PHOTO: ONLINE
The mid-17th century monument that houses the mortal remains of Divan Abdul Nabi Khan is battling to survive the harsh environment and weather conditions as well as lack of conservation efforts.
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The government’s apathatic attitude can be judged from the fact that a few years ago, some unidentified people camped inside the tomband dismantled the pinnacle of its central dome. The Gujranwala police registered an FIR but the culprits have yet to be arrested.
Kotli Maqbra was built in the 17th century on the grave Abdul Nabi, the governor of Wazirabad under the successive governments of Mughal emperors Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb.
The octagonal structure is raised on a platform which consists of four minarets on each side. The minarets, with cupola at the centre, are built with brick work and glazed tiles having geometric and floral patterns.
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The structure resembles several Mughal-era buildings like Lahore’s Wazir Khan Mosque and Jahangir’s Tomb. The ground floor is plain while the basement has three graves.
Abdul Nabi was a tutor of Mughal emperor Akbar. The sheikh reached the status of Sadrus Sudur but was exiled to Makkah and Madina when the emperor was poisoned by Sheikh Faizi and Abul Fazl.
In 1583, he came back and settled in Ahmadabad in Gujarat. Later, he was arrested and sent to prison under the charge of his old rival, Abul Fazl.
However, archaeologist Dr Saifur Rahman Dar said Abdul Nabi was a tutor of the grandchildren of Nawab Saadullah Khan, the prime minister, under Shah Jahan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2017.
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