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Said Pur Village in Islamabad, Pakistan


On the slopes of Margalla Hills in Islamabad is the ancient Said Pur Village, known as the potters’ village. Reputed to be 400 or 500 years old, the Capital Development Authority developed the village into a tourist attraction (a model village) in 1967 with restaurants, cafes, and art galleries in order to attract people to the historic buildings and promote the local artisans.

Before entering the gates to the village (with a population of about 2,000) is the goat market where hundreds of goats are sold. The grand mud archway invites tourists into the village of stone paved paths and low brick walls. Said Khan, one of the sons of Sultan Sarang, the Gakhar chief of the Pothohar region during the reign of the Mughal Emperor presented the village to his daughter. In about 1580 Mughal commander, Raja Man Singh, converted it into a place of Hindu worship with temples and gardens around the natural streams. It includes terraced walls and small ponds. Hence the architecture reflects his Hindu heritage and the village was a pilgrim centre up to 1947, the year of the Partition – Pakistan’s independence.

There is a Hindu temple with a yellow-coloured dome, thought to be over a hundred years old. It is believed that the Hindu temple was converted to a government school soon after Partition. Next to the temple is the two-storey Said Pur school/orphanage in pink tones which has now been converted into an art gallery and museum. The villagers were potters and much of this heritage remains and unglazed pots can still be bought. In fact, there are potters’ workshops still functioning with artisans practicing their trade. Standing half the height next to the school is a cream coloured gurdwara (Sikh shrine).






MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 13, 2022 at 8:44 PM

    There is no comparison to the beauty of Islamabad in terms of the varying landscape and weather conditions, with chilly winters, monsoon rains, blooming flowers and even snow on the Margalla hills, if you are lucky enough. Ayub Khan and the Capital Development Authority made the plan for the city together.
    Also visit:
     Best restaurants in Islamabad
    Picnic points in Islamabad
    Best hotels in Islamabad
    Cafes in Islamabad
    Malls in Islamabad

    ReplyDelete
  2. nehaMarch 24, 2023 at 8:35 PM

    Food lovers often visit one of the food streets in Islamabad and get crazy with the numerous restaurants and cafes in Islamabad and the diversity of food offering an authentic taste.

    ReplyDelete

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