Lahore
Central Museum, was originally the "Industrial Art
Museum of the Panjab". Lahore was important because
of the key position of Panjab in the Indian Empire. Recently
annexed, efficiently administered in less than 30 years
there had been progress in irrigation, land settlement and
afforestation. The British were also keen to foster, develop
and support local craftsmanship. Many projects were undertaken.
There are Gandhara, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Indus valley
and Islamic collections, wonderful paintings from Moghul
times and from the Panjab Hills, and many wonderful examples
of handicrafts, rugs and carvings. The collections of calligraphy
are also very fine.
The Museums most famous exhibits include a Koran which is a thousand years old, and several sculptures including the emaciated fasting siddhartha from Taxila, the miracle of Sarasvati, and the green goddess, Athena. There are some fine prehistoric displays showing archaeological finds half a million years old from the area around Islamabad, and the struggle for Pakistan is well documented.
Out side the museum, not
far away, Zamzama, the 18th century fire piece immortalized
by Kipling as "Kim's Gun", takes
up a surprising length of space in the middle of road.
Lahore is still growing, and Just like any other city, there is incessant redevelopment. Old buildings become replaced by modern concrete architecture. Modern sites of interest include the Minar-i-Pakistan which marks the spot where the Pakistan Resolution was passed on 23rd March 1940. It is located in lqbal Park. The tomb of the philosopher and poet is in the Hazuri Bagh
beside the Badshahi Masjid. The WAPDA House building is, an example of a modern office block, with a glass dome and a roof garden. Behind is the Punjab Assembly Hall and before both, the modern Summit Minar are more interesting.
The Fortress Stadium
is an attempt to combine the style of merlons from a fort
like Rohtas with a sports stadium. The Stadium is the
site of the famous Horse and Cattle Show in March. This
includes a display of livestock but also many spectacular
feats of horsemanship, tent pegging, dressage, camel dancing,
racing, folk dancing, pomp and pageantry. It is accompanied
by exhibitions displaying Pakistani craftsmanship and
industry and is one of the most colorful of Lahore's events.
Perhaps the best places to see new buildings
are the suburbs being developed by returning migrants,
which are a happy blend of influences and styles from
the world. Lahore has plenty of fine parks and a zoo,
other leisure areas for the city have been developed in
the vicinity. These include Changa Manga,
a man made forest, originally planted and irrigated by
the British to provide wood for railway engines. Nowadays
there is a miniature, steam driven railway and an artificial
lake with boats on.
Jallo National Park
is more recent. It is also a recreational and picnic site,
with a zoo, children's play area, a lake with motor and
rowing boats, and other kinds of amusement. Beside it
Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Iqbal Park around the Minar-e-Pakistan,
Model Town Park, Race Course Park, which
deservedly attract not only town-dwellers but visitors
as well.
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