Topi Rakh A park in Rawalpindi where local people were forbidden to enter

Rawalpindi's famous Ayub Park: Does anyone know why it is called 'Topi Rakh', what used to happen here before the formation of Pakistan and what is the condition of this park today?


It was initially managed by the Punjab government, which was handed over to the army during President Musharraf's tenure 

Topi Rakh A park in Rawalpindi where local people were forbidden to enter
Topi Rakh A park in Rawalpindi where local people were forbidden to enter


It's a summer afternoon, I'm sitting by the lake in Ayub National Park Rawalpindi , once called 'Topi Rakh'. One scene is what surrounds me and the other scenes are out of sight but part of history.


Hundreds of thousands of people visit here every day, nobles and military officers play golf. This park also has many wedding halls, sports fields. But does anyone know why it is called 'Topi Rakh', what used to happen here before the establishment of Pakistan and what is the condition of this park today?


A story related to hat rack


Gandhara was ruled by the Kushans from the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD. They were of Chinese origin whose empire extended to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Mongolia and Central Asian countries. In the same era, Rawalpindi and Kashmir were ruled by a local king, Sargun, whose throne was in the Morgah area next to this park.


Sargun's only daughter was Simli who fell in love with another king's son, but King Sargun did not approve of this relationship, as he wanted to marry Simli into the house of his equal.


One day Simli committed suicide by jumping into the river, but even after her death she could not disappear from the hearts of the people and was given the title of Goddess. There used to be a village called Simli at the place where Simli Dam is located in Islamabad. Raja Sargun built a stupa in memory of his daughter at the same park site but it no longer exists.


In Pothohari language, 'top' refers to a stupa and 'rukh' is a place that has been declared a protected forest by the government, and where cutting of trees is prohibited. That's why it's called 'topi rakh'. But people who come here do not know that Ayub National Park used to have a hat. Here's what the hat means and an interesting folklore behind it.


British park where local people could not come


When the British defeated the Khalsa army in Rawalpindi in 1849, in view of the geographical importance of Rawalpindi, they founded India's largest cantonment here, after which a spacious park was built in Topi Rakh outside the cantonment for the entertainment of British families. went.


India's famous novelist and playwright Kartar Singh Dugal was born in Dhamiyal Rawalpindi in 1917 and died in 2012. He was awarded India's highest literary award, the Padma Bhushan, and was also the chairman of the All India Radio.


In 2007, his autobiography Whom to Tell My Tale was published by the National Book Trust of India. Many incidents of his childhood spent in Rawalpindi are given in this book. One of these incidents is in Topi Rak Park.


Kartar Singh Dugal writes that 'Topi Rakh was a resort of the British where all kinds of entertainment were arranged. There were various animals and birds in the dense forest, which no one hunted. Flocks of partridges and quails were flying around. There were also deer and rabbits. There were many kinds of fish in the lake. No one could touch the animals or the fish.


Ayub Park has a lake in which boats ply 

Topi Rakh A park in Rawalpindi where local people were forbidden to enter
Topi Rakh A park in Rawalpindi where local people were forbidden to enter


'There was also the most beautiful golf course in India where whites and lambs would measure the course all day long. In the summer, naked girls sweat. There was also a tennis court on one side, which was maintained by Indian laborers throughout the day. In the evening, the British would come in their motorbikes and play sports.


'There were various flower beds in the hat rack which were full of colorful flowers. In summer, the thick shade of tall trees, the edge of the lake, the greenery of the forest and the warm sun in winter, the heat of the open fields of grass, the view of paradise was like in Rakh.


'I'd be surprised to never see a native playing golf or tennis. On my enquiry, I was told that cap-holding was only for the British and no black man could become a member.


Darughe asked, 'How did you get in?'


I thought that someone might have mistaken me for an Englishman. But one day my friend and I parked our motorbike and drove away to the park where the English couple were having a bad day. A drunken Englishman caught sight of us and proceeded towards us abusing us. Seeing this, the rest of the British also ran towards us. We ran to our car and lost our lives on this assurance that if we are seen here in the future, then we will not be spared at all.'


Balraj Sahni, who is a famous Indian film star, also belonged to Rawalpindi and came to Rawalpindi in 1962. Regarding his visit, he also wrote a travelogue in which he writes that I made a special request to visit Topi Rak Park where I sat and drank tea with my childhood friend Khursheed.


What is the condition of this park today?


In the 1961 census report of Rawalpindi, it is written that 'Ayub National Park is located on the GT Road and is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Pakistan. It has seven canals which supply water to the lakes here. The park has eight miles of roads and 12 miles of dirt trails. There is a 6670 feet long billowing canal where boating takes place. There are twelve canals, fountains and waterfalls. There is also a restaurant, open-air theatre, children's park. This park will be extended to 2300 acres. A cinema is also under construction while there are plans to build a zoo and a children's safari train.


The name of the park was changed from Topi Rakh Park to 'Ayub National Park' in 1959 when the country was ruled by General Ayub Khan . Initially, it was managed by the Punjab government, which was handed over to the army during President Musharraf's tenure.


The name Topi Rakh still exists today and a banquet hall is built here 

Topi Rakh A park in Rawalpindi where local people were forbidden to enter
Topi Rakh A park in Rawalpindi where local people were forbidden to enter


In the November 2021 issue of the magazine 'Hilal', the Spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, Aswa Ahmed writes that 'this park of more than 300 acres is managed by the Army Heritage Foundation, which was established in 1999. The park provides educational, cultural and recreational facilities including a zoo , army museum, jungle world, guesthouse, resort, vintage car park, beautiful garden, various sports facilities, boating and gym etc. Included.


The Army Museum houses tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and warships used in the Indo-Pak wars of 1948, 1965 and 1971. The history of Muslims in India from the 8th century to the 19th century is also shown. The 75-year history of Pakistan has been highlighted in the Pakistan Gallery. The 100,000-square-foot flower garden is modeled after a Dubai garden and has three sections, each with its own distinct look and feel.


Bara Dari which was inaugurated by President Ayub in 1959 remains in its historical form. There are tigers, zebras and 40 species of birds in the zoo. Extensive plantation has been done to keep the park green.'


The park was once called the lungs of Rawalpindi because of its dense forest. But today the forest is nominal here and everywhere is Tuesday only Tuesday. This artificiality of nature has been given a commercial form. In business only cash turnover is seen, maybe one day even jungles can be converted into high rise buildings even if they stay here for more cash turnover.

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