Written by: Mahnoor Fatima
Posted on: February 17, 2020 | 
| 中文
Iqbal Manzil (photo credits to The Punjab Department of Ideology)
The city of Sialkot is often overlooked in Pakistan’s cultural map, as the city’s major claim to fame are its footballs and surgical supplies. But Sialkot is also home to some of the brightest historical, and cultural icons, such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sir Zafarullah Khan, Waheed Murad and more.
And deep within the narrow streets of the main city area, just before the Cantonment, is a house that belonged to one of the greatest thinkers Pakistan has produced. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877 – 1938) was a poet, philosopher, barrister and ideological thinker of the Pakistan Movement. His place of birth, known as Iqbal Manzil, is now a museum/library that celebrates Iqbal’s life and works.
A Picture of Iqbal's Mother, Imam Bibi and (R) A Picture of Iqbal's Father, Nur Muhammad
Iqbal was born to a family of ethnic Kashmiris, who had relocated to Sialkot in the early 19th Century. The haveli was originally purchased by Iqbal’s grandfather Sheikh Muhammad Rafiq, in 1861 at the price of Rs. 150 at the time. Iqbal’s father Noor Muhammad expanded the building by adding another floor to the original structure. While Iqbal left Sialkot to pursue his studies, his brother Ata Muhammad took ownership of the building, following their father’s death. Iqbal’s son Javed Iqbal was also born in this haveli in 1924 but left shortly after his birth. Iqbal himself did not return to Sialkot but spent the last years of his life in Javed Manzil (Javed House) in Lahore, now called the Allama Iqbal Museum.
A Photo of Iqbal and Javed Iqbal Taken at Iqbal Manzil
The architecture closely resembles British-era design with wooden paneling and high ceilings, but also Mughal architecture with the presence of pointed arches and intricate woodwork on the balconies. Outside, the building is a three-storied mansion, with a balcony and arched windows that stand out amidst the busy shops and electrical wiring. Entering the door, one finds a hallway with the entrance to the library and the curator’s office. Here are the original rooms of the house, including the one in which Iqbal was born.
Iqbal's Cot and Lounge Chair (photo credits to Dawn)
One goes up the staircase into a circular central courtyard which overlooks the ground floor in a typical fashion. The museum not only features Iqbal’s professional achievements but also celebrates the rich archives of his family. One can trace Iqbal’s lineage using the massive family tree hung on the walls and see the sepia and color-toned pictures of his parents, wives, and children. Along with these archival photographs are Iqbal’s degrees and prized possessions (including his ink pen, and ‘hookah’ or water pipe).
A Display of Iqbal's Possessions and Hookah (photo credits to Dawn)
The government of Pakistan bought the mansion in 1971 and handed it over to the Department of Archaeology. The Museum opened in 1977 and currently, the museum falls under the curation of Mr. Syed Riaz Hussain Naqvi, who has been the caretaker since 1986. He continues to add interesting memorabilia to the museum, such as Iqbal’s letters to foreign dignitaries and his rarely seen Punjabi poetry, which he wrote for his son Javed. The library carries 4000 books, 2000 of which focus on Iqbal’s works, which have been donated by Iqbal enthusiasts for research purposes.
In the early 2000s, the building’s structure and foundations had been under serious threat due to negligence and lack of maintenance. The museum underwent renovations in 2007, mostly on the top floors. The renovations included the installation of electricity throughout the house, whitewashing and the carpeting of the second and third stories (though the third floor has yet to be opened to tourists). However, plans to extend and modernize the museum have yet to be executed, which include regular lectures, a guest house and a café.
An Archival Photo of Iqbal (bottom center)'s GC University Batch
According to an interview with Mr. Naqvi, as of 2019 65,000 visitors had entered the museum, compared to the few hundreds which came before the renovations. 20,000-25,000 of them visited the house in November for Iqbal’s birthday celebrations. These figures are expected to grow with the construction of better routes to Sialkot, and with more people expressing interest in learning about Iqbal.
That said, the preservation of monuments like Iqbal Manzil and Javed Manzil are vital to ensure that future generations get to fully appreciate and immerse themselves in the life and works of Allama Iqbal.
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