Ichhra

Ichhra is a commercial and residential area in Lahore, Pakistan.

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History

The neighbourhood was named after the death of an old woman who's nickname was Mai Ichhra of now Muslim Kamboja tribe who migrated from Mesopotamia/Mittani having worshipped in ancient times their mother goddess Ishara, sacred bull, Kamadhenu and Lahar. Some historians believe that Ichhra is older than Lahore (which is named after Lahar) and the presence of Lahori gate supports this claim as this gate is towards Ichhra. Lahri a sub-clan of ancient Kamboja is residing in Lahore, Pakistan and Afghanistan.[Not relevant][1]

These Kamboja people claims to be offsprings of Semetic/Mahabharata Kamboja and Iranian Cambyses. They also claim to be Shami People originating from Shem and related to Italian Campania and Asian Cambodia. Samanabad was the name of this whole locality of these Kamboja Shamans whereas Ichhra was the name of Ishara Devi temple whose ruins still exist in proper Ichhra market. Now Samanabad and Ichhara are used alternately.

Location

Ichhra is located on Ferozpur Road between Gulberg, Mozzang and the Old City. It comes under union council 100 in Data Ganj Buskh Town. Being a very old locality, some very old buildings can be seen in Ichhra. Shadman & Shah Jamal Colony is located in the east, Samanabad is in the west, Rehman Pura in the south and Mozang in the north. Ichhra is a town in Lahore consisting of very old buildings, and markets. Some new houses are being built, as well as new construction sites.

Shopping

Ichhra is also famous for the Ichhra Bazaar (Market), a shopping centre equally popular as Anarkali bazaar. Ichhra Bazaar is normally considered among the most economical markets of Lahore. It is known for its traditional and cultural dresses and other handicrafts supplied from all over Punjab, as well as its furniture selection. There are also a few famous markets for gold jewellery.

People

Ichhra is also known as the land of Kamboja and Arain caste because majority of these castes living there and having acquired big properties in Ichhra. The main and possibly oldest neighbourhood in Ichhra is Rajputan whose leader was Mian Atta Muhammad. A road which is known as Peer Ghazi Road is also known as Kamboh (or Kamboja) Chowk and dedicated to Kambojas. Kamboja people have also participated in social welfare activities. They have built two branches of Kamboh Public High School and a banquet hall known as Kamboh Hall located in Peer Ghazi Road near to Takkia Lehri Shah. Before the Partition of India Ichhra was home of huge Hindu population mostly of Khukhrain sub cast Chadda and Bhasin. After partition Hindus moved out and majority of them settled in Delhi.

References

See also