Samanabad

For other uses, see Samanabad (disambiguation).

A triangular monument built on the second roundabout of Samanabad.

Samanabad (Template:Lang-ur) is a major residential area and administrative subdivision of Lahore, Pakistan. 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 maintained green beds. The locality is also home to Doongi Ground Cricket Stadium which hosts local matches usually of the Samanabad Cricket Club. A sports complex named LDA Sports Complex is also situated here.

Etymology

In ancient times, "Samanabad" 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 related to Cambyses, Cyrus the Great (Biblical Korosh) 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 Middle East along with Jats, Sheikhs and Butt families. Thus, the word Saman may have originated from Saman Khuda where as abad in Urdu means populated.

Educational institutions

Samanabad 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 Samanabad 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
• Lahore Grammar School (Landmark Project)
• The Times College, 798-N
• American Lycetuff School
• The Educators

Famous Eating Places

• AFC
• Topsi
• Kims
• Chicken Cottage
• Hot Chilli
• Riaz Faluda
• Benazeer Pathuray
• Riaz Snack Bar
• Goonga Chips Corner
• Western Food
• Sheikhoo Restaurant
• Sadiq Kabab

Bakeries

• Kashmir Bakery
• Gourmet Bakery
• Shezan Bakery
• Cakes & Bakes
• Ammy's Bakery
• Gujrat Bakery

Sports

Samanabad is also home to a wide mix of sports complex and gymnasiums. The locality is represented by Samanabad Cricket Club in league matches played at the Doongi Ground Cricket Stadium. Among the most notable are:

• Doongi Ground Cricket Stadium
• LDA Sports Complex
• Muslim Gym
• English Gym
• Ironman Gym
• International Gym
• Shah Gym
• Bodyline Gym

Sites of interest and importance

The Khizra Mosque in Samanabad, one of the oldest yet most popular mosque of the locality.

The three most important main roads of Samanabad in terms of commercial activity include:

• Main Boulevard Samanabad: Automobile Market; Main Market of Samanabad; 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.
• Ghazali Road: Regional Office of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority); 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

Samanabad is also known for its roundabouts:

• 1st Roundabout (Pehla Gol Chakkar), seen while coming from Morrhe Samanabad
• 2nd Roundabout (Doosra Gol Chakkar) near Telephone Exchange
• 3rd Roundabout (Teesra Gol Chakkar/Chaudhry Colony Stop) near Samanabad Girls College

There are two important shopping centres in Samanabad namely Main Market (between first and second roundabout) and the Mini Market near Central Model School, Samanabad. It also houses the head office of one the largest Pakistani food chains, Al-Najam Fried Chicken (AFC).

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.

See also

• Islamia Park
• Lahore
• Pakistan