6 Historic places every Pakistani should visit |

Pakistan is rich in culture and history, however, most of our fellow citizens do not realize the cultural or historic places scattered around the country, some in far corners and some in plain sight. We have picked five historic places out of lot that every Pakistani must visit.

Katas Raj Temple – Chakwal

An old Hindu/Budhist Complex that is situated near Choa Saidanshah in the Chakwal district of Punjab where stand the remains of the Buddhist Stupa, the Katas site houses the Satgraha, a group of seven ancient temples. According to the Hindu legend the temple is over 2000 years old standing since the time of Mahabharat – the epic battle – and their god Krishna laid the foundation of this place.

Ziarat Residency – Balochistan

Ziarat Residency is the more common name for Quaid-e-Azam Residency situated at Ziarat, in Balochistan. The historic value of the residency is invested in Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s last 70 days spent at the residency. A wooden structure building that holds is open for public and maintained to keep Quaid-e-Azam’s belongings however, that is not the only attraction of the place. Surrounded by beautiful views and the scenic Ziarat fills the visitor with a peaceful feeling.

Shahi Qilla – Lahore

Erected by Mughal Emperor Akbar between 1556-1605 Lal Qilla has quite a few names including Lahore Fort and Shahi Qilla. The place is as Grand as the Mughal Dynasty and speaks of the good days Lahore has seen in those times. Rich in Mughal Architecture the inner gates were built short so the visitors must bow before the king and the steps were kept long so that the elephants could take the King all the way in. Also deemed a UNESCO World heritage site the Qilla is often ignored due to it’s location in the heart of Lahore.

Mohen jo Daro – Sindh

Mohen jo Daro literally translated as the Mound of Dead is an ancient city in Sindh. The civilization discovered in the ruins of this city that thrived around 2600 BC is considered a part of the Indus Valley Civilization and presents the remains of a civilization as great as that of Meospotamia and Crete. Another Pakistani location that has made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site the place faces improper restorations. The famous finds of this place are Dancing Girl, Priest – King, Pashupati Seal and Seven-Stranded.

Faisal Mosque – Islamabad

Faisal Mosque designed by Turkish Achitect Vedat Dalokay is the iconic symbol placed in Islamabad. However, what many Pakistani do not know are the facts that it also happens to be the National Mosque of Pakistan and one of the Largest Mosques of Pakistan as well. It was largest in the world until Hassan II mosque was built in Morocco. The Mosque stands at the foot of Margalla Hills near Islamabad presenting a magnificent view from close and far alike as well as the Ariel view. Located near the lush greens of the Margalla Hills it should be on every Pakistani’s must go historic places list.

Makli, Thatta

The capital of three successive dynasties and later ruled by the Mughal emperors of Delhi, Thatta was constantly embellished from the 14th to the 18th century. The remains of the city and its necropolis provide a unique view of civilization in Sind. Near the apex of the delta of the Indus River in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh is an enormous cemetery possessing half a million tombs and graves in an area of about 10 km². Massed at the edge of the 6.5 km-long plateau of Makli Hill, the necropolis of Makli – which was associated with the nearby city of Thatta, once a capital and centre of Islamic culture – testifies in an outstanding manner to the civilization of the Sindh from the 14th to the 18th centuries.