Rawalpindi's Hindu heritage fades

The ancient city of Rawalpindi, older than 1,000 years and filled with remnants of vanished settlements, was dominated by the Hindu community until 1947.

After Hindus left, Sikhs settled in the area, while Muslims and Parsis have been present since earlier times. Today, the Parsi population has nearly disappeared, with most migrating to Iran and Karachi.

Until the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947, Hindus held a strong presence in Rawalpindi. According to the 1943 census, the city had 82,178 Hindus, 47,963 Sikhs, and 22,461 Muslims.

The city had 39 temples, 14 gurdwaras, 12 cremation grounds, and 11 dharamshalas. Hindus lived mostly in Dingi Khoi, Purana Qila, Jamia Masjid Road, Nehru Road (now Ghazni Road), Saddar, and Railway Road. Sikhs later settled in Bagh Sardaran, Bhabra Bazaar, Kasira Bazaar, Mohalla Shah Nazar, and Kucha Sabooniyan, with Sardar Sohan Singh constructing several buildings for the Sikh community.

Today, only 5,113 Hindus reside in Rawalpindi district, while Islamabad has just 141 Hindu families. Only three temples remain functional in Rawalpindi including Krishna Temple (Saddar), Valmiki Temple (Gracey Lines), and Lal Kurti Temple. All three are over a century old and in usable condition.

Closed temples include Kalyan Das Temple, Devi Temple (Kohati Bazaar), and the Purana Qila Temple. There are currently no dharamshalas or cremation grounds for the Hindu community.

Although an 80-year-old cremation ground exists near Tipu Road, opposite the medical university, the Muslim population in the area does not allow cremations.

Heavy police deployment is required when a cremation takes place. Before 1947, nine major Hindu and Sikh schools operated in the city; all are now under government control.

Once rulers of Rawalpindi for nearly a century, the Hindu community has now shrunk and voices grievances to the government.

Sardar Hira Lal, President of the Hindu-Sikh Welfare Council, said that funds are needed for the renovation of temples. He added that the biggest problem is the absence of a cremation ground.

"We request that 4–5 kanals of land be allotted outside the city where we can build a cremation ground, a dharamshala, and a small temple for worship. We are loyal Pakistanis; our ancestors were born here. After 1947, India made attractive offers, but we refused. Rawalpindi is our birthplace; we cannot abandon our soil."

Om Prakash Narain, guardian of the Lal Kurti Temple and President of the Hindu-Muslim-Sikh Union, said the community should be given a 7–10 per cent job and education quota.

He demanded that closed temples be reopened and handed over to the Hindu community for upkeep.

He added that the Muslim community has shown exemplary respect and cooperation, especially during festivals like Diwali and Holi.