Daily Times

The Lahore Museum is a great inspiration for people, who are real arts and cultural connoisseurs, and those who even hold an inch of interest for arts, heritage and history.

The building of Lahore Museum is deemed to be a masterpiece constructed in the style of Mughal architecture.

Built in 1894, it is a cultural treat for the local and foreign tourists to view the unique art and cultural heritage of Sikh, Mughal, Chinese, Nepalese, British, Tibetan and Hindus era. It holds versatile importance regarding its art galleries, miniature arts, pottery, ivory work, bronze and copper artefacts, textile, artilleries and several other historical manifestations.

Located in the heart of Mall Road, it is surrounded with huge trees located opposite the 100-year-old building of Punjab University’s Allama Iqbal Campus. It provides an exhilarating experience to the tourists as they enter the building and are welcomed by the sight of wooden doorways built in style of Mughal and Sikh architecture. The mural painted by a renowned artist Sadequein is awe-inspiring as upon it are inscribed very zealous and motivating poetic verses of Allama Iqbal. A special art gallery comprising paintings and portraits of different cultures and heritage draws attention of art lovers. It also holds paramount religious importance as a special display of manuscripts of holy Quran with verses inscribed in gold are exclusively found in a display case. The portraits of Mughal kings and queens, previous leaders of different countries and philosophers, all add to the charm of the art gallery of the museum. Besides, the presentation of miniature art objects is another major fascination of Lahore Museum.

Located on The Mall, the Lahore Museum building is right opposite the 100-year-old building of Punjab University’s Allama Iqbal Campus. The museum’s premises provides an exhilarating experience to  tourists who are welcomed inside the building by the sight of wooden doorways built in  Mughal and Sikh architectural styles

The weaponry and armour present in front of the central gallery of the museum is another piece of attraction for the tourists. A brief history of different weapons, artillery, armour, swords, shields and guns are provided with their display in the window cases. A huge bronze sculpture of Queen Victoria and her royal chair awaits the attention of every tourist next to the war section of the museum.

The display of the jewellery and precious gemstones of primitive types is a great treat for connoisseurs of jewellery. The clay work, pottery and handicrafts from the times of Indus Valley Civilisation, Gandhara Civilisation and Chinese dynasties are impressive. They put one in wonder as to how the people in those times were able to craft so delicate and refined pieces of pottery without any mechanisation. The objects crafted from ivory add to the exhilarating experience for the visitors.

Besides, a notable gallery containing the metallic sculptures of Greek and Hindu gods and goddesses exist. It shows refined and exquisite carvings, which are eye-catching.

The Pakistan Movement Gallery on the first floor of the museum is also very informative for the visitors. It includes the pictures and portraits of Quaid-e-Azam during Independence Movement as well as photographs of Iqbal and other freedom fighters. The old newspaper cuttings explaining different events of Independence Movement are all displayed on the gallery of Pakistan Movement.

The afore-mentioned aspects add to the charm and glory of the Lahore Museum. There stands a need to regularly update, restore and maintain the artefacts displayed. The ventilation of the museum should be improved to make the environment comfortable for the tourists especially during the summers. The standing air-conditioners should be installed during summers to enable the visitors to really feel enthralled from observing different artefacts in the museum. Regular additions of contemporary masterpieces of arts should be made to enrich the experience for the art lovers. The security personnel and the guides should be trained to be more courteous, friendly and proactive to ensure a safe and memorable visit for the tourists. Such measures can enhance the charm of visiting the Lahore Museum.

The writer is based in Lahore and can be reached at aiyza.javaid@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, August 8^th 2017.