Daily Times

LAHORE: The conservation of the tomb of Princess Zebun Nisa near Multan Road is near completion and would be open for tourists in June 2018, Daily Times learnt.

The tomb is being conserved by the Department of Archaeology Punjab, with an amount of Rs 28 million, for the first time since its construction. Daily Times further learnt that most of the area near the tomb had been encroached and the monument was lying in a derelict condition since long, but no plans for the removal of encroachments were made so far. The possession of this tomb is with the Archaeology Department of Punjab who had declared it as a protected monument since long.

Historian Faizan Naqvi said that it was a 17th century Mughal tomb of Zebun Nisa which was hidden behind encroachments and no one could access it as people were unaware of the monument. “Zebun Nisa was the eldest daughter of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. She lived from 1637 to 1702. There is a controversy about this tomb as according to some historians, it is the tomb of Mian Bai known as Fakhrun Nisa who was gifted the Chauburji garden by Jahan Ara, the daughter of Shah Jahan. On the other hand, some considered it as the tomb of Zebun Nisa. The plaque on the tomb states that it is the tomb of Zebun Nisa and the date is also inscribed on it,” he added. Faizan Naqvi lamented over the state of encroachments around the monument and was of the view that to highlight the beauty of the place, it was important to remove the encroachments.

Another expert on history Tania Qureshi said, “There are historic evidences as per books that Zebun Nisa had died in the Salim Garh Fort, a residential area of the Red Fort at Delhi in 1701 and was buried in the garden of 30,000 trees outside Kabuli Gate. In 1885, her tomb was shifted to Akbar’s mausoleum at Sikandra when the railway line was laid out in Delhi. The controversy remains there but the plaque on the tomb has the name Zebun Nisa on it. This is why most of the historians affirm that Princess Zebun Nisa is resting in the grave inside the tomb.”

She further added that the structure of this tomb was once among the most beautiful Mughal pieces built in Lahore. It was decorated with costly stones, furnished with pavilions, fountains and reservoirs and it was built in the centre of a garden. Historians also believe that Ranjit Singh removed the costly materials to construct his summer house in Hazuri Bagh. She was of the opinion that since long, the tomb was in shambles and a concrete plan for its restoration was need of the hour.

“I am glad that the conservation of the monument is taken up,” she added.

While talking to Daily Times, Archaeology Department Deputy Director Malik Maqsood Ahmed said that ever since the monument came into being, it was being restored for the first time.

“We are trying to revive the past glory of the monument and each part of it is being restored. The work is being carried out on the exterior and interior of the tomb, the flooring with geometrical design, a typical of Mughal era, is being repaired. The important features of the tomb including the tomb stone, red sand stone grills along with the doorways, fresco and inner flooring have been restored. For the first time after its construction, we are restoring it. The red sand stone has been imported from India. Small bricks and lime plaster have been used in the process,” he said, adding that almost 90 percent of the work was done and would be completely restored by June 2018. He further added that benches and sitting area for the families was also being developed on the site. On inquiring about the re-use and ticketing system at the monument, he said, “The site will not be ticketed and would be free for all. We believe that visiting heritage sites is the right of every person. People visit it for recreation and study purposes and a ticket would restrict the footfall. Monument is a basic right, education and social benefit for all.”

Malik Maqsood Ahmed claimed that the monument would be a remarkable example for conservation and restoration.

Published in Daily Times, May 5^th 2018.