Bhaun - History

History

Safdar Faizi writes in his booklet "An Historical Introduction of the Bhaun Town" that General Cunningam visited Bhaun in the 1870´s 80´s during the compilation of Archealogical Survey of India. In his visit he recovered 285 old coins which provided clues to Bhaun's historical roots. It is interpreted by some that there are references to this place in Greek Historian Herodottus writings where he refers to Greek Army acquiring horses and oxen for their military support.

In the vicinity of Bhaun, a place still exists which is recognised as Sapanwali. It may be Aspanwali at that time. If we go into more details, then it will be seen that both words "Aspanwali" and "Sapanwali" were being used in their own meanings. Reason for use of Asapanwali has been explained. In Hindu mythology, bhaun is name of devi i.e. Bhaun Devi and its second name was Nag Damni and Nag Dmani means Sapanwali i.e. snakes place. It seems that in the past, one name of this place of Bhaun was Nag Damni –

Some historians claim that this place is referred in writings of a Muslim Historian Al-Blazri's book Fatuh Ul Baldan as Asifan.

In an article titled "The Bhaun losing its architectural heritage", published in Daily Dawn dated 29 Jul 2003, Mr Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro writes "About 12 km south of Chakwal lies the historical town of Bhaun, formerly known as Bhavan, famous for its splendid temples, highly-revered shrines and Havelis with exquisitely carved doors and remarkably built wooden balconies indicating the owners" affluence and aesthetic.

It was a very important trade centre and the Hindus ruled the roost in this town. They left behind a host of temples and Havelis, having a simple architecture, which was a blend of local and Kashmiri style, with very little ornamentation. These temples are different from those at Ketas and Malot that have Kashmiri style of architecture and are lavishly ornamented. Some of the temples at Bhaun are adorned with paintings, while some are immensely towering and conspicuous from a distance. However, there is an urgent need by the local community and regional authorities to preserve this heritage to prevent the breaking of the cord with history.

Apart from the temple of Madho Sain Kalan, two temples are located in Madho Wali Ban (Talaab). Although badly damaged, traces of the paintings can still be found on both temples. In addition to these, there are more than four temples in and around Bhaun.

The authorities concerned should make concerted efforts to save these pieces of architecture from further decay. They should immediately restore these temples and Havelis’ past glory. This village has the potential to be an interesting stopover for tourists heading towards Kallar Kahar and Katas. By turning this place into a tourist sojourn, the socio-economic conditions of the people would improve significantly.

One of the authors who researched the historical religious buildings of this town was once a Staff Anthropologist at PIDE and PhD Scholar at Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He may be contacted at: zulfi04@hotmail.com re.isb@dawn.com who published details in Dawn Newspaper 27 September 2009

According to a historical book named Chach Nama originally written in Arabic language and then translated into English, Sindhi and Urdu languages. It is believed that this town is named after Raja Bhaun, who was the grandson of Raja Dahir, after the defeat by Muhammad Bin Qasim in Sindh. Name of son of Raja Dahir was Jai Sina. After death and defeat of his father he fled to Kashmir with his family.He was a relative of Raja Kashmir whose name was muktaped or lulta Datt as per a book Raj Tirnjni on Kashmir History. There he complained to the King of Kashmir about severe cold unbearable for Sindhis, then the King given him a Jagir in area of lower Kashmir. At that time lower Kashmir meant for present Rawalpindi Division in Punjab Pakistan. From Kashmir Jai Sina son of Raja Dahir came in Dhani area with his family and other relatives in which one of them was Raja Bhaun. The book "Ratta Romal by Safdar Faizi" describe the whole details of that event which also include the other important historical events of the town i.e. about the reigns of Mehmood Ghaznavi, Jalal Ud Din Khawarzam Shah, Shamas ud Din Altamash and Saif Ud Din Hassan Qarlugh.

Bhaun remained the capital of seven kings of Qarlagh line. A native of Bhaun Mr Iqbal Malik son of Nawaz Mlik presently residing at Farooqpura (Dhuk Malikan)in western side of Bhaun has traced and collected several coint of the Qarlugh Kings Qarlagh sultans(Kings) also built here a strong fort. Until the end of Sikh regime that fort remained functioning and till date traces of the fort walls can be found.

During the period of Qarlugh Kings a great Sufi Hazrat Shah Mir Gillani the grand father of hazrat Shah Muhammad Ghaus buried at Uch Sharif in Bahawalpur District who was the ancestor of present Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Yousaf Raza Gillani, visited and stayed here. His stay site is called now-a-days as Pir Sahaba situated near the old railway line running between Chakwal and Bhaun. He stayed there for over than three years and then returned to his native country Syria (Halb City). For reference see Urdu book "Punjab Ki Sufiana Tehriken" Written By Dr Abdul Majeed Sindhi.

This village also remained centre of revenue collectors during Mughal period. It was just capital of Dhani Area. The Mair Minhas Rajput tribe became dominant here since later Mughal kings. Name of Mair Minhas Chaudhry Budha Khan is preserved who was hanged by the orders of Ghakhar Ruler Sultan Muqarab Khan with a tree of 'Bair' during the kingship of Ahmed Shah Abdali. This tree was in the courtyard of the house of Chaudhry Budha Khan. That tree still exist in Mohallah Kote. This incident happened during the year of 1761. Partly story has been narrated in a Persian Book titled "KEGOHAR NAMA". Bakhshi Ajaib(A Sheikh of a Qanoongo family of Bhaun) was murdered by Chaudhry Budha Khan who hitted a heavy stone on the head of Bakhshi Ajaib who was doing the work of Revenue Collection(Malguzari) while sitting in the Fort. Due to this incident Sultan Muqarab Khan attacked the Bhaun to chastise the Chaudry Budha Khan Minhas.

The great Sikh ruler Ranjeet Sing himself came at Bhaun in 1810. Here he made some arrangements for collection of Revenue from Dhani area's Chaudhries.

During the Sikh period, several names of the Muslim Ulema are found who had the domicile of Bhaun. One of them was the great Muffassir of the Holy Quran but unfortunately his book could not be preserved. In an incident of fire burning caused by the Sikh Dacoits, the holy book in Persian language was burnt. His name was Qazi Mohzam.

When the Sikhs and then British governments chosen the Chakwal as Tehsil Headquarters, the Bhaun village has lost his due importance.