LAHORE: Lahore is known for its centuries-old culture, festivals, rich cuisine and above all the glory of ancient Mughal architecture. The provincial capital of the largest province of Punjab is sometimes known as the Walled City or the Garden City.
Home to more than 11 million people, this prestigious city was considered a center of architectural excellence during the 16th and 19th centuries, when the Mughal Emperor built unparalleled buildings.
Some of the 13 Gates – Delhi, Lohari, Akbari, Roshnai, Iakki, Bhati, Kashmir, Sheran-wala, Masti, Mori, Mochi, Shah Alam and Tekhali Gate – some can still be seen, but give a dilapidated look.
The unique architecture of the Mughal period, which has a uniform structure, is revealed through slender corner minarets, large vaulted domes, grand halls, high arched gateways and delicate decorations.
But with the progress of time, the majesty of this building has deteriorated even though the respective governments have implemented several projects to preserve the ancient heritage of the Mughal era.
“This heritage is a tribute to the great Muslim rulers of the past. But with the progress of time, their glory faded,” said local historian Dr. Irshad Ahmad.
The city of Lahore was once surrounded by Badshahi Mosque, Shahi Fort, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Shalamar Park and a nine meter high brick wall depicting the noble life of emperors and kings. ancient times
Although it is a century old, this building is still proud of tourists who flock to this place every year.
“Apart from some elite monuments today, other Mughal-era buildings and sites show an abandoned appearance,” said Irshad Ahmed. “Many of them have many holes in the walls, beams and ceilings, often in poor condition.”
The city’s historic Chauburji, a 17th-century monument, once the gateway to a beautiful park, now stands in the shadow of a new railway line built for the Orange Line. “They can preserve its beauty by building a tunnel for train traffic,” Irshad said.
The large park around Chauburji is now surrounded by many commercial buildings and shops, besides a large number of cars passing through it day and night.
The same painting depicts the mausoleum of Asif Khan, the governor of Lahore, and Jehangir, the Mughal Emperor’s commander-in-chief. A plaque at the entrance of the mausoleum reads how magnificent it was when it was built in the 17th century. But today, this octagonal structure with a double tomb with a high bubble tells about its sad state. The 10 km stretch from Zeb-un-Nisa Tomb to Shalamar Gardens was once full of heritage buildings and monuments.
Since 2015, more than 400 heritage sites in the province, including more than 160 in Lahore, have been declared safe and protected, according to a Punjab Archeology Department official.
Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Secretary Imran Gondal also announced that in 2005, the Punjab government partnered with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) to provide technical input to a World Bank-funded regional development project known as Shahi. Gahargah Project (Royal Trail) in the walled city of Lahore.
Considering the situation, the Punjab government has allocated ₹600 million ($5.5 million) for the restoration and preservation of archaeological monuments in the province, including Lahore.
Kamran Lashari, director general of the Walled City of Lahore (WCLA), explained the situation and said that for several years the authorities have been working on several conservation projects to restore and protect the Mughal-era buildings.
“We have been working on this project for several years and we have come a long way in restoring the heritage in this cultural city,” said Lashari.
“The Walled City of Lahore is a World Heritage Site with around 2,000 magnificent buildings. These buildings exhibit many architectural features that reflect the centuries-old cultural heritage landscape of Lahore,” he said.
He said that WCLA has so far repaired the 383 meter long heritage road from Cirebon Gate of Walled City.
