Mohalla Sahniawala is the largest mohalla of Bhera. It is located inside the Walled City of Bhera with eight gates towards the southeast. Before Partition in 1947, it was purely a Hindu mohalla.
Many renowned, illustrious, and celebrated Hindus belonged to Sahniawala. Names of notables will be shared separately. ( If anyone has information about any well-known persons from Sahniawala, they may share it on WhatsApp No 0317 5404161.)
In the north of Mohalla Sahniawala is Gunj Mandi , inner and outer Gunjwala darwazas, old Bhera Police Station ( 1870), old building Government High School Bhera ( established , Circa – 1882, now Government Islamia High School , Bhera ) , Municipal Committee ( 1867 ), Civil Dispensary. and the road coming from Lahori Gate – 1865 , to Imam Kote ( old Gurdwara ) . In the west, Mohalla Khawajgan, in the south are Mohallas Khokharanwala and Telianwala, Bagh Diwan, and Circular Road, in the east Mohalla Purani Aabkari and Circular Road.
Presently, Mohalla Sahniawala is in fairly good condition. After independence, when Hindus left Bhera forever with heavy hearts, their houses were allotted to migrants primarily from Rohtak and Karnal, East Punjab ( now both are districts in the Indian State of Haryana ).
A few beautiful buildings of Mohalla Sahniawala have either deteriorated or completely vanished in the mists of time. Present residents of Sahniawala have reconstructed/renovated some houses on decayed and crumbling buildings, but they are no match for the original ones.
It is suggested that few buildings of Sahniawala be renovated by the concerned departments of the government of Punjab. I am sure there will be a big attraction for the tourists visiting Bhera.
Some old and new pictures of Mohalla Sahniawala, taken by me over a period of time are shared, in three parts ( Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3). Maybe of interest to some.
To be continued … … …
Zahid Mumtaz
