Dr Muhammad Iqbal was a great thinker and poet who had presented the concept for creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent which came to be known as Pakistan.

Ever-grateful nation continues to pay glowing tributes to him for his memorable contributions towards awakening of the Muslims and creation of Pakistanis generally round the year but particularly on his birth anniversary which is celebrated on November 9 and his death anniversary is observed on April 21 every year.

Briefly for the information particularly for the younger generation now, it is well-known that Allama Muhammad Iqbal hailed from a Kashmiri family which had migrated from Kashmir in the early part of 19th century and settled in Sialkot.

His family initially lived in mohalla Khatikan.

In 1861, Allama’s grandfather Sheikh Muhammad Rafiq bought a house in Kashmiri Mohallah os Sialkot which is now known as Iqbal Manzil.

Allama Iqbal was born in this house on November 9, 1877.

His education started from Masjid Peer Hisamuddin,later he joined Scotch Mission High School Sialkot and passed his Middle examination in 1891, Matriculation in 1893 and Intermediate from the Scotch Mission College which was later known as Murray........

© Pakistan Observer