May 21, 1086

Monday, 20 May 2013

May 21, 1086, Song Ming Chen Wang Anshi's Death

Wang (1021 -1086 on May 21), the word Jiefu, Mid-levels, sealing Jing Guogong. Han. Linchuan people (now Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province of urban Jing the road Deng Jia Xiang), the Northern Song outstanding statesman, thinker, writer, reformer, one of the Tang and Song. Wang Linchuan collection "," the Linchuan set Supplements survive in the world. The official prime minister, advocates of reform and political reform. Most famous poems, "Mongol", "plum".

Outstanding achievements in literature. His poems "learning Du obtaining Shouying the" good at reasoning and rhetoric, good at using allusions, fresh and powerful style Qiu (qiú,), the provision of police absolutely fine, deep graceful Charm works. Of the "Linchuan Mr. anthology. He was born in a small official family. Parent benefit, the word loss, who has Riverside Army Magistrate, any Magistrate life around the north and south. Ashmore less good reading, memory, and better education. Qingli 2002 (1042) Teng the Yang set jinshi fourth name, she served as the local officials of Huainan Magistrate, Yin County magistrate, the state of Shu pass sentence, Changzhou know the state, reminding Jiangdong Prison. Zhiping four years (1067) Ancestor beginning of the throne, the Zhaoan stone Jiangning said, spin and called for the Imperial Academy. Xining years (1069) mentioned as shenzhizhengshi, from Xining three years, twice he was the same book Ha Pingzhang, the implementation of the new law. The Xining after nine Baxiang, seclusion, died in Jiangning (now Nanjing, Jiangsu) Zhong Shan, posthumous title of "text", also known as Wang Wengong. Political Reform has a deep impact on the late Northern Song Dynasty socio-economic features with modern changes, Lenin hailed as the great 11th century reformer. . "Han Yu, Liu, Ouyang Xiu, Su Xun, Su Shi, Su Zhe Zeng Gong," adding that "the Tang and Song".

Zhiping four years (1067) Ancestor to the throne, only use the Wang Anshi Jiangning prefect, immediately Chao, Imperial Academy and Shijiang. To get rid of the Song Dynasty facing political, economic crisis and the Liao, Western Xia intrusion dilemma, the Xining the first year (1068), Ancestor Zhao Wang, "The more times into" a letter to advocate political reform. Following year as shenzhizhengshi the, presided over political reform. Guide the implementation of the political reform, the establishment of three Division Disposal Ordinance Division, identified a number of advocacy Reform officials involved in the formulation of the new law. Xining three years (1070) in the book of the same the subglottic Pingzhang, with the prime minister, the implementation of the new law in the country, began a large-scale reform movement. The line of the new law in the financial input method, the Green Shoots Law, City Act, the immunization Act, Fangtian tax laws, irrigation and water conservancy law; military set method, Bao Jiafa, Paul Marfa. The same time, the reform of the imperial examination system, nurture talent for the implementation of the new law. These measures are to some extent limited the large landowners and wealthy merchant exploitation of farmers, promote the development of irrigation and water conservancy, the country's fiscal position has improved, the military force has also been strengthened. Wang Anshi Lenin called "reformers of the 11th century, Mao Zedong praised Wang Anshi's most valuable point that he proposed the idea of ​​'hide, less than a shirt'. (Hide insufficient shirt "not by Wang Anshi Reform sent Shiti out, but the word of the opposition on political reform faction slander, similar to the original three destiny should fear, all the words, less than from ancestors of the law , Wang and heard these words in line with their political reform subject, then big plus to promote deep sleep.)

Reform the court monopoly commodity trade, not only bureaucrats and landowners, as well as the interests of small businessmen have all been violated, the original social order the destruction was fierce opposition from conservatives, especially Cao Queen Mother, the Queen Mother's stubborn obstructions. Plus the virtuous to minister in the implementation process over-pursuing big and fast, many officials took the opportunity to prey on the farmers' interests are harmed, and a letter Zhijian Reform hazards have all been of Wang Anshi deposed or Demotion or exiled, publicans more unconscionable , audacious, such a situation is intensified, a far cry from actual results and subjective assumptions. Wang Anshi in all the suspected group slander, The Ancestor royalty Guiqi forced against the pressure of the Secretary of the new law, Xining seven years (1074) strike in April to Wang Anshi phase, Ren Jiangning prefect. The sow discord following year is underway with phase, but because of the new law were internal divisions and conservatives, Wang and actually can not contribute much to Xining on October again Baxiang the as Jiangnan signed sentenced the following year retreat Jiangning live homebound life.

In Northern New Theory for six years (1073), under the command of Wang Anshi, his Management Song path slightly Fushi Shao led his army to attack Tibetan recovered river (Gansu Linxia), Min the (now MINXIAN) five states combat. Song recovered 5 states, antipodes more than 2,000 years, 30 million accounts by Fu Qiang, and establish a to attack Western Xia favorable front. Wang Anshi's political reform has become a major reform in China.

First year of Zhezong Yuanyou Bing Yin (1086) 66, died on April sixth day gift Tutor.

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Ryukyu Memorabilia: 1879 Ryukyu subjugation

Sunday, 19 May 2013

Ryukyu Memorabilia: 1879 Ryukyu subjugation

Ryukyu yet have the portrait of the king.

Lead

Ryukyu Islands, also known as the Ryukyu Okinawa (Ryukyu Okinawa), extending about 1,100 km (700 miles) to the northeast of Taiwan, the East China Sea (West) and the Philippine Sea (East), the dividing line to the southwest from the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. The total land area of 3,090 square kilometers (1,193 square miles), including 55 small islands divided into three large island groups: the northern Amami island chain, the central islands of Okinawa, southern Island in the first. Ryukyu because of its special geographical location as a transit point for Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia Trade, trade development, known as the "nations Shinryo". 12th century, Ryukyu Islands Shannan, Zhongshan North Hill three, respectively, in southern, central and northern Ryukyu Islands.

The Ming Wang Zhaofan is a period

1372, the Ming Dynasty Dynasty emperor Zhao Yu Wang Zhongshan police released. North Hill, Zhongshan, Shannan three Xiangming government tributary. The Ryukyu become a vassal of the Ming Dynasty.

In 1392, the emperor ordered from Fujian, China, 36 Family moved to Ryukyu good Shipbuilding and Navigation.

1416, Zhongshan Wang Chamba Chi conquer Kitayama.

In 1429, the Zhongshan Wang Chamba Chi to conquer the mountain, form a unified Ryukyu Kingdom (the first Shang's dynasty). According to the the vassal relationship the Ryukyu Ming dynasty, each generation Ryukyu King need canonized from the Ming dynasty.

In 1470, the first Shang dynasty's demise, still round (still yen) to create a second still allies, and accept from the Ming dynasty canonized.

1400 -1550, the golden age of the Ryukyu Kingdom, a highly developed business with China, Korea, Southeast Asia and Japan trade.

-16 Century, 15th century, a large number of pirates pirate harassment Ryukyu Islands.

1609 (Wanli 30 2007), Japan's Tokugawa Ieyasu inherited Toyotomi Hideyoshi's foreign policy of expansion, led 3,000 soldiers invaded Okinawa, captured the king of the Ryukyu camp near the Ryukyu Kingdom Kagoshima Satsuma clan Shimadzu home nine.

The Qing Wang Zhaofan is a period

In 1654, Ryukyu emissary minister to request canonized. Tai Feng Liu, Qing Wang Chaoshun rule number one is still the king of quality, Ryukyu become a vassal of the Qing Dynasty.

In May 1853, the fleet of the U.S. Navy Commodore Perry (Matthew C. Perry) arrived in the Ryukyu Islands.

In March 1854, Perry and Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa. Perry asked Japan to open Naha Port, the Japanese side of the Ryukyu Ryukyu distant countries, Japan has no right to determine its ports open.

July 11, 1854, Perry and Japan after the conclusion of the negotiations, back to the Ryukyu Ryukyu government negotiations, and finally signed a treaty was opened Naha Port in both the English text.

In 1866, the last one the Ryukyu country Wang Shangtai, following bit.

In 1872, Japan announced the "inner fan" Ryukyu Kingdom Japan, Ryukyu Islands are Japanese territory, does not recognize China Ryukyu suzerainty since 1372, the official occupation of the Ryukyu. And delays in negotiations with China the Ryukyu problem.

July 24, 1875, Japan forced the Ryukyu king to stop tribute to the Qing dynasty.

March 30, 1879, Japan will be the last one the Ryukyu country Wang Shangtai, exile to Tokyo, set the Ryukyu Okinawa Prefecture. Ryukyu demise.

After the Ryukyu Kingdom era

In 1879, the Sino-Japanese Ryukyu start negotiations, China put forward the Ryukyu Islands is divided into three parts: close to the direction of Japan's Amami large Island for the Japanese territory, the island of Ryukyu and its nearby islands as the presence of an independent Ryukyu Kingdom, and the first in the southern Island Islands as Chinese territory. Japan proposed to Ryukyu divided into two parts: the island of Ryukyu the Northern islands as Japanese territory, south of the first Islands as Chinese territory (not involved in the negotiations Diaoyutai Islands vesting).

September 1880, the Chinese side in the negotiations last compromise, signed the "Ryukyu professionals about the Draft Ryukyu, Japan is divided into two parts. Qing emperor, however, refused to agree to this unequal treaties, and instructs the representatives of China and Japan to continue consultations. Japan and then leave, rupture of the negotiation.

With the Qing government to resume negotiations Ryukyu Consul Takezoe Shinichiro in Tianjin in 1882, but no agreement has been reached. Ryukyu issue dragged on until the Sino-Japanese War.

1894 -1895 years, the Sino-Japanese War, China ceded as a defeated nation of Taiwan, Penghu, even less say in the Ryukyu Islands. From the Ryukyu Islands belong to a country and the fact that China's vassal began to be forgotten.

In 1898, Japan forced the Okinawans military service.

In 1901, the last one the Ryukyu country Wang Shangtai, died.

In 1916, Okinawa teachers requested by the General Assembly the Okinawan teachers with the the insult means of punishment said the the Ryukyu language of students in the school.

In 1945, the late World War II, the United States to attack the island of Ryukyu, Japanese soldiers forced Okinawans committed suicide jumping, or simply be killed in order to reduce the pressure of the lack of food in the cave, or say Ryukyu language is considered to be a spy tragic killed. War Ryukyu population reduced by a quarter.

From 1945 to 1972, during the American occupation, alienation imposed by the United States in the Ryukyu policy. The People's Republic of China for the attitude of the U.S. occupation of Okinawa is that the islands belong to the illegal occupation of the territory of Japan.

In April 1947, adopted by the United Nations before the appointment of the island was ruled by the Agreement, the Ryukyu Islands south of 29 degrees north latitude and originally part of the Diaoyutai Islands to the United States hosted.

In 1951, the United States and Japan signed the United States, Japan and the San Francisco Peace Treaty in the case without the participation of the representative of China, the Ryukyu Islands, together with the Diaoyutai Islands "administrative rights" transferred to Japan. But this was the owner of the land Okinawans rallied against the "poly cry downtown.

Since May 15, 1972, Japan restore the rule of the Ryukyu Islands, continue to implement the policy of assimilation. Ryukyu Islands and still is the most economically backward areas in Japan's 47 local self-government entities.

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ROLE OF CONGRESS

Monday, 15 April 2013

ROLE OF CONGRESS

Partition of Bengal 1905. In 1905 Lord Lithozi appealed the victory of Britain Lord Curton that the province of Bengal should be divided as it cannot be run by a single person cuz it is so big and limited resources were their them in 1905 Bengal divided. Muslims were happy as the one separated are of Bengal was having the Majority of Muslims. Hindu opposed this separation and said that they have insulted their mother Kali Ma God Congress also opposed it there have stored a sadness movement in which Britain economical boy cott should be there and in 1911 Government took back the desicion.

FORMATION OF MUSLIM LEAGUE:

Muslim though that there should be a platform for only Muslims and in Lorn Tohn Money  in 1906 July government announced that you want change to gue as your objection of what change you want to bring on 1st October 1906 they gave the objectives ( Muslims) Sir Agha Khan gave these Objectives Nawab-Haroon_ul_Mulk prepared 36 members this is known as Shinla. Deputation her this renounce at Muhammadan Educational conference was held in 1906, an objective was given for Muslims separated platform and decision was there that a political platform or Tarycem should be there for only Muslims and then this lead-us to ALLJINPM MUSLIM LEAGUE and then Lead-us were. Syed Hussair Walgarami general sectary the first session was held on 29,30 EC in 1907 at Karachi and All India Muslim League was now the light of hope for the Muslims. It was accepted constitutionally in 1908 on March.

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Indian National Congress

Saturday, 13 April 2013

Indain National Congress

 

 BACKGROUND MOVEMENT  - HINDUS

Barbara samaj 1826. Raja Ram Mohin Ray to aware the Hindus on the platform of politics and Relegions.

Arya Samaj 1857 --> Da Umanda Surwati cause was the movement of Arya and education of Arya must be praised and raised.

Indian Association Calcutta 1876

To gure awareness to Bengal Hindus on social political and religious venues.

MOVEMENT - MUSLIMS

Dor-ul-Deoband 1867. Muslims Political religious must be protected and right of Muslim by Haji Muhammad .

Central National Mohammad Association at Calcutta by Syed Amir Ali 1877. Muslim rights of Political. Religious, Law must be protected. They provide us the culture. Anjuman Hayat - ul - Islam at Lahore in 1884 by Mohammad Hamid-u-din. To protect the Muslims from the effect of Arya Samaj. Sindh Madarsat_UL_Islam on 1885 at Karachi Education provides to Muslims.

1885 A.O Hume congress victory Lord Duff ruin 28th December 1885 was the day when A.O Hume established a first political League of Hindus and Muslims in Bombay. 1st session was 28th Dec 1885 72Hindus and 2Muslims. 1886 2nd session in Calcutta. Muslim forcibly does not attempt the session by their own will. 1887 3rd summit Sir Syed rejected the offer and said Muslim should stay away from congress. It has been divided into three phases. 1885-1901 Moderate phase.

Constitutionally the effort there being held to provide the protection to Hindus And Muslim 1905 -1920. Extremest phase.

Extreme politician were being adopted by congress Lala Raj Parliac become the leader of congress he created extreme policy for both government and Muslims and this was the time period whein Muslim league established and Quaid-e-Azam joined Muslim League 1920-1947 --> Gandhi.

The Leader adopted policy of Non- violence policy that matters not resolve on basis of violence.

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Kitabul Hind

Thursday, 4 April 2013

Kitabul Hind - BooK

Alberuni, the great scholar who accopained Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi to India, and researched on the religion and customs of the people of India. He wrote kitabul Hind. or The Book Of India, which was one of the earliest encyclopedias about South Asia and its people . Alberuni even learn Sanskrit to write this book. The Brahmin scholars respected him so much that they called him Vidya Sagar, or the sea of Knowledge.

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Dastane-e-Ameer Hamza

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Dastane-e-Ameer Hamza 

Dastane-e-Ameer Hamza has many versions, because this story became so popular that many authors tried to write it separately. Today, it is very difficult to say which one was written first. We do not know much about many of these authors. 
The story tells about Hamza, a Legendary Arab hero who offers his services to Nowherwan, a famous Persian emperor  of the Pre-Islamic days. In the course of events, Hamza has to fight many enemies, including a villainous vizier, might soldiers, large armies, and even giants and ghosts! 
A very interesting character of this story is Amr  or (Umro Ayyar), the clever spy of Hamza. His adventures are funny as well as thrilling. 
In South Asia, many people tried to write more stories with the same characters, and dastans about Hamza and his friends were very popular in the 19th Century. One of them was Talisme Hoshruba, which is sometimes considered as the first science fiction of Urdu Literature. Talisme  tells about many amazing things that sounded like magic to the people of those days, such as a screen on which incidents happening in far away lands could be seen live, and little grenades that could destroy entire cities. Today, howaever, we know that such things have been invented through science.  

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Alf Laila - Story

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Alf Laila - Story



Have you heard the stories about the Alladin's magic lamp, Ali Baba and the forty thieves, and Sindbad the sailor? These and many other stories come from Alf Laila Wal Layl (Literally meaning one thousand and one nights), which is commonly called Alf Laila. It was originally written in Arabic In the west it is known as the Arabian Nights. It is a dastan, or a long story written in prose, and it's author is not known.
The story tells about a king whose wife betrayed him. He become so crazy with anger that every night he married a woman, and killed her the next morning. Scheherazade, the clever daughter of the Vizier, at last agreed to marry the king but started telling him a story that was so long that it did not end by the morning. The king spared her life for a few nights because he wanted to hear the story till the end. Scheherazade kept on telling one story after another for one thousand and one nights. By listening to all these stories, the king was able to learn about human life and realized his own mistakes so that in the end he spared the life of Scheherazade and became a normal person again. 

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Javidnamah - Epic Poem

Monday, 1 April 2013

Javidnamah - Epic Poem



In the previous class you read that our national poet Allama Iqbal also wrote poems in Persian. Javidnamaha is a long epic poem, which Iqbal considered to be his best work of poetry. 
This is an imaginary poem about the poet's journey to heaven where he meets many of the great maem and women of the past. His guide is Rumi ( the Aurthur of the Mathnavi), whose soul takes him through the various regions in the other world. Among the people whome Iqbal meets on this imaginary journey are Jamaluddin Afghani ( you will read about him in this blog), Hallaj ( a great Sufi saint), Ghalib , Quratul Ain Tahira ( a pious lady from Persia), Bhatri Hari ( a great Hindu Poet), Sultan Tipu, and many others. 

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Mathnavi-Book

MATHNAVI







This is one of the most popular books in the world. In this book Rumi, the mystic poet, descrived the secrets of the human soul. It consist of seven volumes, and like Gulistan, it also contains many stories with profound morals. One of the stories is about a woodcutter who went into a jungle that was frozen with snow. there he saw a huge dead python. He tied it up with ropes and brought down to the  village. People gathered to see this dreadful animal, and the woodcutter told them false stories about his bravery,'' O this dangerous animal was still alive when I went to the jungle, but i risked my life in fighting it. At last I killed jit with great effort.'' Actually the python wasn't dead, but had just fainted due to cold. The woodcutter did'nt knwow that, obviously, but due to the warmth of the village climate the pyhton came back to its senses, and broke the ropes. Then he ate the woodcutter as well as many of the people who had gathered around it, and went back to the jungle.
Rumi says theat our negative desires, such as greed, hate, and pride, are also like the python: we must be careful they do not destroy us.

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Gulistan - STORY

Sunday, 31 March 2013

GULISTAN




 

Saadi of Sheraz wrote Gulistan . It contains many stories with beautiful morals. It was taught in schools of the Muslim world, especially in South Asia, for many centuries. Many stories and sayings from this book have become very famous in the East.

One of the stories is about a foolish slave who had never seen a river before.  One day, his master decided to take him along for a picnic on a boat. When the boat reached the river, the slave got extremely frightened and started jumping up and down, disturbing everyone. People told them that he would be alright but it was no use -  nothing could cure his fight. There was a wise man traveling in the same boat. When everything else failed, he told the people to through the slaves into the river.  As the slave was about to drown, the wise man asked the people to pull him back into the river. This time, as the slave came back to the river,'' said the wise man,"That is why he could not understand how safe it is to be on the boat. Now he knows that it would be much worse to be without a boat, and therefore he is grateful and quiet.''

In another story, Saadi tells us that when he was a child his father took him to a mosque on a special night. Saadi and his father spent the whole night in prayers, and when it was almost morning, the young Saadi looked around him to find that many people had slept on the floor of the mosque. ''Father! He said. ''Look at these people. How they have wasted the special night in sleeping when they could have offered prayers and sent some good deeds for the after world.'' Saadi's father replied,'' My son, it would have been far better for you to be one of them, and sleep the whole night rather than offer prayers and then criticize others.''

Many centuries have passed since this book was written. Its message is still as fresh and useful as ever.    

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Shahnama - POEM

SHAHNAMA

Ferdowsi

SHAHNAMA

Poet

Hakīm Abul-Qāsim Ferdowsī Tūsī, most commonly known as Ferdowsi, was a highly revered Persian poet. He is the author of the Shahnameh, the national epic of Iran and the Persian-speaking world. Wikipedia

Born: 940 AD, Tous

Died: 1020, Tous

Books: Shahnameh

This is a poem about the kings of ancient Persia. Ferdowsi wrote it around 1020 Ad ad Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi's request, who promised to pay a gold coin for each couplet. The Shahnama is an epic, or a very long poem about heroic deeds, and contains several volumes. One of the most famous characters of this epic is Rustum, who was a great warrior of Persia. He had a Son, Sohrab, whom he had never seen, nor had Sohrab seen him. They fought a battle for the opposite armies and by mistake Rustum killed Sohrab. The father only recognized his son when the dying young man told him, " You will not live. My father Rustum will take my revenge!".

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OUR CLASSICAL LITERATURE

Saturday, 30 March 2013

OUR CLASSICAL LITERATURE

 


A classic is a work of literature that has been popular for a very long time. Such Works are Consider very good as they have remained popular through out the ages ( from the time they were written and even to the present day).
The Muslim authors from various periods wrote brilliant books, which are counted among the classics. Some of these books influenced the thoughts of other nation too. Most of the Muslim authors of the old days wrote in Persian or Arabic, but their works have been translated into other languages. Here is an introduction to some of those works.

POETRY

There have Been many Muslim poets whose works have lived through the centuries. Attar wrote an interesting poem called  MANTAQUT TAYR, or THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS, in which he tells a the story of the birds who want to find their king. Nizami, another Persian poet wrote the famous poem LAYLA MAJNUN, WHLIE THE DIVAN, or Collection of Ghazals by Hafiz is considered to be the best example of ghazal writing in the world. All these poems are in Persian. The Divan of Ghalib in Urdu is also one of the best works of all imes.

Some other works of Muslim poets that you may find very interesting are as under:

• Shahnama
• Gulistan
• Mathnavi
• Javinamah
• Alf Laila
• Dastan-e-Ameer Hamza
• Kitab-ul-Hind
• The Canon
• Muqqadima

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Let’s love Pakistan: A new resolution (V)

Sunday, 10 March 2013

Sufi and classical music was made fashionable by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan when he introduced it to the west. PHOTO: AFP 

Here are the next 15 reasons that compel me to love Pakistan…
36. Faisal Masjid: The national mosque of Pakistan isn’t just a landmark my generation and I grew up admiring for its majestic splendour; it’s also significant to Pakistan’s identity as the largest mosque in South Asia and the fourth largest mosque in the world.

37. The intelligentsia that were our poets: Right from Allama Iqbal to Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ahmed Faraz and Parveen Shakir, Pakistan has been truly blessed when it comes to poets and philosophers that have literally inspired the nation in times of need. The aforementioned are just a few from a gamut of literary geniuses.

38. Uncle Sargam: He and Masi Museebtay may not tickle the fancy of a 21^st century Pakistani child. However, for those of us born in the latter part of the last century, Uncle Sargam was quite the star with his clever innuendos and smart quips that warranted a few hearty laughs for fans of the hit PTV show “Kaliyan”! It’s a pity the show’s sequel “Siyasi Kaliyan” on Dawn News didn’t do too well, but thank you, Mr Farooq Qaiser, for giving us one of the most original and lovable Pakistani characters, ever.

39. The Indus Valley civilisation: This 5000-year-old civilisation which was once spread over what is now Pakistan, is widely noted for its cities built of brick, roadside drainage system and multi-stories houses, making it one of the oldest Bronze Age societies known to man. The two major urban IVS centers excavated till now include Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, which, mind you, has been identified as one of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world.

40. The Meeras, Reemas, Sahirs, Aamir Liaquats and Veenas: No matter how hard you squint your eyes and shake your head in denial, they’re the only “filmy” superstars we’ve got. Might as well start owning them and enjoy their endless shenanigans for their entertainment value, eh?

41. Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Beside the fact that he trained and taught his skill to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Nusrat Fateh was the man who made Qawwali and Sufi music fashionable by introducing it to the West, and, ultimately the younger lot at home. With the staggering six-octave vocal range, ‘Shehenshah-e-Qawwali’ recorded 125 albums during his 25-year career. He collaborated with several international music giants to sing for soundtracks of dozens of Hollywood & Bollywood movies, and his vocals still continue to pop up every now and then to surprise and remind us of what a brilliant musician he was… and that he was ours!

42. All the other musicians: How can one forget the immeasurable contributions to Pakistani music of Reshma, Abida Parveen, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, the Sabris and Ali Khans and Farida Khanum. Moreover we’ve birthed stars like Iqbal Bano, Roshan Ara Begum, Munni Begum, Allan Fakir, Naseebo Laal, Alam and Arif Lohar, Aziz Mian, Ahmed Rushdie, Naheed Akhtar and Mussarrat Nazir. And who can forget the pop singers and bands right from Nazia and Zohaib Hasan, Alamgir to Vital Signs, Junoon, Strings as well as the new lot for, well, rockin’ it!

43. Sialkoti craftsmanship and sports equipment: Every few years, on the occasion of the Olympics and Fifa World Cup, we’re reminded of the underappreciated artisans grinding away in sport equipment factories in the soccer production capital of the world that is Sialkot. Here’s our chance to do more than just smile and feel proud for all of five seconds: Thank You for producing something that has the best quality in the whole world and has our name on it!

44. Nishan-e-Haiders, Hilal-i-Jurats, Sitara-e-Jurats, Tamgha-i-Jurats as well as all the undecorated Pakistani shaheeds – One word: Respect.

45. Live cooking shows: Although it’s a pity none of our chefs are as pleasing to look at as Nigella Lawson (we can hope, can’t we?), you’ve got to admit, these one-of-a-kind cooking shows have surely taught the ladies all over Pakistan a thing or two about Zauq, Zaiqa and Masala…

46. Maalish walas (local masseuses): Really, where else in the world will you be able to really appreciate life’s small pleasures like enjoying a roadside shawarma, while getting a 100-rupee back rub?

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