Samanabad

Samanabad is a major residential area and administrative subdivision of Lahore city. It houses 250,000 people and is adjacent to Multan Road, Mozang, Islamia Park, Ichhra and Iqbal Town. Most of the residential units in the area were built in the 1970s and are home to generally Upper middle class families. This area is well known for small but lush green play grounds, abundant trees and privately maintained green beds. The locality is also home to the Jazz Ground, a cricket stadium which hosts local matches usually of the Samanadabad Cricket Club. A large sports complex named LDA Sports Complex is also built here.

History of Name

In ancient times Samanabad was 2nd name of Ichhra, an ancient village of ancient Mahabharata Kamboja people of semitic origin having their religion as Shamans(a mother religion of Hinduism and Budhmat). These Kamboja people claims to be offsprings of Shem and related to Cambyses, Cyrus the Great(Biblical Korosh) and Iranian Saman Khuda. Some of them, who prefer to be called as Kamo, claims to be related to Kamon and having migrated from middle east along with Jats, Sheikhs and Butt families.

Educational Institutions

Samanabad is an important hub of educational activities. Many colleges and schools belonging to Government sector as well as private sector academies & tuition centers are serving the cause of education at this hub of knowledge. Important educational institutes of Government sector housed at Samanabad include:

Government College for Women ,Samanabad, Lahore.
Government Central Model High School, Samanabad, Lahore.
Government Girls Higher Secondary School,Samanabad, Lahore.
Government Institute of Commerce, Samanabad, Lahore.
Government Sulemania High School ,Samanabad, Lahore.
Government Junior Model School, Samanabad, Lahore.

Famous landmarks

Automobile Market along Main Boulevard Samanabad , "Haree Kothees" meaning homes with green painted façades, Dahee bhallas of Main Market, Pathooras (bread embellished with "daal"/pulses served with grams curry)of Main Market, Regional Office of NADRA "National Database and Registration Authority" , recently developed "Samanabad Park" in front of Govt.Junior Model School, Doongi Ground and the Khizra Mosque. A major archaeological site named "Tomb of Zaib-un-Nisa" is also situated at Morrhe Samanabad (Morrhe Samanabad = Road Junction that leads to Main Samanabad).

Samanabad is also distinctly known for its roundabouts namely: 1st Roundabout ("Pehla Goll Chakkar")that is seen while coming from Morrhe Samanabad.
2nd Rounfabout ("Doosra Goll Chakkar")near Telephone Exchange.
3rd Roundabout ("Teesra Goll Chakkar"/Chaudhry colony stop)near Samanabad Girls College.

There are two important shopping centres in Samanabad namely "Main Market" (between first and second round about) 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 3rd round about there is LDA Sports Complex located in doongi ground. Sports Complex is an important and fun place offering facilities for various games and sports such as badminton, swimming, squash, gym, table tennis, snooker and sports cafe.