Story of a Strong Fort

Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort is located near the city of Jehlum in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It is a 16th century fort that still holds its magnificence, significance and grace. This fort is such a powerful structure that it was never stormed by force.

Rohtas Fort is constructed on the orders of Sher Shah Suri, a Pashtun, ruler between 1541 to 1548. The fort is unique in its style and according to UNESCO it is the exceptional example of the Muslim military architecture of Central and South Asia. The main purpose of the fort is to defend the area from the local Gakhar Tribes and to stop the path of the Mughal Empire. Due to its military architecture it was not very famous among Mughal Kings.

Unlike Mughal forts this fort do not have beautiful gardens, fountains, masterpiece buildings & beautiful palaces. It is purely a Battle Garrison and a few buildings that are present in the fort like Queen's Palace are constructed during Sikh rule in the region. There are total 12 gates in the fort. The walls of the fort are high and strong enough to tolerate the hardships of the time.

Today there is a museum along the side of one of the gates of the fort which has coins, swords and other artifacts of that era. The fort also have long stairs that goes deep towards underground Baoli. It is a wonderful place to visit if you have interest in History.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Picture credit goes to Anonymous Photographer.

Story of a 1st Century Buddhist Monastery

Takht-e-Bahi(Throne of Origin /High Spring)

This story is about one of the most important and well preserved Buddhist Monasteries of the Gandhara period. The Monastery is located in the Mardan city of the province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. This place was once the heart of the Gandhara civilization.

As per local people the name Takht-e-bahi is because of the two wells on the hill or because of the nearby springs

 The history of this place dates back to 1st Century AD. This was proved through various inscriptions which had the name of Gondophares who was a Parthian King of the Suren family. After Gondophares the monastery remained in the control of Kujula Kadphises who was the first Kushan King.

According to researchers the place remained in use until 7th century AD. The location of this Monastery helped alot in retaining its ancient structure as compared to other Buddhist Monasteries of that period because it is located almost 500 feet atop of a small hill. Therefore, it remains safe from many destructive invaders who came to this region. 

Precisely the Takht-e-bahi complex consisted of a Stupa court, Monastic chambers, a Temple complex and Tantric monastic complex. which were used for various religious purposes.

It is also one of those places which even many Pakistanis are not aware of. I strongly recommend to visit this place as it is one of the ancient places in Pakistan.

Picture Credit goes to Anonymous Photographer.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Story of the Sacred Hindu Temples

Katas Raj Temples

Today's Blog is about a complex of  temples built in the 11th century located near Salt range in the province of Punjab. The temples were built around a pond which is also very sacred in the Hinduism. These temples complex with other buildings include temples of  Ramchandra, Hanuman, Shiva and a Gurdwara.

According to legends two ponds were created by the tears of Shiva after the death of his wife Sati. One is in Katas raj temples and the other one is in Pushkar. Another significant attachment related to these temples were the five Pandava brothers,mentioned in Mahabharata, who spend most of their time at this site during their exile.

 Katas raj is one of the oldest religious Hindu sites in Pakistan. Before 1947 these temples were continuously visited by the Hindus. But after the partition of the subcontinent local Hindus migrated towards India and this place slowly vanishes in the pages of history. 

Recently in 2017 government ordered to renovate these temples and put them back to their former glory which I guess is a positive step towards the saving of the Indo-Pak cultural heritage. 

Today hundreds of people visit these temples and imagine what life was like during the glory days of this place.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Story of a Fort Lost in the Desert

Derawar Fort

Pakistan is rich in cultural and historical heritage. Some of these cultural sites disapear in the pages of History while some are still finding their path into the future.

 Derawar Fort is one of the magnificent structure standing alone in the Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur state of Pakistan. The fort was actually built by Rai Jajja Bhatti, a Rajput King of the area. But it was captured by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Sadeq Muhammad Khan 1 in 1733 who than gave this fort the shape which today we can see.

Derawar Fort is in square shape with visible forty bastions. It has an elegant look and has a unique appearance as compared to other forts. The fort has a water pool, rooms for the royal family, a small jail and a network of underground tunnels that leads to the Nawab's Palace and other forts. 

Unfortunately due to the negligence of the government and the related authorities derawar fort is on the verge of collapse. Rooms and structures within the Derawar Fort which once represents the glory of the ruling periods of Nawabs are now long gone. The fort is deteriorating so fast that the places or underground tunnels which a decade ago can be seen, are now gone.

After all these damages still the fort attract many tourists and they imagine the days of glory which this fort passed over centuries.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Picture credit goes to: Anonymous photographer.

Cathedral Church of the Resurrection Lahore

Cathedral Church of the Resurrection

Cathedral Church of the Resurrection is located in the city of Lahore. The church dates back to 1887. It was constructed in Lahore during the British rule. The church was originally built out of pink sandstone by the architect John Oldrid Scott who was the son of George Gilbert Scott. The Cathedral represents Neo-Gothic style of architecture and it is a wonderful piece of art.

The very first church of Lahore was constructed in 1595 on formal permission during the rule of Emperor Akbar near the Lahore fort. But it was closed in 1614 on the order of Emperor Jahangir. After 10 years the church was re-opened but fate was not in the favor of this church and sadly it was demolished  in 1632 on the orders of Emperor Shah Jahan. Two centuries later the church was again established in Lahore by the British and named it Cathedral Church of the Resurrection.

Today the Cathedral is the center of Lahore Diocese which was craved out of the Diocese of Calcutta in 1877. The diocese of Calcutta was the largest Anglican diocese in the South Asia. 

In the original design the church was to have eight bells but only six can arrive from England which were install in 1903. The weight of the largest bell is almost a ton and was used to vibrate the foundations.

The treasures of the church includes an ancient Saint Thomas cross which was found near the ancient city of Sirkap. Other important things includes a pipe organ and a clock dated back to 1862.

Photo credit goes to Salman Rashid

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Delhi Gate of Lahore

 Delhi Gate

Delhi gate is one the thirteen gates of Lahore city. Many of them are completely destroyed by the British in 1857. The walls that covered the city were also completely destroyed along with the gates. Delhi gate was reconstructed in the 19th Century during British Raj. 

The gate is a route to many historical monuments like Shahi Hamam and Wazir Khan Mosque which are present at the the walking distance from the gate. The gate and the related monuments are put back to its old glory by Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan with the fundings of the Government of Norway.

In the reign of Mughal Emperors the Gate served as a main entrance to the city of Lahore. It is one of the remaining six gates that somehow survived British era. There was a Gun (Zamzama Gun) at the Delhi Gate which was relocated to its current location which is now in front of Lahore Museum on the Mall Road.

Zamzama Gun

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com