#gujarkhan #pothohar #pothohari
Haveli Bakhshi Ram Singh I Kauntrila I Tallest Building in the Area I Threat to Human Lives
Special Thanks: Muhammad Umar Afzal Kiani, Lehri-Gadari
Muhammad Ali@Alibaba58094
Samiullah, Kauntrilla
Sikandar, Kauntrilla
Music: Binu Kumar, Kerala, India
@SoundSFX (Under License)
Kauntrilla has a number of pre-independence built houses, one of which is the tallest building called "Mari" means tall house in Pothohari language. This Mari was owned by a "Bakhshi Family" before independence. Bakhshi Family had to leave their belongings and migrated to India after riots started in nearby villages.
Haveli Bakhshi Ram Singh is situated some 15km from the city of Gujar khan. This beautiful Haveli built in 1886, still stands as the highest building of the area. Withstanding the years of neglect, this beautiful Haveli is standing proud as once its owner must have stood. The village folk narrate that all the houses of this Sikh and Hindu populated village were burned in the 1947 riots. Only this Haveli was left due to its grandeur to be used for any purpose appropriate and what could have been a better purpose then using it as a School building. However, this use was discontinued in 1975 and since then this beautiful haveli lay abandoned.
This haveli was built by Bakhshi Ram Singh in 1886. He was a businessman and influential person during the British period in Pothohar. This 4 storey mansion has 32 big and small rooms, a basement and two view towers. The beam of the entrance of the haveli bear the following inscription: “This haveli in honor of Bakhshi Ram was erected in 1886”. The portico of the haveli is surmounted with balcony which displays intricate wood carving.
Before entering the haveli, the double wooden balcony of the haveli attracts attention. The distinctive feature of the balconies is remarkable carving. The wooden ceilings of both the balconies are beautifully carved out. Unfortunately the wooden screens or fretted panels of both balconies are now in broken state. The outer façade of the haveli also boasts beautiful Jharokas, here women used to sit and view the village hustle bustle while being hidden from the view of the ones being viewed. The intricate wood carving of the Jharokas and the balconies are one of the most beautiful that can be seen in the Pothohar Plateau.
As you enter the mansion, there is a courtyard, which used to be the central area for family gatherings and is a distinctive feature of the area's architecture. The first storey rooms all are spacious and have curved arches and fireplaces. One room has a hidden basement as well. Due to non usage this building has stones and bricks falling all over the place. Thomas Fuller once said, “ Light ,God’s eldest daughter is the principal beauty in the building.” The architects of this building ensured to keep it naturally lighted.
All of the three story are built more or less on the same pattern. However, as one alights the stairs towards the fourth story. Two towers oppositely placed to enjoy the view of the village. Interestingly, one tower has been built on the shape of a sun room and have windows all around. The other has an open platform to view around and smoke Clay pipe ( Huqa ) in the leisure time of evening or morning. There are also big stoves built at the roof for cooking on pleasant evenings.
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