Once home to thriving temples and neighborhoods, the city’s Hindu population is now declining
RAWALPINDI:
The ancient city of Rawalpindi, older than 1,000 years and filled with remnants of vanished settlements, was dominated by the Hindu community until 1947.
After Hindus left, Sikhs settled in the area, while Muslims and Parsis have been present since ancient times. Today, the Parsi population has almost disappeared, with most migrating to Iran and Karachi.
Until the creation of Pakistan on 14 August 1947, Hindus had a strong presence in Rawalpindi. According to the 1943 census, the city had 82,178 Hindus, 47,963 Sikhs and 22,461 Muslims.
The city had 39 temples, 14 gurdwaras, 12 cremation grounds and 11 dharamshalas. Hindus mostly lived in Dingi Khoi, Purana Qila, Jamia Masjid Road, Nehru Road (now Ghazni Road), Saddar and Railway Road. Sikhs later settled in Bagh Sardaran, Bhabra Bazaar, Kasira Bazaar, Mohalla Shah Nazar and Kucha Sabooniyan where Sardar Sohan Singh constructed several buildings for the Sikh community.
Today, only 5,113 Hindus live in Rawalpindi district, while Islamabad has only 141 Hindu families. Only three temples are still functional in Rawalpindi, including Krishna Temple (Saddar), Valmiki Temple (Gracey Lines) and Lal Kurti Temple. All three are over a century old and in usable condition.
Closed temples include Kalyan Das Temple, Devi Temple (Kohati Bazaar) and Purana Qila Temple. There are currently no dharamshalas or cremation grounds for the Hindu community.
Although there is an 80-year-old crematorium near Tipu Road, opposite the medical university, the Muslim population of the area does not allow cremation.
Heavy police deployment is required when a cremation takes place. Before 1947, nine major Hindu and Sikh schools functioned in the city; all are now under government control.
Once rulers of Rawalpindi for nearly a century, the Hindu community has now shriveled and is voicing grievances to the government.
Sardar Hira Lal, chairman of the Hindu-Sikh Welfare Council, said funds are needed for the renovation of temples. He added that the biggest problem is the absence of a cremation ground.
“We request that 4-5 kanals of land be allotted outside the city where we can build a cremation ground, a dharamshala and a small temple for worship. We are loyal Pakistanis; our forefathers were born here. After 1947, India made attractive offers, but we refused. Rawalpindi is our birthplace; we cannot leave our land.”
Om Prakash Narain, custodian of the Lal Kurti temple and president of the Hindu-Muslim-Sikh Union, said the community should have a 7-10 percent job and education quota.
He demanded that closed temples be reopened and handed over to the Hindu community for maintenance.
He added that the Muslim community has shown exemplary respect and cooperation, especially during festivals like Diwali and Holi.
