pakistan

Three jewels fading from Lahore’s architectural crown

Published

1 year ago

January 30, 2023

admin

Three jewels fading from Lahore's architectural crown

Once a center stage for Mughal emperors and the Sikh dynasty after Delhi, Lahore enjoyed unmatched status due to its peculiar grand and awe-inspiring cultural heritage revealing centuries-old civilisations.

Filled with some four centuries of majestic, far more than any other single city in Pakistan, Lahore has been boasting of the standards set by Mughal rulers through great edifices constructed to manifest their dignity and relics.

After Mughals (1526–1799); the Sikh (1799–1849) and the British rulers (1849–1947) continued adding to the beauty of this city by constructing serene tombs, mosques, gardens and other buildings that attract millions of tourists each year.

But as the time took its course and many among of the grand pieces of architecture either faded away or totally disappeared from the map of this historic city with a few fast losing their beauty.

Tombs of Empress Nur Jahan, Nadira Begum and Khan-e-Jahan Bahadur Kokaltash are among those few surviving against changing weathers and climatic impacts needing urgent attention of authorities.

The Tomb of Nur Jahan, a 17th-century mausoleum, is built nearby the tomb of Emperor Jahangir, Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai. The red sandstone mausoleum forms part of an ensemble of monuments in Lahore’s Shahdara Bagh.

Nur Jahan’s tomb was separated from other monuments by open fields which were later interrupted by construction of the Lahore-Peshawar Railway Line during the British era, damaging its beauty.

As the time passed, floors and walls of the tomb incurred damage with geometric and floral patterns lining the monument’s domes eroding and edges of marble flooring chipping off due to improper care of this edifice.

Nafees Omer, an artisan working on the site revealed that bringing this architecture to original form was a gigantic task as compared to an easy task of constructing something afresh.

“The tomb stands in the center of a Persian-style Chaharbagh. The original landscape and premises that included roses, tulips, and jasmine gardens, no longer survive,” Nafees said.

Another edifice is the tomb of Nadira Begum, wife of Dara Shikoh who served as the governor of Lahore during the 1640s. In 1659, Dara Shikoh lost a war against his brother Aurangzeb and tried to flee to Iran along with his wife.

But, Nadira died of exhaustion and dysentery during journey and was buried in Lahore near the shrine of Hazrat Mian Mir, whom they both considered their “spiritual guide.”

A marvelous tomb was built in her memory that today stands in a dilapidated condition and is believed to be robbed of all semi-precious stones and costly marble during Ranjit Singh’s regime.

“The tomb, later on, fell prey to contemporary deterioration and vandalism, evident from gaudy graffiti on the mausoleum, with the ugly look of wall chalking,” said Mohsin Raza, a resident of Mian Mir locality.

Comparatively unlike other Mughal tombs, this tomb was neither surrounded by gardens nor it had a dome and was built in a sunken water tank.

“Today it is in an overall dilapidated condition and is direly needed to be repaired besides refurbishing old missing calligraphy work,” Mohsin said.

Then there is tomb of Khan-e-Jahan Bahadur Kokaltash. In contrast to many other buildings of that period, this octagonal tomb was composed of cut brickwork without any use of red sandstone.

It also appears miserable due to countless holes in facade and dome and the marble work that was stripped away with the passage of time.
The traces of tomb’s original elegance are still witnessed in beautifully carved stucco muqarnas (stalactite squinches), embellishing tops of the outer alcoves as its overall design is similar to Ali Mardan Khan’s tomb located a few kilometers to the North.

The dome of this monument was later repaired by the archaeology department, supporting it by a modern design brick pillar. But, muqarnas at the tops of alcoves are still damaged and need urgent restoration and renovation.

Commenting on the situation, Director General Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) Kamran Lashari informed that the Authority had been diligently working for years on numerous conservation projects for preserving and reviving the glory of Mughal-era buildings.

“Over the years, we have been working on various architectural projects and gone a long way in restoring the heritage in this historic city,” Lashari said.

“Lahore has World Heritage sites comprising around 2,000 wonderful buildings. These buildings display a wide range of architectural features that reflect Lahore’s centuries-old heritage,” he added.

Lahore, being the largest and an important city in Punjab province had witnessed many eras, dynasties and rulers. Each dynasty or ruler left behind rich relics of culture and traditions.

The Tombs of Nur Jahan, Nadira Begum and Khan-e-Jahan Bahadur Kokaltash are the wonderful jewels in the crown of this centuries-old city. But, their depletion pains historians, art lovers and tourists.

Although the Punjab government has allocated Rs 600 million ($5.5 million) for fiscal 2022-23 for repairing and conserving archeological sites across the province including Lahore city, yet spending a bit more and paying proper attention could open avenues of earning more and more revenue.

Post Views: 162

pakistan

PML-N’s victory margin in by-polls is bigger than that of general elections

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2024

admin

PML-N's victory margin in by-polls is bigger than that of general elections

Stats show that the candidates of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and its allies have won their seats in by-polls with a bigger margin than in general elections in Lahore and Kasur.

It is not a new thing that PML-N and its allies have won in Lahore and Kasur because they have retained the seats which they had left.

But the lead they got against their runners-up is bigger than the lead its previous winners had got in general elections is really a thing for their leaders and workers to relish, particularly in the scenario where their political opponents are taking out countrywide rallies on the topic that their mandate was stolen in general elections.

Let’s have a look on fasts

In NA-119 Lahore-III, Maryam Nawaz won with the lead of 15,479 in general elections whereas in by-polls PML-N candidate Ali Pervaiz Malik defeated his rival Shehzad Farooq with the margin 26, 889.

NA-132 Kasur-II Shehbaz Sharif had defeated his rival Sardar Muhammad Hussain Dogar in general elections with the lead of 26,115 and in by-elections PML-N candidate Malik Rasheed Ahmad defeated his rival Muhammad Hussain Dogar with the lead of 55,869.

In PP-147, Hamza Shehbaz Sharif of PML-N defeated PTI-backed candidate Muhammad Khan Madani with the lead of 5,339 in by-elections and PML-N candidate Malik Riaz defeated his rival Muhammad Khan Madani in by-polls with the lead of 15,293.

In PP-149, Aleem Khan of IPP defeated his rival PTI-backed candidate Zeeshan Rasheed with the margin of 3,758 in general elections and in by-elections IPP candidate Shoaib Siddiqui defeated his opponent SIC candidate Zeeshan Rasheed with the lead of 21,522.

In PP-64, Shehbaz Sharif of PML-N defeated his opponent PTI-backed candidate Muhammad Yousaf with the margin of 1,180 in general elections whereas PLM-N candidate Rashid Minhas defeated his SIC candidate Muhammad Yousaf with the margin of 5,718 votes in by-polls.

PP-158 is the only constituency in by-polls where the winning margin of PML-N candidate is a bit less. In this constituency, in general elections PML-N Shehbaz Sharif had defeated his rival PTI-backed candidate Yousaf Ali with a margin of 14,795, but in by-polls PML-N candidate Muhammad Nawaz defeated SIC candidate Moonis Elahi with the margin of 12,147 votes.

PML-N leadership links this victory to their economic policies, especially to the initiatives taken by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz such as Ramazan Nigehban Package and reduction in roti and naan prices.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a statement had said PML-N got landslide victory in by-polls due to the vibrant economic policies of the government.

PML-N leader Atta Tarar had said people have rejected PTI’s politics of ‘confrontation’ and trusted the government and acknowledged its people-friendly steps.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz taking to social media congratulated the party workers and said PML-N is the true representative of the people of Pakistan.

She said the result of by-polls has rejected the PTI claims that the elections were rigged.

On the other hand, Sunni Itehad Council (SIC), a merger of PIT, could not garner public support in by-polls as its candidates had in general elections.

Post Views: 7

pakistan

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi lauds Pakistan’s stance on war-torn Gaza

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2024

admin

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi lauds Pakistan's stance on war-torn Gaza

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived at the Allama Iqbal International Airport from Islamabad here on Tuesday morning.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz welcomed the Iranian president as he touched down at Lahore airport. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Information Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari was also present.

Provincial ministers Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Chaudhry Shafey Hussain, Bilal Yasin, the chief secretary and IG Punjab were also in attendance. A smartly turned out contingent of Punjab Rangers presented guard of honour to President Raisi.

City roads have been decorated with welcome banners and hoardings on arrival of Iranian President. President Raisi, after landing in Lahore, went straight to Mazar-e-Iqbal and laid floral wreath on the grave of Poet of the East Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Lauds Pakistan’s stance on Gaza

The Iranian president lauded Pakistan’s support for Gaza and its people amid relentless atrocities by Israel.

He said Allama Iqbal showed a new path to the Muslims the world over. As for Gaza war, he said the supreme leader was of firm opinion that the people of Palestine would emerge victorious in the fight and Israel would face defeat.

He said he was thoroughly enjoying his visit to Pakistan and he was feeling at home. He said he wanted to address the people of Pakistan.

During his visit to Lahore, the Iranian president will also visit Minar-e-Pakistan, Badshahi Masjid and Lahore Fort. A lunch will be organised by the chief minister in honour of the Iranian president at the Governor House.

The foreign dignitary will leave for Karachi after meeting Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman. He will be received by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah upon reaching Karachi. Raisi will go to Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi and later meet business community.

Local holiday

Provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh have declared local holidays in Lahore and Karachi on the occasion of Iranian president’s visit to both capital cities.

According to the administration’s notification, public and private schools, colleges and universities will remain closed today. Public and private offices will also remain closed on the occasion.

Post Views: 6

pakistan

Knowledge without ethics has no value, says Iran president’s wife Dr Jamileh

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2024

admin

Knowledge without ethics has no value, says Iran president's wife Dr Jamileh

Dr Jamileh-Sadat Alamolhoda, wife of the Iranian President, on Monday said that Islam had enlightened the whole world by highlighting important of knowledge 1400 years ago.

“Knowledge without ethics has no value,” she made the remarks her address at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).

Earlier, Dr Jamileh inaugurated a cultural festival at the university. She took round of various national and international stalls showcasing different cultures and their traditions.

Rector NUML Major General (retd) Shahid Mahmood Kayani, Director General Brig Shahzad Munir, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Addressing the students, Dr Jamileh said that during the colonial era, religious leaders of Iran and this part of the region played a significant role in keeping the nations united.

She admired the role of Poet of the East Muhammad Iqbal in spreading the Islamic message of knowledge and ethics through his poetry.

She also spoke at the launch of her own book “The Art of Living Femininely”, which, she said, was being translated into Urdu as well.

She praised NUML’s role in knowledge production and dissemination and also desired to explore the possibilities of mutual academic collaboration in the field of science and technology and languages.

Dr Jamileh thanked the NUML administration for a warm welcome and on providing her an opportunity to interact with the students and faculty.

Speaking on the occasion, the Rector NUML said that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed historic, brotherly, and mutually trusted bilateral relations, and they also had deep-rooted people-to-people ties.

The honourable guest was conferred on an honorary PhD degree in educational sciences by the NUML Rector.

Post Views: 7