Historic Trilogy
Thursday 29 February 2024
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, February 29, 2024,
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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,
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To Carry the Dust to Multan
Tuesday 27 February 2024
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, February 27, 2024,
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Syed Hamid Hussain Subzwari
Saturday 24 February 2024
Subzwari was passionate about everything called life. He was a generous, 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. Fabahya Subzwari, his youngest daughter, came to my rescue and added information about multiple pursuits of his loving dad. In addition to his research thesis The Kalabagh Dam, “my dad had written 44 books including Tafseer-e-Kausar, sad romantic poetry Dhanaq, she said.”
Fabahya said, “at the same time, he was a very versatile businessperson who worked on multiple projects throw-out his life. Starting from textile industry, Pak-China trade, launch of CNG Bike Project, Subzwari served in corporate sector as well. My dad was very fond of good cars.”
More than anything else, Subzwari was a great person who was always there for everyone. 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 a source of strength for so many.
I will remember him for many things: The best one I liked was the very relevant and tailored prayer I received from him 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. “Michu of his mother”, he was the best son of his parents. Perhaps that is what makes him the best father to his kids.
You were a great father and great person Syed Hamid Hussain Subzwari! I will miss you forever. May your soul rest in eternal peace.
Labels: Obituary
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, February 24, 2024,
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Mir Chakar Rind
Thursday 15 February 2024
An old, sleepy and tranquil village Satghara lies about 80 kilometers from Lahore (20 minutes drive away from Okara) in the quiet backwaters of the Punjab. The coins found at Satghara prove that the place was inhabited at the time of the Kushan dynasty. The rule of Kushans was one of the most decisive periods in the history of the Subcontinent. At the height in the second century (A.D.), Kushans ruled from Oxus to Ganges and yet their influence spread beyond even these frontiers. On the southern bank of the Ravi, it is a typical Pakistani village where farmers live like rustics in the face of urban attractions. Though off the beaten track, it has never been out of limelight. Besides heritage conscious travelers from all over the world, Baloch leaders and contemporary historians visit the hamlet. Reasons: it is a "Tukia Nawab Chakar Ki" - last resting-place of Mir Chakar Rind. I see part of our history buried here whenever I have a look at it. And when I was stationed at Okara Cantt, I did it often.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,
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