Naqqāra : A Symbol of Bhera’s Rich Heritage
The object shown in the postcards and bookmarks by Maheen Mumtaz is an old kettledrum known in Urdu as نقّارہ (Naqqāra / Nakara). Its photograph has been shared by Sahibzada Abrar Ahmed Bugvi. A fragment of this historic instrument is preserved at the Information Centre of the Sher Shah Suri Jama Mosque (1540 AD), Bhera.
Beyond royal courts, the Naqqāra once marked the passing hours, summoned communities for important announcements, sounded on special Islamic occasions, and conveyed commands in times of war.
More than a musical instrument, it was a living symbol of authority and communal harmony. Its deep, resonant beat once travelled across rooftops and through the historic, narrow, and winding streets of Bhera, binding the town together in a shared rhythm.
Though silent today, its echo lingers in memory — a reminder of an era when sound carried unity and tradition.
Zahid Mumtaz
