Nazir Manzil: From Ludhiana to Lahore.

June brings memories and emotions as it is the month of my birth. During this period, I usually write about my own journey. Hailing from the first-born generation of Pakistan, we are an important link between the founding fathers and the future generations of Pakistan. My father, the soldier of the Quaid and Tehreek-e-Pakistan Gold Medallist was born in Ludhiana on July 15, 1920. To celebrate the birth of a male heir, my grandfather built a Haveli in Gul Chaman Gali named after him called: 'Nazir Manzil'. Little did he know that their eldest son will one day have to fight a battle from the rooftop of this building to save the Muslim neighbourhood from the Hindu mob.

My father Nazir Ahmed Malik joined the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) during his college years at Government College Ludhiana. After graduating, he formally joined the Muslim League and rose to be the Secretary Finance and Vice President of the local chapter. On August 15, 1947 a mob attacked their neighbourhood. Originally the Muslim League believed that the boundary of the new land would include their city but after the Radcliffe Award, massacres started in all major cities of Punjab including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Lahore. Being an astute planner, my father at the age of 27 years, was prepared to defend the neighbourhood with his friends. From the roof of Nazir Manzil, they opened fire on the Hindu and Sikh zealots who were also armed. A pitched battle took place; eventually the mob had to retreat. Arrest warrants were issued against the defenders but they managed to escape. He was tried in absentia and convicted for murder; 'head money' of Rs5000 was also offered for his capture.

After leaving a flourishing watch business in Ludhiana, the family had to start all over again in the new land. While the elders settled in Rawalpindi with the hope of returning to their roots in Kashmir, my father moved to Lahore to start his business. In lieu of 'Nazir Manzil' Ludhiana, he was allotted a property in Anarkali for the ownership of which he had to fight several court cases. After a long successful struggle, he succeeded in owning the building which he named 'Nazir Manzil.' My journey started from here in 1953. Last year in June I wrote about my struggles in the land of the pure titled: 'From Anarkali to 11th Street.'

Compared to Ludhiana, Nazir Manzil Lahore was more vibrant and diverse. My mother added the intellectual flavour into a predominantly business family. The...