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In Bhawalpur District at the confluence of the
Sutlej and the Chenab is the historic town of Uch sharif. Some
historians Believe that Uch was there even before the advent of
Bikramajit when Jains and Buddhist ruled over the sub-continent. The
time of the invasion by Alexander the Great, Uch was under Hindu
rule. Certain historians say that Alexander came To Uch after
conquering the northern parts of India and spent over a fortnight in
the city and renamed it Alexandria. Some have mentioned Uch by the
name of Sikandara or Iskalanda. For Muslims it was the most
important cultural and religious center in the 13th century. It is
also famous for its beautiful shrines ornamented with blue mosaic
and other establishments done on stucco and other materials. Most of
the tombs have been erected on the pattern of shrine of Rukn-e-Alam
at Multan with some local architectural additions. Some of them also
have been engraved and raised to Make calligraphic patterns in the
Arabic language. Some of the earlier shrines are in sad state of
decay but do reveal the Remanants of their original splendor and
glory.
The
famous shrines existing at Uch include those of Hazrat Bahawal
Haleem, Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh Bukhari, Makhdoom Jahanian
Jahangasht, Shaikh Saifuddin Ghazrooni and Bibi Jawandi. The shrine
of Bibi Jawandi is a central asian design, titled in the blue and
white faience. The tombs are either Square or domed. The tomb of
Bibi Jawindi is the most completing, octagonal in shape. The later
tomb of Jalal Surkh Bukhari is unusual with a superb wooden roof
painted in lacquer, predominantly red and blue. The tomb of Baha'al
Halim has horizontal stripes of blue and white faience tiles,
although little of it remains.
Uch
is a small town today and divided into three different quarters
known as (i) Uch Bukhari, after Hazrat Syed Jalaluddin Bukhari
Surkhposh, (ii) Uch Jilani, after the name of Hazrat Shaikh Mohammad
Ghaus Qadri Jilani (Bandagi), who came from Halab in 887 AH, (iii)
Uch Mughlian after the Mughal rulers.
Uch Sharif is the most ancient and historically the
most important place. Situated about 9 miles from Punjnad, its old
town still commands a great reverence not only of the local people
but also in other parts of South Asia as well as in Iraq and Iran
because the town once used to be one of the most important centers
of Islamic education. It was indeed a city of renowned saints. A
city, spirited with strong historical mysticsm and cultural glory.
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