by Waheed-ud-din Khan
Abbottabad town in Hazara, NWFP/KPK, Pakistan, is a historical town dating from British colonial days. It was founded in January 1853 by Major James Abbott (born 1807-died 1896) who was first British Deputy Commissioner of the region. Today, Abbottabad is a big and flourishing town, with many benefits and problems, at the same time.
When Abbottabad town was first conceived by Major Abbott, he wished to set up a small cantonment type military garrison town with a small bazar and other facilities, in a cool and pleasing climate, so he chose the present town site. At the time when the contructions of the town first began, Abbott also made a small hill bungalow or cottage for himself, here. When this bungalow or cottage was completed, in January-February 1853, Abbott himself was not able to enjoy if for long, as he was posted to Bengal in April 1853 and had to bid farewell (in his famous poem) to the town he made.
This small 'Abbott Cottage' was in fact still in reasonable living condition in 1880s, and in an old record album preserved by the family of Major Fenton of Sikh Regiment, we can see a view of it (see below 1). According to the old Hazara District Gazetteer of 1883, as well as later editions, this cottage or house was built by Major Abbott somewhere near or upon Shimla Hill at the back of the Abbottabad cantonment (not to be confused with Simla in India) and it is not known who was occupying it then. This cottage or house was like many similar such houses built at that time in the 19th century, at Abbottabad.
However, quite later on, around the 1920s, a rather different type of house, bigger and more ornate, was shown and identified as 'Abbott House', situated close to the base of Shimla Hill, Abbottabad Cantonment--what was this? Was this in fact the same place and same house or cottage, expanded by some later occupant? The recent photo of the second so-called 'Abbott House' is also given below (See No 2). The surroundings dont seem to be the same and, certainly, the house is very different.
Some old residents of Abbottabad town who still remember anything, say that yes, this was the site where Abbott's actual small bungalow or cottage had once stood; and this had later been taken by some rich Sikhs, who lived here before 1947 and developed the property and expanded the house, adding new blocks and rooms and designs, inside and outside, over time. Some historians also agree with this, they say that the present house or building doesnt seem to be older than 1920s.
However, there are also some people in Abbottabad, including the local MEO (Military Estate Office) and the present owners (Muslims) of this property, who insist this is 'the exact same Abbott House' which was built for himself by James Abbott some one hundred sixty years ago. They dont have any real evidence but who can say for sure? Both the arguments still exist and continue. The smaller, earlier house is today nowhere else to be seen in Abbottabad.
In any case, the supposed 'Abbott House' that we know, today, is also not in very good condition. It was damaged by fire and earthquakes and is in rather shabby and fragile condition. If this is really the old and real 'Abbott House' then the Abbottabad District Government must take steps to save this place as a heritage site. They have recently set up the Abbott Museum in the old town hall down in the bazar, but it may be better to relocate that museum to this place, on one side. There are a number of old buildings in Abbottabad from British times, which should be declared 'heritage sites' and preserved for posterity, as tourist attractions.
1. Original 'Abbot House'
2. Today's supposed 'Abbott House'
Abbottabad town in Hazara, NWFP/KPK, Pakistan, is a historical town dating from British colonial days. It was founded in January 1853 by Major James Abbott (born 1807-died 1896) who was first British Deputy Commissioner of the region. Today, Abbottabad is a big and flourishing town, with many benefits and problems, at the same time.
When Abbottabad town was first conceived by Major Abbott, he wished to set up a small cantonment type military garrison town with a small bazar and other facilities, in a cool and pleasing climate, so he chose the present town site. At the time when the contructions of the town first began, Abbott also made a small hill bungalow or cottage for himself, here. When this bungalow or cottage was completed, in January-February 1853, Abbott himself was not able to enjoy if for long, as he was posted to Bengal in April 1853 and had to bid farewell (in his famous poem) to the town he made.
This small 'Abbott Cottage' was in fact still in reasonable living condition in 1880s, and in an old record album preserved by the family of Major Fenton of Sikh Regiment, we can see a view of it (see below 1). According to the old Hazara District Gazetteer of 1883, as well as later editions, this cottage or house was built by Major Abbott somewhere near or upon Shimla Hill at the back of the Abbottabad cantonment (not to be confused with Simla in India) and it is not known who was occupying it then. This cottage or house was like many similar such houses built at that time in the 19th century, at Abbottabad.
However, quite later on, around the 1920s, a rather different type of house, bigger and more ornate, was shown and identified as 'Abbott House', situated close to the base of Shimla Hill, Abbottabad Cantonment--what was this? Was this in fact the same place and same house or cottage, expanded by some later occupant? The recent photo of the second so-called 'Abbott House' is also given below (See No 2). The surroundings dont seem to be the same and, certainly, the house is very different.
Some old residents of Abbottabad town who still remember anything, say that yes, this was the site where Abbott's actual small bungalow or cottage had once stood; and this had later been taken by some rich Sikhs, who lived here before 1947 and developed the property and expanded the house, adding new blocks and rooms and designs, inside and outside, over time. Some historians also agree with this, they say that the present house or building doesnt seem to be older than 1920s.
However, there are also some people in Abbottabad, including the local MEO (Military Estate Office) and the present owners (Muslims) of this property, who insist this is 'the exact same Abbott House' which was built for himself by James Abbott some one hundred sixty years ago. They dont have any real evidence but who can say for sure? Both the arguments still exist and continue. The smaller, earlier house is today nowhere else to be seen in Abbottabad.
In any case, the supposed 'Abbott House' that we know, today, is also not in very good condition. It was damaged by fire and earthquakes and is in rather shabby and fragile condition. If this is really the old and real 'Abbott House' then the Abbottabad District Government must take steps to save this place as a heritage site. They have recently set up the Abbott Museum in the old town hall down in the bazar, but it may be better to relocate that museum to this place, on one side. There are a number of old buildings in Abbottabad from British times, which should be declared 'heritage sites' and preserved for posterity, as tourist attractions.
1. Original 'Abbot House'
2. Today's supposed 'Abbott House'
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