Old Jewish Building, Rawalpindi

Old Jewish Building
General information
Architectural style
AddressNishtar Street, Babu Mohalla, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Completed19th century

The Old Jewish Building is a residential building which was formerly a synagogue, located on Nishtar Street in the Babu Mohalla neighbourhood of Rawalpindi, in Punjab, Pakistan.[1] Rawalpindi is 21 km (13 mi) south of Islamabad and the building is surrounded by a Bohra mosque, a Victorian church, and a Hindu temple.[2][3] It is the only intact Jewish architecture remaining in Rawalpindi.[1] The synagogue was constructed during the latter part of the 19th century and in use until the 1960s.[4]

Architecture

With the star of David visible on the façade, the yellowish building features bat wings and Masonic compass symbols.[2] Its design shares similarities with a late 19th-century Indian synagogue built by Iraqi and Iranian Jews, showcasing the opulence of a prosperous class.[2][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Tahir, Saif (March 3, 2016). "The lost Jewish history of Rawalpindi, Pakistan". Times of Israel.
  2. ^ a b c Shakil, F. M. (May 8, 2017). "The sad, slow disappearance of Pakistan's Jewish heritage". Asia Times. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Tahir, Saif (February 23, 2016). "The lost Jewish history of Rawalpindi". The Express Tribune.
  4. ^ Alt Miller, Yvette (September 3, 2023). "When Jews Found Refuge in the Sikh Empire". AISH. Retrieved October 25, 2024.


Stub icon

This article about a Pakistani religious building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Stub icon

This article about a synagogue or other Jewish place of worship is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.