Saidpur

Saidpur is a village nestled in the Margalla Hills near the Daman-e-Koh overlook at an elevation of about 620 meters. The settlement spreads across a ravine surrounded by green slopes, giving it a quiet and somewhat isolated character.

The settlement was founded in 1530 by Mirza Fateh Ali under the name Fatehpur Baoli, but Emperor Akbar later renamed it Saidpur to honor Said Khan Gakhar for his military service. This renaming shows how the place became connected to important historical figures across generations.

The settlement holds religious structures from different faiths, including a Hindu temple dating to the 16th century, reflecting how multiple communities coexisted here over centuries. Visitors can see these buildings and understand how the place absorbed influences from different groups.

The village is about 5 kilometers from central Islamabad and can be reached by local transportation. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the paths through the settlement are hilly and uneven, and walking allows the best exploration of the surrounding views.

The local authority transformed the village into an Arts and Crafts Village in 2006 while keeping its original architecture intact. Today visitors can see traditional craft workshops that demonstrate how these skills continue to exist within the restored setting.