S.A.J Shirazi
Chiniot - the name is enough to start the furniture lovers, travelers and cautiously curious dreaming. Antiquity is the first message of the town. And, international quality furniture “made in Chiniot” is collectors delight with potentials for marketing all over the world.
On the bank of River Chenab in area called Sandal Bar,
Chiniot town is an exotic place in the foot of series of hillocks that seem to
be man made rather than evidence of old mountains.
The town is
very ancient. It was inhabited before the time when Alexander of
Macedon came in the South Asia and was principal city during the rule
of White Huns. Chinese explorer Hiuen Tsiang visited it. Alberuni
has mentioned in Kitabul-Hind that Chiniot was one of the
there most important places in this part of the world.
Chiniot
suffered much from the Durrani inroads during the
last half of the eighteenth century and also during the troubles of I848
because it remained the scene of constant fierce struggle among the leaders of
local factions. As per the local legend, portion of the wall, surviving in
situ, had been built during Hellenic period. The veracity of the wall’s
association with Alexander the great is yet to be proven though. But the sit
does give evidence of its distant past.
During
the Mughal era, Chiniot produced many intelligent personalities and talented
artisans who occupied positions in the Mughal courts, Nawab Saad Ullah
Khan and Nawab Wazir Khan held the post of Prime
Minister of India and the Governor of Lahore respectively
during the rule of King Shah Jehan.
Artisans of Chiniot have instinctive good taste and they have achieved a distinctive excellence in woodwork. Masons of the town are said to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal at Agra and Golden Temple at Amritsar. Special type of furniture with brightly lacquered woodcarving is made in Chiniot and is famous all over the world.
What this
internationally acclaimed craft of the town needs is an institutional
patronization and extensive efforts for international marketing? Made
in Chiniot furniture is already being shipped to different countries
but so far there are very little marketing efforts being made for this
purpose. It can be a potent source of earning foreign exchange if attention is
paid to and earnest efforts are made. Sadly, the trained incompetents
responsible for export promotion do not see this and the unique potentials are
not being taped yet. The first exhibition of Chinioti furniture in Islamabad
last year was attended by large number of people from all walks of life.
Particularly foreigners appreciated the furniture for its style, solidity and
the cost.
Apart
from furniture, there are more attractions for any visitor to this off the
beaten track tranquil town. A towering architectural masterpiece Shahi
Mosque, which was built during rule of Mughal King Shah Jehan
by Nawab Saad Ullah Khan in 1655, is still
functional. It resembles the Shahi Mosque Delhi that was also
built under the supervision of Nawab Saad Ullah Khan. After
the invasions of British, the city lost its old glory and importance. However,
the historical buildings and their ruins are scattered in and around the city,
reflect its wonderful past.
Another
such building is the Umar Hayat Palace commonly known as the Gulzar
Mahal. Attracting local and foreign tourist, it is known for its
beauty and legendary tales attached to it. The palace is said to have been
built by Sheikh Umar Hayat, a rich merchant whose family
originally migrated to Chiniot from India.
Legend has it that in a village fair at Panda Haitian, Umar Hayat fell in love with a performer girl and married. She bore him a son and a daughter. Umar Hayat grew particularly fond of his son whom he named Gulzar - a rose garden or a sign of happiness. It was for his son that Umar Hayat decided to construct a wonderful palace and name after him. Umar Hayat could not see the palace completed and later his son Gulzar died mysteriously in the palace in the early hours of his marriage night.
A
different tale reveals that the construction of the palace was a result of
rivalry between Umar Hayat and Elahi Baksh -
a famous artisan of the time. The latter taunted the Umar Hayat by
saying that his artistic abilities were superior to all the wealth in the
world. Infuriated, Umar Hayat counter claimed that his money
would last long enough to buy all the possible feats skilled artisans could
offer.
The
result of the challenge was the creation of Gulzar Manzil.
The construction of the palace started in 1923 and Umar
Hayat lavishly spent his wealth. According to one account, the
supervision of the construction was assigned to Syed Hassan Shah who
gathered famous artisans and carried out day and night work for ten years. Elahi
Baksh and Rahim Baksh did the wood carving, for
which the palace is known. Both were masters of the art. The Punjab District
Gazetteers reads:
“The house built by Sheikh Umar Hayat is a sort of wonder.”
The imposing building is a work of art. The woodwork, the stucco work, inlay of bricks, use of marbles and floral design in the roof, stairways and balconies are living memories of the glories of the Mughal period. Very elaborate and extensive woodwork in the palace speak of the craftsmanship of the artisans who perfected it beyond amazing limits. One has to possess a sensibility shaped in granite not to be moved after seeing the woodwork even today.
The palace originally had six stories including a basement. Two of the upper stories decayed and had to be demolished in 1978. Remains of the building are in the care and custody of Auqaf. Presently it is in public use and houses a library section and a small museum.
Chiniot,
a market town in the expanses of Punjab bears a prosperous look. Chiniot has
every thing necessary for development - hard working and talented people,
fertile land, water, communication infrastructure and clean healthy
environment. The furniture industry can be converted into important source of
earning though efficient ‘marketing mix’. Given chance Chiniot can be a
nice and rich little city of the future.
Photo Credits: Photos for this article have been taken from flickr.com. Clicking on the photos will take you to their source and larger image sizes.