Mazar-e-Quaid

Location and the notable ceremonies:

The Jamshed Quarters area near Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi is the location of the tomb. Quad-e-Azam died in 1948 but the tomb was constructed 12 years after his death in 1960. The location is considerably calm as compared to the city buzz of one of the largest global economies which is centered not too far from the spot. The Karachiites can see the glowing and marvelous tomb from several miles at the night time. There are a few military and official ceremonies held here on annual basis on different notable occasions such as Pakistan Day (23rd August), Independence Day (14th August), Quaid’s birthday (25th December) and Quaid’s Death anniversary (11th September). When some dignitaries or other significant people from different countries visit Karachi then they do visit Mazar-e-Quaid on their official tour to the country which is a gesture of respect for the great Quaid-e-Azam.

Architecture:

The architecture of Mazar-e-Quaid has magnificent visual appeal. The design of the building was given by Yahya Merchant who is a renowned architect on global scale. The structure is built using the white marble having curved arches. The copper grills of the monument are elevated over a platform of 54 square meters. The covered area of Mazar-e-Quaid is 53 hectare and the dimensions of the center building are 75 x75 meters with a height of 43meters. The platform over which the building stood is 4 meters high above the ground surface. The entrance to the center building is given from all the 4 sides of the wall.

There are 15 fountains installed in succession which leads to the main platform from one side. From all the other sides, the terraced avenues lead to the main gates of the place. The inner chamber reflects beautifully the green of the 4-tiered dapper looking crystal chandelier. The chandelier has great relevance at Mazar-e-Quaid as it is a gift given by the People’s Republic of China who is the best friend country of Pakistan. The park that spans all around the mausoleum is decorated with spectacular beamed spot lights giving a charismatic feeling at night time that mesmerizes all its visitors. The beamed spot light is creatively projected at the mausoleum which further adds to the beauty and charm of the place.

In the grave complex, three graves are in succession while one is at the northern side. The northern grave is of Fatima Jinnah which is beautifully decorated with black floral design at its base. For the other three graves, the one at the northern side is of Liaquat Ali Khan. The southern end grave is of Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar and the middle one is of Noorul Ameen who was the Vice President of Pakistan. All the 4 graves here have a box type exterior and they are made from white marble (Italian).

Visitors Attraction:

Karachi is the 16th largest city of the world with lots of tourist attractions where Mazar-e-Quaid also holds a pivotal place.

As it is the last resting place of Quaid-e-Azam who is the founder of Pakistan, so every government gives special importance to the maintenance and preservation of Mazar-e-Quaid. It is the responsibility of the Sindh government primarily to look after its care and they are doing a good job. Proper security and maintenance staff is there who ensure that the place is well maintained with no signs of quality deterioration. Military professionals also take part in the security of Mazar-e-Quaid which significantly improves the level of services. It is probably the most well maintained significant monument of Pakistan which is visited by millions of visitors every year.

Frere Hall,Karachi

Location:

The Frere Hall is centrally located in the urban area of the city between the Abdullah Haroon Road and the Fatima Jinnah Road right in the midst of 2 spectacular lawns which extends well till these roads. The location is in the Civil Lines which is just next to the popular Marriott Hotel of Karachi. The Sindh Club, Japanese consulate and the US consulate are just a stone’s throw away.

History:

The enormous Frere hall was initiated in 1863 and the construction process was accomplished in just 2 years in 1865. It was initially used as a Town Hall during the British era. In the same British Colonial Era, the hall served as a house for displaying several busts which includes King Edward VII as well which was given as a gift from Seth Dinshaw. The Frere Hall has also staged several oil paintings on display of the former Commissioners in Sindh which includes the renowned personalities such as Sir Evan James and Sir Charles Pritchard.

It was in the Frere Hall in the year 1877 when the British rulers sat down to make an attempt for establishing the rules for the game of Badminton which was rising in popularity at that time.

Unfortunately, there was a terrorist attack just outside the US consulate which is next to Frere Hall, resulted in the closure of the place for general public until 2011 when it reopened in full bloom once again. The Hall reopened in the spring of 2011 as the US consulate by then was relocated in Karachi.

 

Architecture:

There were 12 architects who came up with the proposed design for the Frere Hall and the selected one came from Lt. Col Clair Wilson whose design standout among all. The hall was inaugurated in 1865 by Samuel Mansfield. Te total cost on the construction of the Frere Hall was 180,000 at that time. The government contributed with 10,000 towards the cost while the major contribution was made by the municipality.

Frere Hall is constructed in the Gothic Style (Venetian) using yellowish limestone with red and gray sandstones of Jungshai. In the exterior of the main Frere Hall are two scenic lawns which were originally named as Kin’s Lawn and the Queen’s Lawn.

There is a book fair organized on Sundays in its courtyards which have become the center of attention of many bookworms in Karachi and everybody else who visit the place from some other location

Tomb of Jahangir

History:

The tomb is located in the outskirts of Lahore in a place called Shahdara. The place was chosen for his tomb because Jahangir along with his wife Nur Jahan was in love with the place at the time they were living in the city. Jahangir after his death was buried initially in the Dilkushan Garden. But, it was his son Shah Jahan who thought and later acted upon in building a ‘Tomb befitting an Emperor’ in the honor of his beloved father. The historians call it as a venture of Shah Jahan but in reality, tomb was the vision of Nur Jahan, wife of Jahangir. It is also in history that she took the inspiration from the tomb of her father, Itmad-ud- Daulah and gave the idea of the designing of the Tomb of Jahangir in 1627. She played a great role in the entire architecture of the tomb and the designing of the gardens, which resulted in making her a permanent resident of Lahore after Jahangir’s death. The construction process took about a decade to get accomplished in the year 1637. The overall estimated cost for the construction at that time was about 1 million rupees. There are doubts about the funding sources of this tomb. According to some contemporary historians, the tomb might have been funded by Nur Jahan herself. But, there are also some historians who believe that it was funded through the imperial treasury.

Architecture:

The entrance to the tomb is through 2 massive gates made of stone and masonry. Both the gateways face each other in the opposite direction in the north and south directions of the mausoleum. After the entrance, you will reach Akbari Sarai squared enclosure. It further leads to another enclosure towards the western side which enables the visitors to have a full view of the gardens. Then further down are the bricked canals in which a number of fountains were there but ruined completely a few years back.

The tomb itself is a one floor building having a unique square shape ground floor. The structure has a tall tower with a projecting entrance from all 4 sides. The 4 corners of the tower are 100 feet high and give a spectacular vision from a distance. It is an invaluable heritage which needs some good maintenance.

The Tomb of Jahangir is adjacent to the Akbari Sarai and Asif Khan’s Tomb which is on the provisional list as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Sheesh Mahal

Location:

The Sheesh Mahal is located within the Shah Burj block in thr northren western corner of Lahore Fort.It was contructed in the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631-32.It is bassically a complex Mirror work of the finest quality.The hall was used by Imperial Family .It is among the 21 monuments that were built by the Mughal Emperors inside Lahore Fort.

History:

The solid brick foundations of Lahore Fort were laid in 1566 under the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar the Great on the location of an earlier mud-fort. To build the new fort, the Emperor brought experienced artisans after the completion of Fatehpur Sikri.[4] Later, Shah Jahan converted the fort into a pleasure resort and added Diwan-i-Khas, Moti Masjid, Naulakha Pavilion, sleeping chambers, and Sheesh Mahal in to the complex.Sheesh Mahal is located in Shah Burj block that was actually built by his predecessor Jahangir.The chamber was mostly used for private meetings.During Sikh Empire Shah Burj became the favourite place of Ranjit Singh.He built a Harem over the Sheesh Mahal.

Design:

Sheesh Mahal was built by Shah Jahan.It have five marbel arches supported by many coloumns,opens into courtyard.Precious stones were used to built Sheesh Mahal.Many decorative features also included in it.The hall was decorated with glass mosaic in different colours.

Conservation:

The additional construction carried out by Sikh and British rule of Punjab.In 1927 repair work of Sheesh Mahal was carried out.In 1975,Sheesh Mahal was listed as a protected monument under the Antiquities Act by the Pakistan’s Department of Archaeology.As a part of the larger part of Lahore Fort complex,it has been inscribed as a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE in 1981.

Today many tourist visit the Sheesh Mahal for their research work on histor as well as to see the residuals of the history.Many international tourist also came here every year because of  majestic work of glass.

Shalimar Gardens,Lahore

Location:

Shalimar Garden is located in lahore,in Punjab.The Garden was constructed in the Mughal Era and today it is the one of the pakistan’s most popular tourist destination.Shalimar Gardens are located near Baghbanpura along the GT road some of 5 Km of northeast of Lahore.

Background:

Shalimar Gardens were built by the Mughal Family just as a venue for them to entertain their guests.A large portion of the garden was open to general public.The design of these gardens was influenced by the Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir,which was constructed in the reign of Jahangir.The Shalimar Gardens were designed as a Persion style.The site of Shalimar Gardens actually belonged to the Arain Mian Family Baghbanpura.Mian Muhammad Yusuf ceded the site of Ishaq Pura to the Shah Jahan.In return Shah Jahan granted the Arain Mian Family governance of the Shalimar Gardens,and they remained under their custodianship for over 350 years.

History:

Construction of the Gardens began in 1641 and took 18 months to complete.Durin Sikh Era much of the Garden marble was pillaged and used to decorated the Golden Temple in Amritsar and for other places also.In 1962, the Shalimar Gardens were nationalised by General Ayub Khan because leading Arain Mian Family members has opposed his imposition of Material law in Pakistan.The annual Mela Chiraghan festival used to take place in the gardens until General Ayub Khan forbade it in 1958.

Shalimar Gardens in 1895

Design and Layout:

The Shalimar Gardens are laid out in the form of form of a rectangle aligned along a north-south axis, and measure 658 metre by 258 metres, and cover an area of 16 hectares. Each terrace level 4–5 metres (13-15 feet) higher than the previous level.The Shalimar Garden’s contain the most elaborate waterworks of any Mughal Garden.It contains 410 fountains, which discharge into wide marble pools.

Trees in Shalimar Gardens:

Some of the varieties of trees that were planted included:
Almond,Apple,Apricot,Cherry,Gokcha,Mango,Mulberry,Peach,Plum,Poplar,Quince Seedless,Sapling of Cypress,Shrubs,Sour and Sweet Orange,Pomegranate.

Conservation:

In 1981,Shalimar Gardens were included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Lahore Fort.Under the UNESCO conservation concerning the protection of the world’s cultural and natural heritage sites in 1972.

Rohtas Fort

Location:

Rohtas Fort is a 16th-century Fortress located near the city of Jehlum in the province of Punjab,Pakistan.it lies 8 km south of the GT road and approximately 16 Km NW of jehlum.The Fort is about 300 feet above it’s surroundings.Fort is 2660 feet above sea level and covers an area of 12.63 acres.

Background:

The fort was commissioned by Sher Shah Suri,founder of the Sur Empire.It was designed to block the advances of Mughal empror Humayun.The Fort occupies a strategic position between the mountains of Afghanistan and the plains of Punjab.The Fort was also design to defeat the local Gakhar tribes of the Potohar region.These tribes refuses to recognize the position of the Sher Shah Suri.

History:

SUR-PERIOD:
The emperor Sher Shah Suri ordered to construct the Fort after his victory over the Mughal emperor Humayun.Construction of the fort began in 1541.Fort was made primarily as a defense against the Gakhars.
MUGHAL-PERIOD:
The fort was soon conquered by the Mughal emperor Humayun in 1555,after the local governer Tatar Khan Khasi,deserted the fort ahead for the advances of the Mughal’s Army.After the advancement in the fort by the emperor Akbar,Fort came to serve as capital of the Gakhar tribes,as they are loyal to the mughal crown.
POST-MUGHAL:
The fort remained in use during the mughal era,and was continuously used utill 1707.Although the fort was not popular with the mughal rulers as there are no large gardens and great architecture as in the other forts of Mughal’s era.In 1825,the Sikh forces captured the fort from Gakhars and thereafter it was used gor administive purpose by sikh ruler Ranjit Singh.

an ancient fort in pakistan

Gates of the Fort:
Sohail.
Shah Chandwali.
Kabuli.
Shishi
Langar Khani.
Talaqi.
Mori or Kashmiri.
Khwas Khani.
Gatali.
Tulla Mori.
Pippli.
Sar.

There are many decorative Features in the fort and the architecture is wonderful.All the remainings of the Fort of today attracts the tourist to see them and to research the history about them. Therefore many tourist visit there to see the residuals of the history.

Murree

Murree is actually a mountain resort town.It is located in Galyat region of the Pir Panjal Range within the Rawalpindi district of Punjab. It lies northeast of Islamabad.It’s average altitude is 2,291 meters.This resort was first made by Major JAMES ABBOTT in 1847.Murree was founded in 1851 and permanent town was constructed completely in 1853.It have one main road at that time which is known as Mall Road today.Murree became popular tourist station for British within the British India.The population of the town was officially 1,844 although it will be 10,000 when summer visitors came here.It was the summer headquarters of the colonial Punjab Government until 1876 when it was moved to Shimla.Independence of Pakistan in 1947 doesn’t affect it’s popularity as a hill station.A large number of tourist come to visit here.The town also serve as a transit point for tourist’s visitng Azad Kashmir and Abbottabad.A variety of rare animal species can be found in murre which includes Leopard,Monkeys,Wild Boar and Foxes.A vide variety of birds can also be found here.The climate of murree is un-predictable.It can change any time.

 

Famous Personalities of Murree:

• Shahid Khakan Abbasi, Prime Minister of Pakistan.
• Ansar Abbasi, journalist and socially conservative commentator
  Muztar Abbasi, scholar.
• Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of Pakistan Navy.
• Mehtab Abbasi, politician.
• Marriyum Aurangzeb, politician.
• Kashif Abbasi, journalist, television talk show host and anchorperson
• Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, politician.
• Sadia Abbasi, politician.
• Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi, former justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and a former justice of Lahore High Court.
• Reginald Dyer, British Army Officer.

Places in Murre:

Murree have so much natural places which attracts the attention of tourist.These places are given below:
Patriata,Murree Wildlife Park,Murree Hills, Ayubia, Khanspur, Ghor Daka, Changla Gali, Kahairagali, Nathiagali, Kashmir Point, Pindi Point.

Murree is a natural place where the nature reveals it’s beauty at every time.One can see the natural beauty and calm atmosphere by visiting at Murree.

Kalam

Kalam is a best place for locals and tourists.It is a valley located at distance of 99 km from Mingora in the northern upper reaches of Swat valley.It have awesome wheather in summer.This valley is famous for it’s water falls,lakes and lush green hills.It is a popular destination for tourist in Pakistan.

Soon Valley

Soon Valley is situated in Khushab district of Punjab province.It is near Sargodha-Mianwali Highway.It is a tehsil of Khushab district.The valley have many Lakes,Ponds,Forests and Mountains.Sakesar is the highest point of the valley.Pakistan Air Force have a Radar and a communication setup at sakesar.

Sharan Forest

Sharan Forest is a dense natural forest in the Mansehra district of KPK province.The forest gives an excellent opportunities to the tourist,hikers & trekkers.Forest consist of many highest peaks. Manshi is a plateau adjacent to the forest over a hilltop at an elevation of around 2,867 M above sea level.