It was the blessed morning of 5 October 2024. It was second day of my Lahore visit. I rubbed my eyes, washed my face and went to De Montgomery College's cafe to have breakfast. It's not my college but my friend is studying over there. That's why i can also enter to that college with him. My friend is not an explorer but i am the one. I requested him to explore Lahore with me but he denied. I made another request to him "Just leave me alone and i will wander". After having breakfast,he really left me alone on the road. He went back to his room and i started walking on the road.I was very clear in my mind that my first destination would be "Lawrence Garden and Lawrence Hall". It was late morning time when sun was giving hard time. I thought to book a ride but i preferred to walk. I choose walk because i can observe history and things more closely and patiently.I was walking on the footpath and my mobile's screen was showing me map to go on!
It is Newton Hall named after Margaret Janvier Newton. She was wife of Charles Forman. Charles Forman was the person who is the founder of Forman Christian College Lahore.
Newton Hall was constructed in 1902. It means it's a building before partition of India and Pakistan. More interestingly, Newton Hall is under Mayo Hospital which is the oldest and largest hospital of Pakistan. Mayo hospital built in 1871. Mayo hospital was named after Lord Mayo.
I have some bad memories with this hospital. My brother was ill in 2020 and he was admitted here. His condition was not good and we used to visit there a lot. Those days were full of panic and stress.
Holding every thought in my mind, i walked away. I passed by a Church. Lahore is perfect example of religious Harmony. It has Churches, Temples, Masjids, Gurdwaras and Tombs.
I saw Church and i stopped. I took out my phone and took a snap. A stranger came to me and asked me, "why you are capturing photos?"
I replied, "I am blogger and i try to preserve the present for my future".
He said, "Okay Okay"
I asked him about this Church. He told me that Church is old and built in British era of subcontinent. But, Muslims aren't allowed to go inside. Otherwise, i might go inside. Then i started walking again.
It is mall road which is loaded with historical buildings and marvels. Now, the traffic noise and artificial world is fading away the history of old times. But, for those eyes, who are curious can witness history.
Mall Road reminded me of a Short story "Overcoat" which i read in my 10th standard. It is a story of man who was walking on the roads of Lahore. At this hour, shops were closed. Sweepers were cleaning the roads and trucks were standing on one side to collect the trash of yesterday.
Although, Sun was disturbing me but my eyes were focused on white buildings. These white buildings have names of their old and real owners. Probably those owners are not alive but there names are still there on the top of the buildings.
Wooden doors were closed. I am not aware that these doors will be opened or not. I can clearly see the disturbance of time on these scratched doors.
On Mall Road, there are many huge buildings. These huge buildings are old and historic. One such building is White color Building whose name is "Bawa Dinga Singh Building(1927)".
Bawa Dinga Singh Building is three storey building. At this time, Building is in use for commercial purposes and there are many brand outlets in this historical building.
Historically, This building was built by Bawa Dinga Singh who was one of the rich person in Lahore. This building was residence of Bawa Dinga Singh. The architect of this building was Chand A.M.I.E. So, The owner of the building was a Sikh but architect was a Hindu. This beautiful combination is visible in the architecture of the building too.
I couldn't stop myself. I walked inside the building. Stairs were infront of me. These were wooden stairs but with so much dust. They are crying for cleaning of them. These wooden stairs are so strong as they are bearing the weight of people from years.
These wooden stairs and wooden roof reminded me of some Hollywood movies. Strangely and surprisingly, there was no human wishper. It was only me "the explorer". I was a little afraid by the barren situation of the building.
I stood in the white balcony and tried to inhale air in the same manner as kings used to inhale. I ran my eyes to everything around. On the road, people and buses were moving.
Seeing the detailings of architecture, i am sure that Bawa Dinga Singh invested his heart and passion to make this building.
My mobile's camera is just below average. That's why it cannot capture the fine details of architecture.
The next building is Ghulam Rasool Building 1916. This building was built by Ghulam Rasool and it's a neglected architecture like other buildings of Mall Road Lahore. Ghulam Rasool was a real estate tycoon of Lahore.
In this building, there used to be a famous book publication center Ferozsons. That shop turned into ashes on 30 May 2010. A fire turned this shop into nothing.
Moreover, flood also destroyed it's dome. Still, this building is impressive.
This building also has a unique architectural combination. It's combination of Muslim Mughal and Sikh Architecture.
At the time, when i was taking snaps of Ghulam Rasool Building, a person parked a motorbike over there. He was a lawyer by appearance. I asked him, whether i can go up stairs or not? He said, it's prohibited to go up stairs. After that, i walked away.
Lahore's most famous intersection "Charing Cross" which is believed to be named after "Charing Cross London".
Charing Cross is very symbolic and it once housed Bronze Statue of Queen Victoria. That statue was installed there from 1904 until 1951 to celebrate golden jubilee of queen as subcontinent first's empress.
Now, it's known as "Faisal Chowk".
The next building is WAPDA HOUSE, Water and Power Development Authority. Passing by this building and charing cross, i was remembering a day in 2021 when i was walking at the same road and it was the sunny day.
I was almost some feet away from my destination "Lawrence Garden". I crossed the road and started walking on the opposite side. There were only few people who were walking. I was almost tired but reached. I saw a sign board Jinnah Garden.
It's Jinnah Garden and it's previous name was Lawrence Garden. It's name is changed to Bagh-e-Jinnah or Jinnah Gardens.
There are so many plants and trees. Many gardeners are serving the garden and looking after these trees and plants. The exotic and beautiful thing was the hand through which the tree is coming out. It is a nice idea though.
In the start of Jinnah Garden, there is a library which is known as Quaid-E-Azam Library. It's former name was Lawrence Hall.
The library is from British Raj times in subcontinent. This library consists of two halls. First hall is known as Lawrence Hall which was constructed in the memory of John Laird Mair Lawrence. Second hall is known as Montgomery Hall and it was constructed in the memory of Robert Montgomery Martin.
It was constructed in 1866. Punjab chiefs and elite class of Lahore contributed wealth to built this neoclassical architecture.
I visited this same garden years ago. I came at this same place with my school trip. Back in that time, I wasn't aware of the importance of the library and park.
Back then, i was curious to go inside the library but they didn't allow us to go inside. This time, i tried to go inside but they said, "Sorry Sir, Visitors aren't allowed".So many restrictions!
I wish i could inside.
I started exploring the garden. There were many cycles in the air. It's not Hogwarts where magic is happening but this park is not less than magic. Yes, not less than magic ... As there are hands who are holding trees.
It's really a beautiful message from park.
It's a very eco-friendly message. It means don't spread any litter over there and don't pluck any leave or flower from the park. A thoughtful one!
I headed towards the main area of the park. There was a range of fountains. These fountains are probably dried or may do work on different or special occasions.
A corridor was infront of me. I think this corridor was built later but it's style is more like Mughal architecture.
There was a couple sitting under this balcony and they were having some chit chat. I spotted a crow over there. As soon as i drew my mobile to capture him, he flew away.
There was a long Minar. I am not sure it is a tank for water storage or a control room. I went near to it.
I found that door is locked and there is a bicycle standing infront of the door. It depicts that there is someone who lives there.
I made my way back. I captured some last pictures over there. I walked on the park trail and made my way towards the exit door.
Again a hand holding some timid plants. I sat down on a bench... I was done. I talked to a stranger who was sitting next to me. He took hotspot from my mobile and booked ride for him. Later on, i also booked ride for me and i went back to my friend's home.
See you next 🌺.