Book Launch: Book offers stories, images of Pindi’s bygone days
Rawul Pindee: The Raj Years shows the changes that the city has undergone in the last 200 years
Rawul Pindee: The Raj Years shows the changes that the city has undergone in the last 200 years.
ISLAMABAD:
Open a random page, and the pictorial depiction of old Rawalpindi in Ali Khan’s new book will leave you speechless. Every single picture has a story to tell, every person in the book has an inspiring past. Such is the beauty of the book titled “Rawul Pindee: The Raj Years”, written by Ali Khan, launched at the Islamabad Club on Tuesday.
The book is a perfect balance of pictorial representation, stories and text pertaining to old Rawalpindi. This is the first coffee-table book launched on the city. The book is a beautiful historical representation of Rawul Pindee, now known as Rawalpindi, during the years of British Raj from 1849 to 1957. Some of the venues depicted in the book seem unrecognisable to younger residents of the city. The book highlights stories from back in the day and makes one realise the massive transformation that the city has undergone.
Isphandyar Bhandara, chief executive of Murree Brewery and the publisher of the book, said he grew up in Rawalpindi and has fond memories of the city, where he still lives. “It may not be the quiet city that it once was, but even today, it has the essence of old Rawalpindi, and I strongly felt that there should be a documented piece on such an important city. I am very proud that this effort was made by Ali,” he said.
Rehan Hassan, a blogger and writer from Rawalpindi, said the beautiful surroundings the city offers have always fascinated him. “I was always hopeful that someone would capture the beauty and the essence of the city in a book, and that day is here. When I found out about Ali Khan’s book I was ecstatic, and tried to get my hands on it. The book beautifully represents the rich history of the city,” he said.
Khan, the author, gave credit to Bhandara for publishing the book. “Isphandyar was the motivator behind the project and the catalyst that turned the idea into reality. He has a heart of gold, imploring ideas in his enviable manner,” Khan said.
He also thanked Naseer Baloch and Amir for going above and beyond the call of duty to publish the book. Khan also gave a presentation featuring the pictorial representation of various parts of the book.
He said the story begins with the surrender of the Sikh army to the British in the spring of 1849, and thereon highlighted prominent events in the history of Rawalpindi.
Dr Amina Hoti, director of the Centre for Dialogue and Action, said such books play an integral role in preserving the culture and history of cities. She also read a few paragraphs from the book.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2015.
Open a random page, and the pictorial depiction of old Rawalpindi in Ali Khan’s new book will leave you speechless. Every single picture has a story to tell, every person in the book has an inspiring past. Such is the beauty of the book titled “Rawul Pindee: The Raj Years”, written by Ali Khan, launched at the Islamabad Club on Tuesday.
The book is a perfect balance of pictorial representation, stories and text pertaining to old Rawalpindi. This is the first coffee-table book launched on the city. The book is a beautiful historical representation of Rawul Pindee, now known as Rawalpindi, during the years of British Raj from 1849 to 1957. Some of the venues depicted in the book seem unrecognisable to younger residents of the city. The book highlights stories from back in the day and makes one realise the massive transformation that the city has undergone.
Isphandyar Bhandara, chief executive of Murree Brewery and the publisher of the book, said he grew up in Rawalpindi and has fond memories of the city, where he still lives. “It may not be the quiet city that it once was, but even today, it has the essence of old Rawalpindi, and I strongly felt that there should be a documented piece on such an important city. I am very proud that this effort was made by Ali,” he said.
Rehan Hassan, a blogger and writer from Rawalpindi, said the beautiful surroundings the city offers have always fascinated him. “I was always hopeful that someone would capture the beauty and the essence of the city in a book, and that day is here. When I found out about Ali Khan’s book I was ecstatic, and tried to get my hands on it. The book beautifully represents the rich history of the city,” he said.
Khan, the author, gave credit to Bhandara for publishing the book. “Isphandyar was the motivator behind the project and the catalyst that turned the idea into reality. He has a heart of gold, imploring ideas in his enviable manner,” Khan said.
He also thanked Naseer Baloch and Amir for going above and beyond the call of duty to publish the book. Khan also gave a presentation featuring the pictorial representation of various parts of the book.
He said the story begins with the surrender of the Sikh army to the British in the spring of 1849, and thereon highlighted prominent events in the history of Rawalpindi.
Dr Amina Hoti, director of the Centre for Dialogue and Action, said such books play an integral role in preserving the culture and history of cities. She also read a few paragraphs from the book.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2015.