Hiraj Mahal, Khanewal, Punjab

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 last Hindu Havelis of Hyderabad

by Ghulam Rasul (and also some help from online sources)


Hyderabad is the 2nd largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is the 4th largest city in the country. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a small fishing village along the bank of the River Indus.

Formerly the capital of Sindh, it serves as the HQ of the district of Hyderabad. The last battle between the Talpur Amirs of Sindh and the British took place in this city, in 1843, after which the whole region was annexed to colonial rule.

Hyderabad is especially well-known for its two old forts, the ''Pucca Qillo'' (strong fort) and the ''Kacho Qillo'' (weak/fragile fort) and its old bazaars such as Resham Bazaar (Silk Market) and Shahi Bazaar (Royal Market) and others . This fine and historical old city once used to be inhabited by many Hindus, both of the merchants class and also top-caste Brahmins or Pundits (priests); and though some poor Hindus still survive here in a few numbers, most of the wealthy old families left for India, long ago. These folk left behind their lovely old town mansions, the  'havelis' , some of which still stand. Many more have been simply demolished by Pakistanis, to give way to ugly new structures or big commercial plazas. Yet, a few lie empty or occupied illegally by squatters.

By looking at their sad ruins, we can assess their former status and grandeur. Who will ever preserve them? No one, surely, and in a few more years, those of them that are still there, will also be gone. In another decade all of Hyderabad--and Pakistan--will be devoid of this architectural and historical treasure. Another series of victims, to our brutish ways.


1. View, old haveli, Hyderabad

2. View, another old haveli, Hyderabad