Samnabad (Urdu: سمن آباد) is a major residential area and administrative subdivision of Lahore, Pakistan.[1] It houses about 250,000 people and is neighboured by Multan Road, Mozang, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Islamia Park, Ichhra and Iqbal Town. Most of the residential units in the area were built in the 1960-70s. This area is known for small but lush green playgrounds, abundant trees and privately maintain
ed green beds. The locality is also home to Doongi Ground Cricket Stadium and Samanabad Football club which hosts local matches usually of the Samnabad Cricket Club and for Samanabad football club. A sports complex named LDA Sports Complex is also situated here. Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Educational institutions
3 Famous Eating Places
4 Bakeries
5 plazas
6 Sports
7 Sites of interest and importance
8 See also
9 References
[edit]Etymology
In ancient times, "Samnabad" was the second name of Ichhra, an ancient village that belonged to the Kambojas, a people of Semitic origin and the believers of Shamanism. These Kamboja people claimed to be descendants of Shem (one of the sons of prophet Noah) and the Iranian Saman Khuda. Some of them, who prefer to be called Kamo, claim to be related to Kamon and to have migrated from the Arab countries. Thus, the word Saman may have originated from Saman Khuda where as abad in Urdu means populated.
[edit]Educational institutions
Samnabad is an important hub of educational activities. Many colleges and schools belonging to the government sector, as well as private sector academies and tuition centers, are serving the cause of education at this hub of knowledge. Important educational institutes of the government sector housed at Samnabad include:
Government College for Women
Government Central Model High School
Government Girls Higher Secondary School
Government Institute of Commerce
Government Sulemania High School
Government Junior Model School
U C MAS EDUCATION GROUP, Samnabad LEARNING CENTRE (042-37535355)
The Times College, 798-N
American Lycetuff School
The Educators
New Era Grammer School
Central Group Of Colleges 62-Poonch Road, Samanabad, Lahore.Contact Nos.7554316 & 61
LARAIB NATIONAL ACADEMY,1-A Aria Nagar Poonch Road, Samanabad, Lahore.TEL:04237551144
[edit]Famous Eating Places
Sheikhoo Restaurant
Rangola Cafe
AL-buraq
Topsi
Kims
Chicken Cottage
Hot Chilli
Riaz Faluda
Benazeer Pathuray
Riaz Snack Bar
Goonga Chips Corner
Western Food
Sadiq Kabab
Famous Dumchian Bar-B-Q point. Ronaq mela
[edit]Bakeries
Kashmir Bakery
Gourmet Bakery
Shezan Bakery
Cakes & Bakes
Ammy's Bakery
Gujrat Bakery
[edit]plazas
Ali arcade
Fazal arcad
Z.A arcade
Al-Najam
Mian arcade
Razaq arcade
Zatoon Plaza
Doce bakers
etc...
[edit]Sports
Samnabad is also home to a wide mix of sports complex and gymnasiums. The locality is represented by Samnabad Cricket Club in league matches played at the Doongi Ground Cricket Stadium. Among the most notable are:
Doongi Ground Cricket and Football Stadium
LDA Sports Complex
Muslim Gym
English Gym
Ironman Gym
International Gym
Shah Gym
Bodyline Gym
[edit]Sites of interest and importance
The Khizra Mosque in Samnabad, one of the oldest yet most popular mosque of the locality. The three most important main roads of Samnabad in terms of commercial activity include:
Main Boulevard Samnabad: Automobile Market; Main Market of Samnabad; Sheikhoo Restaurant(one of the most famous and oldest restaurant in the region); Tomb of Zeb-un-Nisa; Cuisine specialities: Shawarmas, Pathooras and Dahee Bhallas. Poonch Road: Haree Kothees (meaning homes with green painted façades); Event and Marriage Halls; Bank branches of Habib Bank, MyBank, Allied Bank A learning centre of an ISO certified and Multinational group U C MAS. Ghazali Road: Regional Office of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority)[2]; Butt Ground; Amir Bakery and Departmental Store; The Bohr Tree (one of the oldest surviving trees of Lahore); Khizra Mosque; Doongi Ground or LDA (Lahore Development Authority) Sports Complex; Pakistan Post Office
Samnabad is also known for its roundabouts:
1st Roundabout (Pehla Gol Chakkar), seen while coming from Morrhe Samnabad
2nd Roundabout (Doosra Gol Chakkar) near Telephone Exchange
3rd Roundabout (Teesra Gol Chakkar/Chaudhry Colony Stop) near Samnabad Girls College
There are two important shopping centres in Samnabad namely Main Market (between first and second roundabout) and the Mini Market near Central Model School, Samnabad. It also houses the head office of one the largest Pakistani food chains, Al-Najam Fried Chicken (AFC).[3]
Near the third roundabout, the LDA Sports Complex is located in Doongi Ground. The complex offers facilities for various games and sports such as badminton, swimming, squash, gym, table tennis, snooker and sports cafe. Samnabad is also well known for its kite flying community some famous names from Samnabad like Ali Hussain, Ustad Shahid, Ustad Ibrahim, Hakeem, Kala Shahid, CT Shah, Billu Butt, Zahid Gulla, etc., were well known for their love and devotion for the sport.
[edit]See also
Islamia Park
Lahore
Pakistan
[edit]References
^ Samnabad Town - City Government of Lahore
