Iqbal Manzil
Iqbal Manzil is the birth place of famous poet Dr Mohammad Iqbal in the centre of the historic city of Sialkot.It has been converted in to a museum cum library.
History Of House
Sir Allama Mohammad Iqbal (1877 – 1938)
Dr Sir Allama Mohammad Iqbal and Sialkot are synonymous to each other as Sialkot was the place where this great poet, philosopher and dreamer of Pakistan was born. And Iqbal Manzil is the place right in the heart of Sialkot city where this great man was born. The place was bought by Sheikh Mohammad Rafiauq, Iqbal's grand father, in February 1861. At that time the house consisted of only three rooms, which have now been converted into a museum. In December 1892, Sheikh Noor Muhammad, Iqbal's father, bought the adjacent house which now forms part of the Iqbal Manzil complex. It was here that Iqbal was born on 9th of November 1877.
After the death of his father, Iqbal's elder brother, Atta Mohammad became the owner of the house. However, after the death of Atta Mohammed, his two sons took up residences in Karachi and Lahore. The Government of Pakistan bought Iqbal Manzil for its restoration in 1971 and handed it over to the Archaeology Department, who aptly accorded it the status of a cultural heritage. After some renovation, Iqbal Manzil was converted into a library-cum-museum. The museum was inaugurated in 1977.The museum consists of a guided tour of some rooms of the mansion, and displays some furniture and other objects used by Allama Iqbal.Riaz Hussain Naqvi has been the curator at the Iqbal Manzil since 1986.
After the death of his father, Iqbal's elder brother, Atta Mohammad became the owner of the house. However, after the death of Atta Mohammed, his two sons took up residences in Karachi and Lahore. The Government of Pakistan bought Iqbal Manzil for its restoration in 1971 and handed it over to the Archaeology Department, who aptly accorded it the status of a cultural heritage. After some renovation, Iqbal Manzil was converted into a library-cum-museum. The museum was inaugurated in 1977.The museum consists of a guided tour of some rooms of the mansion, and displays some furniture and other objects used by Allama Iqbal.Riaz Hussain Naqvi has been the curator at the Iqbal Manzil since 1986.
Now these day
The house is more or less in the same shape as it was some two centuries ago and in somewhat poor condition of maintenance and lack of neglect. The walls house numerous memorable and rare photos of the great poet.The upper story has bed room, library conference room and sitting room.The management has displayed some rare pictures of Allama Iqbal, his family, teachers, class fellows and other leaders of the All India Muslim League at the building. Most of these photos hold autographs of Dr Muhammad Iqbal.
After the renovation, over 200 people visit the ancient place every day. The Punjab government promise to establish an advanced research centre at Iqbal Manzil has yet to be materialised.
A room of Iqbal Manzil houses a more than 4,000 old books, among them 2,000 are on Iqbaliyat. It is planned to build a large library by collecting books, both on and by Iqbal, from all over the world where research could being conducted on the poet and his works. This library has already facilitated 5 students to attain their PhD degree on the works of Iqbal.
After the renovation, over 200 people visit the ancient place every day. The Punjab government promise to establish an advanced research centre at Iqbal Manzil has yet to be materialised.
A room of Iqbal Manzil houses a more than 4,000 old books, among them 2,000 are on Iqbaliyat. It is planned to build a large library by collecting books, both on and by Iqbal, from all over the world where research could being conducted on the poet and his works. This library has already facilitated 5 students to attain their PhD degree on the works of Iqbal.