Ojian university at Chiniot

LAHORE:

The Archaeology Department will survey and excavate sites in Chiniot in collaboration with Lok Baithak next month. The Lok Baithak has been working on remains in Chiniot since 2005.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2011.

Rock carvings and relics were discovered at Kirana Hills in Northwest Chiniot recently. The region is popularly known as Punj Peer. Archaeology Department officials said that after examining the base of the rock platform and the cleft in part of the hill, they were of the opinion that these were the walls of a stupa. The site and most of the relics were discovered by, Lok Baithak. Kirana stone, terracotta bricks, pottery, animal bones and human remains have so far been found over nine acres of land.

Umar Daraz, the Lok Baithak convener, said that a gold coin was discovered by the group from one of the eight mounds. He refused to specify the location but said the site had to undergo further excavation. Markings on the coin, which also depicts a goddess feeding a child, have aided archaeologists in determining that the coin is from the Kushana period. It has been compared with other coins of the period on display at the Lahore and Taxilla Museums, said Afzal Khan, the Deputy Director of Archaeology Department. He said the coin will probably go on display at either of the museums at Faisalabad and Kallar Kahar.

No photographs of the rock carvings Kirana Hills, discovered in 1995, have been published so far, according to Khan. Fine, intricate carvings showing men on horses and in combat are speculated date back to the time when Alexander the Great invaded the region, he said. The latest carvings, he said, are as recent as 300 years ago. Three overlapping circles abundantly carved on Kirana indicate that inhabitants of these hills were Buddhists, Khan said.

Other patterns observed are of hands, chess board, ships and flowers. Some historians are of the view that the site may hold the lost OJAN or OJAIAN, a Buddhist university contemporary with the Julian University in Taxilla – the only two Buddhist universities from that time, Khan said.

Dilipated condition of Umer Hayat Palace

Umer Hayat Palace, undoubtedly the leading masterpiece and magnificent architecture of Chiniot, its founding stone was laid down in 1923 and was completed in 1928. Since its completion the palace has seen many ups and downs. In 1940, Anjuman Islamia tried to establish an academic institution but could not work. An Orphanage was established by Muhammad Amin Sehgal in Umer Hayat palace in 1948.
By the1970 Local government of Chiniot demolished two upper stories of the palace. In 1990 Library was established and taken in official confinement. In 1990 Reconstruction of the palace taken place and finally in 1991 Inauguration of research and cultural center took place in Umer Hayat Palace.

Once it was great source of attraction for the vicinities especially for the people who had great love and affiliation for the past heritage now it seems to be loosing its beauty and youth because of the ignorance and apathetic attitude of relevant authorities.

Cleanliness is one of the major issues of that standing beauty as there in no sweeper deputed to look after it. Its last renovation and refurbishment work was completed in 1991 and since than it has undergone twenty long years of turmoil and fading colors.

Though the Chiniot was declared as a district in February 2009 but still this historical building is unable to catch the worthy consideration of district government. The main dilemma with this building was to turn it into a library, an experiment that seems to the playing havoc with this century old palace. The library is not serving its cause but also a burden on this building.

Though still people visit it from dawn to dusk but there is not visiting book maintained in the palace. The deputed librarian serves more as a guide rather than a librarian. The palace of Umer Hayat is also devoid of any chokidar so it is also exposed as far as its protection and security is concerned. The children of that mohallah use the lawn of palace often s a play ground so that lawn is unable to proper despite the several efforts of local NGOs.

Some concerned individuals have also written to archeology department for its custody but to no use. Several reasons have been pronounced by the archeology department for this purpose. Some say it is the age of the building and some come up with other lame excuses. A beam of light is the pipeline act that would be soon put into the Punjab assembly and by the virtue of that act Umer Hayat Palace would be handed over to its true custodians.

Detailed Map of District the Chiniot