Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Historical Khyber Pass

The Khyber Pass is the mountain pass that links Pakistan and Afghanistan at an altitude of 1,070 m or 3,510 feet.


Throughout history it has been an important trade route between Central Asia and South Asia and a strategic military location.

The summit of the Khyber Pass is 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) inside Pakistan at Landi Kotal and it cuts through the northeastern part of the White Mountains or Koh-e-Safaid - extension of the Hindu Kush range.For centuries, it has been a trade route between south and north Asia.

Every stone in the Khyber has been soaked in blood. Rudyard Kipling called it "a sword cut through the mountains."

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Uch Sharif



Uch Sharif is one of the beautiful historical sites in Pakistan. Located at the confluence of the Sutlej and Chenab, Uch Sharif is a wonderful tourist destination. Different historians have different views about the history of Uch Sharif, some say the town was there before the reign of Bikramajit. Uch Sharif was under the Hindu ruler before Alexander's invasion.

Uch Sharif is basically famous for various beautiful shrines and tombs. The beautiful shrines and tombs are what attract many tourists to Uch Sharif. Uch Sharif has been divided into three sections, which are named after three important personalities and rulers. Uch Bukhari is named after the name of Hazrat Syed Jalaluddin Bukhari Surkhposh while Uch Jilani has borrowed its name from Hazrat Shaikh Mohammad Ghaus Qadri Jilani. The third section is Uch Mughlian is named after the Mughal rulers.


Some of the famous shrines in Uch Sharif include Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh Bukhari, Makhdoom Jahanian Jahangasht, Hazrat Bahawal Haleem, Shaikh Saifuddin Ghazrooni and Bibi Jawandi. The tomb of Bibi Jawinidi is a wonderful monument that is beautifully designed and is covered in a number of tiny blue tiles that present wonderful sight when sunrays fall on them. The shrine of Jalauddin Bukhari is a must visit sight at Uch Sharif. The saint is believed to have converted the legendary warrior Genghis Khan to Islam.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Shalimar Gardens (Lahore)

Shalimar Bagh

Sometimes written Shalamar Gardens, is a Persian garden and it was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in Lahore, modern day Pakistan. Construction began in 1641 CE (1051 AH) and was completed the following year. The project management was carried out under the superintendence of Khalilullah Khan, a noble of Shah Jahan's court, in cooperation with Ali Mardan Khan and Mulla Alaul Maulk Tuni. The Shalimar Gardens are located near Baghbanpura along the Grand Trunk Road some 5 kilometers northeast of the main Lahore city. There are five geographical sources of inspiration for Shalimar Gardens.

Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Shalamar Bagh is one of the most beautiful sites in Pakistan. Its gardens and refreshing fountains attract a large number of visitors. The site consists of three levels of garden terraces which were watered by a canal; which also waters the exquisite marble terrace. It has a total of 410 fountains at all levels and a large variety of fruit trees.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lahore Fort

Lahore Fort

As the name suggests, this fort is situated in the city of Lahore – in fact, it is one of the prized buildings of the walled-city of Lahore or Old Lahore. Although the origins of the fort are older, the present structure is said to have been built by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The Fort itself acted as a geo-strategic site that met Kashmir, the Afghan areas, and Multan. Decorated with Mughal architecture, the Fort complex includes such architectural marvels as Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and Badshahi Mosque.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Islamia College Peshawar

Islamia College
 
Situated in Peshawar, Islamia College was established in 1913 by Nawab Sir Sahabzada Abdul Qayyum and Sir George Roos Kepel. The idea of Abdul Qayyum, an educationist-cum-politician, was to build an educational institute that imparts modern education to the Muslims. Later on, the students of Islamia College played an important role in the movement of independence for Pakistan; even Jinnah visited the College thrice.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Quaid's Residency

Quaid s Residency

Situated in Ziarat, a hill station in Balochistan province, the Residency was where Pakistan's founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent the last days of his life. The ailing Jinnah was recommended a rest and Ziarat was the best choice for its fragrance and fresh mountain air. There, the Residency, a wooden structure, provided the founder with the perfect retreat.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Sheesh Mahal Lahore
















The Sheesh Mahal (The Palace of Mirrors) is located within the Shah Burj block in northern-western corner of Lahore Fort. It was constructed under the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631-32. The ornate white marble pavilion is inlaid with pietra dura and complex mirror-work of the finest quality. The hall was reserved for personal use by the imperial family. It is among the 21 monuments that were built by successive Mughal emperors inside Lahore Fort, and forms the jewel in the Fort’s crown.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Baha-ud-Din Zakariya Multani

Baha-ud-din Zakariya was a Sufi of Suhrawardiyya order. His full name was Al-Sheikh Al-Kabir Sheikh-ul-Islam Baha-ud-Din Abu Muhammad Zakaria Al-Qureshi Al-Asadi Al Hashmi. Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya known as Bahawal Haq was born at Kot Kehror, a town of the Layyah District near Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, around 1170. His grandfather Shah Kamaluddin Ali Shah Qureshi Al-Hashmi arrived in Multan from Mecca en route to Khwarezm where he stayed for a short while. In Tariqat he was the disciple of renowned Sufi master Shaikh Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi who awarded him Khilafat only after 17 days of stay at his Khanqah in Baghdad. For fifteen years he went from place to place to preach Islam and after his wanderings Bahawal Haq settled in Multan in 1222.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Kot Deji Fort

Sindh has some of the oldest historical sites in the world; Kot Deji Fort (1785-1795) is one of such places. It is located in Khairpur Pakistan. Dating back 3000 years it was constructed during the reign of Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur. Formally known as the Ahmadabad Fort, it was originally built for military purpose. It is located on a 110 feet high limestone hill at the edge of the desert. With its location and style of construction it was considered invincible, however it was never attacked. During the times of peace, it was used as a residence by the Ameers of Khairpur.


Thursday, January 6, 2011

Minaret of Masum Shah (Sindhi)




















The minaret of Syed Nizam-ud-Din Mir Muhammad Masum Shah is the most conspicuous structure of Sukkur town. Syed Masum Shah was the governor of Mughal Emperor Akbar who appointed him as the Nawab of Sukkur. The minaret was built in about 1607 the monument, built of red brick, is more or less conical in shape, slightly off the perpendicular and surmounted by a dome to which an internal stone staircase gives an access. It is about 26 metres in circumference and has 84 steps to the top. It is about 31 metres feet in height and can be seen from miles away. This minaret is believed to have been used as a watch tower.

Family and offspring of Syed Nizam-ud-Din Mir Muhammad Masum Shah still lives in old sukkur where He lives during ruling time. The minaret and its surroundings are still under power of Masumi Family even though Government of Pakistan has taken the management control of this historical.