Text  by Najma Khan   Photography by Umair Ghani

Chandanvatti, a Hindu princess used to visit banks of River Chenab in the ancient times. She was so fascinated by the romance that prevailed there that she decided to build a city along the river. It was called Chand Niyot. Winds of time carried ancient whispers into our age and we came to know Chand Niyot’s eternal echoes as Chiniot.

The credibility of this legend is yet to be tested, but its romance is luring. Chiniot is an ancient city and its earliest record of existence suggest that it may have been the cradle of some ancient civilization under a Sanskrit name A reference in Rig-Veda to a place is constructed by some scholars as implying the town now known as Chiniot. Today Chiniot is known to the world as a city of awesome architecture and splendid artisans. Badshahi Mosque Chiniot stands out for its magnitude, architecture and intricate floral patters. Its architectural design resembles Delhi’s Grand Shahi Mosque to some extent. Nothing is clearly known about the origins of Shahi Mosque. Although it is called “Shahi” but there is no clear evidence that it was constructed by orders of an emperor. It is generally believed that the mosque was built by Nawab Saad Ullah Khan of Chiniot [Prime Minister in Emperor Shah Jahan’s court].

Complete story published in Tourism Scenario International January 2008 issue.