Sights and Sounds of Pakistan: Lahore Old City-Last part

Sights and Sounds of Pakistan: Lahore Old City-Last part

Raushnai Gate: The most prominent gate, situated at the northern extreme of the city, adjacent to the Lahore Fort. Since it was generally lit at night, it got its name from the urdu word "Raushni" (the light).

Being the principal entrance form fort to city, it was most frequented by the high gentry, courtiers and royal servants. Due to its dilapidated condition, the gate is permanently closed. (Photo courtesy: Autumn Sun and Autumn Colors)

Masti Gate: The name is a corruption of ‘Masjadi Gate’ referring to the mosque of Mariam Makani, mother of Emperor Akbar, situated in its immediate vicinity. A little trace of this gate in its renovated form can still be seen.

Mori Gate: Although never a gate like the rest of the 12 gates, the so-called 13th gate, named as Mori Gate, was in old time a place used as outlet for the refuse and the sweepings of the city.

Today, however, the Walled City’s infrastructure is seriously threatened physical decay and the demolition and rebuilding in the Walled City are constantly diminishing its historic fabric.

In order to preserve its historical and cultural associations, the Government of Pakistan and the World Bank in 1983 prepared a cultural heritage conservation plan through the World Bank’s Lahore Urban Development Project, which focused on the repair and
restoration of the Delhi Gate (a principal entrance to the Walled City), the Delhi Gate Bazaar and the Shaahi Hammam (Royal Baths), located just inside the Delhi Gate.

To address the infrastructure and economic problems of the Walled City, the project financed the upgrading of the water supply, sewerage, drainage, paths and roadways, solid waste collection, electricity and traffic management.

The completion of the conservation projects restored several highly visible structures that are of great symbolic importance to the old Walled City. These buildings are now used for socially valuable activities and have the potential to stimulate private
upgrading in the surrounding area.

Also the renovation and restructuring of the Shalamar Bagh is also underway through the help of the United Nations World Heritage program and several of the dilapidated structures have been restored to their original shape.

The Lahore Walled City is one of the shining stars in the cultural and historic assets of the country and government as well as private sector must ensure its preservation at all cost. 

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Posted by Naveed A Bari on May 10 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry