Autobahns were first started in Germany in 1930 with virtually no speed limit for the vehicles. They were built for motorized vehicles only. They are similar to present day freeways and motorways. Few people know that a major road in Pakistani city of Hyderabad is also called Autobahn. Its official name is Autobahn Road.
This Autobahn is not at all limited to motorized vehicles. Any man, animal or machine of any shape and size can use it. Such a diverse use is obvious from the photo above which is dated October 23, 2007. A friend of mine recently forwarded it to me. Also note the leisure of three men sitting on top of this camel cart. Ghalib’s sher comes to mind:
dil dhoondta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din
bethay raheN tassawur-e-janaaN kiyay hoay
Just the mention of word autobahn in Hyderabad has always fantasized me, but as it shows in the photo, Autobahn road here is just like any other roads of Pakistan where time may become still as a camel cart goes by.
The word Autobahn itself gets mentioned in different formats when Urdu or Sindhi press does any story on it. Over the years, I’ve read it written as Auto Bhan road, Auto Behn Road etc.
The first time I saw it, I thought its Allah Wali Chowrangi of Tariq Road, Karachi. Khan seems to be right. This does not look like Autobhan road, though the camel cart and its load is a true picture of the city.
Khan Saheb,
Ye Autobhan jatey waqt to nehien thi…………!!
arz kia hay :
Hum wahan hein, jahan say hum ko bhi
Kuch hamari khabar nehien aati
It has been only a year since I left Hyderabad and I am pretty sure this is not the autobahn road that I left there.
Khan
I got this photo from a friend who got its clipping from an online newspaper which called in ‘Auto Bhan’ (as autobahn road is usually called in local press) Road Hyderabad. Its been many years that I’ve been personally to Hyderabad so there is no way for me to confirm except to believe the online newspaper where I myself saw the caption of ‘Auto Bhan’
Khan,
any way its too late, now the unth gari will pass, will
take its time, I wish the whole Autobhan should banned for
polutioning cars, only donkey, horese, camel carts.
@SH KAVI,
are you talking about your country ???
yar yeh hyd main kahan hai main to hyd main hi rehta houn bhai yeh chowk jo background main nazar araha hai AUTOBAHN road per nahi hai baray sahab….