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Neglected Kontrella haveli
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Visits 378
Visits 378
Visits 378
    
December 09, 2011
The landscape of Potohar is dotted with old havelis where once prosperous familes of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs live. Among these Khem Singh Bedi haveli in Kallar Syedan, Utam Singh Gujral Haveli in Daultala, Sikh and Hindu havelis in Narali, dilapidated haveli of Ratan Singh in Sagri town and the imposing haveli of Bakhsi Ram Singh in Kontrella.

Kontrella, situated 15 km west of GujarKhan, is a historical town of Potohar. It has a number of historical buildings and places like Eidgah, funerary wall enclosures belonging to the Mughal period and a haveli and high school of British period. However, Bakhsi Ram haveli has its own grace. It offers a conspicuous view to the visitor from a distance reminding him Kontrella’s past glory. The main portico of the haveli is flanked by two columns with intricate stucco ornamentation that also decorate the main arched entrance.

The inscription in both English and Urdu above the door bears the name of builder which reads: “this building of Bakhsi Ram Singh was erected in 1886”.

Before entering the haveli the double wooden balcony of the haveli attracts the visitor. A very few havelis in Potohar region has such imposing wooden balconies. The distinctive feature of the balconies is remarkable carving. The wooden ceilings of both the balconies are beautifully carved out. Unfortunately the wooden screens or fretted panels of both balconies are now in broken state.

Apart from balconies, the jharokas also lend beauty to the haveli. There are five jharokas that decorate the outer walls of the haveli. Jharokas were made to protect women from common view. The women used to sit behind jharokas to have a view of the outside world. Mostly elderly women sat behind the jharokas. The jharokas also served as mark of the owner’s aesthetic. There are two prominent havelis in Gujar Khan tehsil, which are famous for impressive jharokas that include the haveli of Utam Singh Gujral in Daultala town and haveli of Bakhshi Ram Singh.

Bakhsi Ram haveli is three-storied building. It has 11 rooms and two underground chambers. As one enters into haveli, one notices main courtyard or chowk.The main feature of Potohari haveli is courtyard called chowk. All the activities of the family members take place in this space. The courtyard always gets special attention. One finds imposing decorative niches on the outer walls of the courtyard.

“Roomswere allotted to married and unmarried. The elderly occupied the upper chambers probably to keep an eye on the younger women and oversee the household chores”, said Muhammad Illyas, an elderly resident of Kontrella.

The distinctive feature of Bakhsi Ram Singh haveli is the towers that surmount the structure. There are two towers one square and the other octagonal. The octagonal is an ornamental piece whereas the square has stairways to climb up and have the panoramic view of Kontrella town and its surroundings.

Now grasses and other wild growths cover the remains of the building. After partition, the haveli was also used for some years as boys’ hostel. Presently, it is under the Punjab education department. The haveli should be taken back from the education department and restored to convert it into museum of Potohar culture.


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