Do you know why a selective part of ‘Androon Shehr Lahore’ (Inner city Lahore) is called Walled City? Mughal Emperor Akbar built an outer wall 30ft high to enclose the city then from the outer world and built 13 gates for travelling through. This enclosed city space is known as Walled city of Lahore today. And the same space is titled as ‘Living Heritage’, want to know why? Let’s dive in.
Cities are planned according to lifestyle, mindsets and daily activities and the spaces evolve with time according to needs and demands. During the Mughal era, or in past, people travelled on foot and elephants were used by Mughals as Shahi Sawari. And tongas were used for transferring goods later in time, and can still be seen today. Thus, the streets are narrow and well- integrated. Everything is planned and organized on shorter distances and the entire city space is walk able and has great experience even now. Thus, it is known to be a living heritage because the lifestyle back then is still practiced in this urban framework. But how was it made possible?
The entire walled city is based on mohallas, kochas, streets and bazaars. It represents century’s old civilizations with contributors from Afghans, Tughluqs, Lodhis, Hindus, Mughals, Sikhs, and the British. And they still exists because people living in the city had preserved them while using them. During different reigns, the structures were passed on the people living under different rule, city evolved, and people absorbed all changes with time. The city today is inhabited by Muslims who migrated from Indian subcontinent after the partition on 1947. They left their houses in India and inhabited shelters here in Lahore which once belonged to different owners mainly Hindus and Sikhs.
Do you think it was easy for our ancestors to leave everything behind, and migrate to new place? Do you think what they now possess, wasn’t there in first place, so they should built it all anew? Do you think that Muslims living in homes built by Sikhs & Hindus, is wrong? Do you think Lahore would be Lahore without it all?
Let me share a very personal insight here about what makes me connect deeply to Lahore… It’s clearly not the first impression but the inherited one, that grew stronger over the years with me and within me. This connection is about the Lahore, a city of Pakistan, that belongs to people of Pakistan. People who migrated to Pakistan from India, leaving their homes and assets behind. People who got settled in a new land, new neighborhood and new homes and embraced them all as their own.
If you ever meet a person who had gone through the scenario of separation and migration, you might find him as quite person, eyes lost in emotions and memories of destruction but the gratitude in character for finding shelter here… I have also happened to read about such people and listened to their interviews as well. That feeling of brokenness is quite heart-wrenching. Just think about it, children and adults going through such massive massacre and assaults and at the same time leaving their homes, relatives and friends behind. Imagine to live a life with a hollow space within hearts… But, they did. Despite the pain & hardships, they took the step and they moved… For sake of religion. For sake of better and safe future. A future that will bring more respect, value, authority and peace for Muslim Nation. I respect my ancestors that they took the decision, they thought about the nation and they moved on… The dream of Pakistan wouldn’t have come true if they had only thought about their own comfort & had no Faith.
I love Lahore because…. It had provided shelter and survival opportunities to my ancestors. It had been home to those learned men that had courage to gather all and lead an expedition for sake of religion, who lived here till their last breath. I love it because it tell me stories of past without saying a word, it makes me think, it makes me feel, it makes me connect to what it had been through… I love all if its mysteries… I love it because of the people who are keeping the heritage alive.
Although, I am afraid of losing these people who had kept this zone safely, who had lived and kept those values alive, who tell stories and bring them alive over and over again, who are passing it all to next generations with all love & dedication… I am afraid of losing the warmth and love in those narrow alleys and jharokas overlooking the streets… I am scared by the thought of industries taking over the intimate traditional culture & lifestyle… I am afraid of losing souls with those happy faces & bright and encouraging eyes and warm hearts… But, at the same time, I am hopeful and confident that it is not that easy… To lose it all… To tear it down… To break free from our roots… I am grateful that it’s not that easy.
This city we live in now, has been made successful by the efforts of our ancestors. There were only buildings before, those people came & made it alive, worked on systems and industries and brought the buildings into use. So, it’s never about buildings, it’s about character of its settings, of people using it, of purpose it’s being used for, of message it conveys to others… We should be grateful to our people who did it all, for making us able to live freely as a Muslim, for having a national identity, for belonging to Pakistan. And I am grateful for it all & I own it gracefully & with pride! And this shared pride and ownership is what had kept this heritage alive, indeed!
Furthermore, more steps are being taken to bring entertainment and pride through bring back experience of past. Like efforts being made in Lahore Fort Night experience, Wekh Lahore and Shahi Guzargah (the royal trail) redevelopment projects by Walled City Lahore Authority. Shahi Guzargah was used by Mughal Emperors and entourages while coming from Delhi through Delhi Gate to Majestic Lahore Fort. This route has its significance also because it links many of the landmark monuments of Walled City including Delhi Gate, Shahi Hamam, Chowk Wazir Khan and Mosque, Sonehri Masjid, Chunna Mandi Girls College, Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das, Begum Shahi Mosque and Lahore Fort (through Akbari Gate of Fort) and other havelis and heritage homes. This trail is being improved for greater royal experience and also as tourist attraction.
Therefore, greater things are coming and better experience of Living heritage is on its way. InshaAllah. The city’s age old cultural character like narrow winding streets, colors, hustle bustle of its bazaars, food & numerous festivals, wooden balconies & jharokas, monuments & traditional building materials & their beauty can all be experienced now and in future.
And what are we Peacemakers Pakistani doing for it? Check this out the link below, it was our first international project to introduce the great potentials of Walled city keeping it brief but full of hope and positivism. We are here to carry the legacy onward, InshaAllah.
P.s The pictures above are taken by Muhammad Zeeshan
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