Iqbal Manzil

Sialkot is frequently forgotten when discussing Pakistan's cultural landscape because its main exports are football and medical supplies.

But Sialkot is also the hometown of some of the most notable historical and cultural figures.

Just before the Cantonment, tucked away in one of the central city's winding streets, is a house that once belonged to one of Pakistan's greatest thinkers, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He was a poet, philosopher, lawyer, and Pakistan Movement ideologist.

Iqbal Manzil, where he was born, is now a museum and library honoring Iqbal's life and contributions. This historical site is preserved so that present and future generations can fully understand and become immersed in Allama Iqbal's life and works.

This national monument is now easier to reach thanks to the completion of the Lahore-Sialkot motorway. Plan a trip today to Sialkot and explore this national treasure and the rest of the city's historic landmarks.

THINGS TO DO AT IQBAL HOUSE:

• Admire the architectural style and explore the passageways:

The structure is a three-story mansion from the outside, with arched windows and a balcony that stands out among the busy stores and electrical wiring. It has wooden paneling, high ceilings, and Mughal architecture, which can be seen in the balconies' elaborate woodwork and pointed arches.

The home is built using traditional techniques, as was standard at the turn of the 20th century. The rooms are built around a square courtyard, and the first floor has a similar layout. One finds the entrance to the library and the curator's office in the hallway after entering the door. The home's original rooms, including where Iqbal was born, are shown here.

• Learn about the powerhouse of talent this personality was for nationalists:

Iqbal was a well-known poet and philosopher who wrote primarily in the languages of Urdu and Persian. Because of his poetry, which conveys a message of love for the motherland and encourages freedom, self-respect, and passion for the teachings of Islam, Pakistanis hold him in high regard. Because of the political role he played before Pakistan's independence, he is regarded as one of the heroes of the freedom movement. He is credited with having first proposed the notion of a separate state for Muslims living in the subcontinent.

• Get details about his family at the museum:

In addition to highlighting Iqbal's professional accomplishments, the museum also honors the extensive family archives. The enormous family tree on the walls allows one to trace Iqbal's ancestry while also viewing the sepia and color-toned photographs of his parents, wives, and kids. Iqbal's degrees and prized possessions (such as his ink pen and 'hookah,' or water pipe) are displayed with these old photos.

• Get a glimpse into his everyday lifestyle:

A few items on display also reveal some of his habits. Huqqa, a smoking pipe, was a favorite of Allama's. On display are Allama's personal belongings, including his clothing and shoes. Allama participated in politics all of his life. His political activities and interactions with dignitaries from the era are displayed in numerous pictures.