Kotal was
opened on November 3, 1925.
History narrates that the last section
of the end spike in to Landikotal was
left out purposely as Victor Bayley,
the engineer, entrusted with the
construction of Khyber Railway, had
a 10 year old daughter called ‘Missy
Sahib’ who drove it in with 3 hammer
blows.
Then Bayley and his wife ‘Lady
Sahib’ blew the whistle and drove
the shunting engine pushing
assorted wagons and a brake van
into the station. This was a very
low-key private affair, not officially
sanctioned, and took place even
before the extensive 10-track layout
at Landi Kotal was put in.
The inauguration of the Train
though Khyber Pass took
place on November 4, 1925,
and Mrs. Victor Bayley, wife of
the British engineer entrusted
with the construction of
Khyber Railway drove the first
train through Khyber Pass.
There are two
historical versions
why a lady was
entrusted to drive
the first inaugural
train.
1. The first version
is that the British
government gave
the honor to Victor
Bayley to run the
inaugural train as
recognition of his
great work but he died
three months before
the inauguration. His
wife then honored the
driving of train on her
husband’s behalf.
2. The second
version is that as
the track was being
laid, the locals of
the Khyber Agency
were apprehensive and
did not allow the train to move in
their territory. However, knowing
the Pashtoon mentality and their
traditional respect for women,
Victory Bayley, asked his wife to
drive the first train in the Khyber
Agency. It has been reported that
she drew long hair so that she could
be identified as a women from a
distance.
The second section of 8km track
from Landikotal to Landi Khana was
completed on April 3, 1926 another
portion of 8 km track was opened up
to Landi Khana which is just 3 km
short of the actual frontier post of
Torkham.
The Khyber Pass railway has unique
engineering features a ruling
gradient of 3 percent between
JAMRUD and LANDI KOTAL.
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There is a rise of
nearly 2000 feet in 34
kilometers, and a drop
of 872 feet in the next
8 kilometers to Landi
Khana, where in many
places the gradient
stiffens to 1 in 25. There
are 4 reversing stations,
34 tunnels with an
aggregate length of more
than 4 kilometers, 92
bridges and culverts, and
4 locomotive watering
stations.
And during the construction, three
million cubic yards of materials
mainly rock, were moved in the
cuttings and embankments.
Reversing stations are an important
feature of Khyber Pass. Since it is
not easy to bend a train here due
to tight space, trains switch tracks
and engines change their roles. The
trailing engine becomes the lead and
vice versa at the reversing stations.
Besides reversing stations, the track
at numerous places is also provided
with the runway train catch sidings.
The Khyber Railways is the last
of the great railway constructions
undertaken in the frontier during
the British Raj. From 1947 onwards,
Pakistan Railways continued a
weekly passenger service through
Khyber Pass. The service ran free
of charge simply as a gesture to
prove to the fiercely independent
tribesmen that the line, in-spite of
them, was open and the Pakistan
Government was the boss. The
regular service in Khyber Pass
stopped in 1982 due to the lack of
commercial patronage.
Due to axle load limitations, diesel
engines cannot run on this track.
Therefore Khyber Pass railway to
date can only be served by steam
locomotion only.
Landi Kotal station is built in a very
unique fortress like architecture.
There are no windows or doors on
the forbidding facade facing the
platform. This was so designed that
in case of any attack from across the
border this could be defended from
the bastions.
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By: Tahir Imran Khan
In modern days, things are quite
easy and comfortable even the
exploration of an area. You just
punch few keys of your pocket tablet
and everything would be available
through the courtesy of technology.
In ancient times, finding a place
would have been a lengthy and
tedious task as one had to travel
in person to get information and
knowledge to quench the thirst and
inquisitiveness of exploration.
When I first visited Kaghan
Valley, it was an immediate
first sight love. Its scenic
splendors included green &
fertile slopes of mountains
with thick forests below the
snow line. The panoramic
scenery of vast flower filled
pastures, alpine lakes,
snowy glacier tails and
cascading waterfalls were
heart capturing. In addition
to its heavenly beauty, River
Kunhar, the lifeline of the
valley, flows throughout
the valley. It proved to be a
lovely journey along the river
Kunhar, whenever I visited
Kaghan valley.
Long ago, we were sitting beside
self-arranged bonfire, while camping
along the river Kunhar, a debate
started to travel along the stretch
of the river from its source to the
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end. This debate was somewhere
in 80’s when there was no asphalt
road beyond the village of Kaghan,
while a single coaltar painted strip
in run down condition was the only
link between Mansehra and Balakot.
The winding track on picturesque
Batrasi hills with some local old
kind of vans and buses was the
highway to heaven. Beyond Kaghan
village, there was a dusty and rough
surfaced track to Naran, which was
also the only access to Gilgit and
Northern Areas crossing Babusar
Pass at 4173meters, only open
for a few months of summers as
otherwise it remained snow bound.
Basheer, one of the most senior &
professional guides of the valley
told us the possible route to the
source of Kunhar from Lake Lulusar,
somewhere in upper reaches of the
valley. It would be a wonderful trip,
if we go to the lake Lulusar and then
travel down to its confluence in river
Jhelum near Muzaffarabad, Azad
Kashmir. The night was cold and
the discussion ended with a plan to
travel along the river. We slipped
into our sleeping bags and that camp
night was full of dreams travelling
along the River Kunhar.
On return, the main task was to
make a travel plan with all possible
information and arrangements of
requisites for the journey. The travel
dates were fixed and the team was
formed. All group equipment for
camping and kitchen was collected
while proper clothing for extreme
temperatures and quality shoes for
hiking were supposed to be arranged
individually.
With a tentative travel itinerary, we
reached Rara near Muzaffarabad,
where the Kunhar joins with River
Jhelum. It was not sign posted
or even not very impressive site
however as per our plan, this was
the starting point of our journey. We
had to trek this first portion for few
kilometers and then using transport,
our first camp was at Garhi
Habibullah. We have been earlier to
Garhi as the route from Mansehra
to Balakot used to pass through the
village of Garhi.
The place has also importance as
there is a ziarat of Hazrat Syed
Ahmed Shaheed. A camp night at
Garhi Habibullah was superb and the
weather was cool being at the banks
of wide and greyish River Kunhar.
We crossed the river to reach
Balakot, which is the gateway to the
main Kaghan valley and an important
place but we drove past Balakot
for Paras crossing Kawai with its
approach route to Shogran, Sari &
Paya. Paras, known for its delicious
Apples and the route to Sharan,
another picturesque plateau, which
is less visited thus less polluted.
while the road beyond Kaghan is
seasonal and not mettaled ( at that
time in 1980s ).
Shinu with its Trout hatchery is a
good attraction while Jared has
its fame of wooden handicrafts.
Mahandri is a large town where a
stream coming down from Manoor
while Kaghan, the main town, giving
the name to the whole valley is
approachable throughout the year,
From Balakot to Kaghan, the valley is
quite narrow therefore the foaming
River Kunhar seems quite furious
and alternatively near the road and
at times quite down beneath the
road. Some major tributaries till
Kaghan are Ghanool Nala, Manoor
River and Kaghan River while several
small streams join from both sides
of the river.
Kaghan onwards, the valley starts
widening and the view broadens. The
river beauty is marvelous and with
some lovely streams joining the river
at various places, we reached Naran
from where our main leg of the
journey was supposed to commence.
Basheer was waiting for us in Naran
with all arrangements for next
journey on foot. Although there was
a jeep road but at the early season
time, the road was still snow bound
at places and it was also our plan to
hike that portion.
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Carrying our backpacks, the
team started walking while the
kitchen and camping equipment
was dumped over a pony, which
was arranged by Basheer sahib,
alongwith a kitchen helper.
for its fertile land, where there is
a Potato Seed Research Program
organized by Germans. The area
produces high quality potatoes and
peas, which are supplied throughout
the country.
Trekking along River Kunhar
was superb as the river is quite
wide in this region and flows with
calm. We crossed Dhumdhuma,
a small dwelling across the river.
A little ahead Basheer sahib told
that behind the mountain on right
bank of the river, there is a lovely
valley called as Sapat with possible
trekking route to Kohistan.
Our next destination was Jalkahad
crossing Burwai located at the
junction of Joar Nullah and River
Kunhar. From Burwai, famous Ratti
Gali at 4141meters is connection
with Neelum Valley. Jalkhad was
a lovely place where our selected
camp was just near the river
bank. There are Myca mines in
the mountains of Jalkhad so some
miners also camp there before going
to the queries.
We reached at Sohni Waterfalls
across the forest of Sohni. The walk
was not very tough however in an
open sunny day, we were sweating
badly. I marked the track leading
off from main road towards Lalazar,
a picturesque meadowland at
3200meters. In almost 5 hours, we
reached Batakundi, our stopover for
night stay.
The camp at Jalkhad was the
best so far. The River Kunhar
is spread over a vast area
and flows in several streams
along both sides of the main
river. The place is also ideal
for fishing as River Kunhar
is stocked with delicious
brown & rainbow Trout and
Mahasher fish. The night at
2780m in tents was quite cold.
Batakundi at the confluence of Siran
Nullah and Kunhar River is known
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Besal was our next destination where
the panorama around was superb
while there was no other person or
activity in the region at that time of
the season. In those days, only a few
nomads use this area for grazing
their cattle. A tiring hike finished at
a local teashop to serve travelers in
summers. Besal is above the tree line
and Purbi Nar & Saeedullah Nar, join
Kunhar River. Following Purbi Nar, its
approach to one of the loveliest lakes
of Pakistan, DoodhiPat Sar.
Next day, our plan was to make a full
day excursion to the Lake Lulusar
at 3439m, which was our final
destination being the source of the
River Kunhar.
It was an easy walk for a couple of
kilometers to reach crescent shaped
vast lake Lulusar, the largest in the
valley and from where emerges the
River Kunhar. The hills on sides of
the lake with greenery and glacial
tails were reflecting in deep waters
of the lake, offering superb color
formations.
Lake Lulusar is reputed to have
cured a blind daughter of the great
Mughal emperor, Akbar and the local
people believe that the calm, cool
waters of the lake did restore the
sight of the princess.
At Babusar Pass and about the
Kaghan valley stretched in front of
her, she writes,
Beyond Lulusar Lake, Gitidas and
Babusar were the romantic places
but our yatra was complete and
we had to retrace our footprints to
return home.
“We suddenly found ourselves on
a level plateau, about a quarter of
a mile square. Sitting where I had
subsided beyond the rocks, ……I
slowly assimilated the unlikely fact
that we were on Babusar Top.......
....From the plateau I could see,
about 1000 feet below me, a vividly
green valley some eight miles long
and two miles wide, with a foamwhite nullah flashing down its
center….”
( Full Tilt - page 199 Drevla Murphy )
The expedition was
completed and it proved a
wonderful trip for which one
of the motivations was the
account of travel of Drevla
Murphy. Drevla, a young
lady cyclist travelled from
Gilgit to Kaghan on her
bicycle and to the surprise
of all, it happened in 1963.
She entered Kaghan valley
from Gilgit-Chilas, crossing
Babusar pass.
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For the love of the
Written Word
By: Khuzaima Fatima Haque
The year was 2006. The
platform was Orkut - a
social networking website.
Amateur writers and
poets in Pakistan started
to share and comment on
each other’s works. Within
a period of months, the
number of members grew.
Next, twelve most active
members felt the time had
come to establish a proper
writing-and-publishing
platform that could help
new, young and emerging
writers. Thus was born the
Desi Writers’ Lounge - a
dedicated website with
accompanying forums.
Desi Writers’ Lounge (DWL) cofounders including Afia Aslam, Tazeen
Anjum, Osman Khalid Butt, Jalal
Curmally, Bilal Iqbal, Muhammad
Imran Khan, Maryam Piracha,
Ayesha Sajid, Usman Tanveer Malik
and Shehla Wynne believed in an
idea and volunteered their money
and resources to pull DWL up by its
bootstraps and since then they have
never looked back.
Ten years down the lane, today DWL
spans over 700 members on their
online Workshop forums and over
15,000 followers on Face book and
Twitter. Membership for the online
forums is free, but a writing sample
is required because the forums are
designed only for people who are
serious about writing. Dozens of
requests pour in each week and now
DWL members span continents,
and volunteers have helped set up
projects and initiatives in cities across
the world.
Retracing history, in 2007,
Papercuts magazine was
started as an online platform
to publish the work of DWL
members. However, this
soon outgrew its purpose
and in 2011 it was opened
up to submissions from
across the globe. Today, the
DWL team boasts 14 issues
published online, two print
ones and a third edition is on
its way.
(From L to R) DWL co-founders Osman Khalid Butt, Shehla Wynne and Afia Aslam
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Cover art for Papercuts Vol 11 online
edition
The past four years have seen
Papercuts putting forward the works
of over 110 new writers and poets.
DWL online forums offer writers and
poets access to critiques from their
fellow members, guidance on how to
get published in international literary
magazines and journals, and advice
for people trying to publish novels and
poetry collections.
“All the DWL and Papercuts staff
members are unpaid volunteers and
they work part-time or afterhours for
DWL remotely from different cities,
managing DWL/Papercuts work with
their full-time day jobs. Thus, many of
our ideas are restricted by the kind of
budget we can pull together to finance
the execution of the ideas,” says
Waqas Naeem, Director, Desi Writers’
Lounge.
In 2012, a small short story contest
was started. Today this has become
a worldwide contest that receives
hundreds of entries each year from
all parts of the globe that and gives
away cash prizes amounting to $800
in addition to the book prizes. The
year 2013 changed the character
of the contest dramatically. “One
of the major transformative forces
was the introduction of a new cash
incentive for one winner of the
contest. The cash prize called the Rs.
50,000 Dastaan Award is sponsored
by co-founder Afia Aslam and her
husband Azfar Ali. Somehow, the
contest announcement got shared
far and wide on the web that year
and we received hundreds of entries.
The Papercuts editors helped with
the reading and short listing, and we
ended up selecting winning stories
that we are proud of till this day. That
was a breakthrough moment for
us. We knew we had to keep going
and ever since, the annual short
story contest has only grown in its
scope and extent. One indication
of the growth of the contest is its
international complexion. Where
initially the most entries received
were by Pakistani and South Asian
writers,
Now we receive entries
from North America,
Europe, Africa and Australia
apart from our home
continent. There’s a whole
new level of competition
that has been introduced
by the participation of
international writers. It’s
great for Pakistani writers
to be able to test their
mettle against authors from
around the world.
We see a lot of Indian writers
participating in global and regional
contests but we’re hoping that
through the awareness and
competition brought by the DWL
short story contest, Pakistani English
fiction writers will also begin to look
outwards to the world.
Another indicator of the growth of
the contest is the diversity in themes
and genres addressed by the finalist
stories. This year, we had a couple of
speculative fiction pieces in the final
round, which also means that we have
expanded our reach to genre fiction.
It’s really encouraging for us to be
not limited to literary or realist fiction
only,” says a proud Naeem.
DWL has also ventured into several
offline activities. “We have offered a
few writing and poetry workshops in
Pakistan. Additionally, monthly book
clubs are run in several Pakistani
cities and cities abroad by DWL
volunteers. We also routinely organise
talks, book launches and reading
sessions in Karachi where we have
a large DWL member contingent,”
elaborates Naeem. The writing
workshops began with some internal
writing courses on the DWL Workshop
forums in 2013. In 2014, the team
moved to offering offline workshops,
as well. So far, there have been two
fiction writing workshops and two
online poetry courses and one offline
poetry workshop in Lahore.
Author Bilal Tanweer chats with DWL volunteer-member Nadir Hashmi at the
DWL stall at Karachi Literature Festival 2014
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The Reader’s Club is another favourite
spot on the DWL agenda.
“While our members are writers or
want to become better writers, we
also have one other thing in common:
our love for reading. The Readers’
Club initiative began in Karachi in
2013 as a simple meeting of some of
the DWL members to discuss books.
So with the meeting in Karachi in
2013, we got the idea to keep doing
these book discussion meetings on
a regular basis, and this gave us the
momentum to develop a project on
the format of a regular book club.
Usually, DWL members volunteer for
the manager position of a Readers’
Club and then they organise an
icebreaker meeting in their city. We
try and populate a mailing list of
people who have expressed a desire
to join the Readers’ Club through
email or our Face book page. Then,
the manager emails them about the
book to be read and details of the
next meeting. The books are usually
decided by consensus during the
monthly meetings and each meeting
usually begins with a discussion of the
book that had been read during the
previous month,” explains Naeem.
A view of The Rising Dust workshop session. (L to R) participant Bilal Shadani,
participant Rabia Ahmed, instructor Usman T Malik, participant Nihal Ijaz Khan
and participant Ailya Waqar
So the Readers’ Clubs are basically
volunteer-run book clubs. These
are managed by DWL volunteers in
various cities with some support by
DWL. We basically help the volunteers
with setting up email accounts on our
website and promoting the meetings
on our Face book page. But other
than that, the Readers’ Clubs are
mostly autonomous and each club
has a slightly different format agreed
upon by its members. There are some
shared traits, for example the club
is open for public and meets every
month.
Interestingly,
We currently have active clubs in
Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Mumbai
and London, and we’re hoping to
revive our book club in San Francisco
and start a new one in Dubai.
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“the online DWL Workshop
forums facilitate a
conversation that benefits
the member writers in terms
of technical aspects. Once
writers feel confident about
their writing, we encourage
them to submit their
work to international and
local magazines and their
manuscripts to publishers,” awarded the Bram Stoker Award
for short fiction, becoming the first
Pakistani to win the prestigious
award whose recipients have included
Stephen King and Joyce Carol Oates.
Former Papercuts poetry and
associate editor, Noorulain Noor has
been published in several poetry
journals. In 2014, she was nominated
for the Pushcart Prize, perhaps the
most prestigious small press award in
the US.
The Desi Writers’ Lounge is
now quite visible at literary
festivals setting up booths
as well as participating
on panel discussions. The
Liberty Books store in
Karachi opened its doors to
DWL’s Karachi Readers’ Club
providing a permanent home
for the monthly book club
meetings.
Simultaneously, the literary
community abroad has been equally
welcomed. The DSC Prize for South
Asian Literature regularly invites the
London representative to their award
announcements and events. In short,
the Desi Writers’ Lounge is a platform
that works for the love of the written
word and thus for each one involved
their love knows no bounds.
adds Naeem.
A successful story is that of Usman
T. Malik. One of the DWL co-founders
has published a novel, a novella and
many short stories. He was recently
A view of the Karachi Readers’ Club meeting at
Liberty Books.
ourHeritage 13
Glory of Swat
Discover the Past
By: Aftab Rana
Swat without doubt, is one of the
most beautiful tourist destinations
in the northern Pakistan. Swat has a
rich historical past. It was described
as “Udyana” (the garden) in ancient
Hindu epics and somewhere in 327
BC, Alexander the Great fought and
won some of his major battles before
crossing over to the plains of the
five rivers. The famous Gandhara
Buddhist Civilization later flourished
in this valley.
Barikot is an important
historical town on the main
road to Mingora. The area
around Barikot is full of rich
and amazing archaeological
sites in an environment
which is still intact. It is one
of the four places in this
area were Alexander the
Great fought crucial battles.
Recently, I had chance to take an
exploratory trip to lower Swat
and I was amazed to see the
great potential this area offers for
archaeological tourism. Here I share
with you details of some of the very
impressive but less known sites of
Barikot area.
Mingora. There is also a very nice
view point on the hill top behind this
archaeological site from where one
can have a panoramic view of ancient
city of Bazira and Valley of Swat
River on the other side.
Bazira
Amluk Dara is another great
archaeological site of this area. This
Gandhara civilization archaeological
site was uncovered jointly by
Italian Archaeological Mission in
Pakistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s
Directorate of Archaeology and
Museums. Sheltered by the great
Mount Ilam, the Amluk Dara stupa
is an ancient relic situated about 2
km on the north of Nawagai village
in the beautiful small valley of Amluk
Dara, the main road which travels
from Barikot to Buner. The stupa
stands with ancient majesty and
can be seen from the surrounding
mountains. Excavators working on
the site that dates back to the third
The main archaeological site
at Barikot was identified as the
ancient city of Bazira, conquered
by Alexander the Great in 327
B.C. Excavations carried out by
Italian Archaeological Mission in
collaboration with the Department
of Archaeology and Museums,
Government of Pakistan have
brought to light evidence spanning
from the 2nd millennium B.C. to the
early Muslim period.
A beautifully restored portion of
the Indo-Greek defensive wall and
bastions are visible from the road on
the left side while traveling towards
Bazira
14 ourHeritage
Amluk Dara Stupa
Amluk Dara
century recently discovered an entire
complex surrounding the main stupa
which was first discovered by the
Hungarian-British archaeologist
Sir Aurel Stein in 1926. It was later
studied by Domenico Faccena in the
60s and 70s.
Dr Luca Maria Olivieri who is the
director of the Italian Archaeological
Mission in Pakistan is working
on the restoration of this site. He
informed that Sir Aurel Stein in 1926
reported the ruins and wrote that the
main stupa was possibly one of the
best preserved pieces of Buddhist
architecture he had ever seen in
Gandhara. The main stupa with its
in the architecture of Gandhara
exhibiting a double cupola is a great
site for visitors. This site was in
danger of collapsing. A Pak-Italian
team, besides offering guidelines
for preliminary restoration to the
Pakistan Army in 2011 has secured
the area and conducted a partial
digging. The research work has
revealed that the sanctuary was
erected no later than the 2nd century
A.D. and that the holiest part,
dominated by three surrounding
large shrines, remained in use until
relatively late times.
Gumbat Stupa
sacred area was founded around the
third century and lasted until 10th or
11th century.
Amluk Dara is also very
significant as it lies on the
route followed by the Hindus
of lower Swat on their
annual visit to the sacred
height of Mount Ilam. The
top of the mountain was an
object of pious pilgrimage
already in Buddhist times.
Gumbat
Another important and unique
archaeological site located in this
area is Gumbat. The great sanctuary
of Gumbat, the only monument
The Rock Art Sites
In the mountains area south of
Barikot, the archaeologists have
documented 52 painted shelters in
the mountains area of Kahai Kandao,
Sarghah Sar and Talang. Among
these painted shelters, two sites,
Sarghah Sar and Kakai Kandao
are dated to Bronze Age (1400
BC). Particularly the rock shelter
of Sarghah Sar is very impressive,
which resembles a human face. The
paintings are located at the base
of a huge rock slab in a natural
opening (that appears as the
“mouth”), while two natural cavities
create the illusion of two enormous
eyes. The paintings represent an
agricultural cycle: dotted grids
symbolize ploughed and sowed fields.
The anthropomorphic inserted in
the central grid might represent
Ksetrapati, the Ragvedic “Lord of the
Field”. A hero with solar shield faces
a leopard and an ibex depicts ritual
slaughtering.
In fact the entire lower Swat Valley
is rich in old relics. Every town and
village has a wealth of old remains in
one form or the other. Many villages
are historically very significant
because of their names in ancient
languages. Udegram, Shingardar
Stupa, Nimogram Stupa, Kamal
China, Abbashib China, Thokar Dara
Stupa, Gogdara, Gheghai, Jahanabad
Buddha and Batkara Stupa are some
of the other significant archaeological
sites of lower Swat Valley.
The rock painting of Sargah-sar
ACT- Field School Project of Italian
Archaeological Mission in Pakistan
and Sustainable Tourism Foundation
Pakistan (STFP) are working
together to promote sustainable
and eco-friendly community based
archaeological tourism in this area
of Swat Valley. They have helped
local community to form Swat
Archaeological Guides Association
(SAGA) and building their capacity
to conduct group tour programs.
They have also developed different
package tours for domestic as well
as foreign tourists to provide guided
tours led by trained local community
tour guides.
ourHeritage 15
The week end was festive and colourful to say the least;
the festivity because of the commemoration of one who is
without doubt the most popular poet of the century and
colourful because of the devotees who came from far
and near to contribute their own sort of festivity through
dialogue and conversations. And so it was a fete all over
from the inaugural by the Punjab governor to the dance of
the little ones from Lahore Grammar School. There were
visiting subject specialists from all over the world, guests
from Canada to Bangkok to UK, Faiz appreciators from all
over Pakistan thronging the halls , the Adbi Baithaks and
the lawns and bye-lanes of the Alhamra complex and the
open air shows at Burney Gardens.
By: Nyla Daud
16 ourHeritage
Moneeza Hashmi Said Faiz’ daughter
and member of the management
committee “They all, the intellectual
stars and the crowds came for
the love of Faiz. Nobody asked for
reimbursements out of respect to
the poet and because they knew
this was not a fund raiser but a
commemorative. Besides ticketing
some sessions which was a must
to pay for the infrastructural
costs, every single event was a
complimentary performance by the
invitees. Tina Sani, Naseeruddin
Shah, Zehra Nigah, Muzzafer Ali
of the Umrao Jan Ada fame, Tariq
Ali to name just a sprinkling of the
guest luminaries, everybody came of
their own volition. The moment we
said it was a commemorative festival
for Faiz the invitees agreed without
another thought.”
If you count the inaugural … formally
opened by Faiz Foundation Trust
chairperson daughter Saleema
Hashmi…which was almost three
hours of a dignified tribute to the
poet , the first International Faiz
Festival added up to four action
packed days around the Alhamra
Art Center and its lawns. The
management committee, spoiling
visitors for choice, put up as many
as ten to fifteen intellectually
stimulating sessions each day
in the following three days .
Running back to back, the events
covered any and every aspect of
the poet’s life through lectures,
analytical dialogues, stage and
dance performances and live song
sessions.
A major entertainment and
breakthrough was the Saleema
Hashmi curated exhibition
of visual arts, entitled ‘Kuch
Ishq kiya , Kuch Kaam Kiya’
featuring the Faiz photographs
never exhibited before.
Put up on flex, meaning that it can
now be carried to anywhere else in
the world, the show ran through the
three days drawing scores of visitors.
Tough decisions however had to
be made for the other sessions
because there were always two
equally interesting programs running
neck to neck. So while on a day Hall
three had Yasmeen Hameed hosting
Shamsur Rehman Farooqui followed
by sessions on the glorious chapter
of women’s struggle, the Intezar
Hussein Asghar Nadeem syed
combine , the Faiz granddaughter
Mira Hashmi moderated one on
R D Burman and Najam Hussain
ourHeritage 17
Syed’s Punjabi play and a Mushaira
dedicated to Faiz , there were
simultaneously timed discussions
in the Adabi Baithaks. At the same
times the Alhambra gallery was
hosting relevant commemorative
workshops. Meanwhile at the
neighbouring hotels the first day
had grandchildren Adeel Hashmi
and Mira moderating two enjoyable
sessions with Asad Anees and Tahira
Syed and ARshad Meh.
The following two days saw four
performances of Einstein by
Naseeruddin Shah. Extraordinary
solo performances, audiences were
made to laugh and think seriously
about the renowned scientist, his
achievements and tribulations.
to the delight of all present Shah
interacted with the audience while
making them understand gravity and
the moving of planets around the
sun.
A charged political session
The politics of Pakistan ,
Past Present and Future
had politicians from every
political party on the stage;
an amazing fete in itself.
“We included politics
because Faiz was very
political ,”
admitted Moneeza. “The same for
theatre ,film, dance and literature
and women. We put in memory
sessions with Zehra Nigah, Tahira
Syed ,Farooq Qaiser of Sargam fame
which were crowd pullers since they
were presented by people who knew
18 ourHeritage
him really well. “ With every session
catering to the people’s perception of
the poet there were book launches
and symposia on the art of novel
writing, moderated dialogues
with Dr. Arfa Syeda and Yasmeen
Hameed and the much accoladed
conversation, the Making of Manto.
Although an advisory committee
of people like I A Rehman was in
place each member of the Faiz
family took on one thing. “Salima
oversaw the art exhibition, Ali
looked after the literature part,
Adeel did the entertainment, Mira
moderated sessions and I had my
responsibilities. But we are all
specially thankful to Sara Qureshi
who is the program director at the
Faiz foundation. We are very grateful
to our Indian participants who
braved the usual visa problems but
still were in excellent spirits.”
The build up to the First
International Faiz Festival has an
interesting history starting with a
Faiz Memorial lecture each year
after the poets death. During the
martial law of Zia in eighty six, singer
Iqbal Bano braved the censors to
give a sterling performance of Hum
Dekhain Gay, setting the tune for
more to come . The Faiz festival
became more awami another year
when it was taken to the Open
Air theatre in Bagh-i- Jinnah and
where Alam Lohar was launched.
An international mushaira came
next year with Nusrat Fateh Ali
giving a qawwali performance
during the year of the gulf war. The
festival moved to Kala, Kadir in
district Narowal, Faiz’ birth place
making it possible for the villagers
to participate . PTV took on the
infrastructure and made it into
a yearly entertainment bringing
in artists from Lahore and then
broadcast it. The next two years
Sialkot became the venue when a
garden was named after the poet.
Another year the railway stadium
drew an even larger crowd when
Abida Parveen came in. The next
few years were without any do
because of the deteriorating security
situation. However five years ago
there was revival with the reregistration of the Faiz foundation
trust with the Punjab government.
Faiz Ghar in Model town now began
to reverberate with cultural activity
“For this festival we went
through countless brain
storming sessions with the
advisory committee. The
content was considered and
sessions suiting every taste
and age group were put
together.
and Tina Sani came to sing Faiz the
next year. The musicals became a
yearly event interspersed by Daastan
Goee and seminars. Then came
the centennial year 2010 when Faiz
Foundation and the Festival started
getting recognition as a brand.
Members of the family travelled all
over the world bringing in financial
aid by devotees and which ultimately
contributed to the First International
Faiz Festival this year.
And next year? “While this year
Canada, Uk, the USA, India and
Dubai were conspicuous presences
next year we intend to make it more
international , going to Cuba, Chile
and Russia in fact every country
where Faiz has a following.”
We had to make sure that the
legacy and ideology of Faiz was not
tampered with.”
ourHeritage 19
Birds of
Sialkot
Book Review By:
Khuzaima Fatima Haque
Text by: Mustansar Hussain Tarar
Photographs by: Kamran Saleem
Printed by: Topical Printers
And one must add that these are no
simple images. Beautifully detailed,
set against immaculate backdrops
with the perfect placement of the
object in sight, each one of the
images spread over the hundred and
forty pages do justice to the fine art
of photography.
It is no doubt a labour of love that
Kamran Saleem has undertaken
and when Mustansar Hussain
Tarar says that the book is “an
amazing masterpiece collection of
photographs”, he is clearly giving
the publication the praise it truly
deserves. Tarar who has also written
the foreword to this epic journey
of Sialkot’s bird life is a
For creative souls, nature has been a source of
attraction for times immemorial. It has been written
about in detail, captured in art as well as personified
in literature. Birds of Sialkot is a new venture of a
creative soul who has captured the beauty of nature in
photographs.
renowned literary figure in his own
right. The foreword itself has been
written in a very poetic manner and
thus sets the scene for the entire
visual journey that the photographer
treats his audience to. Birds of
Sialkot is not only a beautiful book
that can rest on your coffee table
but a visual treat for those who
understand the enjoyment one
gathers through looking at nature.
Right
in the beginning
Tarar calls Kamran
Saleem the King of the Birds
and rightly so because each bird
captured through Saleem’s lens
20 ourHeritage
seems to be poised for the king
to photograph. One of the most
interesting vibes one gets while
flipping through every single page
of the book is that the bird is lost
in nature itself and is waiting to be
photographed by a master artist that
is Saleem.
May it be the photograph of a black
stork perched on the tip of a twig,
two green-bee-eaters joining beaks
against the bright green branches of
a tree or a osprey sitting in silence
contemplating on its own, all show
a perfection Saleem has strived for
and achieved. The perfection the
publication embodies reflects the
patience of an artist who must have
waited for hours if not days to find
the right moment.
Each photograph
shows that the
photographer
must have
waited patiently
for the bird to
settle, change its
mood and then clicked at
his camera.
Additionally intermingling of the
use of black and white photographs
and coloured ones spark a sort of
creativity that knows no bounds. In
one photograph, a pheasant-tailed
Jacana is photographed while
on the next a bar-headed goose
strides on a bed of flowers.
All the birds featured in the book
are those species who have been
visiting the area since ages but
interestingly it is only Saleem’s
power of listening to the stories
of their lives that helps captures
these of beauties in nature at a
given moment in time. It has took
Kamran Saleem to dedicate four
Birds of Sialkot is a mush read,
must keep book for anyone who
values the bounties of nature
for the publication brings forth
a celebration like none before. It
is an inspiring collection of birds
years to publish
this book and each The text accompanying the photographs is at par with where each bird
pictured is either
moment seems
the
images.
Sometimes
a
quote
from
the
Holy
Quran
flying, nesting
worth the effort and
time spent. For the explains the beauty, at others a simile is enough; at or resting. The
Punjabi
purpose Saleem
places Chinese proverbs break the silence and at awesome
landscape coupled
has endured picking
other places Biblical quotes elaborate the creative with a few black and
up his photography
publication. Simple descriptions capturing the essence white backdrops
gear, setting up
on a ride on his
of the image or describing the flight of the birds add of these flying
bike to photograph the much needed flavour to the book, making it whole. creatures has been
superbly captured
the birds in their
and is quite dream
natural habitat and
like.
waiting for hours to
capture the magical moment.
ourHeritage 21
Paisley
Text by: Khuzaima Fatima Haque
So, from where did the paisley in the
Pashmina actually come from? Any
guesses? None! Well let me tell you
the tale of the woven fabric and the
song of the design that sings with it to
this day.
Come winters and women all over the
world take out their shawls to keep
them warm. The fashion conscious add
colour to their wardrobes and so do
the ladies who wish to add a class to
their couture.
The song of the paisley is an
old one. Sung by numerous
weavers and now the
automatic weaving machines,
the paisley is essentially the
motif which gives a Pashmina
the recognition it deserves.
Interestingly, the story that
goes with it is one that will
keep you warm throughout
the winter season.
The symbol of the paisley sprang
up ages ago. As history recalls, this
came up in the area that lies between
present-day Iran and the Kashmiri
region straddling the Indian-Pakistani
border. Earlier on, it was called
buta, meaning flower. Kashmir was
the epicentre for this creative craft
that to this day remains the envy
of the Englishmen or rather the
Englishwomen. And this envy is not
22 ourHeritage
a new one. Englishwomen as far as
in the times of Napoleon had begun
the rat race to procure this golden
gem of the East for their wardrobes.
They would actually compete
with each other to get hold of the
most intricate of paisley designed
Pashminas and wear them to the
parties over their ball dresses.
However, Zain-ul-Abidin, who ruled
Kashmir from 1459 to 1470 is listed
as the first professional promoter
of these shawls thus the design.
Weavers from Persia and Central
Asia were encouraged and even
moved to his kingdom to weave the
best of the best.
Later on Emperor Akbar (reigned
1556–1605) made the shawls central
to the Kashmiri practice of khil’at,
“robes of honour” ceremonially
exchanged in political and religious
contexts to establish a clear pecking
order. The historical significance
of the shawls can be judged by
the fact that these were actually
given as robes of honour and
were decorated with all sorts
of patterns. More significantly,
the paisley motif came to be
the centre piece to catch
everyone’s eyes because it
probably resembled jigha,
a crown insignia jewel
used to pin a feather to a
courtier’s turban.
shawls, each with a different colour
and setting made her to yearn for
more. By the 1800s the European
elite desire for the paisley to such an
extent that there was no stopping the
craze that had set in the women’s
parties and their societies.
The race was now on. Manufactures
found it a lucrative business.
However, the demand was too great
to be fed by the local businessmen
and textile owners. The paisley
still stood up as the most used and
prominent design on the Pashmina
shawls. At this time even the
Norwich, England, and Edinburgh,
Scotland factories began making
their own shawls. These imitations
were not that great.
Today the paisley is still the most
popular motif on the shawl.
The paisley started infiltrating
Europe in the late 18th century, when
Kashmiri princes began including
British East India Company’s officers
in their ritual shawl-giving. These
shawls were then sent back by the
officers back to the women waiting
there. There they wished for more o
these intricate beauties. As history
recalls, Napoleon’s wife Joséphine
was one of the first ladies to have
piling up these beautiful paisley
Pashmina shawls from
Pakistan are one of most
sought after pieces of art by
the international market.
From hand woven motifs
to multi-coloured designs
set in thread and tilla, to
even hand-painted ones
to machine embroidered
paisleys, this is still a
favourite among the weavers
and the buyers.
From the north of Pakistan to the
plains of the Punjab, from the
dessert in Sind to the barren lands of
the Baluchistan, women adorn their
clothes with paisley work. These
motifs are embroidered by women
in the hutments to the houses in the
cities. To this day, the paisley stands
as the identity of the Pakistani
woman.
ourHeritage 23
flowers
of Pakistan
regional
From expansive plains to glacier clad peaks, Pakistan holds such a
geographical position that it boasts remarkable biodiversity, with
variations in precipitation, elevation and temperature, many species of
flora adorn the impressive landscape.
By Maria.S
Roses of Punjab
There are over 100 species of roses, it is a
woody perennial of the genus Rosa, they spread as
trailing stems, armed with thorns and may grow as
shrubs. Naturally occurring colors range from whites,
yellows, pinks and reds. The flowers come in varying
sizes and appear quiet extravagant.
Many species are native to Asia but some species have
made their way across Europe, North America and some
parts of Africa.
Ornamental roses are bred for their fragrant scent and
elegant foliage. They have been cultivated for centuries;
evidence suggests that the practice prevailed since 500
BC in Persia, China and countries in the Mediterranean.
Many products are yielded from this symbolic flower.
Rose oil is used in perfumes, also known as attar. Rose
hips are a good source of vitamin C and are incorporated
in supplements, herbal teas. They are also made into
Jams and soups, whereas rose hip seed oil has found its
use in cosmetics.Rose petals are also brewed to make
herbal teas.
Concentrated rose squashes and rose flavored kulfis are
popular across the subcontinent and rose syrup is used
throughout Europe in many confectionaries.
Rose water is used in many Middle Eastern sweet dishes
such as baklava. The subtle ingredient adds a distinctive
flavor and fragrance.
24 ourHeritage
Daturas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Datura, popularly known as Angel’s trumpets, is
a poisonous vespertine flowering plant. They are
sometimes called moonflowers as well; they grow
throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the
planet and belong to the Solanaceae family.
The highest species diversity occurs in Tunisia, Africa.
In Pakistan, the flower is found abundantly in the KPK
province and is cultivated largely in Abbottabad and
Swat.
All species of Datura are poisonous, especially their
seeds and flowers. There have been cases throughout
history of its use causing deliria and ultimately death.
Datura starmonium has several medicinal uses, its
leaves are used to treat boils, sores and parkinsonism.
It’s juice is used as a treatment for dandruff and hair
loss and according to some reports it is also used in
the treatment of arthritis, sprains, asthma, bronchitis,
hemorrhoids and tumors.
Alpine Columbines of Gilgit-Baltistan
The Columbine or Granny’s Bonnet is the popular name
that encompasses approximately 70 species of perennial
plants. Its genus name, Aquilegia is a derivative of a
Latin word that translates to “eagle”, so called due to
the flower’s resemblance to an eagle’s claw.
The flowers grow at higher altitudes and are found
throughout the northern hemisphere across woodlands
and meadows.
The plant’s seed and roots contain cardiogenic toxins
and are poisonous, but the flowers of some of the
species of columbine are reported to be very sweet
and safe to consume in small amounts. The Native
Americans used them as condiments; they also used
small amounts of its root for ulcer treatment. Improper
use of the plant can prove fatal and it must be used with
extreme caution.
Rhododendrons of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
The Common Rhododendron or Pontic Rhododendron is
native to South West Asia and Southern Europe. It is the
state flower of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and is found
across Northern Pakistan and in the Himalayas.
The flower is spread throughout Asia and in Europe
it thrives in Spain, northern Portugal and southeast
Bulgaria. They were first grown in Britain in the 18th
century, their popularity grew due to expansion of the
commercial nursery trade and thus the flowers became
so widely distributed by the 19th century.
ourHeritage 25
Russian sages of Balochistan
Russian sage is a subshrub and a flowering perennial plant.
Though it is closely related to Salvia, it is not a member of this
genus as its name “sage” suggests. The flowering season lasts
from mid-summer to late October, the leaves have a greygreen hue and the petals have vibrant shades of violet and
blue. It grows upright and can reach heights of up to 4 ft. its
appearance is much like a grander version of lavender.
These flowers are native to the hills and grasslands of
Southwestern and Central Asia; they grow at high altitudes
in the Himalayas and in the Karakoram at elevations of up to
10,000 ft. In Pakistan they are found mainly in Quetta district.
Due to its high tolerance to rash environments and compatibility
with various soils and climate range it was successfully
introduced to different parts of the world through cultivation
and underwent rapid growth.
The leaf shape and height vary across regions, but the ‘blue
spire’, which is the most common, is used in landscaping due to
their appeal.
In traditional medicine it has been used by the locals as
treatment for an array of ailments such as dysentery. It is used
as an anti-parasitic, antipyretic and analgesic. A decoction of
the plant’s flowers and leaves is used as anti-diabetic medicine.
The flowers are safe to eat and are incorporated it in salads.
Blue dye can also be made from them
Jasmines of Sindh
Jasmine is classified in the olive family and is renowned not
only for its delicate starry appearance but also its impeccable
fragrance, there are up to 200 species of the flower, most of this
diversity is concentrated in South and Southeast Asia, through
cultivation the plant was introduced to France, Britain, Italy and
the Mediterranean and soon spread across the world.
Jasmine holds much cultural and symbolic significance. It is
the National flower of Pakistan, locally known as chambeli, it is
associated with modesty and amiability and is fairly common,
found in gardens throughout the country. Women use it as an
accessory for special occasions such as weddings.
Indonesia and the Philippines adopted Jasmine as their
national flower and it is regarded as an important part of
weddings along with other cultural and religious ceremonies.
Hindus use the flowers in numerous worship rituals and as
garlands for their deities.
It is the symbolic flower of Damascus, Syria and in Thailand the
flower represents motherhood.
Jasmine tea popular throughout the world was first consumed
in China, where it is called jasmine flower tea. In Okinawa
Japan the tea is called sanpin cha.
26 ourHeritage
ourHeritage 27
28 ourHeritage
A limited amount of a bar of
chocolate (doctors normally
recommend 7 ounces a week) is a
health giving bite. Dark chocolate
helps lower blood pressure,
improves blood flow and may prevent
blood clot and reduce the risk of
stroke, thus good for the heart. It
improves brain function contains
with content called phenyl-ethylamine (PEA), the same chemical
your brain creates when you feel
like you’re falling in love. It contains
antioxidants that help free the body
of free-radicals, control blood sugar,
hardens tooth enamel and helps
your skin against the harmful rays of
the sun.
Taking a journey down the
memory lane, while a taste
of chocolate existed in its
raw form of cacao since
1500 BC; the Olmec Indians
are believed to be the first
to grow cocoa beans as a
domestic crop.
It was not until the 14c AD when a ‘drink’
became popular among the Aztec upper
classes that commandeered the cocoa
beverage from the Mayans and were the
first to tax the beans. The Aztecs called
it xocalatl – a derivative of the modern
word for chocolate, meaning warm or
bitter liquid.
The Spaniards learned chocolate
from the Aztecs at the time of the
Spanish invasion in 1519. Spanish
explorers learned to convert the
bitter cocoa into a beverage and
its origin and preparation method
was a secret for 100 years. The
ancient Aztecs and Mayan cultures
discovered the value of the cocoa
plant. They believed that power and
wisdom came from eating the fruit of
the cacao tree.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth
century, chocolate was very much a
successor in Europe and produced
in Switzerland. By the half of the
nineteenth century Swiss chocolate
started to spread aboard. The
Swiss first started making
chocolate in the 1800’s, at the
time there was no abundant
commodities of chocolate
and sugar.
In 1876, M. Daniel Peter
added milk to chocolate
to produce a smoother
chocolate. However, adding
water to chocolate made
the chocolate shrink
and separate into small
pieces.
The experimentation
took 8 years to perfect
before he took his product
to Henry Nestle the
maker of evaporated milk.
Nestle had perfected the
manufacture of
condensed milk,
he and Peter hit
upon the idea of mixing sweetened
condensed milk with chocolate. In
the second half of the eighteenth
century, natives of Yal Blenio in
the Tessin were responsible for
the popularity of chocolate in their
country. However, just a few decades
later the Swiss made a successful
reputation and foreign manufactures
spread throughout the world using
their technical geniuses effort to
efficient the development for the
manufacture of chocolate
By mid 1500’s, jars of
cocoa powder ready to
drink reached as precious
gifts to the bigwig of
Spain and Portugal and it
didn’t reached on the soil
of Europe until the mid
1600s, then chocolate was
considered a beverage for
the elite class.
By the mid 19c AD, Swiss chocolate
started to spread aboard. The Swiss
first started making chocolate in the
1800’s, then there was no plentiful
commodities of chocolate and sugar.
Innovation by confectioner and
creative patisserie chefs has created
a variety forms of chocolate delights
for chocolate lovers including the
traditional chocolate bars, chocolate
drinks, chocolate desserts like
chocolate fondant, mousse and
tiramisu and the traditional Swiss
Chocolate Fondue, chocolate fountain
ourHeritage 29
Homemade chocolates of
Switzerland have a taste from
heaven. The amazing variety of
tongue teasing taste at homemade chocolate shops vary to offer
a great variety of praline, truffles,
luxemburgerli and also gourmet
chocolates – easy to become
addicted to chocolate.
Each piece is an indulgence
into a taste of ultimate
pleasure. Freshly prepared
with highest quality
ingredients and pure
Swiss chocolate, these
need to be consumed soon
after picking up from the
particular confectionery
shop
and thus cannot be found in stores
for you bringing back home to
relish over a longer period of time.
Each canton across the length and
breadth of the country has its own
favorite ship. While Zurich has
to offer the very best homemade
chocolates at the Spruengli
Confectionaries; recipient of Swiss
Bakery Trophy: Fuchs Bakery
owned by a local family, has its own
traditional recipe - the handmade
Matterhornli chocolates, made with
a mixture of “quality, tradition and
passion” - says the makers.
Geneva – the French speaking
metropolitan lake city has Favarger
Chocolats Et Cacaos (Geneve) that
boasts an anthology of recipes since
about 200 years of original recipes.
“The quality and the perfect
blend of ingredients that
constitute the recipe and
also the mastery of all
the production processes
required to execute it
guarantee consistency of
flavor and of the Favarger
quality in its Avelines,
Tablettes, Nougalines and
Fondues”.
The Swiss Chocolate Chalet
chocolate shop, located along the
center of Interlaken has best quality
homemade Swiss Chocolate. In
a presentable wooden box, these
homemade chocolates offers a high
quality variety taste of a rich recipe
ranging from fruit filled truffles to
dark chocolates with hazelnuts.
30 ourHeritage
St. Moritz has its favorite shop at
the Hanselmann Confectionery.
As pleasant to the eyes the green
valleys of St.Moritz, Hanselmann is
a sweet treat to Sense of Taste - an
institution with more than 115 years
of traditional chocolate making.
The Valentine’s Day on 14 February says the cupid, is a perfect chemistry
to a choctified romance. Couples who
wed around the 14 February and
choose to spend their honeymoon
some place in Switzerland – the
Chocolate Capital, they are in for a
great treat – a haven for chocolate
lovers!
ourHeritage 31
Hari Singh Nalwa
By: Dr. Shaukat Mahmood
It is learnt that ‘Billionaires Australia’ compiled a
list of Top Ten Conquerors of the human History that
was published from Melbourne, Australia on August
23, 2014. According to this publication Sikh warrior
Hari Singh Nalwa topped the list as one of the most
outstanding conquerors of the world followed by
Changez Khan and Alexander as second and third in
ranking.
Hari Singh Nalwa was born in
1791(exact date is not known) in
Gujranwala, Punjab to Gurdial
Singh and Dharam Kaur, who were
Mazhabi Sikh by caste. Hari Singh’s
ancestors came from Majitha and
served the Sukerchakia Misl. His
grandfather, Hardas Singh, was
killed in action in 1762. His father,
Gurdial Singh, served under Charat
Singh and Maha Singh and received
the Jagir of Balloki, a village in the
modern day Kasur District. After his
father died in 1798, he was raised by
his mother
Hari Singh was hardly seven years
of age when his father died. His
mother, Dharam Kaur, had to
move to her parental home to live
under the care of her brothers.
There Hari Singh learned Punjabi
and Persian and trained in the
manly arts of riding, musketry and
swordsmanship. In 1801, at the age
of ten, he took Amrit Sanchar and
was baptised as a Sikh. At the age
32 ourHeritage
of twelve, he began to manage his
father’s estate and took up horse
riding. Dharam Kaur returned to
Gujranwala when her son was about
13 years old.
“Nalwa” (one with claws, like that
of a tiger). Another historical text
describes his incident with the tiger
differently, telling us that he was
already a Sardar when the word
In 1804, Hari Singh participated in
a recruitment test for service in
the Sikh army and so impressed
Maharaja Ranjit Singh with his
skill at various drills that he was
given an appointment as a personal
attendant. Not long after, in 1805,
he received the commission with a
command of 800 horses and foot and
was given the title of ‘Sardar’ (Chief).
“Nalwa” was added to his name
after he”had killed a tiger
single-handed on horseback,
with the sacrifice, however, of
his horse.”
A historical text tells us that his
rapid promotion from a personal
attendant of the Maharaja to a
command of 800 horsemen was
owed to an incident in which he
had cloven with sword the head
of a tiger which had seized him.
From that day he came to be known
as “Baaghmaar” (meaning - the
tiger killer), and earned the title of
In history we have only one another
such case when a person had killed
a lion single-handed, and that was
Ali Quli Khan, the first husband of
Nurjahan, later Queen of India and
wife of Emperor Jahangir; He was
given the title of Sher-afgan (the
lion-queller) by Emperor Akbar.
Hari Singh went on to participate in
many glorious victories of the Sikhs
before becoming the Commanderin-Chief of the army along the
North Western Frontier of the
Sikh Kingdom. He was appointed
Governor of various provinces and
was one of the wealthiest jagirdars
of the Kingdom.
Hari Singh Nalwa was born into a
Uppal Khatri (warrior caste) Sikh
of the Sukerchakia Misl. The family
originally came from Majitha, near
Amritsar. His grandfather, Hardas
Singh, had been killed fighting
against Ahmad Shah Durrani in
1762. His father, Gurdial Singh, had
taken part in many of the campaigns
of the Sukkarchakkias Charat Singh
Sukkarchakia and Mahari Singh.
Hari Singh Nalwa was the
Commander-in-chief at the most
turbulent North West Frontier of
Ranjit Singh’s kingdom. He took the
frontier of the Sarkar Khalsaji to the
very mouth of the Khyber Pass. For
the past eight centuries, marauders,
who had indulged in looting, plunder
and rape had used this route into
the subcontinent. In his lifetime,
Hari Singh became a terror to the
ferocious tribes inhabiting these
regions.
He successfully thwarted the
last foreign invasion into the
subcontinent through the Khyber
Pass at Jamrud, permanently
blocking this route of the
invaders. Even in his death,
Hari Singh Nalwa’s formidable
reputation ensured victory for
the Sikhs against the Afghan
force as many as five times.
Hari Singh Nalwa’s performance
as an administrator and a military
commander in the North West
Frontier (present day KPK) remains
unmatched. Two centuries on,
Britain, Pakistan, Russia and
America have been unsuccessful
in effecting law and order in this
region.
Very few people know that the city
of Haripur Hazarar was founded
by Hari Singh Nalwa in 1822 and it
became the headquarters of Hazara
until 1853. Hari Singh Nalwa was
appointed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh
as the second Nazim of Hazara after
the first Nazim Amar Singh Majithia
was killed by the local populace at
Nara. The town was surrounded by
a wall which was four yards thick
and sixteen yards high and had four
gates. Drinking water was dug to
carry water into the streets of the
town. Baron Hugal visited the town
on December 23, 1835 and he found
the town humming with activity.
Haripur was built as a fortress
surrounded by a wall which was
3.7 m thick and 15 m high and had
only four openings. That fortress
later became the city police station
and also housed local government
offices.
was conquered and annexed by
Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1820. Its
first Nazim under Ranjit Singh was
Amar Singh Majithia who ruled
over the territory for two years. He
was successful in suppressing the
rebellion of Muhammad Khan Tarin
and was able to defeat Dhund, Tarin,
Tanol and Kharal tribes who were
fighting against him. The battle was
over, the enemy had taken to flight
and the Sikh forces had retired form
the field. When Amar Singh, thirsty
and fatigued went down to the little
An obelisk marks the grave of
Colonel Canara, a European officer
of the Sikh Artillery, who fell in
1848 defending his guns singlehanded against the insurgents
under Chattar Singh.
Hazara, the
country, west of
Kashmir, east
of Peshawar
and northwest of Attock
ourHeritage 33
stream Samandar to bathe, he had
only few horsemen with him and
number of the enemy returning and
seeing the weakness of the little party
came down and killed Amar Singh
and his followers after a desperate
defence. After the death of Amar
Singh Majithia, Hari Singh Nalwa was
appointed the Nazim of Hazara. He
was not unknown to the Hazara tribes.
When Maharaja Ranjit Singh led the
army to conquer Mankera in 1821,
he ordered Hari Singh Nalwa, who
was in Kashmir to join him there. At
that time Hari Singh Nalwa had only
seven thousand armymen. On the way
he was opposed by twenty thousand
wild mountaineers living in the Pakhly
hills.
Pakhly or Hazara was the spot
dreaded by merchants for these
tribes demanded toll on the
merchandise. Hari Singh, after his
vain efforts to induce the enemy
to yield him a passage attacked
them with vigour and storming
their stockade and defeated them
with great slaughter. This was
no mean achievement to defeat
about the twenty thousand Hazara
tribes with seven thousand men.
Maharaja was much pleased over
this exploit of Hari Singh Nalwa.
Harpur hazara, landscape
Nara, modern Tehsil Abbotabad. Army
was stationed there to keep in check
the Pathans on this side.
On the western side of Hazara
territory the river Indus forms
the natural defence but the north
an eastern side was bounded by
partly river Jhelum and partly by
the mountainous range known as
Pakhly range. In the Ain-i-Akbari, the
entire territory is known as Pakhly.
Pakly appears to have been derived
form Pactyam nation mentioned by
Herodotus.
According to Ibbetson, Deilzak, Swati,
Jadun, Tanaoli and Shilamani tribes
chiefly occupied the Hazara territory.
In the lower range, according to
Prem Singh, the main Pathan tribes
were Tarin, Utmanzai, Tarkholi.
In order to check these ferocious
tribes, Hari Singh Nalwa adopted
suitable measures to control them.
He built a very strong fort in the valley
surrounded by mountains and named
it after the eighth Guru of the Sikhs
as Harkrishangarh. In the upper
ranges of Pakhli there lived mainly
Jadun, Tanawali and Swatis. Hari
Singh built forts at strategic places
and garrisoned them with army. The
roads were built to link them, so that
reinforcement should be sent from
one fort to another fort at the time
of crisis. The forts built in the upper
ranges of Pakhil were: Fort Nowan
Shehar, Fort Dhamtaur, Fort Darband
and Fort Shinkiari. Old fort at Tarbela
was repaired.
In the winter of 1837, Sikhs under
their general Hari Singh Nalwa fought
a very serious battle against Afghans
and occupied the fortress of Jamrud
at the entrance of Khyber. Nalwa was
beaming with confidence. However in
a surprising attack from the enemy
when the battle was almost over he
was fatally injured. The arrogance and
over-confidence cost him his life in the
battle of Jamrud.
N.K.Sinha has rightly stated that “in
Pakhly, Damtaur, Torbela and Darband
region Sikh sway was still precarious.”
Hari Singh Nalwa was at his right time
to be sent there to create a tradition
of Griffin, “Hazara was the most
turbulent province under the Sikh
rule.”
In order to understand the measures
of Hari Singh Nalwa, it is essential to
understand the geographical condition
of this region as well as tribal
distribution. Hasham Khan belonged
to the northern area and was the
leader of Kral tribe (or Karlani tribe
which is a branch of Khattak tribe).
In order to have full control over the
area, Hari Singh Nalwa built fort at
Hari Singh’s haveli at Katas
34 ourHeritage
ourHeritage 35
Kharoshti Script
The Language of Gandhara Civilization
By Maria. S
Museums and historic
locations in Pakistan hold
the remnants of ancient
civilizations and serve as
a lingering reminder of the
greatness that once was, in
the forms of statues, tablets,
coins and script of ancient
languages. Kharoshtī script
is one of the legacies the
remind the modern world
the glory of Gandhara
civilization, called “the
land of fragrance,” the
kingdom that once existed
along the upper tributary of
River Indus – the cradle of
Buddhism in the North-west
Indian Sub-continent and
Afghanistan, now in the
boundary Pakistan.
A series of excavation in today’s
North-west Pakistan during the
different phases of the 20th century
brought into the limelight the
Gandhara (civilization), which
existed from 1500 BC to 500 BC
is referred to a part of Greater
Iran (Achaemenid Empire under
Darius and Cyrus the Great), the old
kingdom of Peshawar and extended
to the present day, “Swat” valley
(a corrupt derivative of the ancient
name of river Suvastu, thus
properly pronounced
as Suwat valley),
the Potohar
plateau now in
Pakistan
and
Jalalabad
in present
Afghanistan.
Pushkalavati
(now
Charsaddah),
Taksasila (Taxila) and
Purusapura (Peshawar)
36 ourHeritage
were the capital centers from the
Hellenistic period to the Kushan
dynasty until 127 AD.
Gandhara was the center of Greco
Buddhism, Bactrian Zoroastrianism
and Animism
Kharoshti script was
Developed in 3rd century
BC at the zenith of
Gandhara Civilization and
under the Kushan kings;
the time when Purusapura
(Peshawar) was mentioned
in Zend Avista (sacred
text) among the six most
beautiful places on Earth.
The script was used in writing the
Gandhari Prakrit and Sanskrit
during Kushan Empire, with center
at Taxasila and extended to Bactrea
Greek, places that touched the
borders along the Silk Route and in
Sogdia. The script faded out soon
after the 4th century AD.
This script is mostly written right
to left, but also appears in some
inscriptions from left to right and
it is believed this was to be the
standard practice in later scripts
throughout South Asia.
The number system in
Kharoshtīfaintly resembles the
roman numerals. The symbols were
‘I’ for the unit,’ X’ for four, ‘੭’ for ten
and ‘ʎ’ for the hundreds multiplier.
The system does not have the
subtractive component prevalent in
the Roman number system.
James Prinsep deciphered the script
using the Indo-Greek Kingdom’s
bilingual coins.
It is still debated and is unclear
whether the Kharoshtī script
developed and evolved or if it was the
purposeful and meticulous work of a
single inventor. The script’s analysis
shows its dependency on Aramaic
alphabet, but the sounds being
similar to that of Indic languages.
A theory suggest that the
Achaemenid Empire’s conquest
of Indus River brought with it the
Aramaic alphabet in 500 BCE which
evolved and arrived at its concluding
form by 3rd century BCE and has
been noted in some of the Edicts of
Ashoka. This theory has not been
proven due to lack of intermediate
forms.
Discovery of the Gandharan Buddhist
texts exhibit the study of Kharoshti
script has had been revitalized. A
set of manuscripts were discovered,
west of the Khyber Pass in Hadda,
Afghanistan and revealed to be
the oldest Buddhist manuscripts
recovered so far. The set was
donated to the British Library in
1994.
Brahmi script was invented around
the same period in the South-east
Asia and was later applied in modern
script of India and South-east
Asian countries. But unlike Brahmi,
Kharoshti script had no descendent.
The language spoken with Kharoshti
alphabets had a complete script,
believed to be a derivative of the
Aramic alphabet, with alphabets and
numerals, in which consonant-vowel
sequences were written as a unit.
Every syllable has a short ‘a’ sound
while other vowels were indicated
by diacritic marks. The alphabet was
used as a mnemonic in Gandhara
Buddhism, for ease of remembering
verses about the nature of
phenomenon
ourHeritage 37
38 ourHeritage
ourHeritage 39
Punjpeer Rocks
By:Daniyah Sehar
“Open Sesame”, and there
opens the doors to an
invisible land which only
reveals its beauty to one who
utters the magical words.
There are some places that
often hide many pleasant
surprises. One such place
is Punjpeer Rocks (1800
meters), situated at a distance
of 80 kms from Islamabad.
Punjpeer is the highest point
of the Danoi Ridge in Kotli
Sattian/Kahuta. It is a site
with such a picturesque
beauty that casts a spell and
mesmerizes all the visitors.
40 ourHeritage
From silky water streams and
waterfalls, unique boulders,
a dense pine forest and spell
bounding scenery, there is so much
that this hidden heaven offers to its
eager invitees.
The name Punjpeer came from the
local fable that five saints from five
corners of the world came here
and meditated here for over a 1,000
year. To commemorate those holy
men there is a little shrine. Unlike
other shrines it does not have a
grave and only has a meditating
place under an old Banyan tree
that from the looks of it does
appear to be many hundred years
old. Infact tree itself looks like an
‘avatar’, an old wise Saint!
Surrounded by whispering pines and
rocky boulders, this heaven provides
a peaceful setting for your mountain
get-away. You can easily hike to
Punjpeer for a family picnic, reading
or just relaxing and breathing the
fresh mountain air.
It is accessible from two routes from
Islamabad. The first route is to go
to Kahuta. Once there, traverse its
main bazar from where on your left
side you will hit Azad Pattan road.
Travel onto that road and after 12
kilometers will come Panjaar, keep
driving till you reach Narar. From
Narar there is a jeep trek follow that
ourHeritage 41
trek. Another 5 kilometers drive and
you will find a parking point on right
side of the road. Park your vehicles
there and continue your hike to the
top.
The other one goes around Lehtrar
road to Chaint, only to leave the main
Lehtrar Kotli Sattian road to drive
on a link road to Danoi forest rest
house about six kilometers up in the
mountains and then hike on a trek
which is in fact an abandoned jeep
trek to reach the top.
It doesn’t matter which
route you take, as both are
equally fascinating. Once you
are on top you witness the
legacy of PunjPeer Rocks. As
mentioned above PunjPeer
Rocks is the highest point
of Danoi Ridge. While
standing on the top one see
panoramic views of Makra
peak (3586meters) and Musa
ka Musala (4080meters)
and other peaks of Kaghan
region.
42 ourHeritage
In the East one can witness the
peaks of Pir Panjal Range and
especially Kongdori (3050 m),
which sparkles like a jewel. In the
northeast flows the mighty River
Jhelum and the whole Jhelum valley
stretches, adding in the beauty of
this place.
We all lead incredibly busy lives, so
take some time off to relax and let
the Punjpeer Rocks work its magic
on you. Sit at the foot of a pine tree.
Think of how special the place is,
the quiet of the forest, the solitude
of whispering pines, the opportunity
to immerse in clean air and feel the
pulse of nature. Trust me it is the
place that will let you have many
memories and each of the memory
will be of pure joy!
ourHeritage 43
By: Khuzaima Fatima Haque
Pakistan is one of the most
attractive destinations for golfers
around the world. However, the sad
part is that this has been a secret that
has been kept for too long. Neither have
the golfers’ potential in Pakistan been tapped
to its full potential.
The country rightly boasts some
of the most spectacular courses
that are open year round. Thus
technically, the grass is green all
year round. The alluvial soil of the
Punjab plains coupled with the
Himalayan backdrop provides a
natural ecosystem for an interesting
golf course layout. Similarly, the
sandy land in Sindh also adds the
much needed variety required by
ideal golf courses.
44 ourHeritage
As history reads, golf in Pakistan
literally started from scratch. The
British used to play golf when they
ruled over the Sub-Continent. As
they left with their golf-sticks and
golf balls, so was golf wiped off the
minds of the people. However, at
that time only a select few die-hard
fans made great efforts to keep it
alive. Tajuddin Salimi from Lahore
and Rashid Habib of Karachi in West
Pakistan and Major Mohsin Ali in the
East Wing are the ones who felt that
this was a game worth keeping alive.
Until 1958, Lahore with its two golf
clubs, the Lahore Gymkhana and
PVTR Club and Tea Estate Golf
Clubs in East Pakistan were the
only places where golf was being
played. Unlike cricket or hockey,
golf neither attracted an audience
nor a vast number of players. It
was a game sportsmen in Pakistan
seldom thought worth playing. It was
quite far from being recognized as
a full-fledged game to be taken up
professionally.
Thus, the progress of golf in Pakistan
has been rather slow yet steady.
With time, golfers have developed
their potential and started to make
their presence felt on national and
international fronts.
To date, Pakistan has
qualified for the Golf World
Cup for a total of 4 times, in
1975, 1977, 1982, and
2009, when they finished
joint 22nd out of the 28
qualifying teams.
Golf has emerged as a sport after
much concrete steps were taken up.
In 1960, the Pakistan Golf Union was
formed that later on took the shape
of the Pakistan Golf Federation, an
organised body that now keeps track
of all golf activities in the country.
Women golf players are also on
the rise. In the past, the Pakistan
Golf Union covered golf courses in
Karachi, Dacca, Rawalpindi, Lahore
Gymkhana and Pakistan West
Railways. The founding members
included Chief Justice Cornelius who
served as the Union’s first President
while Rashid Habib became the Vice
President and Tajuddin Salimi was
elected Honorary Secretary and held
this office till 1965, when he became
the official coach of the golf union.
In the seventies, several new
courses and clubs were added to
the golfing map of Pakistan. Smaller
cities like Kharian, Jhelum, Multan,
Gujranwala, Okara and Bahawalpur
have also developed gold clubs.
Meanwhile, there has been a
significant addition to golf courses in
Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.
Additionally, professional players
like Shafiq, Mahmood Hussain
and Nazir have also been doing
well in the competitions and have
helped promote the sport in the
country. Meanwhile, Pakistani golf
players Muhammad Shabbir and
Muhammad Munir of Islamabad
Golf and Country Club are also
two of the top golf players that
Pakistan has produced. They
have also represented Pakistan
in different international
level golf tournaments too. In
2009, these remarkable golf
players made a new history for
the Pakistani golf by qualifying in
the Omega Mission Hills World
Cup for the first time ever. It has
been an honor for Pakistan to be
amongst the top three teams of the
world which qualified for the Golf
World Cup.
Today, the country has several
beautiful golf clubs sprawling
over acres of land. Karachi Golf
Club is one of the oldest in the
country. Here is where the Pakistan
Open takes place every year.
The Pakistan Open was founded
in 1967. As the event gained
momentum and popularity among
the locals it turned into the Asian
Tour event in 2006. Taimur
Hussain has been Pakistan’s
most successful golfer, as he won
the 1998 Myanmar Open, becoming
the first Pakistani to win on the
Asian Tour.
MUHAMMA SHABBIR-IQBAL
Apart from this, some of other
major golf courses in Pakistan
include the Royal Palm Golf
and Country Club, Lahore
Gymkhana, DHA Golf Club Karachi,
Islamabad Golf Club, Garrison
Golf and Country Club Lahore,
Rawalpindi Golf Club, Peshawar golf
Club and a few newly established
ones like the Defence Raya Golf
Club in Lahore. Currently there are
more than forty golf courses in the
Today, all golf clubs are affiliated
to the Pakistan Golf Federation and
the Provincial Golf Associations.
Golf membership is on the increase
and has grown to more than 5,000
members. The most well known
golfers in the country are Sajid,
Javed, Khurram Khan, lqbal Wali.
All these are par with Taimur
Hasan and other top stars like
Ghias Bhatti and Faisal Quershi.
ourHeritage 45
country and all are serving at their
best to promote the game to a larger
extent in different parts of Pakistan.
These golf courses can be divided
into three main categories. The
fist category include the old golf
courses like Rawal Pindi, Lahore
Gymkhana, Peshawar Golf Course,
Islamabad Golf Course and others
like these. The main feature of these
old well kept courses is that they are
generally well maintained and have
old trees and a lot of character. The
Rawalpindi Golf course is the oldest
golf course and dates back to 1926.
The facility was initially developed
as a nine-hole course. After several
phases of development, it is now a
27-hole course. Its accompanying
clubhouse is perched on a hill. A
panoramic view of the twin cities of
Islamabad and Rawalpindi are visible
from the club house and are a treat
for anyone visiting the place.
The second category of courses
includes the ones that are
maintained by Pakistan’s Armed
Forces and government entities like
Pakistan Railways etc. These tend
to be relatively new and not open to
general membership. The quality
of facilities and upkeep varies from
course to course. However, the
best part is that the cost of playing
at these places is minimal. The
third category includes premier
golf courses like Royal Palm in
Lahore and Arabian Sea Country
Club in Karachi. They are world
class courses that have manicured
fairways and greens.
Interestingly, there is a very
big market for golf items
internationally. The Pakistani
industry produces many golf
supplies leveraging their
textile and leather industrial
base. Pakistani T-shirts,
caps, towels, trousers,
gloves, bags and head covers
are sold worldwide under
different brand names.
On the whole, even though Pakistan
has limited resources to promote
golf on the national or international
fronts, the kind of advancement
and the emerging professional golf
players show a lot of promise for the
future of the game in the country.
What has been achieved so far is
quite commendable. Now is the
time that golf needs to be taken up
more seriously and the true potential
needs to be tapped to its fullest.
The time is not far that if correct
guidance and proper funds are
provided, Pakistan can be one of the
most popular countries for golf with
great golf players and remarkable
golf courses at its disposal.
Muhammad Shabbir and Muhammad Munir of Pakistan during the Omega Mission Hills World Cup Asian Qualifier
46 ourHeritage
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48 ourHeritage
ourHeritage 49
50 ourHeritage
ourHeritage 51
Waris Shah
&
Malka Hans
Waris Shah’s exact date of birth is
not known but historians place it
between1710 and 1738 AD. However,
the year he completed his great
work, Heer, is surely 1766 because
he gave the date in his book’s
concluding stanza. Therefore, we
know that he was a few decades
younger than Bulleh Shah and
Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and was a
contemporary of Sachal Sarmast,
Mir Taqi Mir and Khawaja Mir Dard.
Waris Shah was born in Jandiala
Sher Khan, a small hamlet close to
Hiran Minar, Sheikhupura, about 40
kilometers from Lahore.
The town was dominated by
Afghan Pathans who were the
major landowners. It seems from
circumstantial evidence that Waris
Shah’s father, Gulsher Shah, must
have been living a modest life as the
town’s religious teacher or “paish
imam”. Poor condition of Waris
Shah’s grave till the 1960s shows
that his family was not rich. Further,
his documented wandering in the
Sahiwal-Pakpattan area and his
choice of Malka Hans’s mosque also
shows that his family was unable
to support an unemployed poet.
Malka Hans is a historical town, of
Punjab in Pakistan. It is located in
the Pakpattan District and is part of
Pakpattan Tehsil.
During Waris Shah’s lifetime
Delhi throne rotated among many
incompetent rulers while Ahmad
Shah Abdali and Marhattas were
constantly ruling Punjab and
Northern India. On top of that,
52 ourHeritage
Dr. Shaukat Mahmood
Being in proximity of Lahore, the power center for Punjab, the
hometown of Waris Shah Jandiala Sher Khan was overrun
many times by different warring sections. That may have been
one of the reasons that he chose Malka Hans, far away from
center of continuous wars, to write his treatise.
the Sikh guerilla movement led
by sections of poor Jatts was
establishing misals (territories
comprising a few districts or
smaller units) in the entire region.
On a practical level, the Mughal
empire’s hold in Punjab had come
to an end, the local Sikh misal
chiefs were providing security to
villages and towns for a small fee
in comparison to the Mughal rulers’
taking of half or one-third of the
crop. Consequently, the farmers
and peasantry were much more
prosperous while the major portions
of population lead a miserable life.
The Jatts became rulers of the
land and every place had its own
governance. The aristocracy was
ruined, the working class was
refreshed [better off] and the
land owners were blooming with
prosperity.
Pranami (often mis-spelt as
Parnami) religion is a branch of
Vaishnavism (Vaisnava dharma)
which in itself is one of the major
branches of Hinduism along with
Shaivism, Smartism and Shaktism.
It is focused on the veneration of
Vishnu. Vaishnavites, or the followers
of the Vishnu, lead a way of life
promoting the central importance
of Vishnu. Followers of this sect
worship Vishnu, the supreme lord
and preserver of the Hindu Trimurti
(‘three images’, the Trinity), and his
ten avatars, including Rama and
Krishna. The adherents of this sect
are generally non-ascetic, monastic
and devoted to meditative practice
and ecstatic chanting. They are
deeply devotional. Vaishnavism
is rich in saints, temples and
scriptures.
The founder of the sect, Shri
Devchandra Maharaj (1581–1655),
was born in Sindh province in
Umarkot village. From early
childhood, he showed saintly
tendencies. At the age of 16, he
renounced the world and left in
search of Brahma-gyana (divine
knowledge) to Bhuj in Kutch and later
to Jamnagar. Devchandraji undertook
the work of giving concrete shape
and form to find a new stream of
religion called Nijanand Sampradaya.
He settled down in Jamnagar, where
form he explainedVedas, Vedantic
knowledge and Bhagwatam in simple
language intelligible to lay persons
irrespective of social class and
religious differences, and awaken
them to their real Self with the help of
divine knowledge called “Tartam”. His
followers later came to be known as
Sundarsaths or Pranami.
Being in proximity of Lahore,
the power center for Punjab, the
hometown of Waris Shah Jandiala
Sher Khan was overrun many times
by different warring sections. That
may have been one of the reasons
that he chose Malka Hans, far
away from center of continuous
wars, to write his treatise. Waris
Shah has not written much about
his hometown’s suffering but he
lamented the plundering of Kasur
which was then highest seat of
learning and he was educated there
himself. “From the entire country
of Punjab I am extremely saddened
about Kasur.”
Waris Shah, came here from
his native village of Jandiala
Sher Khan and composed the
classic epic, Heer in 1766.
There is a mosque related to
the poet as well as his famous
composition Heer. Beside the
mosque another landmark is
Pranami Mandir, well known
for its amazing decorative
elements in brick, plaster and
wood beside frescos.
ourHeritage 53
The credit of spreading the Pranami
religion goes to his dearest disciple
and successor, Mahamati Prannathji
(Mehraj Thakur) (1618–1694), who
was the son of Keshav Thakur, Diwan
of Jamnagar State. He traveled
throughout India and four other
countries including Pakistan, Oman,
Iraq and Iran to spread the ideals
of religious harmony and interfaith
understanding the vision of Tartam
professes. Through him was revealed
the divine knowledge later compiled
as the holy “Kuljam Swaroop” in
six languages like Gujarati, Sindhi,
Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Hindi and also
in many other prevalent languages.
His work is called Kuljam Swarup.
“The Kuljam Swaroop Saheb and
Bitak Saheb, the Holy Words of Lord
Prannath, are regarded to be the two
authentic holy books of this faith.
Therefore, in matters of principles,
these two holy books are regarded
as the ultimate authority. No major
literature was generated during the
time of Nijanand Swami, the founder
of this faith. A variety of literature is
available today on the various aspects
of the Nijanand Sampradaya. Various
prominent Comrade Sundersath
of that time, such as Navrang
Swami, wrote a good number of
books to expand upon Prannathji’s
supreme wisdom. They do offer a
valuable explanation regarding the
many topics discussed in the holy
books of the Pranami faith.” Tartam
Sagar (or Shri Tartam Sagar or Shri
Swarup Saheb) is main Granth of
the Shri Krishna Pranami Dharma is
worshipped unlike the idols in Shri
Krishna Pranami temples worldwide.
He also attended Kumbh Mela at
Haridwar in 1735 Bikrami (1678 AD)
and was engaged in religious debates
in which he conveniently became
victorious and was conferred the
title of “Niskalanka Bijayaabhinand
Buddha Avatar” by the saints of
various sects and creeds.
In Pranami Temple of Malka Hans
a great festival was organized and
celebrated in particular days. It had
a vast area where all and sundry
came in the form of groups to get
their wills to be fulfilled. They had
54 ourHeritage
different idols like Rain god, Health
god, Food god and many other gods
and goddesses to worship. Beside
this in the surroundings of this
temple, there was a largest boarding
school of District Montgomery (now
Sahiwal), Pranami School, was a
school of great repute where Hindu
came far and near to get education.
The area of this temple
consisted of almost 60 to
70 square acres. There was
a tunnel in this temple too
whose marks also exists even
today. What was the purpose
of this tunnel and it connected
the Pranami Temple to which
destination no one knows
since it is almost choked with
dust, debris and earth now.
The Pranami Temple of Malka
Hans was visited by a minister of
India Mr. H.K.L Bhagat who was
local resident of Malka Hans before
partition. Hari Krishan Lal Bhagat
(April 4, 1921 – October 29, 2005)
was an Indian politician of the
Congress party. Earlier he served as
Deputy Mayor, Mayor of Delhi and
as the chief whip of Delhi Pradesh
Congress Committee. He grew in
political stature after Congress’s
victory in the local elections in1983.
He held important ministerial
positions including Information and
Broadcasting, and made the staterun TV “Doordarshan” the Congress
party’s mouthpiece during the mid
1980s.
ourHeritage 55
Virtual Pakistan
Text by: Khuzaima Fatima Haque
Sitting on the sofa in your lounge,
sipping from a hot cup of coffee, with
an iPad in your hands, today you
can enjoy the views of the famous
Lahore Museum, inside out. Not
only this, but the delicate artwork
at Wazir Khan Mosque or the coin
collection at the Lahore Museum
is an easily reachable reality.
Bundled together, these majestic
collections of historical must-visit
places in Pakistan are now on the
international map for national and
international virtual travellers.
Thanks to the Google
Cultural Institute, a special
project is dedicated to some
of Pakistan’s cultural and
historical sites. Called the
“Wonder of Pakistan”, it
brings forth the exhibit at
Mohatta Palace in Karachi,
the Lahore Museum, the
Faqir Khanna Museum,
Badshhi Mosque, and
Jahangir’s Tomb among a
few others.
The Google Cultural Institute is a
non-profit initiative that was founded
in 2011. It partners with cultural
organizations around the world
organizing the World’s Cultural
heritage online. Their major task is
to build free tools and technologies
56 ourHeritage
for the cultural sector to showcase
and share its riches. The artefacts,
buildings and history are thus made
available to a wider global audience,
many of them who would never be
able to travel to such far off places
around the world.
“Art Camera” is a state of the art
system for capturing paintings at
ultra-high resolution. The team
at the Google Cultural Institute is
currently focusing on making this
system easy to use, and is also
improving the capture time so a
painting is shot in an hour or less.
Jahangir’s Tomb, Lahore
No wonder then, that the ancient
cultural history and heritage of
mankind safeguarded by cultural
institutions and museums spread all
over the world are now available at
a touch of a button. This is quite an
exciting step for Pakistan since we
will be able to showcase more and
more of the treasures and the rich
heritage that we take for granted.
For example, hundreds of years of
history preserved at the Lahore Fort
and the Lahore Museum presented
in an extremely attractive style spells
more tourism for the country. On the
other side of the picture is the fact
that virtual visitors will see a positive
and a much brighter side of Pakistan
that is not marred by blood and
terrorism.
Meanwhile, specially-designed
Street View gives the virtual visitor
a seamless 360° virtual tour of the
site being visited. Even the tiles on
the floor, the delicate marble work
on the walls and the intricate details
of the location being visited by the
virtual tourist are visible to the last
detail. The visitor can actually “jump
from a gallery’s interior into a high
resolution version of the artwork
with additional details.”
when they came from Delhi to
Lahore. Interestingly, this trail
takes the visitor through a series
of experiences. It connects many of
the heritage monuments like Shahi
Hamam Turkish Bath), Wazir Khan
Mosque, Sonehri (Golden) Mosque
and tomb of Malik Ayaz, a Mughal
governor of Lahore.
The images are as amazing as can
be and so is the short history that is
written alongside them. Once can
actually go from a bird’s eye view
One of the most interesting
exhibits in the Wonders of
Pakistan project is “The
Royal Trail”. Described as
“a heritage trail that leads
from Delhi Gate to the
Lahore Fort,”
it is actually the route that was
once followed by Mughal Emperors
Forecourt of the Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore
ourHeritage 57
of the entire area right down to the
mosaic work of the building or track
the cracks in the walls of the old
Lahore Fort.
The Faqir Khanna Museum is yet
another feather in the cap. A hidden
treasure trove, this is the largest
private collection in South Asia of
miniature paintings, Islamic art,
Persian carpets, woodwork, coins
and fabric. The place itself is unique
in terms of design and the cultural
stories attached to it as the provide
lives of those who lived here for ages
has been turned inside out and made
public for tourists .
Mohatta Palace Museum facade
All in all, Pakistan’s heritage,
monuments and cultural wonders
are now open to the global audience
and Pakistan can proudly show off
its huge variety of wonders that were
hidden in the past. Happy touring!
Fakir Khana Museum, Lahore
58 ourHeritage
PICTURES COURTESY: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/project/wonders-of-pakistan
ourHeritage 59
Skardu
Doorway To Travel Adventure
By: Saifuddin Ismailji
60 ourHeritage
Skardu is the administrative town
of Baltistan and a staging post to
witness some of nature’s most
violent episodes, which created
some of most steep high-rise in
the form of a series of unique and
beautiful mountains.
Soon after the announcement
(Telegraph UK, 15 April, 2015)
that “The Foreign Office (Pakistan)
has lifted advice against travelling
to the Gilgit-Baltistan region of
Pakistan;” Jonny Bealby - founder
of adventure tour operator, Wild
Frontiers, said that the revised travel
advice was “great news” for the
area. “Gilgit-Baltistan is very close
to my heart, as the beauty of the
area and the hospitality of the local
people inspired me to start Wild
Frontiers, in order to allow others
to discover this fantastic region,”
he said. http://www.telegraph.
co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/
pakistan/11539647/Foreign-Officerelaxes-Pakistan-travel-advice.html
Despite the remoteness, people
from neighbouring land migrated
to Skardu and adjoining valleys.
They are the Aryan herdsmen
from the north; Tibetans from
Ladakh via Shyok and Indus River;
Buddhist trot via Silk Road up the
Indus before entering the region
and more recently, explorers from
Gilgit region found their way via
Hispar glacier (Humza). Therefore,
a strong variation in appearance of
local population and faces resemble
people of Tibetan and central Asian
origin. A part of Skardu is called
the “Little Tibet” with pockets of
settlements of people belonging to
Tibetan origin and to date practise
Tibetan traditions. The locals made
a living ploughing the rich soil
cultivating fruits and vegetable and
scanning gold in the waters of the
Indus.
before taking on ardent trail to
some of the most isolated mountain
frontiers on the Earth dominated
by the Kara-Koram: a Kyrgyz term
meaning Black-Gravel; the mountain
system, which is 311 miles (500
kms) in length spanning the regions
of Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan) also
including India (Ladakh) and China
(Xinjiang).
The highest concentration
of the peaks over an area
of 5 miles (8kms) is found
nowhere on the Earth but in
the Baltistan region along
the most heavily glaciated
part of the world outside
the Polar Regions.
Today, the Karakoram (and the
Himalayas) forms one of the world’s
most geologically active areas, at
the boundary between two colliding
continents (Euraisan-Indian).
Of the three Climatic Zones:
Sub Alpine:
Human settlement and productive
areas from 1000 – 1,800 meters.
Alpine:
Alpine zone is situated above the
tree line and below the permafrost
limit (at about 2,600 meters); the
alpine meadows are often used as
pastures. Glacial:
The highland zone mark from 1500
metres and above.
Outskirt Skardu is world renowned
to a reality come true, the setting
for “Shangri La” - a fictional place
described in James Hilton’s 1933
novel, Lost Horizon. The pastoral
valleys adjoining Skardu makes an
agreeable ground for mountaineers
and trekking expeditions to luxuriate
ourHeritage 61
Skardu is located at an
average height of 2300
metres above sea level, and
climbs to 4800m (15,750ft)
at the point of Concordia
base camp Mount K-2.
Above the Glacier zone,
Skardu is the doorway to
explore phenomenal places
on the Earth.
∙ Banak Pass TrekBara
∙ Brok Lake Basho Valley Trek
∙ Deosai Plateau Trek
∙ Gondogoro Pass Trek
∙ Haramosh Pass Trek (16 days round trip)
∙ Hispar Pass Trek (Biafo Glacier to Hunza)
∙ Hushey Valley trek
∙ K2 Base Camp Concordia Trek
∙ K2 Gondogoro La Trek
∙ Masherbrum Base Camp Trek
∙ Taley Pass trek
62 ourHeritage
Rich in unique flower and fauna
and home to 124 resident animals
and birds including the Himalayan
ibex, Himalayan brown-bear, snow
leopard, golden eagle;
the Great Plains of Deosai
meaning Giant’s Chair, the
world’s largest and 2nd
highest plateau (4,414 m) on
Earth bear not a single tree in
the entire howling wilderness.
Easy way getting there is by 4X Drive,
which is 30 km from Skardu. Deosai
National Park borders Skardu
(north), Gultari Kharmang (southeast) and Astore (west) districts
abound Karakoram and the western
Himalaya. Best time to visit the
Plains in full bloom from mid June to
August.
Biafo Glacier (60 km. long) and
Hispar Glacier (61 km. long) meet
at the 5,151 meters Hispar Pass –
the longest ice corridor on Earth
that form one of the longest glacial
systems outside the polar regions.
K2 Base Camp Concordia Trek:
Located in an active collision zone
between the two continental plates,
the land mass that cast the terrain
into deep cervices roars to the
wounds, as it strip coat of ice submit
into the phenomenal river of ice.
To reach the base camp of
nature’s perfect pyramid
mountain: K-2, you will
have to employ a great deal
of perseverance, physical
fitness and prior experience
in trekking.
Nearing the junction of Concordia
at the meeting of the Godwin-Austin
glacier and the Upper-Baltoro
glacier, a single sweep of vision
manifest the majestic K-2 (locally
called Chogo-ri 8’611 meters),
Broad Peak (8,047m), Gasherbrum
I (8,068m) Gasherbrum II (8,035m),
Gasherbrum IV (7,925m), Saltoro
Kangri (7,742m), Chogolisa (7,654m)
and Baltoro Kangri (7,312m),
prominently.
The Mount K-2 (so named, as the 2nd
peak measured in the Karakoram
Range) base camp is at the
concurrence of the world’s 2nd and
3rd largest glaciers: the Siachen
(70 km) and Biafo (63kms) - the
phenomenal place with a cluster of
nature’s rare perspectives:
K-2 (8611 meters, and 2nd
highest after the Everest),
Gasherbrum I (8068m), Broad
Peak (8047m), Gasherbrum II
(8035m), Gasherbrum III (7952m),
Gasherbrum IV (7925m), Dastagil
Sar (7885m), Masherbrum I (7921m),
Batura (7795m), Rakaposhi (7788m),
Chogolisa (7665m), Muztag Tower
(7273m) – among the known
picturesque peaks and many more
un-named 7000ers and 6000er
peaks.
ourHeritage 63
Tent
in Islamic History
Dr. Shaukat Mahmood
Tent primarily is a temporary shelter,
usually made of flexible materials
stretched over poles, wooden or of
bamboos. Pre-Islamic Arab nomads
had no means of transporting tents,
so they set up a fresh shelter at
each campsite. It was particularly
difficult for them to carry the poles
when they had no animals. Nomads
with animals, nevertheless, carried
poles or covers or both with them.
If the covers were made of animals’
skin, they were never left behind.
The Arabs seldom used tepee kind
of tents. Their tents were generally
large and often had many poles,
used vertical, horizontal and oblique.
The pastoral nomads of Asia and
North Africa still use portable
dwellings. In central Asian
countries, a tent called yurt is used.
From Mauritania in North Africa to
Afghanistan and China “black tent”
is used. This is a tent made of cloth
woven of black goat hair, spread
and stretched over poles and held
by guy-ropes fastened to stakes.
The black cloth is water-repellent
and the draped form allows ample
ventilation. This tent is very suitable
for hot arid climate.
Early Arabs lived in skin-covered
tents like those still used by the
Arabs and some tribes of North
Africa. Hebrew pastoralists of
Old Testament also lived in such
tents. Sumptuous tents were used
for entertaining guests in Iran. In
the early 8th century, Charlemagne
received a magnificent tent from
Harun al-Rashid, the famous Caliph
of Baghdad.
64 ourHeritage
According to Clavijo, the
Spanish ambassador to Timur
(1404), “The royal court at
Kani-gil outside Samarqand
had one tent, the walls of
which were made of crimson
tapestry with wistest of white
embroidery. This tent could
hold ten thousand people at a
time.
Another was of red silk adorned with
rows of silver gilt spangles”. Clavijo
says that he waited in the shade of
an awning of white linen adorned
with coloured embroidery. Before
being taken to the vast reception
pavilion, “Here the tall tent poles
were painted blue and gold. The
inner walls were hung with crimson
tapestry, the outer walls with silk
cloth woven in white, black and
yellow stripes and the whole pavilion
was surrounded by a wall of many
coloured silk cloth. Clavijo describes
another tent of Timur having gates,
a domed ceiling, upper galleries, a
turret and battlements. A fortune
was spent on inner furnishings
including tapestries, silks and gold
brocades. A lot was spent on their
illumination as well. Timur, like
all his ancestors loved an outdoor
life which automatically promoted
the art of tent manufacturing and
technology of pitching them. Their
erection and dismantling was a
part of this technology. The silk
tents used during this period were
of different shapes and sizes: the
awning or canopy, open in front and
held taut by guy-ropes in the back;
the round parasol with a single
centre pole and the oval with double
parasol with two poles; the tent with
a ridgepole and the saddle-back
in which the fabric dips or sags
between the two poles.
Even for the Fatimid caliphs in Cairo,
tents constituted one of the most
precious categories of object in their
treasury. One of their tents needed
as many as one hundred camels
to carry, just like the keys of the
treasury of Qarun. One of their tents
was called slayer because at least
two workers were killed every time
they tried to pitch it.
In Arabic, tent is known as
Khayma or Khaima. But, the
nomads’ tents were referred
as bayt by the ancient Arab
poets and writers and bayt
simply means a house.
The Semitic term bayt still
indicates a khayma or a tent.
Later, the Arabs, in order to
remove confusion for tent
which is a temporary adobe
introduced a new term bayt
sha’ar. Bayt sha’ar means a
‘dwelling of hair’. Bayt sha’ar
is still current in nomadic
and semi-nomadic tribes of
Arabia, Africa and the Near
East.
The word khayma has come to
acquire the general meaning of a
mobile dwelling made of animal hair,
sha’ar or any other material except
leather. Early Arab philologists
supply us the vocabulary of tents
that were in vogue in the pre-Islamic
Arabia. Ibn an-Nadim quoting AlAsma’i and his book Kitab al-Akhbiya
wa’l bayut tells us several other
names for the tent and their types or
sizes Mizalla or mazalla, made of goat
hair was the most spacious tent.
The origin of mazalla is perhaps
zullah or zil which means ‘shadow’.
Wasut was yet another kind. This
was also made of animal hair. The
term was not widely used, but
lexicographers do not agree about
the meaning of wasut though the
word was used to denote a small
tent. The bayt sha’ar (or sha’r) was
of goat’s hair and of average size. It
served as a dwelling for breeders
of small livestock. Another type
was khiba’. It was similar to bayt
sha’ar, but it was made of camel’s
hair (wabar) or wool (suf), hence also
called bayt wabar and its inhabitants
were known as ahl al-wabar.
ourHeritage 65
A cloth tent of large or very large
dimensions was called suradik like
the one used by Timur and other
emperors. Contrary to suradik,
fustat was a smaller hair tent used
by travellers. The royal fustat was
called midrab. When the tent was of
domical shape or it was made of hide
or skin, it was known as kubba, a
term still current to signify domes of
mosques and mausolea. A hide tent
was also called adim (adeem).
When we shook the Mount Over them,
as if it had been A canopy, and they
thought It was going to fall on them
(We said): “Hold firmlyTo what We
have given you, And bring (ever)
to remembrance What is therein;
Perchance ye may fear Allah.
It seems quite probable that the
word khayma had come into vogue
in Arabia much before the advent
of Islam. It, however, implied
something stretched overhead.
Imad al-Din’s book al-Barq al
Sharmi says that the town of Amid
was famous for the production of
busut, furush and khiyam, all woven
products.
The origin of the word khayma is
obscure and the lexicographers
provide us no substantive evidence
of its origin. In the holy Qur’an,
however, in Sura lv (Al-Rahman),
verse 72 khiyam (plural of khayma)
has been used, to quote:
This must be remembered that
‘Hurun maqsuratun fi’l khiyam’
(Tr.) Companions (houris) restrained
(as toTheir glances), in goodly
pavilions.
Then which of the favours
Of your Lord will ye deny?
and in Sura vii (Al- A’raf), verse
171, there is a reference to zullah
meaning a canopy:
66 ourHeritage
though at its rudimentary stage,
khayma was just an overhanging
canopy of sha’ar or wabar, the
concept became complex later
on with a number of adjuncts
associated with khayma.
It is interesting to learn how a
tent was prepared. A rectangular
sheet of cloth, according to the
size desired, was prepared joining
numerous bands (falija or shukka) or
shiqqa (pronounced shigga) together.
Towards the end of the longitudurial
sides (kisr or kasr) were attached
stronger stripes. The underside was
provided with a pole called tariqa.
The terminal of tariqa was called
hatar. Hatar was tied to ropes (tunab,
plural atnab). The ropes were then
tied to pegs (watid, plural awtid)
pitched in ground with the help of a
mallet (mitad or mitada). The small
space between the tent and the
ground was filled by isar (plural usur)
or smaller tunabs.
The ridge-piece was of great
importance, it was called jaiz. This
was held on a ridgepole. In Arabia,
central tariqa took the role of jaiz.
The vertical posts or poles were
also called amud or di’ama. Their
top ends were cushioned to prevent
damage to main tent. The cushions
were made of felt (libd, plural albad).
Where the rain was a possibility
the khayma was surrounded by a
small moat or drain (nuy, niy, nay or
nua), it banks being made of earth
iyad. Inside a curtain (khidr) was
hung to provide a separate area for
women and following the name of
the curtain, this ladies’ area was
also called khidr (plural al-khudur)
or mahram or muharram. The area
occupied by men-folk was called
raba’a or maq’ad al-rijal. Sometime
in the middle was a buffer zone
for making qahwa or tea. The
number of poles supporting the
roof varied according to size and
the requirement for ventilation. A
tent with one ridgepole was called
‘udiya or qotba, with two poles faza
or qarnayn. From a tent with three
poles onwards, the name of the tent
becomes associated with number of
polls. Thus a tent with three poles
was called muthallath, four poles
murabba’, five poles mukhammas,
six poles musaddas and seven poles
musawbha. This last one was of
considerable size sometimes more
than 50 metres long. The Mongol
felt-tent was called ger and it was
similar to Turkish tents, oy. These
tents had trellis walls made of
wooden planks. These tents were
usually conical. The Mongols had
another kind of tent called maykhan
which was very low. This was used
by the caravans.
The history of mediaeval
Islamic tents is almost nonexistent though even the kings
and emperors have made
copious and luxuriant use
of them. Islamic miniature
paintings nonetheless, shed
lot of light at least on their
shapes, colours, sizes and
features.
“The Islamic historical sources
on the Turkish migrations into
the Iranian world and beyond are
inexplicit on the technical details of
Turkish tents in the mediaeval period
and we can only find odd gleanings,
such as the information in Gardizi,
Zayn al-akhbar, that when Mahmud
of Ghazna and the Kara-Khanid
Kadir Khan Yusuf met at Samarkand
in 415 A.H. / 1025 A.D., the Sultan
had a personal tent of ruby-coloured
Shushtari brocade, with a canopy
and roof of woven brocade (the tent,
saray-parda which allegedly held
10,000 horsemen, must have been in
fact a whole series of tents forming
an encampment for Mahmud’s
forces). “
“The earliest Mongol sources such
as the Secret History and the account
of the Mongol expansion of the 13th
century, both Islamic and European
(the latter including e.g. the travel
narratives of William of Rubruck and
John of Plano Carpini) state that at
that time, the steppe peoples, Turks
and Mongols, often transported their
tents in ox-carts. These last were
not only highly-mobile within the
steppes, but could be very quickly
loaded up with the tents and the
whole encampment quickly broken
up.”
The use of tent is still prevalent and
is a dernier cri in the Arab world and
the magic of tent has turned into an
obsession if not a syndrome. Even
today, when all the luxuries of life
are available to Arabs, they still
occasionally go out to deserts set
up tents and live in those tents for
days. Colonel Qaddafi of Libya loved
to receive his international guests in
tents erected in desert far away from
the capital. Likewise, Kings of Saudi
Arabia too love to spend some time
in tents stationed in deserts. Old
habits die hard.
ourHeritage 67
Dinner Hosted By
Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani
Chairman Hashoo Group
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KARACHI
RAWALPINDI
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PESHAWAR
MUZAFFARABAD
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BHURBAN
LAHORE
72 ourHeritage
ISLAMABAD
KARACHI
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