Majestic building reflects British-era architecture of subcontinent.

Byline: Aamir Yasin

Located on The Mall, the building that now houses the offices of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) reflects the colonial history of the Indian subcontinent.

Constructed in March 11, 1932, the building adjacent to Shah Baloot Park, Odeon Cinema and the Cantonment General Library is an example of Anglo-Indian architecture.

Its foundation was laid by then station commander Rawalpindi and RCB president Brig W.K. Venninc.

Veranda and pillars of the building in front of the offices.

Another plaque on the main building informs visitors about the elected body that held its first board meeting in the building. The board included RCB vice president A. M. Jan, Lt Col John Powell, Lt Col W.E.R Williams, Capt Armstrong, H.A. Macbean, Lt Col W. M. Hore, Lala Ram Parshad Syal, Seth Adam Ji Mamoo Ji, Sheikh Fazal Ellahi, Sheikh Mohammad Rafi, Lala Sita Ram Sahni, Harnam Singh and RCB executive officer Maj H.H. Marshall.

The building was the property of Lansdown Trust Property Board. In 1891, Sardar Kirpal Singh Rai Bahadar and Sardar Sujan Singh Rai Bahadar established the trust for education and recreational activities for cantonment residents. A cinema house, a park and library were also established.

Wood work on the roof, windows and doors on the main hall of the RCB building is a reflection of the Anglo-Indian style popular during the colonial era.

In 1932, the cantonment board constructed an office building on a portion of the land situated in front of the Military Hospital in the western side of library. Later, N.D. Arjan Das, the then elected member of RCB, filed a case in court against its construction, saying the board was not entitled to construct any building for its own interest. Das later withdrew the case.

The land was later reclassified and transferred to the cantonment board for construction of an office building along with a piece of land measuring 4,382 square feet for a petrol pump.

According to RCB records, in 1938, Sham Lal raised a point of order in the Punjab Legislative Assembly about this construction and the minister concerned promised for an investigation into the issue.

Plaques inscribed with the names of the...