Daily Times

LAHORE: The Cypress Tomb also known as Saru Wala Maqbara, located near Dai Anga’s Tomb on Grand Trunk Road has been conserved by the Archaeology Department of Punjab with an amount of Rs 600,000, Daily Times learnt on Wednesday.

Sources informed Daily Times that the Cypress Tomb was in shambles since ages. It was among one of the neglected pieces of heritage in Lahore and was unknown to the people because it was never highlighted as a heritage site due to its poor conditions. Sources further added that the tomb was once surrounded by a large garden but now it is bordered by houses whereas a small garden around the tomb presently was being used by the locals as a playground. Sources added that the access to the tomb was also terrible due to encroachments and ill management of the traffic and that was one of the reasons of its neglect and deterioration. Sources informed that the fresco work, brick tile masonry, lime plaster and other embellishments of the structure were getting derelict whereas the ceiling was dilapidating due to aging, weathering and lack of maintenance and garbage was seen around whereas the bricks of the structure were also falling apart and the locals were steeling those.

Historian and writer Tania Qureshi, while talking exclusively to Daily Times about the tomb and its importance, said, “The tomb of Sharfun Nisa Begum is popularly known as Saru Wala Maqbara or Cypress Tomb because of ornamentation of cypress trees rendered in ceramic tiles on the structure. Sharfun Nisa Begum was a sister of Nawab Zakariya Khan who was the governor of Lahore during the reign of Emperor Muhammad Shah. According to authentic books on Lahore it is said that the structure was built during 1735—1740. The tower-like form, sporting slightly battered walls, is unique in itself and is considered among the last constructions of Mughal era. The tomb for its unusual shape and facade decoration of cypress motif is considered to be the jewel of Mughal architecture of Lahore but it had been neglected since long. Historic records tell that it was as a meditation chamber of Sharfun Nisa Begum during her lifetime and after her death she was buried in the same chamber, along with a holy book and her jeweled sword. The burial chamber is on the top, at a height of about 16 feet, approachable only by a removable ladder. Historians say that the idea appears to have been intended to keep out of sight even the actual grave of the pious lady, as she was in those days. Respecting her wishes to keep her mortal remains out of sight and inaccessible, all openings were blocked, providing a blank appearance in the battered walls on all four sides.”

She added an interesting myth regarding the tomb that when the Sikhs were looting the treasures and jewels from the tower, the Sikhs strangely kept falling off the ladders whenever they tried to climb up to remove the tiles.

“It is a good initiative to restore such monuments as G.T. Road is a hub of such precious pieces of history,” she said.

Archaeology Deputy Director Malik Maqsood Ahmed said, “Lying near Dai Anga’s mausoleum this is a solid, tower-like, tapering brick-built structure with chhajja (pent) near the top and surmounted by a four-sided pyramidal low dome carried over a double low neck. The tomb is locally known as Saru Wala Maqbara or the Cypress Tomb because of its ornamentation with cypress trees. These cypresses, four on each side, are intercepted by smaller blooming flower plants, all in enameled tile mosaic work, on plaster base. This tomb is the last of the monuments of Mughal Period. The tower was formerly surrounded by a beautiful garden and tank, which have now totally disappeared. The monument is owned and maintained by the Punjab Archaeology and protected under Antiquity Act 1975.The Archaeology Department has been doing its level best to preserve this architectural relic of our past. Last year conservation was planned for this monument and after detailed study and documentation we started the work on it. We have restored the brick tile masonry, lime plaster, glaze lime plaster, fresco work in geometric and floral designs, lime terracing, wooden ceiling as per original pattern, doors and windows and tiles on floors and its edges.”

He said that a steel fence has been erected around the monument to protect it and this way it will not be used as a playground by the locals.

“All necessary measures and plans are being made to preserve the heritage of Punjab by our department,” Malik Maqsood Ahmed concluded.

Published in Daily Times, June 28^th 2018.