Visit to Iqbal Manzil, the birthplace of Muslim poet and philosopher Dr Muhammad Allama Iqbal (1877-1938).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thanks to Mr. Muhammad Riaz Hussain Naqvi supervisor and maintenance officer of Iqbal Manzil for giving us permission to capture and work on our assignment, “Visit to Iqbal Manzil”, He is a great man who was serving this position for last 34 years. He gave his life to Iqbal’s Manzil, he has the point of view that Heritage of Pakistan must be kept alive for the generations to come.

We also thanks to Mr. Muhammad Rafiq, tour instructor and a great guide. He is very polite and answer the questions that we have during my visit to Iqbal Manzil. It was awesome experience as a permanent resident of Sialkot Pakistan, this was my first visit to Iqbal Manzil.

 

IQBAL MANZIL

The forefathers of Allama Iqbal migrated from Kashmir to Sialkot in about 1752 A.D. Muhammad Rafiq, the great grandfather of Allama Iqbal, purchased , a single story building in 1861, which consisted at that time a vestibule, two small rooms, one Dalan and a small courtyard at a cost of Rs. 150 only. In 1892 A.D. an adjoining doubly story house purchased and annexed with this house, further, in 1895 two adjacent shops situated in Bazaar Churigran also attached with this house. In 1910, Iqbal’s elder brother converted this house in a three story building. At present, the total is area is 9 Marla. Government of Pakistan in 1971 taken ownership of the building and handed over to the Archaeology Department to convert it into Library/Museum. . 

Sheikh Noor Muhammad (father of Allama Iqbal) commonly known as “Nathoo” as so called by his tempered friends, he made his life through selling Kashmiri Shawls and at a point invented special cap worn by men and women. Shiekh Noor Muhammad was also the person who persuaded Iqbal to expunge the offensive portion about Hafiz Sherazi from letter editions of Asrar-I-Khudi. After the death of Iqbal’s father Noor Muhammad, Iqbal’s elder brother, Ata Mohammad, become the owner of Iqbal Manzil. Ata Mohammed’s sons after his death, left the house and took up residences in Karachi and Lahore.

Allama Iqbal’s son Javed Iqbal was born in the Iqbal Manzil on 5 October 1924. Javed Iqbal spent his childhood in Lahore but never entered Iqbal Manzil again. Javed Iqbal was died last year on 03 October 2015.

Allama Iqbal’s other son Aftab Iqbal resided in Karachi for the better part of his life. Allama Iqbal also had a daughter named Meraj Begum.

Below given a Shajrah of Iqbal’s family, Captured in Iqbal Manzil.

Ground Floor

Below given are some clicks at the Ground Floor Hall in Iqbal Manzil.

The above naat is in original writing of Allama Iqbal, placed in Iqbal Manzil.

Portrait of

Allama Iqbal

After 694 years, Masjid-e-Qartabah was opened for Allama Iqbal, where he give Azan and offered “2 Rakat” prayer.

A panoramic view of Iqbal Manzil’s Hall, ground Floor, There are two doors, one is of Iqbal’s Birth and other is where he took rest. Entrance from the Library main door, opposite the main enterance there are stairs to go up fist floor.

Iqbal had three wives, pictures of two of them.

The Cradle of Iqbal when he was born.

Rest chair of Allama Iqbal.

The following given room is birth place of Iqbal and Picture of Mother of Allama Iqbal.

Panoramic view of Birth room of Iqbal.

Certificates and degrees copies are also placed on the walls of the room of Birth.

Stairs for First Floor

First Floor

The room where mother of Allama Iqbal used to teach children Holy Quran, it has three doors, two opened in the hall of first floor and one towards stairs to go down or to go on 2^nd Floor.

First Floor Hall.

Some Picture placed in Hall of First Floor in Iqbal Manzil.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we have visited a place that is our heritage as being Pakistani, House of Allama Iqbal, popularly known as “Iqbal Manzil”. Government of Pakistan has released Rs. 14 million for restoring building. Although, it is already renovated, walls are white washed, first floor is carpeted, roofs are renovated, but it still needs renovation, including First Floor hall, paint of walls, etc. etc. There are number of visitors to see and explore the Iqbal Manzil. It was awesome experience to visit the Iqbal Manzil and have traditional breakfast of Halwa Puri, I wish my friends and family who have not yet visited Iqbal Manzil, to visit it and see the great Poet and philosopher’s House.

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