This palace, which began construction in 1923 and was completed in 1935, tells a very sad story.
I had always seen videos of this palace on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, but I never had a reason to go here, but this time the opportunity was in my hands and I didn't want to let it go.
The view of the exterior of this palace was so magnificent that the eyes of the beholder were stunned and it seemed as if you had arrived in a city of colors. By the way, this palace is located in the city of Chiniot, which is very famous for its woodwork and furniture.
My eyes were wandering in every direction, capturing every detail, be it the beauty of the palace's exterior, which is deteriorating over time, or the wooden details and wooden windows on the second story. History tells us that this entire mansion was actually five stories high, but in 1970 it was reduced to two stories because the mansion had fallen into disrepair.
Wooden doors are considered the pride of Chiniot, in fact, if it is said that woodwork is the identity of Chiniot, it would not be wrong. As you are seeing this wooden door, which is in a very magnificent condition, its unique carvings are representing the local architectural flavor and blend.
I had not yet entered the mansion, which is also known as Gulzar Manzil and is also known as Omar Hayat Mahal. I was standing in its outer enclosure, looking at the wooden window that beautifully illustrates Chiniot craftsmanship.
As soon as we entered, it felt like we had entered a magical world and time had taken us far back, but it was a time filled with colors and adorned with the world of woods and designs.
This mansion,which is extremely beautiful, it has painful and tragic story. Omar Hayat, who married against the wishes of his family. In retaliation, Omar Hayat was thrown out of his home and went to Calcutta, India, to try his luck. There, he became a great man and a great businessman. A few years later, when he returned to his hometown of Chiniot,he decided to built a lavish palace for himself and for his family.
The entire palace was built in less than 10 years, and after that, Omar Hayat thought of getting his only son Gulzar married. But tragedy struck when Gulzar was found dead in his own room the day after his wedding.
Omar Hayat had died almost two years before the palace was built. This meant that those who had built this house never got to live in it. Surprisingly, their graves are also located on the ground floor of this palace.
Many rooms in this mansion are now completely empty, and no one's voice echoes here anymore. Only a few people who come to wander around explore,take pictures and leave.
On the ground floor, there is a small room that is dedicated to family that used to live here and that room is converted into a small museum. In that museum one can see the belongings of owners.
That day was no less than a surprise because there were news channel there, taking interviews about how to save this national heritage and what steps the government should take. I also gave the interview, but no one took my picture, and I was surprised why that interview has not been aired on any news channel yet.
See you another time with another travel story !