General Paolo Crescenzo Avitabile – have you ever heard of this name? I guess many of us would be unaware of this man in history and his remains in Wazirabad – a famous city of Pakistan. Wazirabad houses many of the Mughal and Sikh era pieces of architecture and there we also see the residence of this General Avitabile. Now let us come to the question that who he was. After Napoleon’s defeat in Waterloo, many of the adventurous soldiers of his army left for Persia and India, as they were famous world over at that time. General Avitabile was one of them. This man was born in 1791 at Agerola, Italy, and his name was Paolo Crescenzo Avitabile. Avitabile started his career in the Army of Naples and was known as a brave fighter. He was among the brave and ambitious soldiers who fled to Persia looking for a better career. In 1820, Avitabile took service in Persian Army under King Fateh Ali Shah and remained in position for six years and was awarded Persia’s highest decorations including ‘The Lion and Sun’. Howeve, at the insistence of General Jean Baptiste Ventura, Avitabile along with another European officer Claude August Court, endeavored further East and finally he reached the Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1827. Maharaja was always looking for the best men to be included in his army and there he found this general. This was the road to his career’s peak and later the general also received various civilian appointments.
Though Avitabile was a military officer, Maharaja, sensing his administrative skills, appointed him the governor of Wazirabad. General Avitabile moved to Wazirabad and made his residence there. He ruled Wazirabad for almost seven years and became a well reputed person in the city and people started admiring his administration and management skills. That was the time when Wazirabad also flourished. History tells us that the city of Peshawar had always been a source of danger for the Maharaja. Admiring the repute and dedication of General, Maharaja Ranjit Singh made this General the Governor of Peshawar in 1834. It is said that he succeeded Hari Singh Nalwa as Governor of Peshawar. General Avitabile remained in the Punjab until the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh in 1843, after which he went back to Italy, where his rank as a general was confirmed and he was knighted. General Avitabile is buried in Campora, a small town in Southern Italy, but his residence is still intact in Wazirabad. Now imagine the caliber, competence and status of this man but you will be stunned at the condition of his residence from where he governed that city.
Although Avitabile was a military officer, Maharaja sensing his administrative skills, appointed him the governor of Wazirabad. General Avitabile moved to Wazirabad and made his residence there. He ruled Wazirabad for almost seven years and became a well reputed person in the city. People admired his administration and management skills
A derelict building inside Wazirabad is till today narrating the story of its splendid past through its broken bricks and balconies. That is the house of General Avitabile. As you see this building, you will notice a stone placed on it telling the details of its past. Unfortunately, the residence of General Avitabile is in a dilapidated condition and so far no concern has been seen by any authority for its repair and maintenance.
It could have been a masterpiece if turned into a tourist resort or a motel. The existing building reflects the Sikh and Colonial architecture style. Both the architectural styles mix up in the formation of this marvelous building. Many of the buildings of that era reflect this blend as it was a transitional period of the powers, styles and rules. Remains of fresco work are still seen in different parts of the house. The structure of the house is not well intact and after a few years will surely disappear if it remains neglected. I think that in very near future it will vanish away if there is no restoration work done on the building. In Lahore as well a small insignificant monument which points to the location where once Avitabile had a house can be seen on the GT Road opposite University of Engineering and Technology just next to the tomb of Buddhu ka Awa.
The monument is already in a very dilapidated state surrounded by auto workshops. General Paolo Crescenzo Avitabile, Governor of Wazirabad and Peshawar, was one of Maharaja’s most ferocious administrators, but it’s sad to see that how we have treated his remains. We need to save both of these monuments as they belong to an important man of history, and above all they are a piece of heritage which we have inherited. There are several ways of restoring and re-using it. It can be turned into a heritage museum, a library, a café or a motel. Trust me the beauty of it states that it would be a great tourist spot.
Let me give you some interesting details of the city of Wazirabad. Now you will be surprised to know that the city was developed by the famous Wazir Khan, Hakeem Ilm Ud Sin Ansari, the same person who built the Shahi Hammam and Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore.
The city was founded somewhere in 1542 CE. but the historic accounts state that in 1636 Wazir Hakim Ilm ud din Ansari, the Governor of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan constructed the first ever residential building of Wazirabad, namely Musaman Burj on the bank of Palkhu Nala. As the Mughal Empire lost its control the Sikhs took over the city of Wazirabad. The town was first taken over by Charat Singh, the grandfather of Ranjit Singh, around 1760 together with other towns in the District. Maharaja Ranjit Singh occupied the town in 1809 and Avitabile was appointed as the nazim of the city. He built an entirely new town, with a straight broad bazaar running through it, and side streets at right angles. What I love the most about this city is that it is a hub of producing cutlery and as you pass by it on GT Road, a fork and spoon fixed on a roundabout presents a welcoming sign to the city. Many known personalities of Pakistan have been associated with this city. SA Rahman the Fifth Chief Justice of Pakistan, Zafar Ali Khan the writer, poet, translator and journalist who played an important role in the Pakistan Movement against the British rule, Munnu Bhai, a known writer, Krishan Chander another known writer, and many other eminent personalities of Pakistan were from Wazirabad.
The writer is a media professional and can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, April 27th 2018.