Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque

-Naiha Raza

“These are two masterpieces from the time of the brilliant Mughal civilization, which reached its height during the reign of the Emperor Shah Jahan. The fort contains marble palaces and

mosques decorated with mosaics and gilt. The elegance of these splendid gardens, built near the city of Lahore on three terraces with lodges, waterfalls and large ornamental

ponds, is unequalled.”1

INTRODUCTION TO THE AREAThe main bus stand of Lahore paves way for the main attraction of the walled city of downtown Lahore or “underoon sher” known as the Lahore Fort and the Badshahi mosque. The surrounding area besides the complex housing and shops the winding roads and pathways

includes the “minar-e-pakistan” the De’Montmorency College of Dentistry, the Lady Wellington hospital and most obviously the Heera Mundi

HETEROTOPIAS, ARMATURES, ENCLAVES

“As for the heterotopias as such, how can they be described? What meaning do they have? We might imagine a sort of systematic description - I do not say a science because the term is too galvanized now -that would, in a given society, take as its object the study, analysis,

description, and 'reading' (as some like to say nowadays) of these different spaces, of these other places. As a sort of simultaneously mythic and real contestation of the space in which

we live, this description could be called heterotopology”2

Heterotopias are the change accommodating factors within the city that work behind facades of their true content.An Armature is a Channel though which an individual moves that can be compared to Kevin Lynch’s pathAn enclave is a place of some value3

THE AREA

ENCLAVES

ARMATURES

IDENTIFICATION OF KEY SPACESThe major spaces have been colored in the map above.Taking into consideration heterotopias armature and enclaves, the area can be divided into many parts out of which a few of them are

The Lahore fort:

HISTORY:

The Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila) is situated northwest of the walled city. The work on the fort has undergone centuries. One of the earliest references in the written history about the fort comes from Al-Biruni that proves the original construction occurred in the early 11th century. The fort was severely damaged by the Mongols (1241) and again by the hands of Timur (1398) it was rebuilt by Sayyid, son of Khizr Khan (1421).4

IDENTITY:

The fort is a complex example of an enclave, an armature and also partly a heterotopia if considered in the ‘historical’ sense.

ELUCIDATION:

As Enclave:An enclave is a place of some consequence; a place to “go” to. Thus this area is an enclave. To a passing person this might become a landmark, a point of recognition. But to a person entering the enclave, the site becomes much more.

As Armature:As soon as a person enters the site, it transforms into a series of enclaves and armatures. Streets and pathways curve around the many enclaves of the fort to form complex patterns thus this ca be further categorized into the armature inside enclave

As Heterotopia:Looking at the site in a historical context, we can conclude that this place can be considered a heterotopia. In the past this was the main area where the power of governance resided thus it became a sort of a heterotopia of deviation. A ruling class that is completely different from the masses and must be kept protected i.e. it must reside in a stronghold where it might be difficult for the enemy to approach and damage the foundations of a city.

VISUAL:Map:

Image(s):

The Badshahi Mosque:

HISTORY: The Badshahi mosque (1672-74) is one of the largest mosques. It was built under the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb. The mosques main entrance is through the Lahore fort.5

IDENTITY: an enclave, and also a heterotopia.ELUCIDATION:

As Enclave: while this pace stands out as a landmark only on first glance it is however much more when it is related to the context around it. It is an enclave. The entryway is through another so called “enclave” or a courtyard. (See hazuri bagh) if the hazuri bagh is considered an armature then defining the relation between the two becomes much more understandable

As Heterotopia:It can be called as a heterotopia of crisis. A place where generations of people have gone with a certain specific agenda on their mind i.e. to pray. It is a sacred place where all can be ‘invited’ but not all are free to ‘exercise particular activities’. To define heterotopia of crisis would be

“Sacred or forbidden places reserved for individuals who are in a state of crisis in relation to the society in which they live”6

Then the state of crisis can be the necessity to pray in order to live a happy life and failure to do so might produce undesirable results.

VISUAL:Map:

Image(s):

Hazuri Bagh:

IDENTITY: can be the example of an enclave as well as an armature. ELUCIDATION:This part of the chosen site is perhaps the most interesting one. From the outside, it is a part fully ingrained with the two main enclaves. But once the viewer enters the site, he will experience a deviance form his original context. He will view the space as an obvious ’connecting space’

As Enclave: the space can be said to as an enclave when compared to the surrounding. It is a well integrated part of the whole complex that will serve as a mediating area between two separate enclaves, the Lahore fort and the Badshahi mosque.

As Armature: the space is well suited to be called an armature, this is because when considering the inside of the palace complex only and not the surrounding areas, one can establish a visual as well as physical connection between the two major enclaves that are the Badshahi mosque and the Lahore fort. Thus this becomes a complex armature leading to not only the fort and the mosque but also two smaller enclaves present in between the armature the Ranjit Singh’s Pavilion and Allama Iqbal’s tomb.

VISUAL:Map:

Image(s):

Ranjit Singh’s Pavilion:

HISTORY: it is the mausoleum of the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is located in the center of the hazuri bagh.

IDENTITY: A monument has the value of a landmark VISUAL:

Map:

Image(s):

Iqbal’s tomb:

HISTORY: visually the structure seems to be simple but it is a combination of the afghan and the Moorish style of architecture and is entirely constructed of red sandstone7

The structure is located in the Hazuri Bagh standing in between the Badshahi Mosque and the Lahore Fort where both the grand structures face each other.8

IDENTITY: Also a monument. VISUAL:

Map:

Image(s):

Samadhi of Ranjit Singh:HISTORY: The mausoleum was initiated by the maharaja’s son Kharak Singh and was finished by Duleep Singh his grandson in 1848. It was here that the maharaja was cremated along with four wives and seven concubines9

IDENTITY: a monument. VISUAL:

Map:

Image(s):

Derha Sahib Gurdwara:HISTORY: located opposite the fort and the mosque it is this place where the Sikh guru Gur Arjun Dev Ji was martyred after being subject to various tortures by chandu in the river Ravi on 30 may 1606 AD. The very place where the guru was martyred a ‘Thara sahib’ or platform was built by Guru Hargobind Ji in Samvat 1619 when he was visiting Gur Asthans. Later the Maharaja, Ranjit Singh, added a small built structure or the Gurdwara. In 1909 AD the place was expanded the Parakashasthan and Manji Sahib were constructed for the Parakash of Guru Granth Sahib. Among other things, an arrangement for daily diwan was made alongside an inn for the accommodation of the pilgrims10

IDENTITY: An enclave and also a heterotopia ELUCIDATION:As Enclave: the building is a monument as well as a pilgrimage center thus it is of significant importance.

As Heterotopia: it is a place not everyone can enter and thus becomes a heterotopic site. Also here the pilgrims from the city itself are in the minority thus it can be defined as a heterotopia of crisis: “a Sacred or forbidden places reserved for individuals who are in a state of crisis in relation to the society in which they live.”11

VISUAL:Map:

The Minar-e-Pakistan:

HISTORY: is a tall minaret in Iqbal Park Lahore, built in commemoration of the Pakistan Resolution. The minaret reflects a blend of Mughal and modern architecture, and is constructed on the site where on March 23, 1940, seven years before the formation of Pakistan, the Muslim League passed the Pakistan Resolution (Qarardad-e-Pakistan), demanding the creation of Pakistan.12 This was the first official declaration to establish a separate homeland for the Muslims living in the South Asia.13

IDENTITY: a monument. VISUAL:

Map:

Image(s):

Heera Mundi:

HISTORY:“A strong nexus between the performing arts and prostitution has long existed in South Asian culture and society. Lahore - one of the great imperial Mughal cities, and the most sophisticated in British India - boasted one of the most elegant red-light districts on the subcontinent… The Heera Mandi is not a typical red-light district but one renowned for its dancing girls and classical music traditions. It is nestled in the shadow of Pakistan's famous Badshahi Mosque, behind the walls of the old medieval city. The district's narrow, byzantine streets and alleys date back to the time of the Mughal emperors. And for centuries, young courtesans, learning the family trade, received rigorous training in the performing arts from professional musicians”14

IDENTITY: a complex area full of enclaves and armatures while being a heterotopia

ELUCIDATION:As Enclave: a large number of small enclaves exist in this area. These work as highly complex systems, one enclave will intersect go through encroach go over or under the other forming a highly charged density of living spaces.As Armature: as the enclave becomes increasingly complex, so does the armature. The narrow winding streets and pathways define this area; it has become their identity. These narrow roads are extremely hard to navigate for an outsider but for a person living inside this setup can identify and move around the area with extreme ease.

As Heterotopia: the whole area in itself is a separate district that is considered to be primarily a filthy place and filthy not just in terms of hygiene. This complex system and its role in society has become a very important heterotrophic identity.

VISUAL:Map:

Image(s):

CONCLUSIONIn between this highly charged place are many examples of heterotopias enclaves and armatures. Even though not many have been discussed above but the most important of these have been discussed.

1 Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, World Heritage, United Nations - Copyright © 1992-2010 UNESCO World Heritage Centre, All Rights Reserved<http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/171/>

2 Michel Foucault, Of Other Spaces (1967), Heterotopias<http://foucault.info/documents/heteroTopia/foucault.heteroTopia.en.html>

3 Class Lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, Urban Design and Planning-I, Lecture presentation 3, 4 and 5. 2009.4 Shirazi (January 22nd, 2007), Shahi Qila, Chowrangi,<http://www.chowrangi.com/shahi-qila.html>

5 “Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan”, Asian Historical Architecture © Copyright 1998-2010<http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/pakistan/lahore/badshahi.php>

6 Class lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, Urban Design and Planning-I, Lecture presentation 4. 20097 Mohammad Waliullah Khan, Lahore and Its Important Monuments, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan. 1964. p.89-918 Masudul Hasan, A Guide to Lahore, Ferozsons, 1978. p.19 Samadhi of Ranjit Singh, Absolute Astronomy, AbsoluteAstronomy.com © 2009.  All Rights Reserved.< http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Samadhi_of_Ranjit_Singh>

10 Iqbal Qaiser, Gurudwara Dera Sahib Panjvin Patshahi, Lahore, ©1999-2009 Gateway to Sikhism, All Rights Reserved <http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras-in-pakistan/gurudwara-dera-sahib-panjvin-patshahi-lahore.html>11 Class lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, Urban Design and Planning-I, Lecture presentation 4. 200912 Christophe Jaffrelot (2002) A History of Pakistan and Its Origins. Athens Press. 326 pages13 Ian Talbot (1998) Pakistan: A Modern History. St. Martin's Press. 450 pages.14  Elizabeth S. Ghauri, Pakistan cultural center struggles with its history, © The Christian Science Monitor. All Rights Reserved.< http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0814/p11s01-wosc.html>

Image taken from class lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, urban design and planning-I

ENDNOTES