Tread carefully here. Tread carefully here for Ram and Sita walked here somewhere. For Ram and Sita slept here somewhere. For Ram and Sita prayed here somewhere. Tread carefully here even if you don’t believe the legend, for showing respect hurts nobody. Aram Bagh or Ram Bagh as it was known prior to partition was famously visited by Ram and Site en route to Hinglaj from Mahadev Temple. For obvious reason the place turned into a pilgrimage site for Hindus and many temples were built to mark the holiness of the area.
In 1857 the mutineers of the area were blasted through the cannons here. For the very reason the area became a hub of political activity post mutiny. Post independence the place turned into a refugee camp and later renamed as Aram Bagh.
The place remained hub of all above activity for one reason. There has been abundance of water in this area and many wells were dug here to supply water in the area. The wells have disappeared along with the temples. A sad story. A sad story indeed. It would have been one important piece of history which we could have spared for our future generations. Taking Karachi further than its days as Kolachi to the days it was known as Ramya.
A sad story indeed.
A beautiful mosque is the only landmark standing close to Aram Bagh apart from an abandoned temple. The mosque was built post partition. Its closed after prayers. The place is worth a visit. Park is home to homeless. A perfect getaway for passersby. Its standing in a crowded street makes it a worthy stop. Pigeons were chewing in pallid winter sunlight. A street romeo was relaxing in the middle of the park. Some old friends were chatting idly. A child ran after pigeons. Pigeons ran away from him. In all directions. It was beautiful.
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- The Aram Bagh Mosque
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- The Street Romeo relaxing
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- The entrance from the mosque
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- The way out
where is this place?
This place, Arambagh (which was originally “Ram Bagh”) is on M.A Jinnah Road (which was originally “Bunder Road”), Karachi. It is close to Jamia Cloth Market, Dow Medical College /Civil Hospital, and Khaliq Deena Hall.
Aram Bagh is not on M.A. Jinnah (Previously Bunder Road). Its situated between old Frere Road (now Shahrahe-Liaquat) and Ram Tallou Road. Its main gate is on Frere Road where all the busses come from Tower and other gate is on Ram Talou Road where all the furniture shops are located.
I thought I offer this correction; of course with due respect as you were partially right as it is near M.A. Jinnah Road.
Regards, Tariq.
nice blog , glad to check it out:)
I lived in front of Aram Bagh since my birth until 1972. We lived in the building in front of its Main Gate with the Stairs; that is on Ram Tallou Road. I always considered Aram Bagh as my front yard; played there in 110 degree heat & went for prayers in 35 degree mornings.
Besides being bit once by an astray dog; I remember many great politicians including honorables such as Liaquat Ali Khan, Hussain Shaheed Suharwardi, Khawaja Nazimuddin, Mr. Daultana, and many other notable politicians of early 50s & 60s holding their party’s town hall meetings there. I vividly remember once Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar visiting around 11:00 AM on a cold January morning with virtually no reason, just to hang around the park and speak to locals. He was wearing a black Sherwani and his usual cap. I approached him & shook hand with him; I still feel the kindness in his eyes and the warmth of his strong hand, and will never forget that moment.
We played Cricket with hard ball, soccer, hockey, Gilli Dunda and Kunchay (marbles). Whenever we played Kunchay, the Muazzin Saheb of the Masjid always used to run after us with his stick and confiscate our Kunchays.
When the Basketball was introduced in Karachi, my friends in the neighborhood helped clean the ground, and installed the first wooden basketball hoop. We played on clay court after the elders done playing.
Besides funny episodes between customers and furniture salesmen, small time Hashish dealers, domestic quarrels between immigrant families, and still glimpses of pre-partition India, there are hundred of funny & sad stories about Arambagh.
I can write a whole book of my days of living in Aram Bagh neighborhood. If anyone wants to know more about Aram Bagh, I certainly can tell them all about it up until 1972.
In conclusion, I now lived in a very comfortable house and safe surroundings; but I will never ever let go my love for living in a 2 room flat in Aram Bagh neighborhood. It was a heaven for me & my friends. That is my heritage.
I lived in front of Aram Bagh since my birth until 1972. We lived in the building in front of its Main Gate with the Stairs; that is on Ram Tallou Road. I always considered Aram Bagh as my front yard; played there in 110 degree heat & went for prayers in 35 degree mornings.
Besides being bit once by an astray dog; I remember many great politicians including honorables such as Liaquat Ali Khan, Hussain Shaheed Suharwardi, Khawaja Nazimuddin, Mr. Daultana, and many other notable politicians of early 50s & 60s holding their party’s town hall meetings there. I vividly remember once Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar visiting around 11:00 AM on a cold January morning with virtually no reason, just to hang around the park and speak to locals. He was wearing a black Sherwani and his usual cap. I approached him & shook hand with him; I still feel the kindness in his eyes and the warmth of his strong hand, and will never forget that moment.
We played Cricket with hard ball, soccer, hockey, Gilli Dunda and Kunchay (marbles). Whenever we played Kunchay, the Muazzin Saheb of the Masjid always used to run after us with his stick and confiscate our Kunchays.
When the Basketball was introduced in Karachi, my friends in the neighborhood helped clean the ground, and installed the first wooden basketball hoop. We played on clay court after the elders done playing.
Besides funny episodes between customers and furniture salesmen, small time Hashish dealers, domestic quarrels between immigrant families, and still glimpses of pre-partition India, there are hundred of funny & sad stories about Arambagh.
I can write a whole book of my days of living in Aram Bagh neighborhood. If anyone wants to know more about Aram Bagh, I certainly can tell them all about it up until 1972.
In conclusion, I now live in a very comfortable house and safe surroundings; but I will never ever let go my love for living in a 2 room flat in Aram Bagh neighborhood. It was a heaven for me & my friends. That is my heritage.
Thank you for such vivid piece of nostalgia
Nicely written, well described childhood, being your close friend I can not
forget the time I spend (most ) in this neighbor hood, going for namaz, playing
in the open ground and dont foget the tea we use to have it Irani’s hotel and
hot puff pastries those were the wonderful of our good old days,
good luck all the best
it’s near the furniture market in Arambagh can’t miss the mosque and the famous bball court!
wowww, toooo nice our old memories