On 21 August, while i was traveling to my friend's home. I traveled from Islamabad to Gujranwala. It was a tiring journey. I was awake the whole night. Along with my sleepy eyes, tragedy was that i skipped my bus. It was due to the sluggish and lazy attitude of my roommate. Somehow, by my luck, my seat was exchanged with another seat in the second bus. It was really fortunate that played well with me.
While in bus, i was searching on maps regarding historical landmarks in Gujranwala city. This city was home to many Sikhs who migrated to India during the Pakistan-India Partition of 1947. In 1947, they left plenty of amazing places, including many historical sites and religious buildings.
Among these searched places, i found Sherawala Bagh Baradari, which was built in 1788 that is almost close to the old Colonial Railway station. With time, roads and ways changed their direction. History is wrapped in hundreds of layers.
Baradari is a traditional Mughal era architect that simply means a pavillion with twelve doors. The Mughal emperors built many Baradari Pavilions in different regions of Subcontinent. But, this Baradari Pavilion is not built by Mughals. In fact, it was built by Sikh Ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
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In a book "Handbook of the Panjab" written in 1883 by John Murray of London. It describes the site as -a handsome building, now used as the reading room and meeting room of the Anjuman of the town.
Besides history and all other things, i was fascinated by the structure and architectural styles of Baradari. On my shoulder, i was bearing the pain of my heavy bag filled with so many notes and books. I placed this bag, outside pavillion. I entered into the pavillion.
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Fresco work was heavily inspired by Mughal architecture. It was clearly evident that architecture of past rulers heavily influenced later rulers and their architecture. That's what we call tradition. Well, on this particular aspect, i read an essay by T.S Eliot labeled as Tradition vs Individual Talent.
One strikingly different thing that i noticed in fresco work was motifs of peacock. I searched about it and i found that peacock holds symbolic significance in Sikhism. The sacred fan that is used in Gurudawara is called Chaur Sahib, and that is made of Feathers of Peacock. It could have some other interpretations but that's what i searched.
Another different aspect of the building was the ceiling that was made of wooden logs. This was interesting aspect of building and it reminded me of old heritage that is still alive in my maternal grandparents home.
There was someone who appeared in front of my eyes. He uttered; That bag belongs to you?
Yes....
Sir, please don't mind... please take your bag from there. It's not a place to keep your bags. I took my bag on my shoulders and walked back !
See you another time with another travel 🫠.