Today, I decided to visit historical site of Mughal era in Sheikhupura city. Sheikhupura city was founded by Mughal Emperor Jahangir and it's name was Jahangir pura but later on, it name changed to Sheikhupura.
The name of historical site is "Hiran Minar" which is also known as "Deer Tower". This Minar( tower) is symbolic of Sheikhupura city and it's iconic.
Sheikhupura city was actually a hunting site for Mughal emperor Jahangir. This city was built on the outer side of Lahore which is central city of Punjab.
On this hot day, i travelled towards Hiran Minar. Sun was enough to burn everything out but my passion to explore the Minar was not going down.
First, i stopped near a closed and worn out restaurant which is not functional these days. Most probably they faced loss that's why they stopped serving. Actually, this is great tourist spot but not much promoted that's why there are usually local visitors.
We entered the premises of Hiran Minar. From distance, it was just looking a big jungle with so much greenery. The first building which came infront of us was tourist facilitation center and ticket booth. We headed towards ticket boot and took two tickets in just 50 Pakistani ruppees.
To facilitate the tourists, there were tour guides and tour motor buses. We didn't avail this facility cause we already know about this place and I didn't want any disturbance while observing the place. I want to feel the every brick, silently.
For just having one photo, i sat on bus and my mate clicked my photo. Well, my mood was just to lay down there because i already had walked so much.
Leaving every lame excuse aside, we started walking towards the main site. I was telling my friend about my childhood memory when i visited this Hiran Minar.
You know, Hiran Minar was the first place ever which i visited in my childhood. It was my second visit to Hiran Minar after so many years.
I was remembering that childhood day when i came to this site with my family. My memory box recalls that there was a couple from China( probably) with which i shaked my hand because i was crazy to meet foreigners.
There were hundreds of trees around me. I was loving the wild and green environment around me. For this preservation, i am thankful to local government but they should promote it a bit more. Temperature was bit low there because of eco-friendly environment of the site.
We walked half kilometer in the jungle area and we were witnessing Octagonal building which is water tank of this building. I will narrate about this building later in my blog but now just walk with me.
This is "Chubutari or Chubutara" in local language which is a square building facing towards the main structure "water tank". The water tank is right in the middle and main symbol of the site.
The inner walls are decorated with recessed niches and the ceiling is decorated with honeycomb decoration.
The decorations on the ceilings are fading away with the passage of time. Indeed time is cruel that faded away the beauty.
From my understanding, these recessed niches were serve the purpose to keep the candles for lightning the building.
The local people did harm to building as they wrote their names on the building with different pens and pencils. This was quite bad and atlesst local people should ponder on it.
From that square building, i saw the Baradari ( which is also known as Water tank). This Baradari is looking like a boat sailing in water.
I captured this view of "Baradari" from right front while i was walking towards second square building.
When i reached to second square building, i saw the bricks which have the prints of time. These bricks were narrating stories of time which they have lived. This incomplete and rotten shape of bricks is beautiful. It was giving me lesson that life is beautiful in imperfections.
From window like open door, i saw green bushes which have turned on their delightful decent color as it rained early morning. These bushes and trees were adding beauty to this historical site. These green weeds are growing from bricks of old era which is showing that this area is still lively and nature embarrassing.
I clicked one picture there to keep it as a memory. These strange pictures will become part of memory.
While we were walking towards the main structure, i noticed three arches down the stairs. These stairs had lost their original shape and also lost some bricks.
I stepped down the stairs and i looked into the arches, curiously. There was a canal, most probably, or a way that leads to water well.
I was fascinated by the growing plants on the footstep of these bricks and historical structures. Although these bricks are declining but life of trees and plants is prevailing.
I was curious like a cat, that's why i dared to step into the arch and i saw what's in the mystery box. It was a way which is loaded with so many growing plants, weeds and trees. This greenery is habitant of this historical landmark and i trespassed in their land. I was hesitant too as there was fear of snake which was growing in my heart.
My friend was calling me from behind. He was calling "Taha, come back there would be something scary". Also, there was much to explore that's why i didn't went deep to explore this strange place.
Walked and walked.... Thankfully we reached to main structure due to which this place is known as Hiran Minar.
Let me narrate you story behind this thirty meter tall Tower. This Tower is actually Tomb of Emperor's pet antelope. The name of that deer was Mansiraj( Lord of all animals). Emperor Jahangir was fond of animals that's why he built this tomb for his beloved deer after her death in hunting. After her tragic death in hunting, he became sad and he ordered to built this fort like site and a tower like tomb in her remembrance.
There are many square holes on the outer surface of the minar( tower). The tower itself is a circular and tapers at the top. There are eleven open arches for light and for air.
The main arch for entrance to tower is closed due to some incidents happened in the past. Althoug, my heart was craving to see what's inside but i cannot go!
Facing the minor on the east side is a way leading to octagonal structure "Baradari"( means twelve doors).
I walked towards this "Baradari" which is standing in a water pool.
When i reached to door which leads to baradari, there was a history board which explains the history of this landmark.
The entrance arch's rooftop is designed gracefully. It's honeycomb design is dying but it's fascinating. Belive me, it was more like breathe drop for me.
The entrance arch is also closed and we cannot enter but i still captured photos of inside walls and roof by passing my mobile from the iron bars.
This Octagonal structure is "Baradari". The stone umbrella adds more beauty to it. These arches are beauty of mughal architecture which is inspired by Iranian architecture.
Even in the water pool, water crosses through the arches. These arches are beautiful. It was an interesting aspect that this building is standing firm from centuries and it's inspiring many of us.
When i was fully tired then we went to take some breath in the resting jungle area. There was a tree on which kids were sitting and climbing.
I climbed on the tree and talked to kids. On the trunk, people have inscribed their names. It was looking like they have nailed complete alphabets š.
We clicked some photos there and then we headed back to our home.
It was indeed an amazing visit to historical Hiran minar and i freshed up my childhood memory. I hope you enjoyed this tour with me š.
See you next šø š® š¼
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