Gogera Sadar
Tuesday 12 March 2024
The only historic building — a British court — that reminds of the colonial period has been converted into a school. The verandas of the old building with round arches have been clogged to create additional rooms and red thin bricks are covered with coats of whitewash. It was much better if the building could have been conserved in its original shape. That does not seem possible now.
Labels: Gogera, History, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, March 12, 2024, ,
Happy families are all alike
Saturday 9 March 2024
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, March 09, 2024, ,
Judge the Nations by the Way They Look at Their Women
Saturday 2 March 2024
Helen of Troy was the daughter of Zeus and Leda and the wife of Menelaus, considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world. Her abduction by Paris caused the Trojan War and made thousands of ships drown.
Labels: Abbas Khan, Books
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, March 02, 2024, ,
Changing Chitral
Friday 1 March 2024
This is Chitral. On the small airfield, the cold wind thrusts you to shiver. The remoteness of the district has left it undeveloped in spite of its grand natural beauty, hospitable people, and ancient history. The town is a base camp for tourists, adventurers, and researchers from across the world. And, people seem to be living there in peace.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, March 01, 2024, ,
Historic Trilogy
Thursday 29 February 2024
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, February 29, 2024, ,
Long Trail of the Heritage
Wednesday 28 February 2024
Punjab is a gold mine for history seekers and curious travelers. You may find much more than what you hear or read. It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people. What is more, people of the area are eager to help – on their own expense - when you ask anybody. One finds volunteer 'guides' who were forth coming with wealth of information. The distances in the hinterland are short but the landscape is so enormous that it had to be studied in parts like a large mural seen by a child.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, February 28, 2024, ,
To Carry the Dust to Multan
Tuesday 27 February 2024
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, February 27, 2024, ,
Syed Hamid Hussain Subzwari
Saturday 24 February 2024
Subzwari was passionate about everything called life. He often indulged in writing. The Kalabagh Dam was his specialty but he also wrote prose (and poetry). He was a generous, very witty, and dedicated individual who loved making everyone around him happy. He was an active and devout member of so many groups and (thanks to him) allowed me to peep into some.
More than anything else, Subzwari was a great person who was always there for me. That is why I am feeling the pain, sadness, and void within on two accounts; one he was a great human, and second, he was an anjuman in himself who was my source of strength.
I will remember him for many things: The Best one I liked was the very relevant and tailored prayer I received every morning. And I, unknowingly, used to wait for his morning messages. Second, I was always the first to read his poetry whenever he wrote something new. Moreover, he was my ‘alert’ for religious events and celebrations.
My hearts go out to his family, to his children, and to all the rest of his family and friends. It is hard to talk about good people sometimes.
You were a great father and great person Syed Hamid Hussain Subzwari! I will miss you forever. May your soul rest in eternal peace.
Published in the Daily Nation, Lahore, Dated 28 February 2024
Labels: Obituary
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, February 24, 2024, ,
Mir Chakar Rind
Thursday 15 February 2024
As per one account, Mir Chakar Rind came to this village with seven families, hence the name. Another legend has it that the village was named Satghara because it was destroyed seven times by floods. Shah Abul Mo'ali, descendant of sixteenth century saint Muhammad Ibrahim Daud-e-Sani Bandgi in his book 'Maqamat-e-Daudi' maintains that Satghara was known by the same name even before the arrival of Mir Chakar Rind. In Baloch history, the sixteenth century was a very eventful period. Baloch fought series of wars amongst themselves. The result of these tribal conflicts not only caused large-scale bloodshed but also resulted in their mass migrations to the Punjab, Sindh and Gujrat (India).
Labels: Baloch, Mir Chakar Rind, People, Punjab
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, February 15, 2024, ,
Why blog?
Friday 20 October 2023
Some 20 bloggers posted their comments and almost same numbers replied through email, pointing to posts on their own blogs answering my question.Here is a kaleidoscope of opinions from bloggers that I was able to contact and read their posts.
Labels: Bloggers, Blogging, Blogs, Fine Art of Blogging
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, October 20, 2023, ,