I turned 21 this year in May. Of these 21 years, I have spent 18 years in Khairpur Mirs, my hometown. Growing up, I wondered why Khairpur looked and felt the way it did—devoid of aspiration, lacking a story. Nothing in the city suggested that it had indeed seen better days. Although, except for one monument. I remember driving past it throughout my adolescence. Covered in an array of fairly slim trees behind a wall on the DCO road, I often tried to catch a glimpse of what was beyond. This monument was the Faiz Mahal.
I first visited it with my brother in December 2018. Grand, huge, glorious, and standing tall after two centuries, it was unlike anything else in the city. However, the history lesson was only as intriguing as it would be for two teens who mostly looked forward to getting good photos of themselves on the mighty lawn within the palace boundary. However, 6 years later, on 29 September 2024, I was standing in the palace’s corridor again as a caretaker approached to greet me. This time, I went with the intent of reminiscing about history.
The door opened to a lounge, where Mir Sahiban would engage in their baithak.
The caretaker accompanied me to a glass box adjacent to the left side of the room. It contained photos, documents, and objects exclusive to Khairpur Riyasat.
The riyasat’s armed forces would often parade here, near the cannons outside the palace, or pay salutes to esteemed guests of honor.
A last look at the palace before I say goodbye, perhaps for not too long.
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Noorulain Shaikh graduated with an LLB (Hons.) degree from the University of London. She is keen on geographical, sociopolitical, and legal aspects of world affairs. She is a published author of articles concerning international law and regional policy affairs.