Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Fakir Khana Museum


Fakir Khana Museum "the largest antiques collection in South East Asia" is the honor, procession and pride of the well-known Fakir Family whose vibrant history can be amazingly traced back to hundreds of years. This museum is basically inside an early 20th century house, carrying a kaleidoscope of unimaginable pieces. From gems & stones, portraits & miniatures to the original manuscripts of The Holy Quran and Relics of Islam including the relics of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). It is a place full of history, memories and treasures.Every single artifact at Fakir Khana Museum has a story to tell. Entering the arches of the Fakir Khana museum you truly get to know that not only this family is the proud bearer of the relics and the antiques collection but it’s also a part of an eventful history. The sixth generation of the Fakir Khana today can trace their family back to 18th century when their ancestors came from “BUKHARA” to “UCH-SHARIEF”. They were the ones who served in the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as the Prime Minister and Royal Physician. Fakir Sayyed Noor Uddin was amongst the favorites of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as he cured an acute eye disease which was spoiling his good eye. Fakir Sayyed Noor Uddin later made the largest hospital for the poor today known as “MAYO” hospital. Fakir Sayyed Aziz Uddin was very much respected, as he was not only the prime minister but also an interpreter for Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Being the ruler at the time, Maharaja Ranjit Singh more often received gifts from official visitors which he passed on to the Fakir Brothers along with most of other treasures from his predecessors. One of the most talked about gifts of that time is the huge portrait of Queen Victoria presented by Lord Auckland, which is framed in gold and set in real turquoise. Later generations travelled the world and collected Chinese & Japanese paintings, miniatures, imari bowls, coins, Buddhist stone carvings, ancient pottery, silver & what not. From antique weapons to a stone poison filter (recently tested by a drug company & guaranteed to work) this place won’t stop amazing you. Each of these 30,000 pieces spell bind visitors. This is the time when they highly comprehend the passion and obsession of the Fakir Family Collection.

1 comment:

Subhash Parihar said...

Sir, if there is some Punjabi translation (in Gurmukhi script) of the Quran Sharif in the collection of the Museum?
subhash parihar, East Punjab, India.