Photos of Murree.
Editor’s Note: Rare Black & White photos of Murree dating back to 1860s are in the last portion of this post.
Brief History: Murree, also called ‘The Queen of Hills’, is a summer resort in the Punjab. It is located at an altitude of 7,516 feet (2,291 metres), 36 miles (58 Km) from Islamabad.
The site for Murree was selected in 1850 by Sir Henry Lawrence (who was then President of the Punjab Administrative Board) immediately after the annexation of the Punjab Province. The town was originally established for the British troops garrisoned on the Afghan frontier as a sanatorium. Officially, the municipality was created in 1850. In 1851 temporary accommodation was provided for a detachment of troops; and in 1853 permanent barracks were erected.
The permanent town of Murree was constructed at Sunny Bank in 1853. The Holy Trinity Church was sanctified in May 1857, and The Mall Road was built. The most significant commercial establishments, the Post Office, general merchants with European goods, tailors and a millinery, were established opposite the church. Until 1947, access to The Mall Road was restricted for “natives” (non-Europeans).
Murree was the summer capital of the Punjab during British Raj; which later moved to Simla. In the hot season it was also the headquarters of the Lieutenant General of the Northern Command. The Commissioner and the Deputy-Commissioner of Rawalpindi also resided here during summer.
The chief educational institutions at that time were the Lawrence Military Asylum for soldiers’ children (now the Lawrence College Ghora Gali), and the St. Denys’ High School and Convent of Jesus and Mary for girls. The station also contained the Lady Roberts Home for invalid officers (Still managed by the Pakistan Army with the same name).
During summer, this popular hill station is thronged by people, mostly from the Punjab, to get a respite from the scorching heat in the plains. Tourists from other parts of Pakistan also visit this place. It is also frequented by tourists during winter to enjoy the snow.
This page has a vast collection of photos of Murree. It is hoped that the readers would like wonderful pics of Murree.
Murree in Winter
Murree, ‘The Queen of Hills’
Murree, a Concrete Jungle
Murree at Night
Murree During Heavy Snowfall
Murree at Night, Photo Taken from Lady Roberts. Photo by Sarosh Farooque, 17 September 2012.
Mall Road, Murree at Night. Photo by Sarosh Farooque, 18 September 2012.
Marhaba Hotel, The Mall, Murree, 2008. Photo by Mus24.
Majestic Hotel, The Mall, Murree, 2008. Photo by Mus24.
Holy Trinity Church, The Mall, Murree. Holy Trinity Church was built in 1857. Until 1875, it was away from the then main market (Now called “Lower Bazaar”). But when the “Great Fire” burned down the market in 1875 a new Mall strip was built in its place in an area overlooked by the church grounds and parallel to the “Lower Bazaar”. Photo by Karrar Haidria>.
Holy Trinity Church Viewed from Kashmir Point, Murree
General Post Office (GPO) Murree after Heavy Snow. Photo taken by ???? on 29 Dec 2012.
A Road Side Umbrella Seller Near Murree
Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, Murree. It is an elite public boarding school located 4 km from Murree and 57 km from Rawalpindi. It was founded as an ‘asylum’ school for orphans in 1860 during the British Raj and named after Major General Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence. The Lawrence Asylum at Ghora Gali was renamed Lawrence Royal Military School in 1920. In 1927 the name was changed to Lawrence College, Ghora Gali.
Its first principal was Rev. Tabernacle (Tenure: 1860-63) and the first Muslim principal was Ch. Abdul Hamid (Tenure: 1952-55).
Please visit the following websites for more details and photos:-
Gallians
Gallians Facebook Group
Official website of Lawrence College
Photo taken by Umar Hassan Cheema on 21 Apr 2012. He is an old ‘Galian’, settled in USA since 1995.
Commemorative Postage Stamp of Lawrence College Ghora Gali, 1985. A commemorative Postage Stamp was issued on the 125 Years Celebrations of Lawrence College by Pakistan Post in 1985.
Commemorative Coin of Lawrence College Ghora Gali, 2011. To mark the 150 years of Lawrence College, State Bank of Pakistan issued a commemorative coin on 28 May 2011.
Convent of Jesus & Mary, Murree. Photo by Farah imtiaz092.
Presentation Convent High School, Murree. Presentation Convent High School, Murree, was founded in 1895 by the Presentation Sisters (a religious institute of Roman Catholic women founded in Ireland in 1775).
Nutwood House, Presentation Convent High School, Murree. Nutwood House at Presentation Convent School is a superb Victorian style architecture building. It is one of the oldest houses standing in Murree. It was built by Murree Brewery Company in the early 1860. It was rented during summer to the Freemason’s Lodge for their meetings. Later, it housed priests from the Catholic Church of Mother Mary Our Lady of Sorrows, located on the Mall. Then it was purchased by the Presentation Convent School and was used as hostel for the students. It is now used as a a training centre and summer retreat for Presentation Convent sisters coming from other cities of Pakistan. Photo by mus24.
Murree Christian School, Jhika Gali, Murree. Murree Christian School is a small boarding school located at Jhika Gali, Murre. It was founded in 1956 to educate the children of missionaries in Pakistan. Since the mid-1960s, not all students have been from missionary families; some are from expatriate workers of consulates and embassies in Islamabad or other international companies. A few are from the small Pakistani Christian community.
Official website: Murree Christian School
The following photo shows the High School building of Murree Christian School which was a former Garrison Church.
Murree Christian School, Jhika Gali, Murree during Winters
View of Murree Express Way and Surroundings. Picture taken from Maisonette Mornin Side Suites & Apartments, Murree. Photo by Sarosh Farooque, 20 September 2012.
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Bhurban, Murree. Photo by Umar Hassan Cheema on 21 April 2012.
View from the Balcony of PC Bhurban, Murree. Photo by Sarosh Farooque, 15 September 2012.
View of PC Bhurban from Amphitheater. Photo by Sarosh Farooque, 15 September 2012.
Pakistan’s Highest Golf Course: Chinar Golf Club, Bhurban Murree. Pakistan’s highest Golf Course located at a height of 6350 feet (1935 metres). Photo by Tango Charlee, 26 June 2013.
Main Building of Chinar Golf Club, Bhurban Murree. Photo by Tango Charlee, 26 June 2013.
Picturesque Scene of Chinar Golf Club, Bhurban Murree. Photo by Tango Charlee, 26 June 2013.
Near PAF Base, Lower Topa, Murree. Photo by Umar Hassan Cheema, 23 Apr 2012.
PAF Public School Lower Topa, Murree
PAF Officers Mess, Lower Topa, Murree. A view of cozy sun room of PAF Mess. Photo by Sarosh Farooque, 20 September 2012.
Patriata, New Murree. Patriata, also known as New Murree, is a popular hill resort 15 km from Murree. It is the highest point in the area at an elevation of 6,790 feet(2,070 m). Patriata, having a chair lift and cable car system, is a popular tourist attraction. One can see monkeys in this heavily forested area.
Remnants of Murree Brewery. The Murree Brewery was established in 1860 by Dyer (father of Col Dyer, the Butcher of Amritsar in 1919). It is located 6 kilometers from Sunny Bank at Ghora Gali. It was burned down in 1947 during partition riots.
The Mall Road, Murree in the Winter of 1969. This photo was from the gate of church while facing towards Pindi Point. Photo by cavalry.
A View of Murree, 1963
Sam’s Restaurant, The Mall, Murree-1962. The Ballroom sign depicts that there was a dancing floor as well in Sam’s. Is it still there?
Students of Murree Christian School, 1962
Murree in 1960
Mall Road Murree in 1959
Old Bus Stop at Murree. This is old Pindi-Murree Bus Stop at Murree. Photo by Environmentalist.
A Hotel in Murree, 1940s-50s
Golf Club Murree, 1940s
Football Ground at Lower Barian, Murree, 1920-30s
General Charles Monro at Gharial, near Murree, 1917. Commander in Chief of India General Charles Monro with his staff inspecting barracks at Gharial near Murree in 1917. General Monro served as C-in-C India from 1916 to 1920.
Rare Photo of Barracks at Kuldana, Murree
Soldier’s Home, Upper Topa, Murree, 1920s-30s
Tonga Stand, Murree (Painting on a Postcard), 1910
A View of Gharial, Murree, 1910
Motto Bridge, Crest of the Black Watch, Murree, 1910
A Football Match in Murree, 1909
Old Photos of Murree: A Theatre Troupe in Murree, 1905
Old Photos of Murree: A Football Match in Murree, 1903
Old Photo of Murree in Winter, 1900s
Rare Old Photos of Murree: An Ekka coming from Kashmir to Murree
An old Photo of The Mall Road, Murree
An Old Photo of Jheeka Gali, Murree
Photos of Murree: The Mall Road, Murree, 1900. The road near the Holy Trinity Church led to Cecil, Brightlands and Lockwood Hotels. These hotels have been demolished.
An Old and Rare Photo of Murree Post Office
Photos of Murree: Murree Valley 1888-89
Old Photo of Convent of Jesus & Mary, Murree
Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, Murree: Prep School Building-1875. It is a rare photo of Prep School Building of Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, Murree in 1875. {More rare photos here: Lawrence College, 
Old Photos of Murree: Junior School Building at Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, Murree
Old Photos of Murree: Senior School Building at Lawrence College, Ghora Gali, Murree
Old Photos of Murree: Murree Bazaar after Fire in 1875
Old Photos of Murree: Murree in 1870s
Old Photos of Murree: Murree Brewery Buildings - 1870. Umar Khan of www.harappa.com has produced a fantastic book From Kabul to Kashmir containing some really great photographs by some Raj photographers.
Rare Old Photos of Murree: An old View of Murree -1870. This view overlooks the town with the Anglican church (Holy Trinity Church) on the skyline.
Rare Old Photos of Murree: Snowfall in Murree - 1865
Rare Old Photos of Murree: A Bridge in Murree-1865. A very rare photo of Murree.
Rare Photos of Murree: An old photo of Murree Bazaar, 1865
Engraved Drawing of the Lawrence Asylum, Ghora Gali, Murree, 1860s. Lawrence Asylum was founded in 1860 for the education of children of European soldiers serving in India. It was named after Major General Sir Henry Montgomery Lawrence. It was renamed as Lawrence Royal Military School in 1920. In 1927 the name was changed to Lawrence College, Ghora Gali.
Rare Old Photos of Murree: A Road in Murree - 1861
Old Photos of Murree: A Rare Photo of Kashmir Point Murree, 1861
Rare Old Photos of Murree: Holy Trinity Church in Murree, 19th Century
Rare Old Photos of Murree: Murree Bazaar and Holy Trinity Church - 19th Century
Editor’s Note: If you have liked this post (Photos of Murree), then please share it on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. It will encourage the Admin to add more photos of Murree . The sharing buttons are at the end of the page. You may also write your brief comment under the heading “Leave a Reply here”.
Large Visitor Globe
Thanks, it’s good memorabilia of Murree and surrounding areas. It brings memories of my schooling at the PAF Public School, Lower Topa, #62-F, Sir Syed House. I was there from March 1954 to May 1957; have revisited Murree and Lower Topa about four times, last being the Alumni Old Boys Reunion in August 2016. I have been living in London, UK since 1963.
Thanks.
I am trying to locate my in laws marriage record at Holy Trinity Church Murree. Married in 1956. Dr. David Bamber to Dr. Dorothea Kelso. Any help? please. Canon Patrick Bamber is my husband.
Regards,
Pippa Bamber
I went to Presentation Convent Murree from 1965 to 1972. After this, I really wanted to go to either Military College Sarai-Alamgir (coz only 2 miles from our Village) or to Cadet College. Had to go to Lawrence College. Have great memories of Murree as we used to roam around everywhere on Satur afternoons/Sundays.
Whoever put up these picture, a big THANK YOU from Florida…… .
It’s so beautiful to see old Murree. I have lot of good memory of my childhood from Murree but now a days can’t go there because it is too much commercial and over crowded area.
The city has very bad management and no cleaning arrangements are there, thus making it a dirty place.
I wish they could keep Murree clean and keep traditional as once it used to be.
I Googled for Murree pics for painting and this post came out …will select one from these.
I was totally impressed by the photographs of Murree, having spent weekends during the summer months as well as a boarder at Presentation Convent from 1944 to 1947. It brought back such good memories of this town. In later years I remember sitting at Sam’s restaurant watching the people walk up and down the Mall Road. The Wednesday Tea Dances and Saturday Dances. Such Great memories.
Murree is my native place, I welcome you, come over again and visit Murree.
Dear Mr Coelho,
Hope you must be doing well and going good. I am happy to hear from you. Murree is as good as you have left it. The school is strong still. I will share a few pictures of the town with you that I have been taking in the past few years. I use to visit Murree once in a few years and hopefully I will be visiting Murree next month. Where are you and what have you been doing. Are you the Brazilian actor Coelho?. Keep in touch. Bye
Murree has grown over the years. I was a Boarder in the Presentation Convent (Rev Mother Vincent, Sisters Briget & Christine) from 1952 to 1955 along with my brothers Imtiaz (Tazi) and Niaz. Whenever my parents came from Pindi they took us out to Sam’s for refreshments and then some horse riding round Kashmir Point. PCM is now a day School and our dormitories have been turned into classrooms. Fondly remember stick jaw toffee on feast days, a glass of milk for all the boys at 10 am every morning and year-end bonfire night. Have great respect for the Nuns - they looked after us very well. Later went to Burn Hall, 1956 to 1958 (the new school 3.5 miles from Abbotabad) then run by the Priests - also a great school in those days. The Priests & Nuns were great educators.
It is a very very good and historical collection of photos of Murree. I liked it very much.
It is a good historical collection and it is memorial adn hard work to save them till the time i have a suggestion to the lovers of Murree and also appeal to the Government to reserve a building just like Museum in Murree for the pictures and other historical things which are related with Murree.
It is very historical and educational collection.
I was looking for some old pictures of my school Presentation Convent School, but found this treasure. Who ever collected this and compiled this is a genius. My Salute. I have spent my childhood there in the boarding and such pictures remind me of the good old days. If any one has more such pics, please post them.
Irshad Khan,
I was attracted to your comment on Murree. I spent many a weekend in Murree up to 1944, and was a boarder at the Presentation Convent from 1945 to 1947.
I fondly remember Murree, Sam’s Restaurant with their wednesday Tea dances and Saturday evening dances. The memories of sitting by the window at Sam’s, enjoying tea with pasteries and sandwiches. Horse riding during my childhood days. But fondest memories of the Convent where I studied. Mother Philomena was Principal and later Mother Columba.
Irshad, I certainly would like to get in touch with you
Convent is still there and murree is still as beautiful as its was! Though i am now abroad to persue my carrer but Murree always remain in my heart. Alec, i Welcome you to come over i certainly will come as well to show you around.
Murree is a very beautiful hill station.
Great pics of Murree… My family immigrated from Shimla to Murree… both are paradise on Earth. I can feel the love for Murree in my Sikh brothers comments… Sardar ji o din door nahi jadoon sanoon outhay tey tuanu aithay aanliyeh kissi visa dee zaroorat nahi paisee Insha Allah jaldee o din aasee keh saday donoon mulk apas wich bey k eh masleyaan nu hal kersan… till then let us enjoy the pictures 😉
Nice collection.
I spent many years visiting Murree, some of my fondest and treasured memories belong there. My youngest brother went to The Presentation Convent. One of my relatives lived above the Post office. My uncle at one time was the Principal of Lawrence College Ghora Gali.
Thanks for rekindling my memories of yester year.
Very nice collection of photos! These are grand marks of history of Grand People of that age, especially Lawrence College Ghora Gali, Presentation Convent School, Garrison, Cantonment, etc. These people although came in shapes of traders and traitors and became rulers of sub continent. They had great human qualities. They were philanthropists, made many institutions for people which are still being used. Before the arrival of Europeans there were kings, queens, princes & princesses. A vast distance was kept between public, they were treated like animals, LAANAT on such Rulers. BUT when Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, and lastly British came to know the realities of life, they released human beings from slavery and inhuman tradition; like ‘Satti’ in Hindus and many more. Allah may send such type of rulers.
Beautiful pictures of Murree. Grand buildings of Schools, Colleges, Worship places and of a Post Office are jewels in the crown of queen of Kohsar. Serenity and tranquility may continue to prevail in the environment of Malka-e-Kohsar.
All of us love Murree but we must strive to keep it clean of rubbish and illegal cutting of trees. Moreover the concerned departments and residents alike must work on coordination to keep it clean, roads need immediate repair, water supply condition has to be improved and refurbished as we are still using Raj Era networks and infrastructure. Thanks to them
A loooooot has to be done pleeeese if we want to save Murree for our future heme generations
Love the pictures and enjoy reading the history, It is also my family name Murree.
Murree is such a beautiful place!!
So beautiful and nostalgic photos!!
Very nice old pics of Murree.
Beautiful pics, I really love it.
Very good pictures. I also like old photos of Murree.
Fabulous,
My Great Grandparents were the Sharpes who lived at The Piggery .. the kids went to St. Lawrence and my Aunt and Uncle went there too 🙂
These wonderful pictures remind me of my old school days. What a collection! Good job done!
Mohammed Tawhidul Islam
R-30,9 Babur House,
PAF Public School, Lower Topa,
Murree Hills, Pakistan
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever, lovely old scenes, job well done, cool memories. I love Murree Hills and delighted to see the Golf greens of Rawat purvan/Bhurban
I never knew about the existence of such a beautiful place on earth such as Muree, Pakistan until I met a friend of Murree origin who introduced me to his beautiful home town. I wish I could go to this place in future and see the scenic views with my own eyes.
Nice to see such a detailed info and fabulous photography. Never seen before. It is priceless.
Old pictures are more attractive. All the British died now who built Murree and others neighbouring areas. British measured all areas in the hot and cold days, they were hard worker indeed. Murree was more graceful in those days and today also.
Many thanks for such a great collection of photos of Murree. It recalls me the past of my life from 1964 to 1981.
Many thanks for putting together this wonderful photographic resource.
My father, a Sargent in the RAF, was based in Murree / Lower Topa during the Second World War.
Hello Dr. Martin,
Do you have any information regarding Murree, history or pictures or useful information you can share.
Thank you and regards.
Beautiful pics of Murree.
I am extremely delighted to have seen some awesome historical pics of Murree that I always wondered to find where…..my great applause for the team of dedicated men and women who made it possible for the passion of many……..Good job!!
“Yaad-e-Mazi Aazab Hai Ya Rab…
Cheen Lay Mujh Say Hafiza Mera………!!!”
Hazaroun yadain taza ho gae hain.
These are beautiful pics of Murree.
This collection of Pictures is simply amazing!!
A good historical achievement.
Beautiful pictures that took me back over 45 years when I spent couple of years as a child in Kuldana, Murree where my father served as an instructor at Army school.
Outstanding photos of Murree and no doubt that Murree is paradise on earth.
Wah ji! Tussan sahday bazurgan noo yaad phir kara cahdeyaa nein. Asaan 1947 toh pehlan kayin pushtan Muree nay san …Lower Mall Road tay dukanaan san tay ghar wi, utthey Arya Samaj Mandir tay Gurdawara Sahab sadey wadhey wadhereyan Sardar Ram Singh ji (Meray Dada Ji) nay banvaeya si ji. Jisdey kaghzaat ajj vi lay phirney haan. Tussan nay bada changa kam kitta sadey wargeyan naa jedey 1947 ton ajj tak ‘rootless’ jinney paye haan. Khair Howay jee!
TAY AA JAO NAA SARDAR JEE
Shukriuya ji sahnoo apney wattan aan da invitation dein wastey ji…eh Wageh wali lakeerean ainiyan doongiyan teh uchiyan ney aa jaana salukha nayi asan dushman karar dittey jawan gey apney bazurgan wattan aan noon ..
Sardar G main we Murree tou han, tawada comment daikh ke bohar khussi howe… Kaghzaat de pics share karo…. aur tawadi jagga dil wich ha g…. tussi programe banao tawanoo murree main invite karna han
What a history of my childhood city Murree.
Oops! Awesome pix of Murree.
What a Memorable collection of Pics of Murree!!!
I love Murree. Beautiful pictures. Well done…
Priceless pics of Murree, certainly some day our present pics will also be seen as old Murree pics. So keep on doing good work to be in Jannat-ul-Firdous at that moment. Take care
An asset preserved!
Beautiful pics of Murree.
Awesome pics!!
Superb effort. Really hard job but done in style.
Mehnat aur shouq. Kia kamaal hai.
Very nice and beautiful old pictures of Murree.
It is really a wonderful effort. One can easily compare the present with the past.
Its really a nice collection of rare pics of Murree.
Never seen such photographs of Murree 🙂
Great work done, I love it.
Fantastic Photos of Murree.
Marvelous…..amazing photographs
Beautiful and fascinating place.