Inside Pakistan Monument Museum

Have I been writing this as a freelance project, I could never add an intro so abrupt. But that’s the best part about TAFK, it’s my place to ramble. Here’s to the third museum visit on a Sunday well spent in Islamabad:

Pakistan Monument Museum is sure to give you goosebumps if you have ever dreamt of the freedom movement in Pakistan History classes. I admit sleeping through some of them, but that’s when you dream, no?

The Pakistan Monument is a four-petalled architectural masterpiece elevated gloriously on the Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad. Each petal has engraved depictions of the heroes of the freedom movement.

In the lap of the magnificent monument stands the museum that takes you to the alleys of history. From models of the Gandhara civilization to history’s greatest migration, the museum covers it all. The displays left me in awe whether it be the graceful carts of Jinnah or the shining Mercedes Pullman S600, that served later presidents.

Just like the Folk Heritage Museum, the Pakistan Monument Museum starts off with a display of the art of the Gandhara Civilization. The following looks pretty similar to the displays at Folk Heritage Museum, however, if you are particularly interested in Gandhara Civilization then Taxila Museum is your place to visit.

Moving forward you see the display of a Hindu Mandir where pandits are busy in worship. It also shows a child-bride dressed in red with a garland in her hand, while a pandit rings the entrance bell.

The next thing you see is the sculpture of the teen from the land of Taif that conquered Sindh, Muhammad Bin Qasim. He marked the advent of Islam in the sub-continent. Although we remember him to be a teenage general, his sculpture looked a bit too old.

Remember reading about the guy who tried 17 times to get hold of the sub-continent? That’s Mahmud Ghaznavi who carried Islam from Turkey to the heart of India. His famous invasion of Somnath is mentioned in the high school curriculum of Sindh. “Somnath ki Fatah” (The Invasion of Somnath) used to be one of my favorite chapters in the Urdu textbook. It portrays the scenes of the invasion quite vividly.

Next to Sultan Mahmud Ghazni, stands tall Sher Shah Suri in his metallic armor and leather boots.

At the end of this gallery, you can meet Zahiruddin Baber, the founder of the Mughal Empire which ruled the sub-continent for a hundred and fifty years and ended with the rule of Bahadur Shah Zafer.

The museum also acknowledges the role of Sufism to promote tolerance and peace in the Indian sub-continent. Syed Ali Hajveri, Nizamuddin Auliya, Shah Latif, Data Ganj Baksh were some of the prominent names.

After the fall of the Mughal empire, the late 1850s saw the first war for independence against British rule. Muslims suffered an immense loss of lives and the war aggravated tensions between the rulers and the ruled.

Later, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan played a great role in educating Muslims and rationalizing the root causes of the war to the British Government. His contribution still stands tall in shape of Aligarh Muslim University in Utter Pradesh, India.

Moving forward from the era of confusion and hodgepodge to the age of awakening, you see Iqbal in all his grace. I have never admired an Urdu poet as much as Iqbal. He took Muslims out of the shadows of slavery. Iqbal and his words were indeed the pillars on which the struggle of freedom stood firm.

Iqbal induced his passion into the Muslim youth through his verses. He would say:

The museum had so many belongings of Iqbal. His shoes, his suit, furniture, handwritten letters, diary, his Holy Quran and even his financial record book. One could literally read how much did he pay to whom. His record book was true organization goals. (was too excited to click a picture of it).

After you walk past the roaring sea of Iqbal’s passion for the Islamic Renaissance. You find yourself surrounded by the charismatic presence of the Boss. Obviously talking about Quaid e Azam. The museum depicts his house, belongings, bronze sculptures and much more. Below is a model remembering his address to the Muslims after joining the All India Muslim League.

The migration from India to Pakistan was one of history’s largest migrations. It lasted from 1947 till 1950 and more than 15 million people made a choice to leave everything behind in India and migrate to Pakistan. The death toll rose to a million people.

The model depicting the migration reminded me of the scene from the movie Jinnah where crowds of millions would chant Pakistan Zindabad in chorus despite losing all they had. Millions of Muslims traveling on foot through deserts, chanting Pakistan Zindabad really moves your heart. Standing in the air-conditioned museum you realize that independence didn’t come easy.

As you move forward, you see Jinnah standing in his signature grace as he assumes the role of the first Governor-General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The ground floor displays end with the memory of Liaquat Ali Khan presenting the flag of Pakistan in the first session of the National Assembly.

The First floor is also filled with sculptures of prominent figures of Pakistan from artists to military generals. What caught my eye were the sparkling vintage limousines parked behind the velvet stanchions.

The darling Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and Pakistan’s only Mercedes Pullman 600 Grosser served Mr. Bhutto, her daughter, and several other PMs, foreign dignitaries, and Army generals.

Yes, we wanted to go for a drive too or else just pose with these beauties but that’s not what you gotta do from behind the stanchion. But they were WOW!

However, nothing beats the horse cart from 1947 which Quaid e Azam rode through the streets of independent Pakistan with Mohtarma on his side. After all, it’s never about the ride but the rider. Unfortunately, Quaid’s car was covered, probably because of some maintenance. But we are still happy with the cart’s picture.

All in all, the museum is a great place to relive history. Everything is too cool to miss. And above all it makes you realize how a free state came for free to our generation. We tend to miss the story, the cries of millions of mothers and the blood and sweat of our forefathers.

میر کارواں ہم تھے، روح کارواں تم ہو”

ہم تو صرف عنوان تھے، اصل داستان تم ہو

نفرتوں کے دروازے خود پر بند ہی رکھنا

اس وطن کے پرچم کو سربلند ہی رکھنا”

We were the leaders of the caravan, you are the essence of it

We were just the topic, the real story is from you

Keep shut the doors of hatred

Keep the flag of this country elevated