A Visit to a Historical Place IRTAZA MUKHTAR 0333-6903201

IRTAZA MUKHTA
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
In this modern age, we remain busy day and night like a machine. Our minds are all the time
preoccupied with the worries and responsibilities of everyday life. We are unable to understand the
need of pleasure in human life. We should realize the fact that life should be enjoyed with all its
charms and pleasure. We also spare some time for pleasure and recreation.
What is this life if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare? (W. Davies)
In this age of hurries and worries, a picnic provides an escape from the monotonous routine of life. I,
like men of today, live a busy hectic life but I do spare some time for the enlightenment of my soul. In
this age of hurries and worries, a picnic provides an escape from monotonous routine of life. Visits are
a great source of information. When we go from one place to another, we are sure to learn a lot.
Particularly, visits to historical places teach us so many things. Sometimes such places tell us stories
better than the books on history. It is well said,
“Architecture is a frozen music”
Historical events, distinct works of genius, wondrous achievements, admirable accomplishments and
the cultivation of human art collectively constitute the culture of a nation. Pakistani culture, though
replete with all these distinctive dualities, is remarkably exceptional for its brilliant historical heritage.
The most startling and spectacular characteristic of our culture is the enviable presentation of the
Muslim Architecture. The historical places in Pakistan are a prominent emblem of the Muslim Culture.
A person without the knowledge of past history,
origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
Last summer, my friends and I sketched out a programme to visit the historical places of Lahore. As we
were to set forth from Multan in the scorching heat of summer, we decided to travel by an air-
conditioned bus. We packed our luggage, hurried with hysterical haste to the bus station, got on the
Bus eagerly at about 10 am and reached Lahore in the twilight. We rented a well-furnished room in a
hotel and after a superbly delicious dinner, we enjoyed a deep sleep. Next dawn, we got up with much
gusto. We decided to visit the tomb of Jahangir. Straightaway we were ready to start off. In a hired
taxi, we reached the elegant tomb in half an hour. The four magnificent minarets of the tomb
presented an exquisite view. A high wall and an elegantly decorated big gate guarded the mausoleum
of the great emperor. The tomb occupies the heart of a fragrant park. The Park was aromatically
studded with colourful buds .and blooming flowers.
“Flowers always make people better,
Happier and more helpful.” (Luther Burbank)
The flowers “fluttering land dancing in the breeze” presented a spectacular sight. The fruit trees were
blossoming. Birds perched on the twigs and boughs were twittering. Impressed by the “soft incense
hanging upon the bough” and “many incense-bearing trees” I began to sing the beautiful verses of

IRTAZA MUKHTAR
Keats:
“Ah, happy, happy boughs that cannot shed

Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu”

In front of the grand tomb, a lovely fountain was sprinkling its light shower. The drizzling of hoary
drops of the fountain was producing the resonance of ultimate excellence.

Soon afterwards, we entered the majestic edifice of Mughal Art containing the sepulchre of the
emperor. What a life of luxury and opulence he had enjoyed; but now he was lying desolate and
deserted in the sheer calm of infinity.
“Oh, threats of Hell and Hopes of paradise!
One thing at least is certain-This Life flies:
One thing is certain and the rest is Lies:
The flower that once has blown for ever dies”
The walls of the room were adorned with oral and mosaic design. There were curious colourful
patterns signifying the mystery of death. We offered “Fateha” and prayed to God to be Merciful and
Beneficent to the departed soul. As a whole, the building is a marvellous specimen of Muslim
architecture, unique and matchless in its beauty and structure.
“All the history is the biography of great men”
We came up to the terrace and had a view of Lahore from there. It was a startling sight. The cool
breeze, a canopy of silvery clouds over our heads and the prevailing aroma of the blooming flowers
made the panorama charismatic that it had a lasting impact on our memory.
“When you see the world's glory, it is how the art has made it”
We spent the rest of our time in eating the meal, drinking tea and making some of the sketches of the
floral designs we had just observed in the vest chamber of the tomb. When the brightness of the day
faded into the descending dusk, we hesitatingly headed home. Our minds were full of solemn
thoughts, We were pondering over the mystery of death. We all agreed with Shakespeare:
“In Nature’s infinite book of secrecy

A little I can read”.