I think, at present, I am the oldest living person in Bhera. By the grace of God, I am enjoying good health. I was about eight or nine years old in 1914 when World War 1 started. I have never been to school. I have purchased gold at the rate of Rs 15/- per tola. Business was too good in Bhera before 1935. At that time, most of the shops were owned by Hindus, and a few were of Muslims. Hindus were moneylenders and landlords. They were fair in their dealings. I have seen all the darwazas of Bhera with wooden and iron gates intact. They were closed at night. The municipal committee was effective, and Bhera gave a much cleaner look. Persons were deputed to light streets in the evening. Those were the good times. I am not a writer, so I can not explain in words.
Religion was not a problem; everybody followed his faith with strong conviction and never bothered about others. Besides Muslims, I remember the names of a few Hindus who were in Bhera before Partition: Babu Chand from my mohallah Hidayat Shah, Metha Dase Raj, he was a member of the Committee. Daulat Rai from Mohalla Sahnianwala was the owner of a village in the surrounding of Bhera and Dewanpur. Karam Chan Mona, a Sikh from mohallah Vigianwala. He had a big business of Mehndi. Lala Sanat Ram ( known as Santu ) was from Mohallah Haji Gulab. Ralla Ram’s shop was near Taliwali Musjid in Chakwala Bazaar. In the vicinity of his shop, there were many Hindu goldsmiths. Sita Ram, a judge from Mohallah Sahnianwal was a prominent person of Bhera. At present, I am living in Mohallah Hidayat Shah.
Note: Malik Sher Muhammad Awan, s/o Fazal Elahi Awan passed away in January 2010. May Allah Almighty bless his soul! Ameen
Zahid Mumtaz
