1970s Foreign Travellers in Islamabad

1970s Foreign Travellers in Islamabad


Tourism in Pakistan is a growing industry.[1][2][3] In 2010, Lonely Planet termed Pakistan as being "...tourism's ‘next big thing’ for more years than we care to remember. [But] world media headlines [always] send things off the rails".[4] The country is geographically and ethnically diverse, and has a number of historical and cultural heritage sites. The upsurge in tourism in the past few years has been aided by the Government of Pakistan's recent decision to end mandatory No Objection Certificates for foreign tourists seeking to visit certain parts of the country.[5]

In 2018, the British Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan as the world's top adventure travel destination, describing the country as "one of the friendliest countries on earth, with mountain scenery that is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination."[6] Forbes ranked Pakistan as one of the ‘coolest places’ to visit in 2019.[7] The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report placed Pakistan in the top 25 per cent of global destinations for its World Heritage sites, which range from the mangroves in the Indus delta, to the Indus Valley Civilization sites including .Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.

According to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 released by the World Economic Forum, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Pakistan's GDP in 2015 was US$328.3 million, constituting 2.8% of the total GDP.[9] According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Pakistan's GDP in 2016 was US$7.6 billion (PKR 793.0 billion), constituting 2.7% of the total GDP.[10] By 2025, the government predicts tourism will contribute ₨1 trillion (US$7.1 billion) to the Pakistani economy.[11]
In October 2006, one year after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, The Guardian released what it described as "the top five tourist sites in Pakistan" to help the country's tourism industry.[12] The sites included Lahore, the Karakoram Highway, Karimabad and Lake Saiful Muluk. To promote the country's unique cultural heritage, Pakistan launched the "Visit Pakistan" marketing campaign in 2007. This campaign involved events throughout the year including fairs and religious festivals, regional sporting events, arts and craft shows, folk festivals and openings of historical museums.[13] In 2013, 565,212 tourists visited Pakistan contributing only $298 million, which has risen to over 1.9 million tourists in 2018.[14] By comparison, Pakistan's domestic tourism industry is estimated at 50 million tourists who travel in the country on short trips usually between May to August.[14] The largest tourism inflow of tourists are from the United Kingdom, followed by United States, India and China.The country's attractions range from the ruin of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa to the Himalayan hill stations, for those interested in winter sports.[17] Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000 m, which draw adventurers and mountaineers from around the world, especially K2.[18] The north part of Pakistan has many old fortresses, ancient architecture and the Hunza, Chitral Valley, home to small Kalash people community and Fairy Meadows, Diamer District of Gilgit Baltistan. The romance of the historic Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is timeless and legendary,[peacock prose] Punjab province has the historic city Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital, with many examples of Mughal architecture such as Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir and the Lahore Fort. Before the global economic crisis, Pakistan received more than 500,000 tourists annually since 2000.
Tourist visas
Main article: Visa policy of Pakistan In 2019, Pakistan increased the availability of travel visas in a bid to increase tourism. The new program grants visas on arrival to travellers from 50 countries, including the United States. Citizens of another 175 countries can apply for visas on the internet. Previously, visas could only be obtained from Pakistani embassies abroad.#fastitlinks.com

1930 Chiniot Railway Bridge Under Construction

1930 Chiniot Railway Bridge Under Construction


Chiniot Bridge (also known as Rabwah Bridge) (Urdu: چنیوٹ پل‎) is a concrete made bridge located in the Chiniot passing over the Chenab River. It is about 520 meters in length and 17.8 meters wide. It is a two-lane bridge with 26 spans of 40 meters each. It is located at 4.6 km from Khatm-e-Nabuwat Chowk and 3.3 km from Railway StationDistrict Chiniot is one of the most recently created administrative units of the Punjab ... Sargodha with rail. ... The new bridge on Chenab River near Chiniot. ... outcrops are now a day used as quarries for stone crush used in construction of roads ... 1930, 1. 3. Punjab District Gazetteers, Vol. XXXII. Part A : Jhang District 1929.District Chiniot is one of the most recently created administrative units of the Punjab ... Sargodha with rail. ... The new bridge on Chenab River near Chiniot. ... outcrops are now a day used as quarries for stone crush used in construction of roads ... 1930, 1. 3. Punjab District Gazetteers, Vol. XXXII. Part A : Jhang District 1929.Find MCB Bank Chenab Nagar Branch -District Chiniot, Chenab Nagar Rabwah ... Nagar Pakistan Images & read Chenab Nagar Pakistan articles by The News. ... The Chenab Bridge, which is under construction between Bakkal and Kauri in ... of Indian Railways' mega plan to connect Kashmir valley with Udhampur knownJun 19, 2017 - in the article is an effort to bridge the gap in the existing literature on the ... the province of Punjab was under the direct rule of the British in mid 1880s, it ... reason for the construction of the canals and railway works was to increase ... Lyallpur to Dijkot and Koro Bangla, From Chiniot to Lyallpur and thengrant of a Scholarship by the Government of Pakistan under its ... His later articles, ... Chiniot and Bhakkar, both situated on river crossings of ... many railway track extensions preceded a colonization scheme, whereas road construction and bridges over canals ... Paul W. Paustian, Canal Irrigation in the Punjab 1930.#fastitlinks.com

Qila (Fort) Jamrood KPK . Sikhs built it in 1823. Picture was taken in 1870.

Qila (Fort) Jamrood KPK . Sikhs built it in 1823. Picture was taken in 1870.


In October 1836, Jamrud was lost by the Afghan Durrani Empire and conquered by the Sikh Empire. Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837), the well-known Sikh general, proposed to build a big fort at Jamrud. The proposal was opposed; nevertheless the foundation of the fort that has survived was laid by General Hari Singh Nalwa on 6 Poh 1893 Sambat (18 December 1836) and the construction was completed in 54 days[1][2] "Jamrud...noted for its fort built with 10 feet (3 m) thick walls c.1836 by the Sikh Hari Singh Nalwa, one of Ranjit Singh's generals, was originally named Fatehgarh to commemorate the Sikh victory over the disunited tribes."[3] Early in 1837, Sandhawalia Jat ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh's (1790-1839) grandson Prince Nau Nihal Singh was to be married. Hari Singh Nalwa sent his forces to Lahore for this historic celebration. At this time, Mr Fast, an Englishman, previously in the service of the British India Government, passed through Jamrud on his way to Kabul. En route he encountered Mohammad Akbar Khan, son of Dost Mohammad Khan. When Akbar Khan learnt that the fort at Jamrud was unprotected, he decided to attack. The battle between the Afghans and the Sikhs was fought on 30 April 1837. The loss suffered in this battle by the Sikhs was indeed heavy. Hari Singh Nalwa had sent out an appeal for help to the Maharaja to dispatch reinforcements from Lahore post haste, however his letter was not forwarded to the Maharaja by the Dogra chiefs. Reinforcements could not reach in time and Nalwa laid down his life in the battlefield
Battle of Kasur (1807) Hari Singh's first significant participation in a Sikh conquest on assuming charge of an independent contingent was in 1807, at the capture of Kasur. This place had long been a thorn in the side of Ranjit Singh's power because of its proximity to his capital city of Lahore. It was captured in the fourth attempt. This attack was led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Jodh Singh Ramgarhia. During the campaign the Sardar showed remarkable bravery and dexterity.[9] The Sardar was granted a Jagir in recognition of his services.[10]
Battle of Sialkot (1808) Ranjit Singh nominated Hari Singh Nalwa to take Sialkot from its ruler Jiwan Singh. This was his first battle under an independent command. The two armies were engaged for a couple of days, eventually seventeen year old Hari Singh carried the day.[11]
Battle of Attock (1813) The fort of Attock was a major replenishment point for all armies crossing the Indus. In the early 19th century, Afghan appointees of the Kingdom of Kabul held this fort, as they did most of the territory along this frontier. This battle was fought and won by the Sikhs on the banks of the Indus under the leadership of Dewan Mokham Chand, Maharaja Ranjit Singh's general, against Wazir Fatteh Khan and his brother Dost Mohammad Khan, on behalf of Shah Mahmud of Kabul. Besides Hari Singh Nalwa, Hukam Singh Attariwala, Shyamu Singh, Khalsa Fateh Singh Ahluwalia and Behmam Singh Malliawala actively participated in this battle. This was the first victory of the Sikhs over the Durranis and the Barakzais.[12][13] With the conquest of Attock, the adjoining regions of Hazara-i-Karlugh and Gandhgarh became tributary to the Sikhs. In 1815, Sherbaz Khan of Gandhgarh challenged Hari Singh Nalwa's authority and was defeated.[citation needed] Abortive attempt on Kashmir (1814) The Sikhs made an attempt to take Kashmir soon after the Battle of Attock. The army was under the general command of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who camped at Rajauri. The troops were led towards Srinagar by Ram Dayal, grandson of Dewan Mokham Chand, while Jamadar Khushal Singh commanded the van, Hari Singh Nalwa and Nihal Singh Attariwala brought up the rear. Lack of provisions, delay in the arrival of reinforcements, bad weather and treachery of the allies lead to the Sikhs being defeated by the governor Mohd. Azim Khan. The next few years were spent in subduing Muslim chiefs within the Kashmir territory, en route Srinagar Valley.[14] In 1815–16, Hari Singh Nalwa attacked and destroyed the stronghold of the traitorous Rajauri chief.#fastitlinks.com

1960s Mangla Power House Under Construction

1960s Mangla Power House Under Construction



The Mangla Dam (Urdu: منگلا بند‎) is a multipurpose dam located on the Jhelum River in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan. It is the seventh largest dam in the world. The dam got its name from the village of Mangla. Major Nasrullah Khan of the Pakistan Army revealed for the first time in 2003, that the project was designed and supervised by Binnie & Partners of London (the team led by partner Geoffrey Binnie),[2] and it was built by Mangla Dam Contractors, a consortium of 8 U.S. construction firms, sponsored by Guy F. Atkinson Company of South San Francisco.[3]
As part of the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960, India gained rights to the waters of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers, while Pakistan, in addition to waters of the above three rivers within Pakistan and some monetary compensation, received the rights to develop the Jhelum, Chenab and Indus river basins. Until 1967, the entire irrigation system of Pakistan was fully dependent on unregulated flows of the Indus and its major tributaries. The agricultural yield was very low for a number of reasons, the most important being a lack of water during critical growing periods. This problem stemmed from the seasonal variations in the river flow due to monsoons and the absence of storage reservoirs to conserve the vast amounts of surplus water during those periods of high river discharge.[4][5]
The Mangla Dam was the first of the two dams constructed to reduce this shortcoming and strengthen the irrigation system of the country as part of the Indus Basin Project, the other being Tarbela Dam on River Indus.
Construction
Cost
Mangla Dam was constructed at a cost of Rs. 15.587 billion (US$1.473 billion) with the funding being provided by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.[6]
Reservoir
The dam was constructed between 1961 and 1965 across the Jhelum River, about 67 miles (108 km) south-east of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad in Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir. The Mangla Dam components include a reservoir, main embankment, intake embankment, main spillway, emergency spillway, intake structures, 5 tunnels and a power station. Besides the main dam, a dyke called Sukian – 17,000 feet in length and a small dam called Jari Dam to block the Jari Nala – about 11 miles beyond the new Mirpur town had to be constructed.
here was a total of 120 x 106 cubic yards (cu yds) of excavation for the reservoir whereas the total fill amounted to 142 x 106 cu yds and concrete to 1.96 x 106 cu yds respectively. The main embankment is earthfill with clay as the core material. Gravel and A-type sandstone are applied on the shoulders. The maximum height of embankment above the core trench is 454 feet and the length is 8,400 feet. The intake embankment is earthfill type with B-type sandstone as the core material. Gravel is applied on the shoulders. The maximum height of intake embankment above the core trench is 262 feet and the length is 1,900 feet.
Sukian Dam is earthfill with B-type sandstone as the core material. A-type sandstone is applied on the shoulders. The maximum height of the intake embankment above the core trench is 144 feet and the length is 16,900 feet.
JariDam is also an earthfill type with silt as the core material. Gravel is applied on the shoulders of the dam. The maximum height of Jari dam above the core trench is 274 feet and the length is 6,800 feet. The main spillway is a submerged orifice type with 9 radial gates, 36 x 40 feet each; it has a maximum capacity of 1.1 million cusecs. The emergency spillway is weir type with an erodible bund and a maximum capacity of 0.23 million cusecs. The 5 tunnels are steel and concrete lined and 1,560 feet long in bedrock. The internal diameter ranges between 26 and 31 feet.[7]
Power house
The power house, which consists of turbines, generators and transformers, has been constructed at the toe of an intake embankment at the ground surface elevation of 865 feet SPD. The water to the power house is supplied through five steel-lined tunnels of 30/26 feet diameter. Each tunnel is designed to feed two generating units. The power house tailrace discharges into New Bong Canal, which has a length of 25,000 feet with discharge capacity of about 49,000 cusecs, and terminates at an automatic gate control headworks at about 12 km downstream located near old Bong Escape Headworks.[8][9]
A view of turbine relief valve operation at Mangla Power House
There are ten vertical Francis type turbines in the power house. Each of these turbines has an output of 138,00 bhp with a rated head of 295 feet of water. The first four turbines were manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric, Japan and were installed in 1969, turbines 5 and 6 are manufactured by ČKD Blansko, Czech Republic and were installed in 1974, turbines 7-8 were manufactured by ACEC, Belgium and were installed in 1981, while the remaining two turbines are a make of Škoda, Czech Republic and were commissioned in 1994.[1][8]
These turbines are connected to umbrella-type generators which have a generation capacity of 100 MW. Hitachi, Japan had provided generators for turbines 1–4 and 7-8 while Škoda generators are connected to turbines 5-6 and 9-10.
These generators are in turn connected to three-phase transformers. The transformers connected to turbine 1, 4 and 7 were manufactured by the Italy-based Savigliano. The transformers for turbine 5 and 6 are a make of Italtrafo, another Italian company, while the remaining five transformers were provided by Škoda.#fastirtlinks.com

1940s Civil Hospital, Hyderabad – Sindh

1940s Civil Hospital, Hyderabad – Sindh






Hyderabad is the sixth largest city in Pakistan located in the Sindh province. It is the second largest city of Sindh. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village along the bank of the Indus known as Neroon Kot (Sindhi: نيرُون ڪوٽ). It has often been referred to as, in the olden times, the “Paris of India” because its roads were washed daily with perfumed water.
Understand

The city was made capital of Sindh under Kalhoras. It expanded, progressed and flourished more under the later Talpur rulers. Traditionally, old city buildings are topped by ‘Manghu’ or ‘badgir’ which looks like chimneys on roof tops. They catch the cool breezes which blow steadily from south-west to north-east during the hot summer days beginning in late April. In few old sections of the town, cows still roam the streets giving it a distinctly medieval atmosphere.
Get in
Hyderabad can be reached from Karachi, where the international airport is located by (1) buses, (2) rented cars and taxis, (3) trains. Travel time by road through better and preferred ‘Super Highway’ is about two hours, whereas travel time through the road via Thatta is about three and half hours. Some travelers may prefer to come Hyderabad via Thatta as this picturesque historical city of Sindh is included in World Heritage List of UNESCO. Trains to Hyderabad start from ‘City’ and ‘Cantt’ Train Stations of Karachi.
Travelers, coming from the north of Pakistan can come through (1) trains or (2) by road (buses or cars) through National Highway (on left side of River Indus) or Indus Highway (on right side of the River Indus). Travelers coming from Lahore, Punjab, would prefer to come through National Highway or by Lahore - Karachi trains, whereas travelers coming from Quetta, Balochistan would prefer to use Indus Highway or Quetta - Karachi trains.
Travelers from India can reach Hyderabad through train. The train from Indian town of Monabao would enter Sindh near Khokhrapar and then reach Hyderabad via Mirpurkhas. Or one can stop at Mirpurkhas and then travel by road to Hyderabad.
PIA runs flight destined for Hyderabad on Tuesday ,Friday from Islamabad and lahore.From Nawabashah on Friday and from Sukkur on sunday.
Get around
In Hyderabad one can go to different parts of the city and suburbs by rented cars or taxis. Within city auto rickshaws provide cheap and quick transportation. Local buses are alternate cheap way to go to different areas, however, the bus system is not well developed and difficult for outside visitors to follow. Visitors should preferably take taxi for city tour and for going from one place to another auto rickshaws are fine (provided one is not afraid of dusty environment as there are no doors in auto rickshaws). Suzuki passenger pick-ups are yet another means of transport within city limits. This is however, more preferred way for going to Jamshoro, where University of Sindh, Institute of Sindhology and its museum, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET) and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) is located. The main and the largest tertiary care hospital of Sindh, outside Karachi, the LUMHS Hospital or the Jamshoro Hospital, as it is commonly known as, is also located in Jamshoro and accessible through these passenger pick-ups.
See
Hyderabad Fort (Packo Qilo): The fort built by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro is the best landmark of the Hyderabad and a 'must see' for visitors.
Rani Bagh is the most famous park of the city.
In the north of the city are the tombs of the Talpur Mirs and the Kalhora rulers. The tomb of Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro is one of the finest, although its dome collapsed and has now been replaced by a flat roof.
Also worth to visit is the Institute of Sindhology Museum at the University of Sindh. It has dioramas which display many aspects of Sindhi history, heritage, music and culture. Some very interesting dioramas depict the lifestyles of the desert tribes of Thar and Kohistan.
DIn Hyderabad one can do many things. Some of these include:
Hyderabad Fort or ‘Packo Qilo’: One of the 'must do' in Hyderabad is to see the historic Hyderabad Fort or ‘Packo Qilo’. Though the ‘Packo Qilo’ is not well maintained and in worst condition due to negligence, it is something one must not miss to see from outside. There is nothing to see inside as most of the area inside the compound has been inhabited by people who migrated from India in mass exchange of populations in 1947. The main gate of the fort and one building of the Talpur Mirs is still there for visitors to see and take photographs.
Sindh Museum: The Sindh Museum has many nice items on display which depict the history and heritage of Sindh and Indus Valley Civilization. Items from various ruling periods of Sindh, including Sama, Soomra, Kalhora and Talpur periods can be found in the museum.
Old Houses of Hirabad and Amil Colony: These areas are not well kept and victim of unorganized haphazard development in post-1947 period. However, one can still see the buildings or pre-1947 times with wonderful architecture and facades. The streets of these areas were washed with water containing rose and sandalwood essences in pre-1947 British times.
The River Indus: See the River Indus, especially in the months of late July and August, when it flows full and weather is cloudy due to Monsoon season. It is worth to go there and eat fried or grilled ‘Pallo’ fish.
Badshahi Bungalow (Kings Bungalow): It is wonderful palace of Prince Mir Hassan Ali Khan Talpur, the son of the last ruler of Hyderabad, His Highness Mir Naseer Khan Talpur. It is owned by one of his descendent. His permission and appointment is required to see it from inside. However, one can see it from outside anytime. It is located a Tando of Talpur Mir near Latifabad Unit No. 4. If one can get appointment, one can have chat with Talpur Mirs and also see the palace from inside.
Resham Ghiti and Shahi Bazaar: The visitor of Hyderabad must go to see and shop in these narrow lane bazaars which are several kilometers long . The word Shahi is derived from the word 'Shah' which means 'kings'. This bazaar is known as Shahi Bazaar because it was first established by Kalhora ruler who, when changed the capital of Sindh from Khudabad to Hyderabad, persuaded many traders to come and start trading at this bazaar. It starts from the very gate of the Packo Qilo Fort and extends up to the Naval Rai Clock Tower. The Reshm Ghati is lateral extension of Shahi Bazaar. Large variety of glass bangles, Sindhi 'Kundan' gold jewellery as well as imitation jewellery can be bought from Resham Ghiti. #fastitlinks.com

1920s Street Scene at Lohari Gate – Lahore

1920s Street Scene at Lohari Gate – Lahore



The Lahori Gate is located within Walled City of Lahore in (Lahore, Punjab) Pakistan. Lahori Gate is one of the 13 gates of the Walled City of Lahore. Being one of the oldest gates of the old city, Lahori Gate is also known as Lohari gate. According to some historians, the original (old) city of Lahore was originally located near Ichhra, and this gate opened towards that side. Hence the name, Lahori gate. The name also traces back its roots to the language of Urdu, in which, “Lohar” means Blacksmith. This could also be another reason behind naming it this way. However, there are no concrete evidences available that blacksmiths used to live or work here.
Lahori Market
The bazar inside Lohari gate is known as Lohari Mandi (Lohari Market) which is one of the oldest markets of South Asia. In the distant past, caravans and travelers coming from Multan used to enter the city from this gate. According to historians, behind Lohari Gate once stood a brick fort called Kacha Kot which was probably the first fortified city of Lahore founded by Malik Ayaz.
During the Mughal rule, the two famous divisions of the Walled City, namely Guzar Bahar Khan and Guzar Machhi Hatta, were connected by this Gate. Unfortunately, during the anarchic rule of the 18th century, all the city gates, except Lohari Gate along with two other gates were walled up. The current building of Lohari gate was rebuilt in 1864 by Sir Robert Montgomery, the then Governor of Punjab. Gates of Lahore. Walled City of Lahore had 13 gates (Akbari Gate, Bhati Gate, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Lohari Gate, Masti Gate, Mochi Gate, Mori Gate, Roshnai Gate, Shahalmi Gate, Shairanwala Gate, Taxali Gate, and Yakki Gate). Today, out of 13, only Bhati Gate, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Lohari Gate, Roshnai Gate, and Shairanwala Gate survive, yet many are in urgent need of repairs and restoration.Gates of Lahore; Bhati Gate. The entrance to the “Bhati Gate” is located on the western wall of the old city. Just outside of “Bhati Gate” is the Data Durbar, the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Ali Hajweri (also known as Data Sahib Ganjbaksh).
A mythological legend, based on oral traditions, states that Lahore was named after Lava, son of the Hindu god Rama, who supposedly founded the city. Lahore Fort has a vacant temple dedicated in honour of Lava. Likewise, the Ravi River that flows through northern Lahore was said to be named in honour of the Hindu goddess Durga.[1]
Ptolemy, the celebrated astronomer and geographer, mentions in his Geographia a city called Labokla[2] situated on the route between the Indus river in a region described as extending along the rivers Bidastes or Vitasta (Jhelum), Sandabal or Chandra Bhaga (Chenab), and Adris or Iravati (Ravi).
The oldest authentic document about Lahore was written anonymously in 982 and is called Hudud-i-Alam.[3] It was translated into English by Vladimir Fedorovich Minorsky and published in Lahore in 1927. In this document, Lahore is referred to as a small shahr (city) with "impressive temples, large markets and huge orchards." It refers to "two major markets around which dwellings exist," and it also mentions "the mud walls that enclose these two dwellings to make it one." The original document is currently held in the British Museum.[4]
Jain Heritage
Plutarch as well as many other scholars suggest that Jainism was the most ancient and original religion in Punjab. Lahore was the cultural centre of Jainism. A book written by Plutarch, Life of Alexander talks about the encounters between Alexander the Great and digambara Jain saints called gymnosophists.[5] Bhabra or Bhabhra is an ancient merchant community from Punjab region which mainly follows Jainism. It is believed to be connected with the Bhavadar or Bhavada Gachchha to which the Jain Acharya Kalakacharya belonged to. They may have originated from the Bhabra town (32° 13' 30": 73° 13').[6] Inscriptions suggest that Bhavada Gachchha had survived until the 17th century. There were Jain temples at localities still called Thari Bhabrian and Gali Bhabrian.
Hindu heritage
Main article: Hindu period in Lahore
An 1876 engraving of Rajputs, from the Illustrated London News.
The city of Lahore has a Gurjara origin. The earliest princes were said to be traditional Gurjar. Hieun Tsang, the Chinese traveller, who visited the Punjab in 630 AD, speaks of a large city, containing many thousands of families, chiefly Brahmans, situated on the eastern frontier of the kingdom of Cheka, which he says, extended from the Indus to the Beas river.
Around 580 BC., when king Bimbisara ruled South Asia, the society came to be divided into different communities based on their occupation.[dubious – discuss][citation needed] One of their communities was called Kshatriyas and King Luv's descendants were classed with them and came to be known as Luvanam, which was also referred to as Luvana.[7] The Luvanas from Loharghat became known as Loharana (masters of swords;[dubious – discuss][citation needed] or iron ("Loha") chiefs ("Rana")), which later became Lohana.[dubious – discuss]
Chinese traveller Faxian, who visited South Asia between 337 and 472 CE, calls Lohana a brave community ruling the northwest territory of South Asia, in his diary.[citation needed] Another Chinese traveler, Kurmang who came in the eleventh century A.D. speaks of a Lohrana kingdom as a mighty power.[citation needed][dubious – discuss] Historian Burton writes Lohanas were brave people and says they were spread over today's Baluchistan (Pakistan), Afghanistan and eastern fringes of Central Asia.[citation needed] Col. Todd, who delved into history of Rajasthan, describes Lohanas as one of the oldest Kshatriya community. #fastitlinks.com

1920s Government House – Peshawar

1920s Government House – Peshawar




The Governor's House in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan is a historic building and has a secret tunnel from the left side mosque to the Bala Hisar Fort it is about 1.25 km long, amidst what is now a park. It is close to the Peshawar Museum. It serves as the official residence of the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Governor House was commissioned in the early 20th century by the British. The famous British era contractor responsible for the Mardan-Chitral Road (Lowari Pass), Attock Landi Kotal Rail track and Drosh Fort Khan Bahadur Nawab Abdul Hameed Khan of Badrashi was contracted to build the building in a traditional Greco-Roman design prevailent in other grand British buildings across India.
Peshawar (Pashto: پېښور‎ Pēx̌awar [peˈçawar] (listen); Hindko: پشور‎; [pɪˈʃɔːɾ] (listen); Urdu: پشاور‎ [peːˈʃaːʋər] (listen)) is the capital of the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[5] Situated in the broad Valley of Peshawar near the eastern end of the historic Khyber Pass, close to the border with Afghanistan, Peshawar's recorded history dates back to at least 539 BCE, making it the oldest city in Pakistan and one of the oldest cities in South Asia.[6] As the center of the ancient Gandhara region, Peshawar served as the capital of the Kushan Empire;[7][8][9] and was home to the Kanishka stupa.[10] Peshawar was then sacked by the White Huns, before the arrival of Muslim empires. The city was an important trading centre during the Mughal era before serving as the winter capital of the Afghan Durrani Empire from 1757 until the city was captured by the Sikh Empire in 1818, who were then followed by the British in 1849. The city of Peshawar has a population of 1,970,042 according to the 2017 census, making it the largest city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the sixth-largest in Pakistan,[11] while Peshawar District has a population of 4,269,079.[12] Peshawar is the largest Pashtun-majority city in Pakistan[13][14] and is bilingual in Pashto and Hindko
The modern name of the city "Peshawar" is widely attributed to the name "Purushapura" (Sanskrit: पुरूषपुर Puruṣapura, meaning "City of Men " or “City of Purusha").[16][17][18] However, the name Purushapura does not appear in any ancient Indian literary sources.[19] The ruler of the city during its founding may have been a Hindu raja (King) named Purush; the word pur means "city" in Sanskrit.[20][21][22] Sanskrit, written in the Kharosthi script, was the literary language employed by the Buddhist kingdoms which ruled over the area during its earliest recorded period.[23] The city’s name may be also derived from the Sanskrit name for "City of Flowers," Poshapura, a name found in an ancient Kharosthi inscription that may refer to Peshawar.[24]
Hsuan Tsang’s 7th century account of a city in Gandhara called the city Po-la-sha-pu-lo, and an earlier 5th century account by Fa-Hien records the city’s name as Fou-lou-sha, the Chinese equivalent of the Sanskrit name of the city, Purushapura.[25][26] An ancient inscription from the Shapur era identifies a city in the Gandhara valley by the name pskbvr, which may be a reference to Peshawar.[27]
The Arab historian and geographer Al-Masudi noted that by the mid 10th century, the city was known as Parashāwar. The name was noted to be Purshawar and Purushavar by Al-Biruni.[28] The city began to be known as Peshāwar by the era of Emperor Akbar.[29] The current name is said by some to have been based upon the Persian for "frontier town"[29] or, more literally, "forward city," though transcription errors and linguistic shifts may account for the city's new name. One theory suggests that the city’s name is derived from the Persian name "Pesh Awardan", meaning "place of first arrival" or "frontier city," as Peshawar was the first city in the Indian subcontinent after crossing the Khyber Pass.[30][31] Akbar's bibliographer, Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, lists the city's name as both Parashāwar, transcribed in Persian as پَرَشَاوَر,[32] and Peshāwar (پشاور)#fastitlinks.com