Havelli Sardar Rai Bahadur Soojan Singh

The last remaining sign of the Khalsa rule in Rawalpindi can be found in the old Haveli, which once belonged to the grandparents of Sardar Rai Bahadur Soojan Singh, who was a powerful commander in the North West Lahore Darbar Army. This Haveli was used to control Rawalpindi and the surrounding areas during that time.

However, today, the Haveli has fallen into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance. It is privately owned, but it has not been taken care of, and it’s slowly deteriorating. The Haveli was built using Nanak Shahi and Mughlai bricks and is a multi-story building that includes underground chambers. Many stories, both good and bad, are associated with this historic building.

It’s important to note that Rawalpindi served as the second headquarters for the Sarkar e Khalsa and the Lahore Darbar. Over the years, it has transformed into the general headquarters for the Pakistani Army. From a small fort during the Akbar era to a significant place during the Sikh Raj and later the British rule, Rawalpindi has a rich historical legacy.