This paper examines how Jinnah’s politics evolved through main phases, which, though distinct, yet merged into the next, without sudden shifts.
The constitutionalist in Jinnah led to him having a similar experience with the Home Rule League (HRL). He had collaborated with it since it was founded by Annie Besant, and joined it in a show of solidarity when Besant was interned in 1917. In October 1920 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, upon being elected HRL President on Jinnah’s proposals, went about changing its constitution and its aims and objects and renaming it Swarajya Sabha rather unilaterally.

He joined the AIML formally in October 1913 and became its President in 1916. He utilized his pivotal position to get the Congress and the League act in concert, and work out common solutions to problems confronting the country. One result of his efforts was the Congress-League, Lucknow Pact of 1916, which settled the controversial electorate issue, at least for the time being, and paved the way towards a entente cordiale between Hindus and Muslims. Another result was the holding of Congress and League annual sessions at the same time and at the same place for seven years (1915-21).


For Jinnah, while national freedom for both Hindus and Muslims continued to be the supreme goal, the means adopted to achieve it underwent a dramatic change. If it could not be achieved through Hindu Muslim unity, it must be done through Hindu-Muslim separation; if it could not be secured through a composite Hindu-Muslim nationalism, it must be done through separate Hindu and Muslim nationalisms; if not through a united India, it must be through partition. In either case, the ultimate objective was to ensure political power for Muslims.

Jinnah’s Transformation:

The period after 1937 marked a paradigmatic shift. Jinnah became identified in the Muslim mind with the concept of the charismatic community, the concept which answered their psychic need for endowing and sanctifying their sense of community with a sense of power. Increasingly he became the embodiment of a Muslim national consensus, which explains why and how he had become their Quaid-i-Azam, even before the launching of the Pakistan demand in March 1940.

He still believed in democracy, but now felt parliamentary democracy of the Westminster type was unsuitable for India because of the existence of a permanent majority and a permanent minority, which he defined in specific terms:

Minorities means a combination of things. It may be that a minority has a different religion from the other citizens of a country. Their language may be different, their race may be different, their culture may be different, and the combination of all these various elements – religion, culture, race, language, arts, music and so forth makes the minority a separate entity in the State, and that separate entity as an entity wants safeguards.

Jinnah also traveled across the other end of the political and ideological spectrum in other ways. Previously he had disdained mass politics, now he opted for mass politics. Previously he had objected to Gandhi’s injection of religion into politics, now he was not averse to couch his appeals in Islamic terms and galvanising the Muslim masses by appealing to them in a cultural matrix they were familiar with. Previously he had called himself an Indian first and last, now he opted for an Islamic identity. Previously he had strived long and hard for a national consensus; now all his efforts were directed towards a Muslim consensus. Jinnah, the erstwhile “ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity” became the fiercest advocate of Hindu-Muslim separation.

Jinnah then used this to argue the case for Pakistan at two levels. First, he invoked the universally recognized principle of self-determination. But it was invoked not on the familiar territorial basis, but for the Muslim nation alone. As he stipulated in his marathon talks with Gandhi in September 1944, the constituency for the plebiscite to decide upon the Pakistan demand would comprise only the Muslims, and not the entire population of the areas concerned. Second, he spelled out his reasons for reaching out towards the ‘Pakistan’ goal in his Lahore (1940) address in more or less ideological terms, arguing that “Islam and Hinduism… are not religions in the strict sense of the word, but are… different and distinct social orders”, that “the Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs, literature”, “to two different civilizations”, that they “derive their inspiration from different sources of history”… (with) different epics, different heroes and different episodes.” “We wish our people”, he declared, “to develop to the fullest our spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political life in a way that we think best and in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people.”


Jinnah developed this into a definition of Muslim nationhood that was most cogent, the most closely argued, and the most firmly based in international law since the time of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. “We are a nation,” he wrote to Gandhi on 17 September 1944, “with our distinctive culture and civilization, language and literature, art and architecture, names and nomenclature, sense of values and proportion, legal laws and moral code, customs and calendar, history and traditions, aptitude and ambitions; in short, we have our own distinctive outlook on life and of life.”

Jinnah’s Realisation:

After independence, as head of the state he had founded, Jinnah talked in the same strain. He talked of securing “liberty, fraternity and equality as enjoined upon us by Islam” (25 August 1947); of “Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice and the equality of manhood” (21 February 1948); of raising Pakistan on “sure foundations of social justice and Islamic socialism which emphasized equality and brotherhood of man” (26 March 1948); of laying “the foundations of our democracy on the basis of true Islamic ideals and principles” (14 August 1948); and “the onward march of renaissance of Islamic culture and ideals” (18 August 1947). He called upon the mammoth Lahore audience to build up “Pakistan as a bulwark of Islam”, to “live up to your traditions and add to it another chapter of glory”, adding, “If we take our inspiration and guidance from the Holy Quran, the final victory, I once again say, will be ours” (30 October 1947).

For Jinnah, “the creation of a State of our own was a means to an end and not the end in itself. The idea was that we should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men and which we could develop according to our own lights and culture and where principles of Islamic social justice could find free play” (11 October 1947). He told Edwards College students that “this mighty land has now been brought under a rule, which is Islamic, Muslim rule, as a sovereign independent State” (18 April 1948). He even described Pakistan as “the premier Islamic State” (February 1948).

Technically speaking, theocracy means a government “by ordained priests, who wield authority as being specially appointed by those who claim to derive their rights from their sacerdotal position.” Unlike Catholicism, there is no established church in Islam; (in fact, it decries such a church). Moreover, since Islam admits of no priestcraft, since it discountenances a sacerdotal class as the bearer of an infallible authority, and since it concedes the right of ijtihad to “men of common sense”, the concept of theocracy is absolutely foreign to Islam. Hence, during the debate on the Objectives Resolution (March 1947), Mian Iftikharuddin refuted the Congress members fears about the sovereignty clause, saying that “the wording of the Preamble does not in any way make the Objectives Resolution any the more theocratic, any the more religious than the Resolution or statement of fundamental principles of some of the modern countries of the world” (10 March 1949). Thus neither Iqbal, nor Jinnah, nor any of the independence leaders (including Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani) stood for a theocratic state.

Not surprisingly, it has elicited varied comments from scholars and contemporary journalists. One scholar has put it down to “loose thinking and imprecise wording” and a departure from Jinnah’s erstwhile position. Another calls it “a remarkable reversal” and asks “was he [Jinnah] pleading for a united India – on the eve of Pakistan?”

It is, however, not usually recognized that political equality in general terms (because absolutism was the rule at the time of the advent of Islam) and equality before law in more specific terms are attributes Islam had recognized long before the world discovered them as secular values. They were exemplified in the Misaq-i-Madinah, the pact between the Prophet (PBUH) and Aus and Khazraj, and in his letter to Abul Hairs, Christian priest and the accredited representative of the Christians of Najran, and in the conduct of the Khulfa-i-Rashidun. This covenant, comprising 47 clauses, lays down, inter alia, that the Quraishite Muslim, the Medinites and the Jews of Banu Auf from one community apart from other people, that the Jews shall have their religion and the Muslims their own, that they shall help each other against one who fights with the people of the covenant. Now, how could these disparate tribes characterised by differing religious affiliations from one political community unless their entitlement to equal rights, privileges and obligations are conceded in the first place. A community postulates such entitlement, and it may be conjectured that Jinnah believed that Islam concedes equal citizenship to one and all, without reference to creed, colour or race.

Conclusion:

Jinnah was the most Westernised political leader in all the annals of Indian Islam; no other Muslim political leader could match him in terms of modernity and a modern outlook. He was completely at home with the milieu in cosmopolitan Bombay and metropolitan London. He also married a Parsi girl, so unconventional for a Muslim leader at that time, though after getting her converted to Islam. During his chequered career, Jinnah came in contact with an exceedingly large number of non-Muslim leading personalities and a host of British officials, more than any other Muslim leader and had interacted with them for some four decades — before he underwent a paradigmatic shift. Jinnah was also a man who minced no words, stood no humbug, and called a spade a spade. He held political rhetoric in high disdain; he preferred political wilderness to playing to the gallery. Such a man could not possibly have gone in for an Islamic orientated discourse unless he felt that the Islamic values he was commending were at home with the values underlying modernity, that Islam was in consonance with progress and modernity. During the debate on Islam and secularism, this is a point that has lain ignored.

British Influence: As Mughal power declined, British influence increased. Indian rulers proved much undisciplined when it came to facing British army and therefore, there was no problem in defeating Indian cavalry.
In 1775, the Company was found to be corrupt and a regulatory act gave the government control over Company officials. In 1784 the Indian Act left the Company solely incharge of commerce. Motivated by Imperialism, the British began to annex states, offering troop protection against aggressive neighbors in return of loyalty and sizeable subsidies. By 1818, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and a tract of land north of the Ganges running up to Delhi were firmly in British hands.

Kashmir Conspiracy: The consequences of the first Sikh war (1846) had major repercussions for another state, Kashmir. Before being taken by Ranjit Singh, it had been ruled alternatively by Mughals and Afghans. Kashmir was then 90% Muslim, but after the siege of Multan in 1819 Ranjit Singh wanted to reward one of his leaders, Gulab Singh, a Hindu. He was duly granted the estate of Jammu.

Sindh and the Indus: British first stepped on Sindhi soil in 1809 when a diplomatic mission visited the Talpur Mirs. The British saw the importance of the Indus River, believing it could be an important commercial highway. In 1839, they seized Karachi, Sukkur and Bukkur. By 1843, Sir Charles Napier had secured the province of Sindh for the British.

Baluchistan: To the west, Baluchistan with its borders to Persia and Afghanistan, was of great strategic importance. The routes through Bolan Pass to Quetta and beyond were vital. Again the British faced the tribal problem, solved by the same kinds of measures used to subdue the Pathans. By the 1890s Baluchistan was largely pacified and stabilised.
The British Raj: The Indian Mutiny erupted in isolated areas in 1857. There were bloody uprisings in Meerut, Delhi, Kanpur and Lucknow. British reprisals were exceptionally brutal. The soldiers petitioned the last Mughal Bahadur Shah Zafar, who was officially up to this time the sovereign ruler of the Mughal Empire, to be their figurehead. The British exiled him to Burma where he died in 1862.

Control now passed from the East India Company to the Crown and the company was dissolved. The Crown’s representative in India was now the Viceroy, who had almost absolute authority.

India prospered during the British rule. Agricultural output was increased manifold. The railway network was setup, which provided a major contribution to the boom. Trade was expanded and industrial development was on the rise.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1818-1898) emerged as the main advocate of reforming Muslim society towards progress, representing a feeling that a rejection of the British would only result in the Muslims of India disappearing into oblivion. He wanted advantages for Muslims and was keen for the reform of Muslim education. He stressed that science was not anti-Islamic. In 1875, the British gave him a grant to found the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental college which later became Aligarh University. From here, a stream of educated Muslims went into government services.

Indian National Congress: In 1885, the Indian National Congress was formed. The party began to fight for a devolution of power into Indian hands. Although some leading Muslims were members, it was viewed with suspicion by most, including Sir Syed, as being a Hindu body which would only ever represent Hindu interests.

All India Muslim League: In 1906, All India Muslim League was formed to promote feelings of loyalty to the British and advance Muslim political interests. They petitioned the Viceroy that in any political move, Muslim interests be taken into account. The 1909 India Councils Act rewarded Muslim loyalty. The act gave Muslims separate electorates, where they could elect their own representatives to the Legislative Council. Some people claim that this move foreshadowed the birth of Pakistan.
Turnaround: Muslims began to feel isolated and their fears were boosted by European attacks on Muslim countries such as the fight against Turkey in the First World War. They saw Britian leading a Christian crusade against Islam. More and more Muslims decided to transfer to the Congress party. In 1916, the Muslim League and the Congress signed the Lukhnow Pact: Congress accepted separate Muslim electorates in return for League support in its cause to drive out the British.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah: Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1875-1948) was initially a Congress member and endeavored to bring about the political union of Muslims and Hindus. He left Congress in 1920. but the turning point came when Congress leaders ignored Muslim demands for one third of the seats in any future parliaments. Jinnah never trusted Congress after several exclusions of Muslim interest in Congress decisions. He worked furiously to amass Muslim support for teh League to show the world that the League and the League only was the true representation of India’s Muslims.

The Indus Valley Civilization is considered to have evolved around 2600 BC. Built on the ruins of fortified towns near Kot Diji, it is now believed to have emerged from farming communities of the area. The Civilization boasted immense cities like Moenjodaro and Harappa. These towns were well planned, with paved main roads, multistoried houses, watchtowers, food warehouses, and assembly halls. Their people developed an advanced script that still remains un-deciphered. The Indus Civilization’s decline around 1700 BC is attributed to foreign invaders, who at some sites violently destroyed the cities. But with recent research, historians have become unsure as to the exact causes of decline of the Indus Civilization.

Alexander the great Alexander the Great invaded the Sub-continent in 327 BC. Conquering the Kalash valley, he crossed the mighty Indus at Ohind, sixteen miles north of Attock. He then defeated the mighty elephant army of Porus at Jhelum, and began his march towards the long Ganges plain. However, he was forced to plan for homeward sailing when his war-wary troops refused to advance further. On his way back, a serious wound, received while battling the Malloi people at Multan, finally took its toll, and Alexander died in 323 BC, leaving his conquests for grab among his own officers.


Ashoka, son of Bindusara, was one of the greatest rulers the world hasAskoka the great ever known. Not only did he rule a vast empire; he also tried to rule it compassionately. After initially causing thousands of lives during his conquest of Kalinga, he decided to rule by the law of piety. He was instrumental in spreading Buddhism within and outside the Sub-continent by building Buddhist monasteries and stupas, and sending out missionaries to foreign lands.

The Greek king of Bactria, Demetrius, conquered the Kabul River Valley around 195 BC. The Greeks re-built Taxila and Pushkalavati as their twin capital cities in Gandhara. They were followed in 75 BC by the Scythians, Iranian nomads from Central Asia, and in about 50 BC by the powerful Parthians, from east of the Caspian Sea.

Prior to 1947, the country now known as Pakistan was a British colony. In 1947 the United Kingdom granted independence to the region under a new name, Pakistan. The name had been developed by a group of students at Cambridge University who issued a pamphlet in 1933 called Now or Never.

They came up with the term “Pakistan” as “composed of letters taken from the names of our homelands: that is, Punjab, Afghania [North-West Frontier Province], Kashmir, Iran , Sindh, Tukharistan, Afghanistan, and Balochistan. It means the land of the Paks, the spiritually pure and clean.”
Although the suffix “stan” means country in Hindi and Persian, the students were able to fit the names of homelands to make an appropriate country name. The name was finalised by Chaudary Rehmat Ali

Once standing on the top of imposing Bala-Hisar Fort in Peshawar, one could see the historic Khyber Valley- gateway that has seen traders, conquers, nomads and travellers passing through it. But today, you can only see the jungle of high concrete structures, plazas and clouds of hanging over the cityscape. So much ‘development’ has taken place in the historic city.

Zaheer-ud-Din Babur crossed the Khyber Pass in the Sixteen Century on his way from Kabul, and ordered to strengthen the Fort of Peshawar known as Bala-Hisar (the high Fort). The Fort became a symbol of his victory on this side of the Khyber Pass. Sikhs and British during their rule reinforced Bala-Hisar for different reasons through.

The history of the fort must surely to that of the city, but the early days are marked in mystery. It is tempting, however, to see this as the site of fortification protected by a moat that was visited and described by the Chinese travellers like Hsuan Tsang and later Ruder Kipling. Presently Bala-Hisar fort houses headquarters of a prestigious Frontier Corps- the defenders of the mountains. Many kings have stayed in this Fort cum Royal residence in the past, contemplating their strategic moves to consolidate their gains.

The Mosque Mahabat Khan, Peshawar’s outstanding architecture legacy, in Jeweller’s Bazar was constructed by the Governor of Peshawar Mahabat Khan Mirza Lerharsib, in 1630 during the era of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. The Mosque was desecrated and badly damaged by the Sikhs in early nineteen century and later when the fire broke out in 1898. The British renovated it for the first time and brought back some of its grandeur.

Presently it is being looked after by the Auqaf Department and seem in an urgent need of attention. Intricate naqqashi is fading and creaks have snacked in the courtyard as well as in the walls of the grand mosque.

For-tiered Cunningham clock tower erected at the turn of the century on the eve of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee other gems in the history of Peshawar that catch the eye of any passer by.

The famous Chowk Yadgar, is located in the amidst of wide and sprawling convergence point of different major roads and bazaars of the city, have witnessed agitation stemming from religious, political and international issues in the country. Commemorative square was originally named in the memory of British Colonel Hastings. In 1969, the square was dedicated to the heroes of 1965 Indo-Pakistan war.

Edward’s Collage was established in 1901 and named in the memory of famous administrative Sir Herbert Edward as missionary boarding school. Later, Haji Sahib of Turangzai laid down the foundation of Islamia collage in 1911. The collage has magnificent frontage facing Jamrud Road with its domes, kiosks and pinnacles rising above the green trees, which contrast sharply with red brick ornate building. The architectural taste is peculiarly of Mughal with a touch of colonial style. Three domed mosque adjacent to the collage is also of the artistic pleasure.

The British made Peshawar their frontier headquarters. They also added a new part to the historic city: typical colonial garrison with Gora Bazaar, church, single men barracks, bungalows and cantonment Railway Station. The blend of colonial and Mughal architecture, shady trees, flower beds along pathways and spacious

Houses in garrison in contrast to the multi storied residences in the city still stand out boldly.

Cosmopolitan character of Qissa Khawani Bazaar-Piccadilly of Peshawar is lined with its traditional kehwa khanas, Tikka, Chapli Kabab and dry fruit shops along with modern show rooms of leather ware and bright coloured garments. The stories of the Amirs of Bokhara and the Khans of Khiva and regional love of ‘Adam and our Khani have been substituted by satellite receivers continuously breaking news and telling amazing tales of fiction from all over the world. General Evitable, the Italian mercenary who was appointed governor of Peshawar by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, built the bazaar in the present shape in the early nineteenth century. Among tourist, it is still best known Bazaar of the city. Afghan refugees who came to Peshawar as a result of Soviet occupation have added yet another dimension in the character of the city in general this bazaar in particular where they can be seen doing business from exchanging money to selling Kehwa.

In a grand Victorian hall, the Peshawar Museum houses one of the world’s best collection of Gandhara art, including stupas depicting the Buddha’s stupa collection presents a clear picture of life of Peshawar Valley during first four centuries A.D. when Peshawar was the capital of a vast empire. Handicrafts, tools and cloths of different tribes in the ethnological portion I the museum are also interesting and throw light on the cultural heritage of the region.

Life during the early days may be severed in old city. Historic houses having bay windows, jharoka and naqqashi work that may be reminiscent of Gandhara. Persian or Greek art are still servicing against all odds.

Sethi houses built during 1830-34, wood – work added in them in 1983, are good specimen of the past. Expert from International Union of Conservation have already carried out a survey for conservation of the houses and the result is still awaited . but the requirement is that Archaeology Department, city development agencies and real estate developers, all should work for preservation of legendary character of the city holding thousands of secrets.

Beyond history, heritage and culture, Peshawar faces all problems urbanization. City once famous for gardens and flowers is turning Grey. A case study of Peshawar has revelled that the city has lost 2700 acres of agriculture land during the two decades (1965-85). This in the addition to 400 of acres of vacant land that has been also eaten up by expending urban functions. In the same period, the land under parks and green space has shrunk from 163 to 75 acres.

With such thick layer of history compressed so tightly, Peshawar today is continuously growing and expanding. The need of the hour is that the concerned authorities should make plans for conserving its heritage otherwise we will lose our rich culture.

1947

• June 3: British Government decides to bifurcates India, into two sovereign states – India and Pakistan.
• August 14: Pakistan comes into being as an independent sovereign State.
• August 18: Pakistan becomes member of UN by a unanimous vote of the Security Council.
• October 27: Indian Air troops land in Kashmir as the Maharaja declares accession of Kashmir to India.
• November 11: Dir and Chitral States accede to Pakistan.

1948

• February 25: Urdu is declared the national language of Pakistan.
• March 27: State of Kalat accedes to Pakistan.
• July 9: Pakistan’s first postage stamp is issued.
• September 11: Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah passes away at Karachi.
• November 13: Khwaja Nazimuddin becomes Governor-General of Pakistan.

1949

• January 1: United Nations cease-fire orders to operate in Kashmir. War stops accordingly.
• February 8: Azad Kashmir Government shifts its capital to Muzaffarabad.
• March 12: Constituent Assembly of Pakistan adopts Objectives Resolution, as a guide to future constitution modeled on the ideology of Islam.
• July 26: Pakistan and India agree on a Cease-fire Line in Jammu and Kashmir.
• November 25: First International Islamic Economic Conference opens in Karachi.
• Soviet Union invites Liaquat Ali Khan to USSR

1950

• January 4: Government of Pakistan recognizes the Peoples Republic of China.
• April 8: Liaquat-Nehru agreement is signed in New Delhi on measures to deal with major Inter-Dominion problems.
• May 18: The Peshawar University comes into being.
• July 11: Pakistan joins the IMF and World Bank.
• September 6: General Muhammad Ayub Khan, the first Pakistani, is appointed C-in-C of Pakistan Army.

1951

• February 9: First census begins in Pakistan.
• May 11: University of Karachi is established.
• June 14: Hearing of Pindi Conspiracy Case begins in Hyderabad Jail.
• October 16: Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan is assassinated at Rawalpindi.
• October 17: Malik Ghulam Muhammad becomes Governor-General, Khwaja Nazimuddin assumes charge of Prime Minister.

1952

• March 12: Kalat, Makran, Las Bela and Kharan agree, with the concurrence of the Central Government, to integrate their territories into Balochistan.
• August 21: Pakistan and India agree on the boundary pact between East and West Bengal.
• August 22: A 24-hour telegraph telephone service is established between East and West Pakistan.
• December 24: UN Security Council adopts the Anglo-American Resolution on Kashmir urging immediate demilitarization talks between India, Pakistan.
• December 31: Pakistan National Scouts instituted.

1953

• March 6: Martial Law promulgated in Lahore to control disturbances against Ahmadis.
• April 17: Muhammad Ali Bogra is sworn is as Prime Minister.
• July 14: Wazir Mansion Karachi, the birth place of Quad-i-Azam, is declared protected national monument.
• August 16: Kashmir Martyrs’ Day observed throughout Pakistan.
• September 17: Founder of MQM Mr.Altaf Hussain was born.
• November 22: Allama Sayed Sulaiman Nadvi, well-known scholar and historian, passes away in Karachi.

1954

• July 31: K-2, the world’s second highest mountain is conquered by an Italian expedition led by Professor Desio.
• August 7: Government of Pakistan approves the National Anthem, written by Abul Asar Hafeez Jullundhri and composed by Ahmed G. Chagla.
• August 17: Pakistan defeats England by 24 runs at Oval during its maiden tour of England.
• September 21: Constituent Assembly unanimously passes the resolution in favour of Urdu and Bengali as national languages.
• October 7: Foreign Minister Ch. Zafarullah Khan becomes a member of the International Court of Justice.

1955

• January 1: Pakistan International Airlines comes into being.
• January 17: Noted short story writer, Saadat Hasan Manto passes away in Lahore.
• March 15: The biggest post-independence irrigation project, Kotri Barrage is inaugurated.
• August 7: PM Mohammad Ali Bogra resigns after the election of Chaudhri Mohammad Ali.
• October 6: Governor-General Ghulam Mohammad’s resignation is succeeded by Iskander Mirza.

1956

• February 21: Constituent Assembly decides the country shall be a Federal Republic known as Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
• May 14: PM Ch. Muhammad Ali presents the first five-year plan.
• March 23: 1956 Constitution is promulgates on Pakistan Day. Major-General Iskander Mirza sworn in as first President of Pakistan.
• September 12: Huseyn Shaheed Suharwardy assumes office of appointed Prime Minister.
• October 1: The Electorate Bill is introduced in the National Assembly providing for Joint Electrote in East Pakistan and Separate Electorate in West Pakistan.

1957

• March 8: President Iskander Mirza lays the foundation-stone of the State Bank of Pakistan building in Karachi.
• July 11: Spiritual leader of Ismailis and one of the founders of Muslim League, Aga Khan, passes away.
• Governor-Raj is lifted in West Pakistan after four months.
• July 24: Maulana Bhashani forms National Awami Party.
• December 16: Malik Feroz Khan Noon is sworn in as seventh Prime Minister of Pakistan.

1958

• February 14: Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, vetern leader of Pakistan Movement passes away in Karachi.
• June 25: President Rule is proclaimed in East Pakistan.
• July 17: First Nigar Film Awards held.
• October 7: Martial Law is declared throughout the country. General Ayub Khan is chief Martial Law Administrator.
• November 2: Iskander Mirza is exiled.

1959

• March 21: Martial law authorities enforce PRODA to disqualify politicians.
• April 18: Government takes over dailies The Pakistan Times, and Imroze and weekly Lail-o-Nihar.
• July 12: Shukriya Niaz Ali becomes first woman pilot of Pakistan.
• September 16: Government establishes Islamic Research Institute.
• October 27: President General Ayub Khan becomes Field Marshal.

1960

• February 24: Presidential Cabinet decides to name the new Capital as Islamabad.
• March 23: Foundation of Minar-i-Pakistan is laid.
• July 31: Foundation of Mazar-i-Quaid (Mausoleum of M.A. Jinnah) is laid.
• August 1: Rawalpindi is declared as the principal seat of the Government of Pakistan.
• September 9: Pakistan achieved its first Gold Medal in Olympics, defeating India in hockey by 1-0 at Rome.

1961

• January 1: Decimal coinage introduced in Pakistan.
• April 22: Government institutes Film Awards.
• June 14: Government takes over news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
• July 15: Jasmine is chosen as the national flower of Pakistan.
• August 16: Maulvi Abdul Haq passes away in Karachi.

1962

• March 23: 1962 Constitution is promulgated.
• April 27: Vetern statesman of Pakistan, A. K. Fazlul Haq passes away in Dhaka at age 89.
• June 1: Soviet Union awards Lenin Prize to Faiz Ahmed Faiz for his literary contribution.
• June 7: SUPARCO launches Pakistan’s first weather rocket, Rehbar-I from Somniani.
• June 8: National Assembly elected and begins its first session. Ayub Khan takes oath of first President of Pakistan under new constitution.

1963

• January 5: First trade agreement is signed between Pakistan and China.
• January 24: Z. A. Bhutto becomes Foreign Minister.
• March 2: Pakistan and China sing a border agreement in Peking (Beijing).
• April 21: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors adopts code of Press Ethics.
• October 29: Sir Zafrullah Khan is replaced by Syed Amjad Ali as Pakistan’s permanent representative to United Nations.

1964

• July 31: Pakistan, Iran and Turkey agree to establish, RCD (Regional Cooperation for Development).
• September 17: Fatima Jinnah filed her paper as candidate for the Presidential election.
• October 22: Khwaja Nazimuddin passes away in Dhaka.
• October 28: Pakistan’s hockey team wins Silver Medal in Tokyo Olympic games.
• November 26: President Ayub Khan inaugurates Pakistan Television Lahore Station.

1965

• January 2: Presidential election held. Field Marshal Ayub Khan re-elected as President.
• March 21: National Assembly elections held. Out of 150, PML bags 120 seats.
• June 30: Pakistan and India sign accord on Rann of Kutch.
• September 6: Second war between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.
• September 23: A cease-fire between India and Pakistan comes into force.

1966

• January 10: Tashkent Declaration signed between India and Pakistan.
• February 12: Sheikh Mujeeb, chief of Awami League, announces his 6-points in Karachi.
• June 17: Z. A. Bhutto then foreign minister, resigns.
• September 17: General Yahya Khan becomes C-in-C of Pakistan Army. General Musa Khan appointed Governor General of West Pakistan.
• November 13: Punjab city of Montgomery renamed Sahiwal.

1967

• July 9: Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah passes away in Karachi.
• August 24: Pakistan’s first steel mill is inaugurated at Chittagong.
• November 18: Pakistan awards Sitar-i-Imtiaz to Egyptian vocalist Umm-i-Kulsoom for singing the poetry of Allama Iqbal.
• November 26: Malik Amir Muhammad, Nawab of Kalabagh is shot dead.
• December 1: Peoples Party comes into being.

1968

• January 6: Agartala conspiracy case for secession of East Pakistan, unearthed. 28 involved persons arrested.
• September 25: Pakistan Television Dhaka Station is inaugurated.
• October 26: Pakistan becomes Olympic Hockey Champion, winning over Australia 2-1.
• November 7: Students’ demonstrations start throughout the country that later led to resignation of General Auyb Khan.
• December 7: Mir Waiz Yousaf Shah, Grand Mufti of Kashmir, passes away in Rawalpindi.

1969

• March 6: All court cases against students withdrawn in West Pakistan.
• March 25: Ayub Khan resigns and hands over power to Army Chief General Yahya Khan. Martial law proclaimed and assemblies dissolved.
• July 4: Pakistan and India sign the final maps of the Rann of Kutch in Islamabad.
• September 24: Indian official delegation excluded from Islamic Summit Conference following Pakistan’s demand.
• December 1: Three-hundred class-I gazetted officers, allegedly involved in corruption, are suspended.

1970

• March 1: Air Marshal Asghar Khan forms new political party, Tehrik-i-Istaqlal.
• April 6: First ordnance factory is inaugurated at Ghazipur.
• July 1: One-unit of West Pakistan abolished, provinces restored.
• December 7: First General elections held. Awami League and Pakistan People Party emerge as leading parties in East and West Pakistan.
• December 19: Pakistan wins gold medal in Asian Games hockey, beating India 1-0.

1971

• January 30: An Indian Airlines aeroplane, hijacked by two Kashmiri separatists, lands at Lahore airport.
• February 16: Korakaram Highway, linking China and Pakistan, opened.
• March 26: Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight in East Pakistan.
• August 29: Rashid Minhas awarded Nishan-i-Haider, Pakistan’s highest gallantry award.
• October 24: Pakistan wins World Hocky Cup defeating Spain 1-0 at Barcelona.
• November 22: India launches full-scale attack on East Pakistan.
• December 16: Dhaka falls and Bangladesh comes into being.
• December 20: General Yahya Khan hands over power to Z. A. Bhutto, who takes over as President and Chief Martial Law Administrator.

1972

• January 8: Sheikh Mujibur Rehman is released unconditionally.
• January 30: Pakistan snaps ties with Commonwealth on recognizing Bangladesh.
• March 14: New education policy enforced. Free education in all private and public schools.
• April 14: First session of National Assembly. Bhutto elected President.
• April 21: Martial Law lifted; constitutional rule is restored in the country. Hamoodu-ur-Rehman is sworn in as Chief Justice of Pakistan.
• May 1: Labour Day is celebrated for the first time in Pakistan.
• July 2: Simla Agreement is signed between President Bhutto and Prime Minister Indra Gandhi.
• October 28: President Bhutto inaugurates Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP).

1973

• February 13: Begum Rana Liaquat Ali becomes first woman to assume office of Sindh Governor.
• April 10: 1973 Constitution of Pakistan enacted by the National Assembly.
• August 11: Chaudhry Fazal Ilahi is elected as President.
• August 28: Return of Pakistan POWs (prisoners of war) Accord signed in New Delhi.
• December 30: Z. A. Bhutto lays foundation stone of Pakistan Steel Mills.

1974

• February 21: Pakistan recognizes Bangladesh.
• February 22: Islamic Summit Conference starts in Lahore; 22 heads of state participate.
• September 15: Pakistan retains Asian Games Hockey title defeating India 2-0 in Tehran.
• December 5: Peshawar Television Station opens.
• December 27: Severe earthquake kills over 500 in Swat.

1975

• April 10: Noted scholar and VC of Karachi University, Dr. Mehmood Hussain passes away.
• July 27: Council of Islamic Ideology recommends to abolish Riba and introduce Zakat.
• October 5: Pakistan and Bangladesh agree to established diplomatic ties.
• October 25: Renowned journalist, Agha Sorish Kashmiri passes away in Lahore.
• December 27: 1976 is declared Quaid’s Century year.

1976

• March 1: General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq becomes Chief of Army Staff.
• April 8: Sardari system is abolished in Balochistan.
• July 24: Lahore-Amritsar train service, Samjhota Express starts.
• July 31: A.Q. Khan research laboratories established.
• August 6: Z. A. Bhutto lays the foundation-stone of Port Qasim.

1977

• January 10: Nine opposition parties form joint election forum, Pakistan National Alliance (PNA).
• March 7: General elections are held in the country. PPP wins 155, PNA 35 seats out of 200.
• July 1: Friday is announced weekly holiday, replacing Sunday.
• July 5: General Zia-ul-Haq enforces Martial Law. Constitution suspended; political activities banned.
• September 17: Z. A. Bhutto arrested under Martial Law orders.

1978

• February 1: Allama Iqbal’s Lahore house is declared national monument.
• March 18: Lahore High Court awards death sentence to Bhutto along with four others.
• April 6: First of the 13-volume exhaustive Urdu Dictionary is published by Taraqqi-i-Urdu Board.
• June 11: Altaf Hussain forms APMSO (All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organization).
• September 16: General Zia-ul-Haq is sworn in as President.
• November 24: Pakistan wins Hockey Champion Trophy at Lahore, defeating Australia.

1979

• February 6: Supreme Court upholds Bhutto’s conviction in Mohd Ahmad Khan murder case.
• April 4: Z. A. Bhutto hanged in Rawalpindi jail.
• September 1: Pakistan is admitted to Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
• October 15: Dr. Abdus Salam, eminent Pakistani scientist, is awarded Physics Nobel Prize.
• October 16: General Zia-ul-Haq putt of polls indefinitely, political parties dissolved, press censorship imposed.

1980

• May 10: Pakistan boycotts Moscow Olympics.
• May 26: Establishment of Federal Shariat Court is announced.
• June 21: Government starts collecting Zakat.
• December 2: Former PM, Chaudhry Muhammad Ali, passes away in Karachi.
• December 3: Shirin Bai, sister of Quaid-i-Azam, passes away in Karachi.

1981

• January 1: Interest-free banking introduced.
• January 3: International Islamic University starts functioning.
• March 1: National population census starts throughout the country.
• March 2: A PIA Boeing 720 with 148 passengers hijacked to Kabul.
• August 31: Pakistan Steel Mills starts functioning.

1982

• January 3: Pakistan defeats Argentina 12-3 in World Cup Hocky in Bombay.
• January 11: General Zia-ul-Haq inaugurates first session of Federal Council (Shoora) in Islamabad.
• February 22: Noted Urdu poet, Josh Malehabadi, passes away in Islamabad.
• April 8: Jahangir Khan wins British Open Squash Championship.
• December 21: Writer of Pakistan’s national anthem, Hafeez Jullundhry passes away.

1983

• January 15: First three F-16 jets reach Pakistan.
• January 25: Wifaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Order is promulgated. Justice Sardar Iqbal is named, WM.
• March 28: Government lifts censorship from periodicals.
• March 29: Foundation-stone of Satellite Earth Station is laid near Rawalpindi.
• September 29: First phase of local bodies election starts.

1984

• February 9: Government imposes ban on all students unions.
• March 18: Altaf Hussain forms MQM.
• April 27: Ban imposed on use of Islamic nomenclature by Ahmadis.
• November 20: Renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz passes away.
• December 19: General Zia-ul-Haq holds presidential referendum.

1985

• February 25: Party-less national elections held.
• March 23: Muhammad Khan Junejo sworn in as Prime Minister and General Zia as President.
• April 15: Death of Bushra Zaidi, a university student, engenders a series of riots.
• October 16: National Assembly adopts Eighth Amendment Bill.
• December 31: Martial Law is lifted, amended 1973 Constitution revived.

1986

• April 10: Benezir Bhutto returns to homeland.
• June 6: President Zia lays foundation stone of Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi.
• July 8: Peshawar Dry Port is inaugurated.
• September 5: Hijacked Pan Am jet is freed after commando action in Karachi.
• October 12: England beats World Champions Pakistan 3-1 in semi-final of World Cup Hockey.

1987

• February 21: President Zia makes a surprise to India, met Premier Rajiv Gandhi.
• October 15: Qazi Hussain Ahmed becomes Amir of Jamat-i-Islami.
• October 21: Jan Sher Khan wins World Open Squash Championship for the first time.
• November 30: Local bodies election held throughout the country.
• December 18: Benezir Bhutto marries Asif Ali Zardari.

1988

• April 10: Army ammunition blown up in Ojheri camp, Rawalpindi; more than 100 people die.
• April 20: Jahangir Khan wins seventh Squash title in a row.
• May 29: President General Zia dissolves National Assembly and Junejo cabinet.
• June 15: President General Zia promulgates Shariat Ordinance making Sharia supreme law of the land.
• August 17: General Zia-ul-Haq is killed in a plane crash near Bahawalpur.
• October 6: Eight political parties form Islamic Jamhori Itehad (IJI).
• November 16: General elections held. PPP wins 92, IJI secures 54.
• December 2: Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan.

1989

• January 19: Students unions are restored in Punjab.
• May 26: ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Hameed Gul is replaced by Shamsur Rahman Kallu.
• October 1: Pakistan rejoins Commonwealth.
• October 20: SAF Games open in Islamabad.
• November 1: No-Confidence move against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto failed.

1990

• August 6: President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolves National Assembly and dismisses Benazir Government. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi becomes care-taker prime minister.
• September 23: Sandak project signed between Pakistan and China at Beijing.
• October 24: General elections held. IJI gets 104 and PDA wins 45 seats.
• November 6: Nawaz Sharif elected Prime Minister, securing 153 votes.
• December 12: Pakistan becomes 37th country to send expedition to Antarctica.

1991

• April 22: Jahangir Khan creates history by winning British Open Squash title for the record tenth consecutive time.
• May 16: National Assembly adopts Shariat Bill.
• July 17: Pakistan unveils first battle tank Al-Khalid manufactured jointly by Pakistan and China.
• August 14: Nawaz Sharif lays foundation-stone of Bab-i-Pakistan at Walton Lahore.
• August 16: Chief of Army Staff General Mirza Aslam Baig retires. General Asif Nawaz assumes command.
• August 24: Future Microsoft owner Muhammad Junaid Gill born

1992

• January 12: Lahore-Islamabad Motorway project launched.
• February 22: Nawaz Sharif introduces yellow-cab taxi scheme.
• March 25: Pakistan wins Crick World Cup, defeating England by 22 runs in Melbourne.
• April 26: Pakistan’s Alam Channa enters Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest man in the world.
• June 19: Military operation starts in Sindh.
• August 3: Zunair was born

1993

• January 8: General Asif Nawaz dies of heart attack in Rawalpindi.
• February 5: Kashmir Solidarity Day observed for the first time.
• April 18: President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolves National Assembly, dismisses Nawaz Sharif government. Balkh Sher Mazari becomes care-take prime minister.
• May 26: Supreme Court restores National Assembly and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
• July 18: President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif quit their offices.
• October 6: General elections held. PPP wins 86; PML (N) secures 72 seats.
• October 19: Benazir Bhutto is elected Prime Minister by 121 votes.
• November 13: Farooq Laghari elected eighth President of Pakistan.

1994

• January 15: Pakistan Television transmission gets access to 38 countries via satellite.
• January 25: Benazir Bhutto inaugurates country’s first women police station in Islamabad.
• April 14: Pakistan’s celebrated scientist Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui passes away in Karachi.
• December 4: Pakistan regains World Hockey Championship title after 12 years, beating Holand 4-3.
• December 26: Renowned poetess Perven Shakir killed in a road accident in Islamabad.

1995

• April 25: Veteran politician, G. M. Syed dies in Karachi.
• July 4: Sindh Government lifts ban on six Karachi evening newspapers.
• July 8: WAPDA announces record increase of 14.5 percent in electricity rates.
• May 11: Indian troops destroy Charar Sharif Shrine in Occupied Kashmir.
• December 6: Lahore High Court dismisses appeal against arrest of Maj. Gen. Zaheerul Islam Abbasi in Khilafat Conspiracy Case.

1996

• January 13: General Jahangir Karamat becomes chief of army staff.
• February 11: Cricket World Cup jointely hosted by Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
• April 25: Imran Khan launches new political party, Tehrik-i-Insaf.
• September 20: Mir Murtaza Bhutto assassinated in Karachi.
• November 5: Farooq Ahmed Leghari dissolves National Assembly sacking Premier Benazir Bhutto. Malik Mairaj Khalid becomes care-taker prime minister.

1997

• January 29: Supreme Court upholds President’s proclamation dissolving the National Assembly and dismissing Benazir Government.
• February 3: Nation goes to the polls. PML secures 135 seats.
• February 17: Nawaz Sharif sworn in as 19th Prime Minister.
• February 23: Nawaz Sharif launches “Qarz utaro Mulk sanwaro” scheme. Declares Sunday, instead of Friday as weekly holiday.
• May 21: Saeed Anwar slams world record score of 194 runs against India.
• August 16: Noted Pakistani singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, 48, passes away.

1998

• January 1: Rafiq Tarrar is sworn in as President of Pakistan.
• March 8: Population census begins in the courntry.
• May 28: Pakistan conducts nuclear tests in Chagai hills in Balochistan.
• May 29: State Bank bans opening of new foreign currency accounts and suspends withdrawals.
• June 4: UN Security Council deny nuclear power status to Pakistan and India.

1999

• February 21: Lahore Declaration is signed by Nawaz Sharif and A. B. Vajpayee.
• April 15: Pakistan conducts test of a nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missile, Shaheen.
• June 20: Australia defeats Pakistan in World Cup Cricket by 8 wickets.
• July 26: Kargil War ends between Pakistan and India.
• October 12: Nawaz Sharif is ousted from power and placed under house arrest after attempting to sack General Pervez Musharraf.

2000

• April 6: Nawaz Sharif sentenced to life imprisonment on charged hijacking and terrorism.
• May 12: Supreme Court validated the October 1999 coup and granted General Pervez Musharraf executive and legislative authority for three years.
• August 14: President Musharraf introduces Local Government Ordinance.
• December 10: Nawaz Sharif along with family, went into exile in Saudi Arabia.
• December 23: Famous singer, Noor Jahan passes away in Karachi.

2001

• June 20: General Pervez Musharraf assumes office of president while remaining Chief of Army Staff.
• July 15: Agra Summit starts. President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee holds talks over long-standing issues.
• August 14: New Local Government system installed, after holding of elections in three phases.
• September 16: US Secretary of State Powell told that Pakistan’s President Musharraf had agreed to support the U.S. anti-terrorist campaign.
• November 10: US President Bush meets President Musharraf in New York and assures additional aid of one billion dollar.

2002

• January 5: Musharraf stunned Vajpayee by a hand-shake at the last 11th SAARC summit in Katmandu.
• February 1: Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl killed in Karachi.
• April 30: Musharraf wins in a referendum.
• August 24: President General Musharraf issues the Legal Framework Order 2002.
• October 10: General election held in the country.
• November 23: Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali sworn in as Prime Minister.

2003

• February 24: Senate elections: Ruling party wins most seats in voting to the upper house.
• March 23: AAJ TV, Pakistan’s premier channel inaugurated.
• June 24: President Pervez Musharraf meets G.W. Bush in Camp David. US announces $3-billion five-year economic assistance package for Pakistan.
• July 11: Lahore-Delhi bus service resumed after suspension of 18 months.
• December 14: General Musharraf survived an assassination attempt in Rawalpindi.

2004

• January 1: General Musharraf won a vote of confidence in the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies.
• January 5: Musharraf meets Vajpayee in Islamabad, discusses Kashmir dispute.
• May 22: Pakistan readmitted to Commonwealth.
• June 26: Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali steps down and nominates Ch. Shujaat Hussain as his interim successor.
• August 28: Shaukat Aziz becomes Prime Minister.

2005

• July 13: 136 people killed and about 170 injured in a collision of three passenger trains near Ghotki.
• July 14: NWFP Assembly passes the Hasba bill with a majority vote.
• July 19: Government of Pakistan launches country-wide crackdown against extremist elements.
• October 8: A devastating earthquake in Kashmir and NWFP kills over 80 thousands people.
• October 11: Renowned littérateur, linguist and poet, Shanul Haq Haqqee, passes away in Toronto. He was 88.

2006

• January 2: Dr. Shamshad Akhtar assumes office of State Bank Governor having the first woman Governor of SBP.
• May 14: Charter of democracy (CoD) is signed by two former prime ministers of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in London.
• April 26: Pervez Musharraf lays foundation-stone of Diamir-Bhasha dam.
• July 8: Process to release over 1600 women prisoners from 55 jails across starts after Presidential Ordinance.
• July 10: Noted poet, writer and columnist, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, passes away in Lahore. He was 89.

2007

• March 9: President Musharraf dismissed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chuadhry.
• July 20: Iftikhar Chaudhry restored as Chief Justice of Pakistan.
• October 18: Benzair Bhutto returned to Pakistan, after exile of about 8 years.
• November 3: Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency, most of the senior judges of Supreme Court ousted.
• November 16: After completition of 5 years, National Assembly dissolved, Catetaker government of Muhammad Mian Soomro took oath.
• November 25: Nawaz Sharif returned Pakistan after 7 years of forced exile.
• December 16: Emergency lifted, banned civil rights and suspended constitution restored.
• December 27: Benazir Bhutto assassinated in a blast/bullet attack in Rawalpindi.

2008

• January 2: The Election Commission announces elections will now be held on February 18.
• February 18: Elections are held amidst tight security. PPP, PML-N, PML-N and ANP win 124, 91, 54 and 13 seats respectively.
• March 24: Yusuf Raza Gilani is elected as the new Prime Minister.
• August 18: Pervez Musharraf steps down as President of Pakistan. Mohammadmian Soomro takes over as President.
• September 6: Asif Zardari wins presidential election with 481 votes.
• September 9: Asif Zardari takes oath as President of Pakistan.

2009

February 16: Pakistan government announces a truce with Taliban, acceptting a system of Islamic law in the Swat valley, conceding the area as a Taliban sanctuary

Taxila is an archaeological site includes numerous related buildings, fortifications, settlements and monasteries, and shows architectural influences for the length of its role as a Buddhist training center, between the 5th century BC through the 2nd century AD.

At Taxila, you can see the great Buddha. His eyes will gaze upon you till you find yourself gripped by the feeling of awe.
Taxila – It was the capital of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara and a centre of learning.

Taxila lies some 35 km (22 miles) north-west of Rawalpindi, near Wah on the way to Peshawar, and is world famous for archeaological sites dating back to the 5th century BC. The Heavy Mechanical Complex and the associated the Heavy Forge Factory, and the Heavy Industries Taxila facility [the former Heavy Rebuild Factory], are located in Taxila.
Exploring Taxila is a multi-dimensional experience.

The richness and variety of the famed Gandhara sculpture is bound to attract your attention. There are many images of Buddha, in stone and stucco and numerous panels depicting all the important stages of the great Sage’s life. One may also find sculptures of the world’s most impressive men of peace. Each carved bit of sculpture shows extravagant beauty and mesmerizing artistery, from colossal to miniature there are literally thousands of such master peices in this collection. To find the difference between the Greek-Roman counterparts and the Gandhara masterpieces will be of great challenge to you.

Then there are the three distinct cities, which are nicely preserved. With your imagination sided by the carved people who inhabit these cities, you will have little difficulty in picturing crowds on the well-laid-out streets, families in spacious houses, priests in the towering stupas and royalty in great palaces.

To welcome you there, are stone men and women who will receive you with open arms in Taxila.

Taxila

• Ancient city, northwestern Pakistan.
• Taxila is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.
• Taxila was the ancient capital of the western Punjab.

Anxient City, northwestern Pakistan

Taxila – Its ruins, including temples and a fortress, lie just northwest of Rawalpindi
Taxila, the “City of Stones,” was once a flourishing city along the trade routes of central Asia

At Taxila, You can see the great Buddha. His eyes will gaze upon you till you find yourself gripped by the feeling of awe. Other people whom you can meet at Taxila are, Alexander of Macedonia, Asoka the famous Buddhist king and Kanishka. You’ll find their imprints all over the place.

In 327 B.C. Alexander conquered Taxila, which was the Achaemenian Empire. Later it came under Mauryan dynasty and reached a great level of development under the rule of great Asoka.

The next step in Taxila’s history was the indo-Greek descendents of the Alexander warriors. The final period is called The Gandhara period. The great Kushan Dynasty was then established in 50 A.D, and within these 200 years Taxila became the most renowned center for philosophy, art and learning. Taxila is the greatest attraction for the pilgrims and tourists coming from China and Greece. The final period of Taxila i30-Jul-2007he most successful and the greatest Gandhara civilization of last several centuries.

The earliest city of these, is known as Bhir Mound. Which was established somewhere in the sixth century B.C, whose irregular streets, cramped houses and mediocre public buildings indicate its primitive origins. Then comes the Sirkap city which is on the opposite side of Tamara stream, and was built somewhere around the 2nd century B.C. You will find a marked difference between these cities as this city was well planned.

Famous archaeological sites in the world

Taxila – For sometime, it has been the center of Buddhism, the world famous Gandhara sculpture and the center of learning and culture.
Taxila – ancient city of northwestern Pakistan, the ruins of which are about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Rawalpindi.

As you stroll down its streets you can call at the houses of the affluent and go slumming, as it were, in the more crowded sections where dwelt the common man of the dim and misty past. Note the fortification of wall, the long, straight and impressive main street, the Royal palace, an Apsidal Temple and the shrine of the double headed eagle. Sirsukh the most modern city of them was built by Kushan kings in the first century A.D. It is’nt fully excavated as yet but is clearly, a well-fortified and well-laid-out city. This city is patterned after the Central Asian cities, and is complete with suburbs.

In addition to these cities, there are many monasteries and stupas which have been excavated all along the Taxila valley. Dharmarajika stupa, which is 2 miles from Taxila museum is a must see stupa. It comprises mainly of buildings, a monastery area where the monk lived and a series of small chapels. Wealth of gold, silver coins, gems, jewelry and other antiques were discovered at Dharmarajika.

Jaulian, another marvelous complex of chapels, stupas, quadrangles, and a monastery with assembly hall, store rooms, refectory, kitchen and bathrooms. At five small stupas you will see some beautiful stucco, the relives of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and supported by rows of stone elephants and lions.

Ancient capital of the western Punjab

Taxila – Sanskrit  Takshashila ancient city of northwestern Pakistan, the ruins of which are about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Rawalpindi
Taxila – It was the capital of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara and a centre of learning.

Two miles west of Jaulian is another well-preserved monastery at Mohra Moradu. In one of the monk’s cells here was found a stupa with almost all of the details intact. At Jandial, a mile-and-a-half from Sirsukh, is an imageless temple in the classic Greek style, with sandstone columns and cornices.

Attraction for climbers is Glen of Giri, which is about three-and-half miles from Dharmarajika stupa. Atop the highest peak of the range of hills are two stupas and a fortress built in a cleft near a spring of pure, sweet water. The stucco decorations of the stupas are well worth the climb.
A visit to Taxila is worth spending your money. The men 3000 years ago knew what they were doing when they chose Taxila to built there cities. To feel the enchanting aura and to understand their full importance you’ll have to pay a visit to Taxila. It will take you to an inspiring journey of ancient civilization.

This is our first Eid immediately following in the heralding of free independent Sovereign Pakistan having been established. This day of rejoicing throughout the Muslim world so aptly comes immediately in the wake of our national state being established, and therefore, it is a matter of special significance and happiness to us all. I wish on this auspicious day a very happy Eid to all Muslims wherever they may be throughout the world –an Eid that will usher in, I hope, a new era of prosperity and will mark the onward march of renaissance of Islamic culture and ideals. I fervently pray that God Almighty make us all worthy of our past and hoary history and give us strength-to make Pakistan truly a great nation amongst all the nations of the world. No doubt we have achieved Pakistan, but that is only yet the beginning of an end. Great responsibilities have come to us, and equally great should be our determination and endeavor to discharge them, and the fulfillment thereof will demand of us efforts and sacrifices in the cause no less for construction and building of our nation than what was required for the achievement of the cherished goal of Pakistan. The time for real solid work has now arrived, and I have no doubt in my mind that the Muslim genius will put its shoulder to the wheel and conquer all obstacles in our way on the road, which may appear uphill.

Let us not, on this occasion, forget those of our brethren and sisters who have sacrificed their all, so that Pakistan may be established and we may live. We fervently pray that their souls may rest in peace and we shall never forget the memory of those who are no more and those who have suffered. For many, Eid will be not an occasion of such great joy and rejoicing as in Pakistan. Those of our brethren who are minorities in Hindustan may rest assured that we shall never neglect or forget them. Our hearts go out to them, and we shall consider no effort too great to help them and secure their well-being for I recognize that it is the Muslim minority provinces in this sub-continent who were the pioneers and carried the banner aloft for the achievement of our cherished goal of Pakistan. I shall never forget their support, nor I hope the majority provinces in Pakistan will fail to appreciate that they were the pioneers in the vanguard of our historic and heroic struggle for the achievement of Pakistan, which today is an accomplished fact.

Old Multan is actually a fortified city built on a huge ancient mound and with six gates set at different places. The six entrances to the old city are; Dault Gate, Bohar Gate and Lahori Gate. Three of these (Dault, Lahori and Pak) Gates have been destroyed while the remaining three are intact, although even these are actually reconstruction, from the British period. All the existing gates are of one and the same design. A circular road, locally known as the “alang” runs right around the old city, but inside the fortification wall and not outside it as in common on other old cities. However, a modern circular road also runs on the outer side of the city. The walled city is densely populated with narrow streets, winding lanes and old style houses built quite close to each other. As Multan was once a centre for wood carving, some of its old houses have good specimens of woodwork on their windows and doors.

Being a historical city, Multan is full to tombs, mosques and other monuments of Muslim origin. Apart from historical buildings, there are two other objects in the city which have almost come to be regarded as monuments on account of their excellent workmanship. These are the two huge, carved wood “Tazzia models”, which are the best specimens of craftsmanship.

Multan, it is not surprising, is also known as “Mandinatu-Aulya”, the city of saints. It has tombs, mosques and “Khanqahs” (hospices) of saints. Keeping in view their historical value, priceless art work, architecture style and craftsmanship involved, all these monuments are beautifully decorated and ornamented with blue titles, fresco-paints and mosaic work, and some with the delightful and soothing Kashi and Naqashi work for which Multan is famous.

Multan was an important city even before Islam but it gained importance after the arrival of Islam. Hence most of the crafts and monuments of artistic value are clearly influenced by Islam.

THE HISTORICAL TOMBS

The history of Multan’s Muslim architecture begins with the Muslim conquest. Little is known about the architecture of Multan prior to the 11th century, though elsewhere in Pakistan we can trace the genesis of Muslim architecture from the 8th century A.D. During the 13th and 14th century, a new style of architecture was introduced for funerary memorials of the Muslims in and around Multan the style begin with the tomb of Baha-ud-din Zakariya and culminated in the mausoleum of Shah Rukn al-Din Rukn-I- Alam, which has been admired as “one the most splendid memorial ever erected in the honour of the dead.

These two mausoleums served as perfect models for the future architecture. The architects continued to imitate them for well over six hundred years. The popularity of the style did not lessen even when the more refined and gorgeous Mughal style of Rukn-e-Alam is the beautiful tomb of Sultan Ali Akbar at Suraji Miani near Multan, which was erected in the Mughal period (992/1585).

Some of the common features of all mausolea in Multan are their tapering walls, single dome and the glazed tile decoration on the exterior. Another widespread feature is a wooden canopy, over the main grace. Decorated with carving and grills, the ceiling of the canopy is always adorned with glazed tiles of different motifs. Occasionally the grills are made of marble, ornamented with beautiful geometric designs.

THE TOMB OF SAINT BAHAUDDIN ZAKARYA

Standing at the northeastern side of the old fort which is situated on the high mound, is the tomb of Shikh-al-Kabir, Bahauddin Abu Mohammed Zakariya Al-Qurashi. The tomb occupies the centre of a vast oblong open area measuring 260 feet N.S by 203 feet E.W and is enclosed by a perimeters brick wall. It has two main gates one on the east and the other on the West Side. There is a vow of fourteen “Hujras” on the north for the “Zaireen”.

The tomb was almost completely ruined during the siege of Multan in1848 AD by the British army but was repaired immediately by Makhdum Shah Mahmud. There is no original inscription on the body of the tomb to show the date of its construction and the subsequent repairs. However, from the fact that here lies the great Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya who had erected it himself during his prime time, it can be said that it belongs to the early decades of the 13th century. The Shaikh died on the 7th of Safar (661/21 December 1262).

THE TOMB OF SHAH RUKN-E-ALAM

The mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam is also situated on the fort mound. The Shaikh was the son of Pir Sadar-Al-Din Arif born at Multan on the 9th of Friday Ramazan 649/26 November 1251. He was the grandson and successor of Shaikh Baha-Al-Din Zakariya.

Shaikh Rukn-i-Alam (Rukn-al-Din) died on the 7th of Friday (735/3 Jamadial-Awwal, January 1335). He was buried in the mausoleum of his grandfather, according to his own will. After sometime, however, his coffin was transferred to the present mausoleum. It was constructed, according to a popular belief, by Ghiyas-al-Din Tughluq (1340-1350) during the days of his governorship of Depalpur, but was given by Feruz Shah Tughluq to the descendents of Shah Rukn-I-Alam for the latter’s burial. The mausoleum of Rukn-I-Alam has been admired by not only the travelers and chroniclers but also by the art-historians and archaeologist who wrote the architectural history of the subcontinent.

The tomb was built on octagon plan, 90 ft in diameter with walls which are 414 ft high and 13.3 ft thick. The mausoleum was constructed with burnt bricks and supported by timber framing, and decorated with tile faced bricks and wood beams. The whole structure is divided into three stories. Over the second story is a smaller Octagon, leaving a narrow3 passage all around the place, above which stands a hemispherical dome. As the tomb is standing on a high artificial mound, it is visible from about 45 kilometers. Most of its patterns are geometric-created by arranging the glazed tiles-and a living testimony to creative genius of their designers. The building is also decorated with some floral as well as calligraphic patterns. In the 1970s the mausoleum was thoroughly repaired and renovated by the Auqaf Department of the Punjab Government. The entire glittering glazed interior is the result of new tiles and brickwork done by the Kashigars of Multan. This clearly demonstrates the talents and dexterity of the local craftsmen.

THE TOMB OF SHAH SABZWARI

The tomb of Shah Shamas Sabzwari is situated near the Aam Khas Bagh, about a quarter of a mile on the east of the ancient port on the high bank of the old bed of the Ravi which is now filled with a multitude of modern buildings. Shah shams Sabzwari was a celebrated “Ismaili Dai”. Very little is known about Shams Sabzari’s life. According to a popular legend, he arrived in Multan at the time of Shaikh Baha-al-Din Zakariya. He breathed his last at the age of 111 years in 675/1276 and was buried in Multan.

The main features of the tomb are similar to those of the city’s other major tombs. It has a square hall in an Octagon shape topped by a high dome. There is a verandah all-round the grave-chamber, with fine arches in every side and a single entrance to the hall. In the courtyard, which is at a lower level than that of the verandah, there is small mosque. Like other decorated tombs of Multan, this tomb is also ornamented with Kaashi tile work and Naqashi work. But recently a fire damaged its entrance seriously.

THE TOMB OF SHAH YOUSUF GARDEZI

This famous tomb is situated near the Bohar Gate. Its building is quite different from the city’s other tombs, with a rectangular hall and a flat, dome-less roof. The hall, which has a small door towards the end of one of its longer sides, is constructed in a big compound. On one side of the compound stands the large hall of an imambargah. The tomb’s present building is a completely renovated one. The rectangular building is thoroughly covered with the blue Multani tiles, decorated with countless floral and geometric patterns arranged in large rectangles, square and border. The skyline is a miniature replica of a fort’s battlement and has a row of arches with borders raised in relief. Below the parapet wall runs a continuous calligraphic border on all four sides. The standard of this calligraphy, however, is not very high. Only blue and while have been used, the motifs include a rich variety of floral patterns.

THE MAUSOLEUM OF SULTAN ALI AKBAR

This tomb is situated in Suraj Miani, a locality in the northwest of the ancient city. Sultan Ali Akbar was a saint of Islamic order, and was the great grandson of Shams-Sabzwari. This is the only epigraphical evidence available about the saint on the façade of the mausoleum, however, the tomb is a very important contribution towards the adoption assimilation and spread of Multani architecture where almost every characteristic of the Rukn-I-Alam’s tomb including the octagonal plan, tapering turrets, the three storied well balanced and harmonious elevation, embellished with colourful tiles revetment, and screened window opening, his some horizontal as well oblique so also noticeable. It is because of this that the monument has been nicknamed the “Little Rukn-i-Alam”. It has glazed style design used according to the available space. The mausoleum stands on a six feet high square platform.

Tomb of Hafiz Muhammad Jamal

This tomb is situated near Aamkhas Bagh surrounded with thick heavy wall of small bricks. The main square building includes a large hall, surrounding veranda and a Majlis Khana.

The tomb was built in 19th century during the reign of Ranjit Singh ( 1810). The land for the tomb was given by Sawanmal, the governor of Multan in those days. The main building was constructed under the supervision of Khawaja Khuda Bakhsh “Tami Waly” and Khawaja Muhammad Isa of Khanpur. With passage of time the building and its decoration were badly damaged, although necessary repair work was carried out on the original pattern in 1972-74. With the exception of the main entrance, the exterior of the tomb is very simple. However, the interior is profusely decorated with Kashi work and glass mosaics – Shisha MinaKari, While the tomb itself is exceptionally fine example of mosaic work. All the motifs and pattern are floral, with different colours.

English Translation:

Blessed be the sacred Land
Happy be the bounteous realm
Symbol of high resolve
Land of Pakistan
Blessed be thou citadel of faith

The order of this sacred land
Is the might of the brotherhood of the People
May the nation, the country, and the state
Shine in glory everlasting
Blessed be the goal of our ambition

This Flag of the Crescent and Star
Leads the way to progress and perfection

Interpreter of our past, glory of our present
Inspiration of our future
Symbol of Almighty’s protection


Roman Urdu:

Pak sarzamin shad bad
Kishware haseen shad bad
Tu nishane azme alishan arze Pakistan
Markazeyaqin shadbad.

Pak sarzamin ka nizam quwate akhuwati awam
Qaum, mulk, Sultanat
Painda ta binda bad shad, bad man zele murad.

Parchame sitarao hilal
Rahbare tarraqi o kamal
Tarjumane mazi shan e hal jane istaqbal
Sayyai, khudae zul jalal.