Jain Swamber Temple Inside Bohar Gate Multan

Introduction
Jaina Mandir or Jaina temple belongs to the Suembra Sect of Jain Religion. It is located near Chowk Bazar, near Masjid Phool Hathan, Inside Bohar Gate, Inner Walled City Multan. It is one of 52 historic places to restore in Multan.

How Old
Perhaps 100 year old Mandir

Title Photo

Historic Jain Temple Inside Bohar Gate Multan

Location Map
Located inside Bohar Gate near Chowk Bazar of Multan City
Access to the temple is through a narrow street in front of Phool Hattan Mosque.

Few Photos

Historic Jain Mandir / temple in Multan

Historic Jain Mandar / temple in Multan

Historic Jaina Mandir / temple in Multan

Historic Jain Mandir / temple in Multan ceiling

Historic Jain Mandir / temple in Multan

      

JAIN MANDIR (JAINA TEMPLE) MANDIR JAIN SWAMBER

Monument

JAIN MANDIR (JAINA TEMPLE) MANDIR JAIN SWAMBER

Location

CHOWK BAZAAR NEAR MASJID PHOOL HATTAN, Inside Bohar Gate

Status

Not Protected

Owner

Evacuee Property Trust Board, Govt. of Pakistan (EPTB) (Non-Muslim Auqaf)

Use

FORMER: JAIN TEMPLE
PRESENT: MADRASSA (Jamia Hamidia Taalim-ul-Quran)

Period / Date

CIRCA 1850.

Historical Notes

The building is usually referred to by local people as Jain Mandar but there is not a single reference to it in any published work on Multan except a mention of its name by Ikramul Haq (p. 128). It is still stranger that in voluminous literature that is available on the history and the people of Multan there is no mention of existence of Jain community living in this city – presently or in the past. The 1923-24 Edition of Multan Gazetteer devotes about ten pages to the Non-Christian Religions of Multan (118-127) but there is not a single word about the presence of Jain community in Multan. Only in the 1901-02 edition of District Gazetteer of Multan (Extracts p. 109) there is an oblique reference to the existence of this community. Among various characters of styles of writing among the people of Multan the Compiler mentions the existence of type of writing called “Bhabra Akhar” i.e. “alphabet of the Bhabras” – A Bhabra in the Punjab is always an equivalent of a Jain Businessman. Fortunately, Ikram-ul Huq also informs us that this Jaina Mandir belongs to the Suembra Sect of Jain Religion – the other sect being Digambra.

Description / Main Features

The temple is built upon a raised platform which has a series of shops at street level. A steep flight of steps leads up to the entrance which in turn takes the visitors to the central hall of the temple. The hall is two-storey high and is surrounded by chambers on both the levels. Ceiling of this hall is decorated with paintings and mirrors and is an excellent work of art and fortunately well preserved. There are three arched openings on each of four sides of the hall. Some other paintings on walls and remnants of sculptures are also still intact, which is a rare phenomenon for a building which has been in use as an Islamic madrassa forsome time now. Above the main hall is a usual temple sakhara with melon shaped capping and a pinnacle or kalas. Door frames are very well carved and, at places, are fitted with beautiful jalli’s. The wood carving on the main entrance door reads out the original name of the temple “Shiri Vishwanath Jain Shwetambar Mandir” At one place there is a large size wall painting on a large marble slab depicting what appears to be a road map showing access to some religious site. This is similar to the partly carved and partly painted map on two marble slabs from a Jaina Temple (Bhabra Mandar) in Gujranwala now on display in Lahore Museum. There are two stairs leading to a basement/lower ground floor on the two extreme wings. A first floor has room looking down on to the main hall in the centre.

Access / Environs

Access to the temple is through a narrow street in front of Phool Hattan Mosque. The façade, which is completely hidden behind the awnings hung by shop keepers, mainly comprises a central entrance and a number of chambers at first storey level.

Present Condition

At present the building is being used as a religious school called Jamia Hamidia Taalim-ul-Quran. A flight of steep steps of white marble lead to the main temple hall. Front of roof is with false ceiling over wooden battens. Front door is solid wood carved. The Main hall is in relatively better condition but overall the building has developed serious structural cracks in walls and vaults and these pose a serious danger to the stability of the structure. If no remedial action is taken immediately, the building may collapse at any time causing much damage to life and property. The interior floor appears original, is laid in white and black marble however in a poor condition. Columns are octagonal with the plaster finish in a poor condition. Similarly the roof ceiling plaster is also in very poor condition. It is profusely decorated with Taksim Bandi on the roofs and Hindu motifs on the walls and niches. The roof structures are riddled with dangerous and deep cracks in all walls and running the length of the ceiling vaults. The external walls have cracks above all openings. Overall condition is extremely poor and the risk of collapse is high.

INTERVENTIONS

The temple is in a reasonable original condition with a large amount of original decorative features maintained despite the fact that a madrassa is functioning within the premises. Due to poor maintenance there are structural cracks and the building needs immediate stabilization measures. No serious intervention ever seems to have been made in this building ever since its construction. A few interventions that can be detected at present are the construction of a partition wall, a supporting wall for black-board or a small water tank. Leakages from the water taps and the sewage pipes, possibly installed recently by the Madrassa administration is causing damage to the structure.

Proposal

EPTB should immediately take control of this monument and try to restore it to its original form The building can be used as a small museum devoted to local crafts or representative of Hindu culture of Multan.

References

The only reference to this Mandar is found in Huq, p. 128 but it comprises a composite name of Mandar Anarsinghpuri wa Mandar Jain Suembra Chauri Sarai

Environmental Notes

• Bohar Gate.

• Vehicular Access / Parking

  Access is available through the bazaar street; no parking.
  

• Use of Space

  The mandar is used as a school and madrassah for 100 students; adjacent rooms of the temple are used for commercial storage.
  

• Visitor Facilities

  Toilets and ablution facilities have been installed.
  

• Electricity

  Electricity is available with a KWH meter.
  

• Sewerage

  Open drains run along Coti-Sirai Bazaar, they are very poorly maintained and are eroding the masonry.
  

• Drainage

  Drainage flows from the main entrance of the temple (now closed) to the bazaar road.
  

• Electricity

  Electric poles sit adjacent the gate, and the area around it is commercial, hence the place is well lit.
  

• Solid Waste

  ASolid waste generated by the madrassah is deposited in the nearby streets. There are piles of building debris on the roof of the building, including garbage in the chamber of the mandar itself. Garbage has collected at the main entrance of the building which is now kept closed.
  

• Pavement and surfaces

  Courtyard and verandah have marble tiled floors; terrace floor is PCC concrete.
  

• External threats

  The AC unit of an adjacent building has been attached to the fabric of the mandar; vandalism.
  

• Condition

  The central chamber is supported by brick pillars, the bases of which are eaten away by dampness. Walking on the 1st floor central portion causes vibrations as a result of deflection. Separation cracks are visible throughout, with serious cracks visible in the walls of the side chambers, major separation cracks above the openings of all rooms, in the recessed arches and walls. Dampness is rising in the walls and is aggravated where ablution area has been installed. The roof structures are riddled with dangerous and deep cracks in all walls and running the length of the ceiling vaults. The external walls have cracks above all openings. Overall condition is extremely poor and risk of collapse is high.
  

Topic Ends here. Also check few other labels related to this topic.

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan

An easy apporach, although inside the inner city but very near to Bohar Gate. At walking distance from Bohar Gate but also can be accessed from Lohari Gate.
Shrine- Jamal-ud-Din Syed “Shah Yousaf Gardez”

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan

View Larger Map

The saint was born in Gardez, near Ghazni in Afghanistan in 1058 AD he arrived in Multan sometime between1086 AD and 1088 AD, and settled on the banks of a branch of River which then flowed where Bohor Gate is today. He stayed in Multan for 50 years and died here in 1136 AD. He was buried in his own hujra on the bank of the branch of River Ravi near his residence. It was around his residence that the city of Multan once again grew after the destruction wrought at the hands of Ghaznavids. The tomb proper was built in 1150 AD i.e14 years after his death. Today, the tomb is inside the walled city near the same gate. The present building is the result of many renovations, interventions and alterations particularly in its decorations both internally and externally. This is the earliest mausoleum in Multan and differs in all its essentials from the mausoleum architecture which later on developed in and became the hallmark of Multan. The mosque on the south of the tomb was built by Sher Shah Suri (1639-1655 AD).

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan Gate

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan and Moque

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan full of glazed blue tiles

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan roof

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi Multan

Shrine of Shah Yousaf Gardez Multan

Wonderful photo at Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardez Multan

An ayat at Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardez Multan

Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardez LCBMIT principal Multan

A doucumentary video about Multan and Shah Yusuf Gardez
Enchor says
Here is the Shrine of founder of Modern Multan one of the ancient living human civilization on planet earth. The name of Sufi or Saint who stated it as modern place for living is Hazrat Shah Yusuf Gardez He started the city as a modern city was a person with vision to bring and create harmony and community in this particular piece of land and started his work through education and the first institution in this place and as well as social welfare for example few clean drinking water by installing few wells for public regardless of their origin religion and background. It had a great impact on natives and they started sitting in his meeting and ripping the fruit of  his knowledge and skills by queering, self restraing as well as education which was at that time was negligible in other parts of this world. Communities from various faiths like Hindus who used to worship the Sun started visiting him to get benefit from his wisdom
The shrine behind me does not have a doom it is very ordinary shrine but is one of the best symbol of architecture. And what we see in this place is, which is surrounded by the generations of people who came here from many many parts of the world. And when he came here for more than 1000 year in first millennium  He penetrated the society not only spiritaulay and religiously but also worked politically.
The boundary around the whole Multan city was defined by Shah Yusuf Gardez.

   

Bohar Gate Multan

It is located in Faseel of Multan. Between the Haram Gate and Hussain Agahi Bazar

Wrong renovated and full of banners is Bohar Gate Multan

This gate was towards the river Channab and all along the way from this gate upto Channab River there were abundant Bohar Trees that times and so is its name.

Few other photos of Bohar Gate are here 

Multan: Bohar Gate

Bohar gate Multan

Bohar gate Multan

Bohar gate Multan

Bohar gate






Bohar gate Multan



 

Location Map

View Bohar Gate in Larger Map

Things Closely related to Bohar Gate are

• Jain Mandir
• Shrine of Shah Yusuf Gardezi
• Masjid made by Sher Shah Suri
• Paper Market

      

BOHOR GATE / ALUNG ROAD / CIRCULAR ROAD

Monument
BOHOR GATE
Location
BOHOR GATE / ALUNG ROAD / CIRCULAR ROAD
Status
Listed by MCM
Owner
MCM
Use
FORMER: GATEWAY
PRESENT GATEWAY
Period / Date
1854
Historical Notes
No recorded history indicates when the city-wall was constructed for the first time, how many gates there were in the beginning and when were the present six gates given their present names. The first clear cut mention of these six gates arises in the middle of the 19th century. If we accept the claim of Nazir (45) that the city wall as constructed by Ali Muhammad Khakwani in 1756 we have reason to believe that the six gates were also provided, constructed and named by this great benefactor of Multan . The history of Bohar Gate, therefore must also commence from this date. It was definitely intact during the Siege of Multan 1848-49.
Description / Main Features
A gate existed at this site even in the early 19th century when Cunningham wrote about Multan. This was damaged considerably when the British annexed Multan in 1849. It was totally demolished in 1854 when the city expanded. A new gate was thus built. The present structure is a combination of 2 double storey castellated towers with flat band above and is without much decoration.
Access / Environs
The Gateway is now surrounded and engulfed by encroachments, shops and hoardings. The gate can be approached from Alang Road and Circular Road.
Present Condition
The pylons have been plastered whereas the center and top is in deep struck pointing. Hoardings and banners completely destroy the elegance of the Gateway. Encroachments are abutting the turrets of the gateway. There is lot of debris lying on the landings and bridge on the upper level. The plaster has peeled off in numerous locations. The staircase opens onto the bridge and there is no cover or protection in this opening causing rainwater to collect inside the tower.
INTERVENTIONS
After its construction in 1756, the gate must have been damaged during the prolonged Siege of the City in 1848. In any case on the excuse of providing the better hygienic facilities with the city, the city walls were lowered down in height and only here gateways were allowed to retain their gate-buildings including Bohar Gate. The three gates standing gates of the Walled city differ in details from one another since they were not built simultaneously. After independence in 1947, all the three gates were found in poor condition and were consequently repaired at different times. Bohar Gate was repaired with cement plaster and then whitewashed.
Proposal
Placing of hoardings, sticking of bills and painting of advertisements on the gate should be prohibited. Removal of encroachments especially those occupying rooms on ground floor must be got vacated.
References
Cunningham, V, 126 (Bor gate); Nazir,,44-5, 97,105,126;,Latif, 38, 51; Wasti, 178-186

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Environmental Notes

• Bohar Gate.
  
• Vehicular Access / Parking
  The Bohar Gate is located in the walled city of Multan. It is accessible to vehicular traffic from all directions through roads, and car parking is available.
  
• Use
  Commercial use. Shops are all around, and even within the structure of the gate there are meat and vegetable shops.
  
• Visitor Facilities
  There are no other visitor facilities except a little parking place.
  
• Sewerage
  Open drains are running along the bazaars and around the gate.
  
• Drainage
  The slopes and gradient of the area is steep towards outer circular road that surface runoff quickly flows towards main road.
  
• Electricity
  Electric poles sit adjacent the gate, and the area around it is commercial, hence the place is well lit.
  
• Solid Waste
  As this is a business area, flocks of people visit it daily, hence a lot of solid waste is generated which gets deposited next to the northern part of the gate and also at other corners from where the staff of CDG disposes it off.
  
• Floors & Pavements
  All roads around the gate are bituminous roads.
  
• External threats
  The construction of buildings abutting the gate and the demolition of the original city wall has lead to the loss of the authenticity of this gateway. The encroachments must be removed and possibly the wall reconstructed to indicate the majesty of the gateway.
  
• Condition Survey
  The structure is British Period brick work load bearing masonry. It is stable. However the open drains and dampness around the gate may later on develop settlement problems. The other commercial buildings are very much attached with the southern part of the gate which not only provide an ugly look but may cause structural problems.