The old huge talab (pond) in Bhera is no more existing . Now it is covered up with built – up area and filth. The information given below is for those who did not grow up in Bhera or who were not old enough to remember the old talab of Bhera.
At the east of Bhera a huge talab existed at the green portion of the picture given below . In the rainy season it was completely filled with water . Talab gradually dried up , as it was filled – up with all kinds of waste and dirt of Bhera. Later , construction was carried out at the dried filled – up patches.
At the far end of the picture , on the right side is the Telephone & Telegraph office, its high antennas are visible . Next to it on right side is an old banyan tree, still existing : underneath used to be tonga stand . Behind the banyan tree was the Hindu Sirai , and further right , outer Lahori Gate – 1869 (Gunjwala Darwaza).
From T&T office a road goes to deserted Railway Station , Bhera ( 1881 ) . It passes through , Chitta Primary School ( Municipal Committee Primary School No 1 – 1955) , Newly constructed , Government Technical Training Institute ( GTTI) building on the right of road . Kapoor _talab_ , cinema ghar and Jaleewala bagh , which were also on the right of road , are now no more there … area enchorched . Kirpa Ram Anglo Sanskrit High School ( now Government Girls Higher Secondary School ) is on left of road and its building in a fairly good condition . Gulabgarh Mandir on right of road , almost at the end is still existing , but in pathetic condition . Finally , the road meets Bhera – Malakwal Road.
In the far distance , where the green patch ends is mohalla Sahniawala , the largest mohallah of Bhera . The road starting from T&T office goes around the town of Bhera in an oval shape. The old Bhera was inside the Circular Road . Most of the dwellings , outside are later development .
NOTES :
1. According to the District Shahpur Gazetteer ( 1905) , in the district Shahpur , there were two high schools , both in Bhera . Anglo Vernacular High School , maintained by the Education Department & Municipal Committee of the town ( known as Government High School ) , the other , an unaided Kirpa Ram Anglo – Sanskrit High School , established at the start of 20th century ( known as Arya High School ). It was founded by Kirpa Ram Sahin’s family . ( Reference : The Imperial Gazetteer of India ,Vol III – 1908 Edition) .
2. The municipality of Bhera was created in 1867.
3. Bhera High School was founded around 1882 ( exact year not confirmed ) . Its building was between old Police Station Bhera (1870) and the civil hospital , Kacharey Bazaar. Government High School went through a number phases, after 20 years of its inauguration , it became Municipal Committee High School . In 1905 , Government High School . In 1918 , District Board High School . In 1923 , King George’s High School . In 1927 , the school was shifted in the new building near the railway station , and was named as Government High School , Bhera . Old building of the school became the boys’ hostel.
4 . Prime Minister Sir Malik Feroz Khan Noon ( 7 May 1893 – 6 Dec 1970 ) , studied in Bhera High School from 1902- 05. In 1905 , he joined Aitchison College , Lahore and remained there till 1912 . In 1912 went to England for higher studies. (Reference : Autobiography of Feroz Khan Noon , ” FROM MEMORY” ) . His younger bother Colonel Malik Muhammad Ali Noon, and their cousins also studied in Bhera High School . I have written the bibliographic sketch of Colonel Muhammad Ali Noon , those interested to read may get from me . It is in Whatsapp format.
Zahid Mumtaz
