St Maries Cathedral in Multan

St Maries Cathedral in Multan
Photography by Dr Junaid (DJ's Production)

Mandir Shah Majeed

 

 

MANDAR SHAH MAJEED

Monument

MANDAR SHAH MAJEED

Location

OPPOSITE THE ENTRANCE OF PHOOL HATTAN MOSQUE At the meeting place of Bazaar Chauri Sarai and CHOWK BAZAR

Status

LISTED BY EVACUEE PROPERTY TRUST BOARD

Owner

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

Use

FORMER: TEMPLE
PRESENT: REDUNDANT

Period / Date

CIRCA 1850/ 1944 (Wasti, 176-77)

Historical Notes

Limited information tells us that some 200-250 years back at this place was a platform (thalla/tharra) under a huge Pepal tree where used to meditate a saint called Shah Majeed. Both Muslims and Hindus used to pay their respect to him. When he died, he was buried on the same platform. Veneration continued and with passage of time the place started to be called Chowk Majeed. It continued to be so called in the municipal record of the year 1864 and 1884. The license for Taazia Kamangaran used to be issued “via Shah Majeed”. Wasti, author of Aina -i-Multan (1985) quotes and asserts that for quite some time there was a lot of Muslim property around this platform but gradually Hindus purchased the entire property. They built four walls around this platform. During the Hindu-Muslim riots of 1884, Hindus, placed idols on this platform and gradually, the Muslims forgot that a Muslim saint is buried under this platform and Hindus were encouraged to build a temple over it in 1944 however the structure still continues to be called as Mandar Shah Majeed.

Description / Main Features

The temple is made of white plaster finely completed to a marble like finish. It has a petit balcony above its entrance behind which stands the mandappa (main spire) of the temple. Inscriptions in Hindi are rendered in stucco work and so are the decorative motifs.

Access / Environs

Access is through Chowk Bazaar. The temple is situated at the corner of Bazaar and a street. Unfortunately much of the temples elegance has been obscured by a web of electrical wires and a cluster of transformers.

Present Condition

The temple is in a complete state of neglect but has withstood the onslaught of time. Some of its features still retain elegance.

INTERVENTIONS

There is no evidence of any repair having been carried out in any part of it after 1947.

Proposal

Remove encroachments and wires and transformers.

References

Wasti, 176-177.

Plans

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Environmental Notes

• Mandar Shah Majeed

• Vehicular Access / Parking

  The mandar is accessible through the bazaar roads; no parking is available.
  

• Use of Space

  Use is commercial; the mandar has been occupied on all sides by shops and businesses.
  

• Visitor Facilities

  None; it is not possible to access the original temple spaces as the interior has been completely occupied and sub-divided into shop space.
  

• Electricity

  The shops have electricity; no meter found.
  

• Sewerage

  OpeSewage from the occupying shops runs into open drains crossing the street in front of the mandar’s former entrance, along Chowk Bazaar and Hussain Agahi Bazaar.
  

• Drainage

  Drainage enters the system of open drains.
  

• Solid Waste

  Waste from occupying shops is thrown in the street corners for later collection.
  

• Pavement and surfaces

  Adjacent road surfaces are blacktop.
  

• External threats

  Partitioning and gutting of the interior of the mandar by occupiers; vandalism.
  

• Condition

  Access to the monument was very limited; its lower portion is completely incorporated into encroaching shops.
  

Mandir Gopal Multan

 

 

Monument

MANDAR GOPAL

Location

KUP (CUP) BAZAR, KOOCHA MANDAR GOPAL

Status

NOT PROTECTED,

Owner

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

Use

FORMER: MANDAR
PRESENT: RENTED RESIDENCE

Period / Date

1938

Historical Notes

No information is available on the history of this temple. The 1990 survey of Multan Monuments by the MDA has recorded the date its construction as 1938 although the source of their information is not given.

Description / Main Features

This complex has two components namely an isolated temple with a vestibule and a huge building which looks like a dharamsala or residential area with its own sacred temple for local worship by the residents. The former is in complete ruins and is outside the residential area. The larger complex still retains some interesting elements that need preservation. The building is oblong running parallel to the out side street. All along the oblong courtyard there are double-storey buildings with a verandah running in front of the rooms. The verandah that runs all around the Courtyard comprises a series of multifold arches – each arch resting on top of two double columns with each double column resting on a single high base. Above the rows of arches there runs another series of grills of fine lattice work in marble. Those on the left hand side are the finest of all and most well-preserved. Behind this left hand side verandah is the main cell or sanctum of this monument currently being used as residence. This room is furnished with a beautiful false ceiling. There are some well preserved examples of stone work with figures of lions probably indicating this temple to be dedicated to the worship of Nari Singhpuri which for a long time remained the patron deity of the city of Multan. The building has a beautiful floor. Certain portions of the temple have undergone repairs by the residents which have deprived the temple of several original motifs.

Access / Environs

Located in Koocha Mandar Gopal near Deepal Sawan Kapoor in Kup Bazaar, in a private compound area.

Present Condition

Present condition is by no means satisfactory. There are a number of families among whom the built area has been rented out by the EPTB.

INTERVENTIONS

No serious intervention has apparently been carried out in any part of the Temple-complex except the losses/ damages occurring to the building due to it being rented out as private residences by EPTB.

Proposal

Building’s immediate need is vacation of the property from the residents and repairs for restoration.

References

Nil.

Plans

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Environmental Notes

• Gopal Mandar

• Vehicular Access / Parking

  There is vehicular access to the mandar and Gurdawara. Parking space is available on the street for several vehicles.
  

• Use of Space

  The mandar is abandoned and filled with refuse; the Gurdawara adjacent is used as a residence and stable for buffalos.
  

• Visitor Facilities

  None available.
  

• Electricity

  Electricity is available and a KWH meter in place.
  

• Sewerage

  Run off is down the slope towards the road and the bazaar.
  

• Solid Waste

  Solid waste collects inside the building and around the mandar; some appears to be removed and dumped in streets nearby for later collection. The mandar itself is used as a garbage dump.
  

• Pavement and surfaces

  Marble flooring of the Gurdawara; black top on the adjacent road surface.
  

• External threats

  Vandalism; gross misuse of the monuments for garbage and animals. Additions to the upper building are a risk.
  

• Condition

  The white marble of the temple has turned black due to smoke and filth. Most walls have separation cracks over openings and at corners; separation is noted in the upper courses over the portico. Notable bulge in wall at the entrance.
  

Dharamshala Bhai Dayal Singh Delhi Gate Multan

Dharamshala DAYAL SINGH

Monument

DHARMSHALA BHAI DYAL SINGH

Location

KUCHA DAYAL SINGH, INSIDE DELHI GATE

Status

NON PROTECTED.

Owner

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

Use

FORMER: DHARAMSALA.
PRESENT: PRIVATE DWELLINGS RENTED by EPTB.

Period / Date

LATE 19TH CENTURY - EARLY BRITISH PERIOD

Historical Notes

There is no evidence as to when precisely this Dharmsala was built and who was Dyal Sigh who built it. Only one reference to this institution could be traced out in the 1902 edition of the Multan District Gazetteer . In the subsequent edition of this Gazetteer published in 1926, even this brief reference has been dropped for unknown reason. According to the Compiler of 1902 edition, this complex was known as Dharmsala Bhai Dayal Singh. It was situated in the north–east of the city, maintained by a respectable group of Nirmala Sadhus and was patronized by several of the better classes of Hindus in the city. It contained a open hall, in which the Granth was suitably installed. As it has been named after a Sikh this Dharmsala must have basically belonged to the Sikh Community of Multan which is further supported by the many inscriptions within the structure which all reveal Sikh names. One inscription gives the name of Devidayal younger son of Hari Narayan Singh of Shuja Abad. Another inscription reads the name of Arjun Singh Qanungo, resident of Akal Garh Bikrami/ 1906 AD. One other inscription on a large marble slab scribed in English fixed on the wall is dedicated to Shri Mati Vira Bai, wife of Pokhar Dass, son of Lala Ganga Ram Chopra, who died on 13th June 1924. Still another inscription in black stone but Urdu script tells us that one Chandar Bhan Poj Patta Bhai Buta Mal , caste Sukheja, resident of Multan rendered some service for this building (tehl karai – in reward of service) in 1905 AD.

Description / Main Features

It was originally spread over a large area with entrance through a gate beyond which was a covered passage, traces of which still remain. The main building comprises a large hall with two attached wings on left and right – all the three sections are now under different occupations. The remaining property has also been parceled out among a group of tenants and occupants and clumsily overbuilt and ill-maintained. The only portion easily accessible and worthy of visit is the main central building. It is a fine example constructed of large size bricks. Various decorative features have been created either by cutting the bricks or by molding them. Projection and corner protuberances are particularly noteworthy. Brackets under the projections are made of peacocks, snakes and vegetable shapes. The façade is in the form of a half-octagonal with a rectangular hall behind. The remaining parts of the roof behind the façade shows that once it had a beautifully painted false ceiling, now preserved only over a small portion near the entrance. The hall has now been divided into various parts and used for different purposes. The floor is laid with marble slabs many among them carry inscriptions in Urdu English and Landai scripts which record the names of those who had rendered some service for this building. Some of the dedicatory slabs are fixed on the dado. Three even give dates of their dedications.

Access / Environs

It is a long walk from Delhi Gate to Mohalla Maharaja Ram, Ward No. 7, Kucha Dayal Singh.

Present Condition

Encroached by at least a hundred families for residential purposes, it is in very poor condition and difficult to access as additional structures and encroachments have been built around it. The left and right sides are damaged and new construction has completely destroyed the authenticity of the monument.

INTERVENTIONS

The numerous structures constructed within the premises have left little of the original.

References

District Gazetteer (Extracts), 348;

Plans

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Environmental Notes

• Dharmshala Dayal Singh

• Vehicular Access / Parking

  No access and no parking.
  

• Use of Space

  Residential use; the building has been subdivided by numerous encroachments. Buffalo kept in part of the building.
  

• Visitor Facilities

  None available.
  

• Electricity

  Electricity is available with meters; dense wiring in front of the building.
  

• Sewerage

  Open drains run along the gali in front of the building.
  

• Drainage

  Run off is down the slope towards the main street to the west; there are areas outside the building of dampness collecting near the base of walls.
  

• Solid Waste

  Solid waste is deposited in the lanes around the building; the area is littered and not kept clean.
  

• Pavement and surfaces

  Street surface is PCC conglomerate; courtyard of dharamshalla is marble
  

• External threats

  There are numerous structural cracks in the encroaching buildings abutting the monument which threaten the site.
  

• Condition

  Cracks are visible throughout; there is overloading due to unauthorized building additions. There are cracks from the tops of all internal arches and openings. External walls have substantial cracks in upper portions in particular. The critical structural issue is the collapsing roof and upper parapet which are dangerous and in need of immediate action.
  
  
  
  
  

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.
  

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Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Perhaps the oldest surviving thing in Multan is Suraj Kund Mandir in Suraj Kund Area of Multan. Nearly in dated 1000BC Sun was worshiped in Multan and history of Suraj (means Sun) Kund corresponds to it. Simply it is also called Sun Temple of Multan. Govt of Pakistan has approved rehabilitation of this temple.

Interesting Facts about Shah Shams
It is also sacred to Muslims because here is the place when Saint Shah Shams Sabzwari Tabrez was debarred by the people and he was not given anything to eat, he got a piece of meat somehow but nobody allowed him to cook. He said to Sun "I cant come closer to you so please you come closer to me" Sun came near to earth, so close to it and cooked the meat and people escape to save their lives they jumped into river Chanab but water was boiling. That was story how Multan became so hot. Shah Shams means King of Sun.

Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Pond of Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Ruins of Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Pond of Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan place of worshiper's living

A Plate at Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan

Place related to Shah Shams in Ancient Suraj Kund Temple in Multan