THE STRANGE HISTORY OF AN INSCRIPTION IN MARGALLA;
REPRESENTING LOST BUILDING REST HOUSE ON HIGHWAY,
WORK OF MUHABBAT KHAN BY LUTUFULLAH AHMAD MUHANDIS.

“A very dangerous area, recognized by authorities, including Emperor Jahangeer as an area of “MAR GALLA”, means that dacoits used to cut the necks of travellers and were in the attention of authorities. Some translate it as “Mar” plundered and “galla” as goods caravan. It was decided by Governor Muhabbat Khan to make this place safe by building a palace type of rest house on this important highway. The Chief architect Ustad Ahmad Mimar was dead by 1649, but his son Lutufullah Muhandis was there, and given the job of construction of same. In time all the construction vanished but high above the mountain, the inscription remained for all to see.

It was noticed by passersby and most importantly by many scholars.The list includes Delmerik in 1871, Rehatsek in 1874, and then Shams ul Ulama Jivanji Jamshidji Modi in 1918. Being a person of some distinction, he had it copied and he printed his version of same. With time various scholars mentioned it and wrote their version of its transliteration. People like Dr Abdullah Chaghatai, Colonel Rasheed, and even Ahmad Nabi Khan. The problem was that various important words were chipped off and led to confusion in its translation. But Ahmad Nabi Khan took the bold step of removing it and placing it in the corridors of Lahore Fort. It was seen there for some years, and then disappeared again. Not traceable at present moment.  

The only issue was the architect. Governor Muhabbat Khan’s name was obvious. The Margalla pass was obvious. The poet who wrote it was named “Mughal” and that was obvious, but not known at present. The architect was challenging, as the named Ustad Ahmad Mimar was not alive in 1083 AH. He had died in 1059 AH. Colonel Rasheed came up with the solution PUR AHMAD MIMAR. It was ascertained that at times the person who wrote his name as that SON OF AHMAD MIMAR was no one else then Lutufullah Ahmad Muhandis, his beloved son. He was in the habit of writing his name like that, particularly where it would be on public display.

Life changes. Time passes. Written things outlive other things. Inscriptions and manuscripts beat the test of time. Who could have understood that the whole monument would disappear and the inscription would remain. It too travelled with time. I  always search for it. Perhaps it will be discovered again. But few care. Most people do  not care about anything. But history remains!