Bhera: A Historical City Lost in Obscurity Part-1

Bhera: A Historical City Lost in Obscurity Part-1

Bhera – an interchange and rest station when driving on Lahore Islamabad Motorway M-2. This is all most Pakistanis know about Bhera. But few know that just near this city, Alexander of Macedonia fought his famous battle with Hindu ruler Porus as far back
as 326 BC and it was during this battle that Alexander’s famous horse
Bucephalus was killed.

Alexander had ridden Bucephalus into every one of his battles in Greece and Asia, so when it died, he was grief-stricken and founded a city in his horse’s name. Alexander stayed for four days at Bhera before crossing the river Jhelum for the fateful battle.
Chinese Buddhist traveller Fahien who travelled through India from 399 AD to 414 AD, mentions Bhera in his book.

He crossed the river Jhelum from Bhera which was great state at that time. Bhera also emerged as an important place during the Mughal rule. Mughal emperor , Zaheer Ud Din Babar mentioned about this town in his famous book "Tuzk – e – Babri".

The name Bhera has many origins.  The most commonly agreed upon "Bhera " is a Sanskrit word which means a place where there is no fear. The ancient Bhera mounds were known as Barrian, which once flourished on the west bank of River Jhelum. Old Bhera was
situated on the right bank of the River Jhelum, on the opposite side new Bhera is located.

There are heaps of ruins. Its markets and streets can be seen on the other bank of the River Jhelum. The new Bhera is located on the left bank of river Jhelum near southern Salt Range. River is located about one kilometre from the town.

Bhera was almost destroyed in 1545 because of the disputes among the Pathans. Realizing its strategic importance and location being the left bank of the Jhelum, it was none other than Sher Shah Suri who rebuilt it. He camped at the left bank of river Jhelum,
near Qaimnath’s hut, and constructed the first building there.

He also constructed the onion-domed Shahi Jamia Mosque, which exists even today and rivals the Shahi Jamia mosques of Delhi, Agra and Lahore in beauty. During Sikh regime 1799, the mosque was used as a stable by Sikhs. The mosque consists of 3 large domes,
one central and two on sides. Small bricks have been used in the construction.

To be continued…

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Posted by Naveed A Bari on Apr 11 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry