Old Hindu Jati Janjghar – Mohalla Sheesh Mahal, Bhera
The Old Hindu Jati Janjghar was located in Mohalla Sheesh Mahal, Bhera. After the Partition in 1947, the building remained under the occupation of the City Police Station for some time. Later, the Government Girls Primary School, Mohalla Imliwala, was shifted to these premises and continues to function there to this day.
The foundation stone of the Janjghar is inscribed in Hindi. Its Urdu and English translations are as follows:
*Urdu Translation*
ہندو جاتی جنج گھر
یہ جنج گھر سائیں داس، سُپتر لالہ ناراین داس کپور نے ہندو جاتی کی اُپکار کے لیے بنوایا ہے اور 14 پھاگن 1981 (بِکرمی) کو اپنے کر کملوں سے اس کی آدھار شلا رکھی۔
مزید واضح ترجمہ:
ہندو برادری شادی گھر
یہ شادی گھر سائیں داس، ولد لالہ ناراین داس کپور نے ہندو برادری کی فلاح و بہبود کے لیے تعمیر کروایا اور 14 پھاگن 1981 (بکرمی سموت)، بمطابق 24 فروری 1925ء، اپنے مبارک ہاتھوں سے اس کی بنیاد رکھی۔
*English Translation*
This Hindu Jati Janjghar was built by Sain Das, son of Lala Narayan Das Kapoor, for the welfare of the Hindu community. On 14 Phagan 1981 (Bikrami Samvat), corresponding to 24 February 1925 AD, he laid its foundation with his own blessed hands.
Note: The Bikrami (Vikram Samvat) calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar by approximately 57 years.
This record preserves not only a structure but also the memory of communal philanthropy in pre-Partition Bhera — a tradition deeply rooted in its cultural heritage and one that continues in spirit even today.
Postcards and bookmarks of the pre-Partition Janjghar, designed by Maheen Mumtaz, are being shared to inspire the younger generation to understand and appreciate the cultural values and rich heritage of Bhera in a simple and meaningful way.
Zahid Mumtaz
