365 Writing Prompts: 21st-century citizen

Do you belong in this day and age? Do you feel comfortable being a citizen of the 21st century? If you do, explain why– and if you don’t , when in human history would you be?

As far as I know, I’m here and it won’t make any difference whether I like it or hate it. Each century brings with it good and bad, if I could take all the good things that happened in each century and give it a name it would be superb.

It is not only unthinkable it is ridiculous. I like reading about the century when Mughal Empire thrived, all those beautiful architecture, music, poetry and the gorgeous buildings are thoroughly pleasing to read about, but there amidst all this beauty there lived people who were poor and down trodden, they were living in the century, but could not appreciate all the wonderful things surrounding them, they were unable to be part of it, they were haunted by poverty. In that era only the rich were fortunate to enjoy everything around them.

Twenty-first century seems better comparatively, poverty still is a factor, but the people are looked after by their respective governments, although in some countries this is not the case.

I don’t mind living in the twenty-first century, it is easier to travel, we get news of the world instantly. There is so much to do, so much to see one cannot be bored.I think I like the twenty-first century.

………………………….. 🙂

Sialkot, A pakistani city.

Description unavailable (Photo credit: /tiinan)

Entrance to the Sialkot Railway Station (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Indo-Greek Bust (Photo credit: Prato9x)

Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), a notable Muslim philosopher, poet and scholar from India (then British India) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Alphie,Susan and Gepetto and I,Ranu are on our way to Sialkot.  We are interested because this is where,Allama Mohammad Iqbal was born.Iqbal was a famous poet,philosopher and thinker. We have done some research about the city.

Five thousand years ago,it was ruled by a dynasty of a founder of Sialkot. His name was Raja Sul. The city was the easternmost outpost of Alexander’s empire.From 160-135 B.C Sialkot was the capital of the Indo-Greek empire. In the Scythian era the story is about Raja Salivahan. He belonged to the Sia Caste,a jut clan.Thus the people named it Sialkot.

Next came the Mughal era.Shahabuddin Ghori conquered Sialkot and it came under the Mughal rule.

After the Mughals,it came under Pastuns families from Kandahar and Kabul.Next the Sikhs gained control and ruled for forty years. The British were the last rulers,before it became an independent city of Pakistan.

The city is about 125 km North-West of Lahore.It is only a few kilometres from Indian controlled Jammu.

Sialkot district has sub-tropical climate.It is cold in the winter and hot and humid during summer. The land is fertile. The average rainfall is 1000 mm.The highest rainfall is from July to September.

It is the birth place of Allama Mohammad Iqbal the poet, philosopher and thinker.The house where he and his family lived,is now a museum.It is open to visitors.There is also a tomb of Imam Sahib. He was a Sufi.He is a famous saint of Sialkot.

The northern part of this district is believed to be very fertile.The chief crops grown are:wheat ,barley,rice,millet,corn and sugar cane.

It has flour and cotton mills.It produces surgical instruments,Leather goods,ready made garments,musical instruments and sporting goods. It exports most of its products. We enjoyed our stay in Sialkot .It is different from other cities we visited.   Gepetto was interested to see the sport goods.He wanted to take some home.His parents didn’t think it was a good idea. They had collected a lot of souvenirs on their trip.

Our trip to Sialkot was very pleasant.We were able to see a lot. The people were friendly and helpful. Alphie,Susan And Gepetto will take back fond memories of this trip.

Now the moment has come when we all have to bid goodbye to Sialkot and its inhabitants. Thanks for showing your city.

To all our friends and visitors a very fond goodbye. Allah Hafiz and May God bless you all.

Lalbagh Fort (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh.It is the largest city in Bangladesh.It gained recognition in the tenth century.It was the Mughal capital from1608 to 1704.It came under British rule in 1765.The romanized spelling of the Bengali name was changed from,Dacca to Dhaka.

I went to Dhaka from Comilla,a small town in Bangladesh,to study.I loved the city,it was very unique for me.The restaurants,the parks,entertainment centers were all in Dhaka.Although I have lived in larger cities,such as New Delhi,Rawalpindi  Lahore ,London,England.There was something different about Dhaka city.I was able to mingle with the crowd,there was warmth and understanding among the people.

I want to take you on a tour of my favourite city.Our trip will begin with Lalbagh fort in old Dhaka.It is an imposing but incomplete Mughal fort.The construction of the fort started in 1678 by Prince Azam, emperor Auragzeb’s third son.The construction of the fort was later taken up by his son Shaista Khan.According to legend,the building of the fort was suspended due to the death of his favourite daughter.

The next point of interest is Chowk Bazaar.It is located in the old city as well.Perhaps it will be more interesting if you walk,you will find yourself walking through a maze of tightly twisting roads and it will give you the feeling as if you are living and breathing in 19th century Dhaka.

Next interesting building is newly renovated Ahsan Manzil or the Nawab Palace.It was built in 1872 and was named after,Nawab Ahsanullah Bahadur.

The Armenian church built in 1791 is a must see building.

Baldah Gardens in Wari is a Botanical Garden,the beautiful,flowers and other plants,will make you spend a substantial amount of time,especially if you are a botanist.

The city is called a city of mosques,the star mosque,is one of the striking mosques in the city.You will also find the Mughal mosque and the seven domed mosque.

The next important building is the Curzon hall.It was built during the British Rule.The building is taken over by Dhaka university.

There are other interesting buildings for a tourist to see.I will name them and try to provide some  pictures.

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