The Hiraj are a sub-caste of the Sial Punjabi tribe (variously ranked as either Jatt or Rajput), and a sizable number of them live in Khanewal area of Punjab.
The old and mostly abandoned 'Hiraj Mahal' belongs to the leading (head) family of the Hiraj clan of Chowki Hiraj village, and was completed in the 1920s, on the orders of the chief at that time, who was a great loyalist of the British Raj in the Punjab. It is claimed as per the family legend that the 'mahal' (palace) was built exclusively to host the (then) Lt-Governor of the Punjab, on his visit to the area. However, other sources claim that it was made for more general use by the Hiraj chiefs, who wished to make this their main seat but later, they simply converted it into their family 'guest house' to host any visiting VIPs to the area.
After 1947, partition and independence of Pakistan, the mahal remained abandoned for long, and in the 1970s it was badly damaged by flood water from the Ravi river.
Now, the Hiraj family is renovating this old building, with its interesting historical colonial heritage. It is encouraging that at least one old Punjabi feudal family is evincing such a positive attitude.
Hiraj Mahal, Khanewal
The old and mostly abandoned 'Hiraj Mahal' belongs to the leading (head) family of the Hiraj clan of Chowki Hiraj village, and was completed in the 1920s, on the orders of the chief at that time, who was a great loyalist of the British Raj in the Punjab. It is claimed as per the family legend that the 'mahal' (palace) was built exclusively to host the (then) Lt-Governor of the Punjab, on his visit to the area. However, other sources claim that it was made for more general use by the Hiraj chiefs, who wished to make this their main seat but later, they simply converted it into their family 'guest house' to host any visiting VIPs to the area.
After 1947, partition and independence of Pakistan, the mahal remained abandoned for long, and in the 1970s it was badly damaged by flood water from the Ravi river.
Now, the Hiraj family is renovating this old building, with its interesting historical colonial heritage. It is encouraging that at least one old Punjabi feudal family is evincing such a positive attitude.
Hiraj Mahal, Khanewal
