Hiran Minar (literally Deer Tower) is one of the most beautiful historic monuments in Pakistan. It is located at 31°44'35.40"N, 73°57'10.91"E. It is a vast complex spread over an area of almost 100 acres, including a tower, a huge water tank with a big pavilion in the centre of the tank and a beautiful park. Half of the area is still preserved as a natural forest. Making its setting more beautiful and natural.
I visited it on 23 July, 2017. The weather was stifling. I reached there at noon and was not expecting many people at a "historic place" at that time and in a hot and humid weather. But I was proved wrong. There were many people in the park and I also found the complex in a much better condition as compared to my last visit in 2005. The park is in a much better condition and neat and clean. The main buildings are also undergoing a restoration and repair work. Due to this, we could not enter the tower or the pavilion, as they were closed for the repair work.
As soon as we started taking the pictures, a man approached and informed us that photography was not allowed. At expressing our surprise and on asking for the reason, he advised us to speak to his incharge. And that gentleman was Mr Khaliq Pervez Bhatti. He informed us that due to repair and restoration work the department has prohibited the photography. Then I applied my time-tested formula and he allowed us to take a few quick snaps. (No I did not intimidate him or offer money, I simply explained him my earnest desire and keen interest respectfully. Try this formula instead of more "traditional" methods and you will see the difference.)
During the Mughal era, this was a hunting reserve for the royal family. Emperor Jahangir was particularly fond of this place. He built a big palace nearby, which later on grew into a big city. And was name Sheikhupura after him, as his father Emperor Akbar used to call him Sheikhu with affection. The story goes that Janaghir had a favourite pet antelope called "Mans Raj" and when it died, the emperor built a tower at its burial place.
Hiran Minar. (23.07.2017)
Another view of the Minar. (23.07.2017)
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/sid/871/pakistan/sheikhupura/hiran-minar
The memorial tower stands 30 meters high and is 10 meters wide at its base. Around the perimeter are 214 holes that are believed to have been used as supports for the severed heads of animal trophies taken by the emperor. This form and function is similar to an earlier tower, also known as Hiram Minar, built at Fatepur Sikri. It also resembles the Nim Serai Minar at Malda, whose projections may have been used in a similar manner to display the captured heads of local rebels.To the east of the tower is an enormous rectangular tank with an octagonal baradari at its center. The baradari was used as a royal retreat by the emperor and is accessible via a bridge extending west toward the tower. Small pavilions mark the corners of the tanks and feature pyramidal roofs with entrances on four sides. On each side of the tank are shallow ramps that allowed wildlife in the hunting park easy access to the water. The water level was maintained using a series of channels and catchement basins leading to the site.
Baradari in the middle of the water tank. (23.07.2017)
Pavilion and the Hiran Minar. (23.07.2017)
Baradari (pavilion) in the water tank. (23.07.2017)
Gate to the causeway. (23.07.2017)
Another view of the pavilion. (23.07.2017)
Gate and the pavilion. (23.07.2017)
Another beautiful view of the gate. (23.07.2017)
A view of the huge water tank. (23.07.2017)
Causeway to the pavilion. (23.07.2017)
ہرن مینار
جہانگیر پورہ [موجودہ شیخوپورہ] کی بنیاد مغل شہنشاہ جہانگیر نےرکھی تھی۔ جہانگیر کے عہد میں [1605ء تا 1627ء] شیخوپورہ کو شاہی شکارگاہ کی حیثیت حاصل تھی۔ موجودہ بلند و بالا مینار شہنشاہ جہانگیر نے اپنے پالتو ہرن "منسراج" کی قبر کے ساتھ سکندر معین کی نگرانی میں 1607ء میں تعمیر کروایا تھا۔ جیسا کہ "تزکِ جہانگیری" میں مذکور ہے کہ قبر کا پتھر بادشاہ کے حکم سے ہرن کی شکل میں بنوایا گیا اورنیچے دی ہوئی عبارت کا کتبہ عہد جہانگیری کے مشہور خطاط محمد حسین کشمیری نے کندہ کیا تھا۔
"دریں فضای دلکش آھوی بدام جہانداد خدا آگاہ نورالدین جہانگیر بادشاہ آمدہ
در عرج یک ماہ از وحشتِ صحرائیت برآمدہ سر آمد آھوان خاصہ گشت"
ترجمہ:
"اس دلکش جگہ پر نورالدین جہانگیر نے ایک ہرن پکڑا۔ ایک ماہ کے عرصہ میں اُس ہرن نے جنگلی عادات و خصائل کو چھوڑ کر پالتو جانوروں کی سی خصوصیات اختیار کر لیں اور جلد ہی شاہی ہرنوں کا سردار بن گیا۔"
مینار کی تعمیر ایک دائرے کی شکل میں کی گئی ہے جو بلندی کی طرف جاتے ہوئے چھوٹا ہوتا جاتا ہے۔ مینار اوپر سے ہموار ہے اور اس کے چاروں طرف چھوٹی حفاظتی دیوار ہے۔ یہ مینار 103 فٹ اونچا اور قدرے مخروطی شکل کا ہے اور چھ متوازی حصوں میں تقسیم ہے۔ جس کا زمینی حصہ 33 فٹ کے گھیرے میں مثمن یعنی ہشت پہلو ہے جبکہ دوسرے حصے گولائی دار ہیں۔
مینار کی بیرونی سطح پرچودہ [14] قطاروں میں یکساں فاصلے پر 210 سوراخ بنائے گئے ہیں۔ مینار پرچڑھنے کے لیئے 108 گھومتی سیڑھیاں ہیں۔ مینارکو اندر اور باہر سے مکمل طور پر چونے سے پلاستر کیا گیا ہے جبکہ اس کے نچلے حصے میں محرابی طاقچے اور ابھرتے ہوئے اُفقی پٹوں سے مزین کیا گیا ہے۔
بارہ دری و ٹینک:
ہرن مینار کے مشرقی سمت میں ایک وسیع و عریض تالاب تعمیر کیا گیا ہے۔ تالاب کے وسط میں واقع ہشت پہلو دولت خانہ [بارہ دری] تک پہنچنے کے لیئے اکیس محرابوں پر مشتمل راستہ بھی تعمیر کیا گیا ہے۔ یہ دولت خانہ شہنشاہ جہانگیر کے حکم پر ہرن مینار کی تعمیر کے تیرہ [13] سال بعد 1620ء میں تعمیر کیا گیا۔ مغل شہنشاہ شاہ جہان نے اپنے دور میں اس دولت خانہ اور تالاب میں متعدد تبدیلیاں کروائیں، جس پر 1638ء میں اسی ہزار [80000] روپے خرچ آیا۔ اسی وسیع تالاب کے چاروں کونوں پر خوبصورت مربع شکل کے کمرے تعمیر کیئے گئے ہیں اور ایک خوبصورت ڈیوڑھی بھی تعمی رکی گئی جس کی اندرونی وبیرونی سطح خوبصورت نقاشی سے مزین ہے۔
یہ وسیع تالاب مستطیل شکل میں تعمی کیا گیا اور اس کی لمبائی تقریباً 895 فٹ اور چوڑائی 752فٹ ہے۔ اس کے چاروں اطراف 65 فٹ چوڑے گھاٹی دار حصے موجود ہیں جو کہ جنگلی جانوروں کی پیاس بجھانے کے لیئے تعمیر کیئے گئے تھے۔ تالاب کے تمام اطراف مختصر قامت کی حفاظتی دیوار تعمیر کی گئی ہے۔ عہد مغلیہ میں نالہ ایک سے ایک چھوٹی نہر۔ تالاب کو پانی مہیا کرنے کے لیئے تعمیر کی گئی جو اس کے شمال مشرقی کونے میں دیکھی جاسکتی ہے۔ مزید برآں تالاب کو بارش کے پانی سے بھرنے کے لیئے بھی ایک جامع نظام تعمیر کیا گیا تھا۔
Hiran Minar
Jahangir Pura (Present Sheikhupura) was founded by Mughal Emperor Jahangir (1605 - 1627 AD). Royal hunting resort was built near Jahangir Pura under the supervision of Sikandar Moin by the order of Emperor Jahangir. A minar was constructed near the grave of his per antelope "MANS RAJ" in about (1050 AH - 1607 AD). Gravestone, in the shape of Anteleope, was erected at his burial place by the order of Emperor as recorded in "Tuzk-e-Jahangiri". A stone tablet, inscribed by Mulla Muhammad Hussain Kashmiri who was the Chief of the elegant writers of the day, with following lines was fixed at the Minar.
"دریں فضای دلکش آھوی بدام جہانداد خدا آگاہ نورالدین جہانگیر بادشاہ آمدہ
در عرج یک ماہ از وحشتِ صحرائیت برآمدہ سر آمد آھوان خاصہ گشت"
Translation:
"In this enchanting place and antelope came into the World - holding net of the God knowing ruler (Nurud-Din Jahangir Badshah). In the space of one month, having overcome his desert fierceness, he became the head of the special antelopes".
The Minar is circular in shape and tapers towards the top, which is flat, with a parapet wall. There are 210 square holes on the outer surface of the Minar; arranged at regular intervals in 14 rows. A spiral staircase consisting of 1018 steps has been provided inside the Minar. The entire exterior as well interior of the Minar has lime plaster, and the lowest tier has been divided intor decorative panels or arched niches and horizontal bands in high relief.
Tank & Baradari:
Facing the grand Minar on the east side is a vast tank with a causeway leading to the octagonal Baradari (Daulat Khana) built in the middle of the Tank. The Baradari was constructed under the order of Emperor Janagir in 1620 AD, 13 years after the construction of the Minar. Later on, substantional additions and alterations were made in the complex by the order of Emperor Shah Jahan at a cost of Rs 80,000/- in 1638 AD. There is a square pavilion at each corner with a gateway to the Baradari. The tanks is rectangular in shape measuring 895' x 752'; has a ramp and a parapet wall. During Mughal days, a channel was cut from the 'Aik rivulet' and connected with the desilting tank at its north-west corner. In addition, an eleborate system for filling up the tank with rain water from the catchment area was devised. The main gateway to the Baradari is a rectangular vestibule. The outer and inner surface of the gateway has been plastered and decorated.
A small pavilion at one of the corners of the water tank. (23.07.2017)
A beautiful view of the garden. (23.07.2017)
A very old and big tree in the garden. (23.07.2017)
A view of the pavilion through the trees. (23.07.2017)
A pathway in the park. (23.07.2017)
Another view of the park. (23.07.2017)
A rest house and a library. (23.07.2017)
A sidewalk beside the tank. (23.07.2017)
Umair Riaz. (23.07.2017)
The writer in front of the pavilion. (23.07.2017)
The Hiran Minar complex is just 40 kms west of Lahore near M2 and is easily accessible. After its restoration, I hope it will become even more popular among tourists. It has a rest house and a library too. Its vast area and natural surroundings make it a perfect place for a family picnic and tours for school and college students.
February 3. 2018.
Doha - Qatar.
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