A DURBAR AT LAHORE WITH ITS LANDMARK ANARKULLIE
JOHN LAWRENCE ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE IN URDU LANGUAGE

ASSEMBLY OF RULERS OF PUNJAB AT LAHORE 18TH OCTOBER 1864

The role of Lord John Lawrence is not a small one. The British were on the verge of losing everything in Hindustan. Had the Army in Lahore not been disarmed over night, the War of Independence in Delhi would have taken a different turn! The Multan rebellion suppression was on the cards too. Lord Lawrence made good decisions for the Empire and saved it from premature collapse. So that Lahore may never be able to be a threat, the walls of Lahore were brought down as well as the Gates of Lahore. Houses demolished and big lanes made inside the city for elephants as well as horse cavalry to go inside the city whenever that may be the requirements of the time. Yes, Lord Lawrence was the Saviour of the British in Hindustan. In recognition of crushing the Mutiny, he was made Viceroy of India.

A grand Durbar was planned in Lahore in October, 1864, and all the Rajahs and Maharajahs and Men of power were invited to Lahore, to feast and rejoice. Men of power do not travel by their own selves, each Raja came with thousands of attendants and all were camped on the bank of the river Ravi, that is the grounds of Anarkullie. By that time the Freemason Hall had already been built in Lahore again in Anarkullie. Lord Lawrence was received in grandeur at the Lahore Railway Station, of which he himself was responsible in a big way. There was a dinner at Governors House, a levee, even a grand affair at Shalimar Gardens Lahore, and a private Durbar for Rajahs was also held in Lahore. The famous LAWERNCE HOUSE was inaugurated and the word Lawrence was on a plaque outside it. All this from about 11th to 18th October, 1864. The finale was the great Durbar itself, where every Rajah was individually presented to the Viceroy. The Order of Merit was also granted by the Viceory to a certain Rajah. It was all well planned to the dot mechanism, which Lord Lawrence was famous for in action. The most amazing thing was that Lord Lawrence well versed himself in Urdu Persian language and addressed the gathering in local Hindustani. An amazing feat as each person listened to him with undivided attention. Today the Urdu speaking nation is addressed in English by the rulers of the country. A switch which cannot be understood in plain terms.

Years later Lord Lawrence on his death bed, said to his wife I AM WEARY. she kissed him and he expired. The services of the Lawrence brothers can never be forgotten by the British Empire.

LATOAN KAY BHOOT BATOAN SAY NAHI MANTAY IS ADEPT NOW
MORALITY AND LEGALITY CANNOT DEFEAT MONOLITHIC CORRUPTION

The sad days for Pakistan becoming more and more sad as people watch

It is traditionally said that when you shake a honeycomb of bees, expect the worst bites possible from the bees. If you fiddle with a pit of snakes, obviously they are all going to start spitting venom at you. All this was predictable but the Pakistan Army is intelligent enough to have known that would happen when this beacon ray of hope was started for the people of Pakistan. If you do not crush the head of a snake, the snake becomes even more powerful and violent, and dangerous for everyone in the vicinity. For those who have sold their souls,what else could you expect?

General Raheel Sharif, this is your defining moment in life! Being constitutional and continue by the book will be a terrible blow, not merely for the people of Pakistan (the people know sufferings from decades), but for you yourself, as once the chance is gone, the Rahmat of Allah goes with it. On one hand there may be no Pakistan, and the other hand, there may be an insipid and impotent Pakistan, to be thrashed in the future by every Tom, Dick and Harry. A thousand years of chaos will descend on our region. Mothers will tell their children that VALOUR IS USELESS, the best of life is for the MIR JAFFERS of existence. Prove it wrong! Your last chance and our last chance. The souls of the millions who gave their life for Pakistan expect this from you. Train your guns on our Mir Jaffers for decisive fight for the existence of Pakistan.

A FOURTH CENTURY GUPTA SEAL FROM LAHORE (QUESTION)
MAHARAJA MAHESVARANAGA SON OF NAGA BHATTA

SOLD BY BAHADUR SHAH OF MOCHI GATE LAHORE

The story narrated by J.K. Fleet, recorder of Gupta Inscriptions goes like this. Yes, sixteen hundred years ago, there was Gupta period King by name of Maharaja Mahesvaranaga son of Naga Bhatta. There was a copper seal made by him. It was 1 1/4 inches high, 1/16 inches thick, oval shape of 1 7/8 inches by 1 5/8 inches, with a weight of 2 1/4 ozs, and it was unique in many ways. Obviously it had a cow on it, sitting on a straight line upturned at ends, with a hooded snake (No head to this snake, perhaps a stick of some mythological source) on its lower end and the name of the Raja as we know it. But the strangest part is that it had a CRESCENT on it. A crescent, a rising moon, the sign of Islamic civilization. In Hinduism we have the celebration of AMAVASYA and PURNIMA and I wonder if a coin legend is named after same. But if it was sixteen hundred years old, where did the Islam came from? The 1600 years conjecture is due to paleographical evidence only. That means the evidence of the writing and as it is Sanskrit, the presumed period of that writing. The writing is rather rough and not very calligraphic or beautiful in its flow. I think we can go further than that.

In 418-419 AH Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi issued a silver dirham at Lahore, at that time named as MAHMUDPUR. It had both languages on it. Islamic represented by Arabic and Hinduism represented by Sanskrit. We hear of Raja Jaipal ruling Lahore who was of BHATTI origin. Even today a gate of Lahore is named after Bhattis, namely Bhatti Gate, Lahore. Here we are told of a Raja by the name of NAGA BHATTA, a missing link in the history of Lahore.

The story of antique dealer Bahadur Shah is well known to us. He was the only person in Lahore dealing in antiques at that time. He had no penchant for getting things from elsewhere. His sources were Lahore itself. When General Cunningham bought this SEAL from him, and did not record its source, it is established that the source of the Seal was Lahore itself. A Bhatti Maharajah of Lahore is no coincidence. It is very well possible. In 1888 it was not possible to gather other evidence, but in the present times, more reliable dating can be given to the Seal. For us it is the earliest record of a Maharajah from Lahore itself., To confuse his use of the name NAGA as with the semi divine race of Nagas, who lived according to legend under the earth, is a mere speculation. Naga is a symbol of respect for Hindus and named after a snake is no confusion for divinity. The name of this Raja appears nowhere else. For us it is a rare break through of knowledge about Lahore.

MONGOLS PASSED THROUGH LAHORE
UNCHARTED HISTORY OF CHANGEZ, HALAKU AND OTHERS

GENERAL HASSAN Al-BALKHI MARTYRDOM IN LAHORE

We all know that Changez Khan swept all over Asia, and empire after empire crumpled under him. The hordes of the Mongols were unstoppable and yet history is never really clear about things. Why not Hindustan? Iltutmish ruled here and why was Sultan of Delhi so spared from such anguish? A little by little can be picked up from here and there.

Changez Khan wanted to cross Qaraqoram through Lakhnauti and Kamrud, and sent a delegation to Iltutmish requesting permission to do so. Sultan Iltutmish refused but honoured the guests in a big way. Changez Khan respected the sovereignty of Sultan. It speaks well of the moderation of Changez khan and his scrupulous observance of international practice of that time.

The Mongols spared the Sultanate of Delhi all the time. But the frontiers like Lahore were ravaged again an again. In 1241 the first organized attack on Lahore came, and the city was taken over by the Mongols. Sometimes they would appoint a resident here and Lahore would be known as IQTAH of the Mongols. Sometimes Sher Khan was in control, at times Kashlu Khan, and they had more sympathy for Halaku Khan, than Ghiyas ud din Balban in Delhi. Sher Khan the resident of Lahore in 1253 revolted and transferred his allegiance to Halaku Khan. He also received a Mongol resident. In 1257 he even went to Khurassan to enlist help of Halaku Khan. Although he was received warmly by Halaku Khan, Halaku also followed previous policies and forbade his troops from moving to Delhi, But the Mongols from time to time did ravage the Punjab as well as Lahore. We hear of their presence in different ways, like that of Hassan Al Balkhi’s martyrdom at Lahore. This brings us to the year 643 AH or 1245 AD. Driven out of Balkh by Changez Khan Khan, it was at the frontiers of Lahore, that Hassan Al-Balkhi met his martydom at the hands of Quli Khan grandson of Changez Khan. In Lahore we hear again and again

SO SUKH CHABARA,

NO BALKH NA BOKHARA.

It seems that the Chabara became Lahore and the mighty cities of Balkh and Bokhara were forgotten for him. It was a grand mausoleum and the inscription is of red stone. Nawab Bhikari Khan when he constructed the Golden Mosque, he relocated this grave which was actually in the hujra of Hassan Al Balkhi. The Mongols got their presence in Lahore.

The mausoleum of Said Mitha inside the cityt and others are all reflections of that era in Lahore. Said Mitha in future blogs.

P.S. The date is 643 AH, not 543 AH as adversely printed in book.

THINKERS ARE OFTEN ISOLATED AND LEFT ALONE
SOCIETY CARES LEAST FOR THOSE WHO DO MOST

The plight of Ms Shameem Anwar in her last days

Obviously I met Ms Shameem Anwar at least a few times, if not more. Our paths were destined to cross each other. Our joining force was naturally G.A. Pervaiz, who was an icon of my father M.A. Rahman Chughtai. My father knew Dr Allama Iqbal personally for about twenty years and there was no reason that Pervaiz Sahib should not cross his way. The relationship started from Turkman road, Delhi itself, long before Karachi and Lahore. My father financially supported the project of Pervaiz Sahib, and we have more than 71 letters of Pervaiz Sahib to prove our point. My father did not leave Pervaiz Sahib in his times of need. That is why on 17th January, 1976, Pervaiz Sahib attended a memorial meeting (he rarely went to other places) on the first death anniversary of the artist and his speech is on record. But that later. This is about Ms Anwar. Visitor of both our home and museum, she brought her own radiations here.

Ms Shameem Anwar was part of our family in more ways than one. Her relationship with my sister is on absolute record. One day in the drawing room of our house, I heard them talking on the phone. Ms Shameem Anwar was crying that her final book was ready and she wanted so much to print it, but there was no one to finance it. Tolou Islam refused to finance the same for reasons of their own. I could not take the despair of Ms Anwatr for even a second. I marched in the office of Tolou Islam, asked them how much it would take to finance the book. They quoted an amount, and I took it out of my pocket and gave it to them. They took some time in printing it and by that time the dear lady had Alzheimers and could not remember anything for long. She did not know that her book was being published at my expense. I got no call from her but I was happy to have done what I did. In fact I was told that another party had come forward to finance it and I could take my money back. But I refused same.

No loud clapping with the publication of LOUD THINKING. We gave the cover panting which was requested by her with our blessings. It got printed. The work got done. But it should also makes us look into ourselves. There are students of her who have walked on the opposite way and are doing well beyond their wildest dreams. That is life. Many ears are deaf to loud thinking. The seduction of our inner shaitans is ever present. Controlling them requires thinking and pondering and advance to sublimity of life.

SKELETONS AND DEMONS WAS THE VERY FIRST IMAGERY
ON THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF SAADAT HASSAN MANTO

Destined to remain with him for rest of his life

It is said that on the suggestion of Abdul Bari Alig, Saadat Hassan Manto started translating macabre writings. At the age of 21 years, his first book was published in Lahore in 1933, and I wonder if anyone remembers even seeing it. It had skeletons and demons on it being the tale of a man destined to die on the gallows. It must be in some archives but I had not seen any image of it. So when I came across such an image, I thought it best to share it with others as an historical aesthetics development in the life of an anti-hero of the region.

Who designed the cover? One really does not know and the book says nothing except that the cover was printed at Victoria Press, Lahore. There is an introduction by the translator as he calls himself Saadat Hassan Manto Amritsari, resident of Kocha Wakeelan, Amritsar. He thanks his friend Abdul Bari and dedicates the translation to the Daughter of the Dying man. Victor Hugo’s debate about the death sentence is discussed in the introduction. Our said copy has the signature of the translator as it is given to Maulana Hamid Ali Khan as a present.

One of the original covers for Victor Hugo’s book was designed by John Heartfield and it is not as macabre as our published version in Lahore. From which version Manto drew his inspiration we do not know. The films of Lon Chaney were there as well as Jinn masks being sold in Amritsar and Lahore for children. The role of modern media remains in confusing the public with clear visions of their existence.

ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MIND OF TWENTIETH CENTURY
QUAID E AZAM M.A. JINNAH WAS NOT CONFUSED IN ANY WAY

PSYCHOS PUTTING THEIR OWN CONFUSION FOR FINANCIAL TERMS

I grew up in a Pakistan which had no confusion about its Icons. The intellectual as well as the man on the street knew what was best for Pakistan. I think the most outstanding thing about Pakistan was utter clarity in all matters. In recent years it started coming up, then more and more, hired nobodies trying to derail our Ideology with stupid, crass street smart ideas. As they are no intellectuals, how could they understand the struggle of intellectualism in Pakistan? We went abroad many times. Met hundreds of goras everywhere and talked with pride about our country and its forward looking ideas. We were always appreciated by others.

Three people made Pakistan. Dr Allama Iqbal with the Idea of Pakistan. Quaid e Azam by implementing it against all odds. And G.A. Pervaiz who brought the Mullahs under control, although a thousand Mullahs could declare him as a Kafir. In fact Mullahs have always condemned all three makers of Pakistan as Kafir e Azam or Kafirs. Pakistan was not made for Mullahs to reign or Seculars to confuse the Nation. It was made to restore the pristine qualities of Islam as the first step towards a global revolution. No one can deny that!

If the confused people really want to undo their confusion, they should read two essential books. One Dr Allama Iqbal’s RECONSTRUCTION OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT IN ISLAM and the other G.A. Pervaiz’s ISLAM A CHALLENGE TO RELIGION. Everything will become crystal clear.

THE MANTRA OF AKHUND BHARAT AND SAME CULTURE
NO OBJECTION TO WHAT HINDUS DO, IT IS THEIR RIGHT

BUT OUR CULTURE NOT IN ANY WAY LIKE THAT, SO WHO IS CONFUSING

The Two Nation theory is not legend, it is a fact of life. We have no objections to the believes of other religions. It is their due right. But for people like us, even a drop of urine soils our clothes and we are unhappy with ourselves, till we wash ourselves by taking a complete bath or otherwise. Why then the Mantra of same culture? In what way are we the same? No public relationing in the world can erase the differences. I do not carry any hatred or prejudice against any one else. They are welcome to their way of life. But that is not our way.

Was this Akhand Bhaat ever there? Yes once in history it became one and that was under Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgeer. The name hated by the protagonists of Akhand Bharat. Were the Rajas of various areas friendly to each other? Was there peace or fighting and bickering all the time. And what about the various castes in India. In Islamic culture there was egalitarianism but there was rigid class system with Hindus. The amazing part was that the common people were not even permitted to take part in wars and other matters. Too low to even read sacred books of their own. Obviously Islam had an impact on India, and that impact can be seen to this day.

We want India and Pakistan to live in peace and co-exist with each other harmoniously. To accept each others way of life. That is okay! But to dub the same as one culture is a figment of imagination which no heart and mind can ever accept in any way. Peace is our ultimate aim in life.

PANIC OF SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC IN LAHORE 1850

HENRY LAWRENCE ORDERS DRIVE AGAINST ITS SPREAD

VARIOUS AREAS OF LAHORE IN PRECAUTIONARY DRIVE

A Smallpox epidemic swept Hindustan in the 19th century. There was no cure, just precautions. Probably millions died all over India in the spread of disease. Countless disfigured for a life time. Smallpox came to Lahore too but a lot of precautions were taken by Sir Henry Lawrence. We introduce an order by this Administrator of Lahore for clean sweeping all areas and the possible cure of same. The Hindus believed that the disease was started by Goddess Shitala and the cure was also given by her. The Muslims also must have resorted to prayers. The real need was cleanliness and it was undertaken by Henry Lawrence. The details can be read in his order for dealing with the disease in Lahore.

DEATH OF ANOTHER ICON OF PAKISTAN

On 17th January, 2016 Ms Shameem Anwar died in bed. She was responsible for teaching at Kinnaird College for a number of years, as well author of a few books. Her most famous book was the IDEA OF PAKISTAN. She worked all her life for Women emancipation and was loved by both her students and colleagues. Allah bless her soul!