KOHAT, June 30: The spacious and luxurious Mughal-cum-French-style Cavagnari House, which used to be the official residence of commissioners, was constructed in 1862 for the first British political in-charge of Kohat, Captain Sir Louis Cavagnari, in the beautiful Kohat Cantt.

He served the area from 1866 to 1877. It was during his period that work on the construction of the strategic iron bridge on the River Indus and 16 other bridges from Kohat to the Afghan border of Teri Mengal began for the movement of artillery and troops to thwart Russian aggression.

It spreads over four acres, including the building with wooden floor and seven lawns surrounding it. It has been recently converted into a public library and civil club which provides the visitors a pleasant environment for reading away from the noise and pollution of the city.

The visitors say it is a luxury to sit inside the building and read books and newspapers while the walls whisper to tell many untold stories attributed to the building.

In the early 20th century, on a portion of two acres out of the original six acres allocated for the residence a telegraph and post office was constructed outside the walled city for the convenience of garrison officers. This building served as official residence of 16 commissioners who served Kohat from 1982 until 2001 (19 years) when the post was permanently abolished.—Photo and text by Abdul Sami Paracha