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Featured Pakistan: The Archaeological Marvel

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Takht-i-Bahi-Mardan- KPK


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Standing stones in Yusafzai Distt Swabi KPK (Pakistan).
Date: 1865

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Asota Megaliths of Shewa village in Swabi are perhaps one of the rarest and oldest surviving man-made features of the KP province. Often referred to as the “Stonehenge of Pakistan” the standing stones are believed to date back to the Achaemenian period (550-330 BC).

The researchers have associated the circle of stones, each stone approximately 10 feet high, with the philosophy of sun-worshippers of that time. It was a revered site and there may have been two other such ‘sun temple’ sites in the nearby area in the past, however, the Asota Megaliths have remarkably survived the ravages of time to this day. Many interesting myths and superstitions in the local folklore are connected with this curious circle of stones.

One legend recounts that once there was a marriage procession travelling from one village to another when they were ambushed by outlaws on the way. Fearing dishonour at the hands of the robbers the females in the party sought divine help, and they were petrified in their rock state that very instant. Locals identify different stone slabs with bride, groom and other members of the marriage procession.

The site was previously protected by the Federal Archaeology Department and has been transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Archaeology recently. This lesser-known wonder has tremendous tourism potential and is in need of urgent preservation and upkeep because of its unparalleled significance.
Felton Smith
 
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Mankyala Stupa is a Buddhist Stupa. Mankiala village is 36 km southeast of Islamabad. The stupa was excavated during the British colonial period, and the artefacts recovered are now on display at the British Museum.

This stupa was built to commemorate the place where, according to Jataka stories, Prince Sattva, an incarnation of the Buddha, sacrificed some of his tiger cubs.
Year: 1897..

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Lahore ...

LAHORE ‎
Lahore is the capital city of the Pakistani province of Punjab, the second largest metropolitan area in the country and 14th most populous city in the world. It is an important historical center in South Asia. With a rich history dating back over a millennium, Lahore is a main cultural centre of the Punjab region and Pakistan.

One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains an economic, political, transportation, entertainment, and educational hub. It is referred to as the "Mughal City of Gardens" due to the historic presence of gardens in and around the city dating back to the Mughal period. Lahore successively served as a regional capital of the empires of the Shahi kingdoms in the 11th century, the Ghaznavids in the 12th century, the Ghurid State in the 12th and 13th centuries and the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. From 1802 to 1849, Lahore served as the capital city of the Sikh Empire. In the mid-19th and early 20th century, Lahore was the capital of the Punjab region under the British Raj. Mughal structures such as the Badshahi Mosque, the Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, the mausoleum of Emperor Jehangir and Nur Jahan, Chauburji Gate, and the walled city are some of the major tourist attractions in the city. Lahore is also home to many British colonial structures built in the Indo-Saracenic style, such as the Lahore High Court, the General Post Office, Lahore Museum, Lahore Railway Station, and many older universities and colleges including the University of the Punjab, Govt College and King Edward Medical University. The Lahore Zoo, thought to be the fourth oldest in the world, is also situated here. Lahore is referred to as the cultural heart of Pakistan as it hosts most of the arts, cuisine, festivals, music, film-making, gardening and intelligentsia of the country. The city has always been a centre for publications where 80 percent of Pakistan's books are published, and it remains the foremost centre of literary, educational and cultural activity in Pakistan. It is also an important religious centre as it is home to hundreds of temples, mosques, churches and shrines like Data Durbar. According to the 1998 census, Lahore's population was 6,319,000. In July 2014, Index Mundi put the population of the city at 7,566,000. An estimate in January 2015 gave the population of the Lahore agglomeration as 10,052,000. It is ranked 34 in the most populated urban areas in the world and the 8th largest city within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The area of Lahore has almost doubled in the last 12 to 14 years. In 2010, Lahore was ranked as a Gamma+ world city. The Guardian has rated Lahore as the 2nd best tourist destination in Pakistan after Taxila.


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A rare old photo of Montgomery Hall, Lawrence Garden, Lahore.

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The hall was built probably in 1866 and was named after Sir Robert Montgomery (1809-87) who was a Colonial administrator, he became Lieutenant-Governor of Lahore (1859 to 1865). It is now part of the Quaid-e-Azam Library in Lahore, Pakistan.
Year: c. 1890s


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Buildings at Anarkali, Lahore..
 
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Under construction Tollinton Market Lahore, a photograph of 1863.


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The annual report of the buildings and roads department for 1863-64 mentions Tollinton market in the following words 'A building was erected at Anarkullee, Lahore, from local, provincial and imperial funds, for the Punjab Exhibition of natural products, arts and manufacturers which was opened on 20th January 1864, and closed in the first week of April.

The building is now to be used, one wing for the Lahore museum, and the other for public meetings and general purposes'.
 
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The Tomb of Jahangir: Sheikhupura near Lahore ..

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Nur-ud-din Muhammad Salim ‘Jahangir’ (31 August 1569 – 28 October 1627); ruled from 1605 until his death in 1627. He was the only great Mughal who is not buried in India apart from the founder of Mughal Empire Babur, buried in Kabul.

The emperor was ill, it was suggested by the Royal physicians that to recover from ill health he should visit Kabul and Kashmir. Due to cold weather in Kashmir he decided to move to Lahore. On the way to Lahore he died in the foothills of Kashmir near the town of Rajauri on 28 October 1627. A funeral procession transferred his body from Kashmir and arrived in Lahore on Friday, 12 November 1627.

The Dilkusha Garden in which he was buried was a "favourite spot" of Jahangir and his wife Nur Jahan, when they lived in Lahore. His son, the new Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, ordered that a "mausoleum befitting an Emperor" should be built in his father's honour to inter his remains.

His tomb is one of the magnificent example of Mughal art and architecture. There is some controversy who supervised the design, wife of the Emperor Nur Jahan or the son Shah Jahan. Both had very good eye on architectural design. Beautiful precious and semi-precious stones were used to beautify the grave with the ninety nine attributes of Allah are also engraved here.

The tomb suffered a great deal of destruction at the hand of Maharajah Ranjeet Singh who stripped the ornaments off the tomb and sent them to Amritsar in order to decorate a Sikh temple. The tomb was also used as the residence of a Sikh army officer of Spanish origin and Sultan Muhammad Khan, brother of Dost Muhammad khan of Kabul, caused great damage to the mausoleum.
 
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"Raghu Nath Temples Gurdwara complex Bagh Sardaran built by Sir Rai Bahadur Soojan Singh Raiese e Azam Rawalpindi Punjab Pakistan.

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In complex one Gurdwara, One Shiv mandir one Krishana Mandir, Gurdwara Sahib in main hall, one Smadhi of Nath Panthi saint, beautiful life size wall frescos of Sri Krishna Lila or other Hindu mythology. Interior still in real condition but surrounding 4 acer land ETBP gave on lease agreement.

Now days complex invisible from street side beacus of huge houses or other buildings rise up stories. In 2012 it waa very clear view of this comples whole complex under special branch of police.

It's very solid structure seem look like indo Gothic architecture one more thing srouver great bath of this compkex very different then other Gurdwaras or Mandir.

It was identity of Rawalpindi but now days just a office not allowed visit, not allowed photography.
 
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The tomb of Jam Nizamuddin at Makli in Sindh, one of the most important ruler of Summa dynasty (ruled from 1461 to 1509), is a stone structure with finest ornamental carving, akin to fifteenth century Gujrat style.

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Lake Saif-ul-Muluk, situated approximately 9 miles north of Naran in the Kaghan Valley, KPK, stands as a captivating natural wonder and a prominent tourist destination. Beyond its visual appeal, the lake is steeped in a local folklore, familiar to the region's residents but lesser-known to the wider audience.

This tale, featured in the renowned collection "1001 Arabian Nights" available in Bengali, Balochi, Farsi, Punjabi, and English, narrates the story of Prince Saif-ul-Muluk, an Egyptian noble. Prince Saif, enamored by a dream featuring a lake and a fairy named Badri Jamala, confided in his father about his desire to meet this enchanting figure.

Despite his father's counsel that their union was improbable due to their differing natures, Prince Saif embarked on a journey to find the fairy. After years of wandering, he sought guidance from a saint in Naran. Instructed to pray atop a mountain hill for 40 days, Prince Saif gained control over two Jinns.

They bestowed upon him a 'Sulemani Cap,' rendering him invisible to humans and enabling interaction with the supernatural. Empowered, the prince approached the lake where Badri Jamala resided. The narrative unfolds with the introduction of Deo-Safed, the furious guardian of the fairy, who pursued the couple.

The pursuit concluded tragically at a location now known as "Deosai." Legend further suggests that the Ansu lake in Kaghan Valley was formed from the tears of Deo-Safed, grieving the loss of his fairy.


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