Iqbal Manzil: Heritage in disrepair

Dawn.com Published April 21, 2012
A framed photograph displayed in the house shows a social gathering from the Round Table Conferences in London. Iqbal can be seen on the top-right of the image (seated next to the man with a white turban), and Muhammad Ali Jinnah is seated on the opposite side of the table.
A framed photograph displayed in the house shows a social gathering from the Round Table Conferences in London. Iqbal can be seen on the top-right of the image (seated next to the man with a white turban), and Muhammad Ali Jinnah is seated on the opposite side of the table.
The balcony of the house which faces the street was once also a stage for a speech by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The balcony of the house which faces the street was once also a stage for a speech by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
A young visitor takes a picture of a framed portrait of Iqbal while on a tour of the house.
A young visitor takes a picture of a framed portrait of Iqbal while on a tour of the house.
The dining hall of the house also contains some items of storage inside cartons.
The dining hall of the house also contains some items of storage inside cartons.
The front door, windows, and even the staircase of the house require renovation or repairs.
The front door, windows, and even the staircase of the house require renovation or repairs.
A wood-burning heater on display inside a fireplace in the house.
A wood-burning heater on display inside a fireplace in the house.
A hukkah-pipe belonging to Iqbal is displayed in one of the rooms of the house.
A hukkah-pipe belonging to Iqbal is displayed in one of the rooms of the house.
Visitors stand in the the inner courtyard of the house, which gives a view of the other floors as well as the sky.
Visitors stand in the the inner courtyard of the house, which gives a view of the other floors as well as the sky.
The room where Allama Iqbal was born.
The room where Allama Iqbal was born.
The seating area and library shelves of Iqbal's study.
The seating area and library shelves of Iqbal's study.
Heavy traffic, lack of parking space, and convoluted electricity cables make the exterior of the building an unpleasant and potentially hazardous place.
Heavy traffic, lack of parking space, and convoluted electricity cables make the exterior of the building an unpleasant and potentially hazardous place.
A portrait of Iqbal's wife, Karim Bibi.
A portrait of Iqbal's wife, Karim Bibi.
School children look on as they are quizzed about Allama Iqbal by their teacher on a field trip to Iqbal Manzil.
School children look on as they are quizzed about Allama Iqbal by their teacher on a field trip to Iqbal Manzil.

Iqbal Manzil in Sialkot is 152 years old and was the birthplace of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

The historical building is in a shambles and continues to be neglected by the government of Pakistan. The broken doors, cracked walls and ceilings of the house speak volumes for the neglectful attitude of the authorities concerned. Iqbal’s belongings are rusting away and the third story is still closed for visitors as it has not been renovated.

A number of social organizations and NGOs drew attention of the local government towards this issue, but district politicians did nothing for the uplift of the rundown building.

There has been a marked decline in the number of visitors to this forgotten national heritage over the years. - Text and Photos by Mohsin Abbas

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Comments (1) Closed
Husnain
Apr 23, 2012 08:29am
Iqbal Manzil is an national asset in shadows. Govt must take notice of its condition. (A Citizen of Sialkot)
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