Baradari of Wazir Khan

Where the Museum and National College of Arts once Mayo School of Art now stand, there were the
remains of the garden, called Nakhlia Garden, which in olden days surrounded the building known as
Wazir Khan’s Baradari, now occupied by the Public Library. The paths of this old garden were bordered
with brick on edge, laid in lime, and were on the whole in an excellent state of preservation when the
site was cleared to make room for Museum. The baradari itself, built in the time of the Emperor
Shah Jehan by the same courtier, Wazir Khan, who founded the famous mosque in the city,
which bears his name, has played many parts. After the annexation of the Punjab, it was used
first for military purposes, then as a Settlement office, next as a Telegraph office and,
temporarily, as a museum, the Anarkali Book Club for the European residents, as soldier's
quarters until cantonment shifted to Mian Mir.

The Baradari stands as a monument of past, place of personal memories to many. Once it had its doors
open to NCA and shared its yards with the college. It served so many generations from Mughal era to
current period.

the Cowasjee Print Studio

the Cowasjee Print Studio, established in 1987 with the generous support of Ardeshir Cowasjee, a
relentless activist, philanthropist and a columnist whose prose on all affairs current was a must read. He
was a Gujrati-speaking Parsi gentleman of the old school - profane, blunt, outspoken, fearless. Not many
left. Wrote fearlessly against crooked builders, land encroachers and campaigned tirelessly in his
columns for a city he loved and which he sought to protect from various mafias. The plate reminds us his
contribution to our city of Lahore.

Statue of Alfred Woolner

This memorial statue was constructed, designed and manufactured by Gilbert Ledward R.A sculptor,
Pembroke Walk Studios, Kensington, London WB, dated 27th May 1937. An original drawing of this
memorial was found in the Town Hall record room. This drawing bears the description: “the pedestal to
be executed in gray granite fine axed finish with gritted surface for the inscriptions. Inscription in 4
inches and 2 inches letters in sized V section.”28

The statue itself is 7 feet and 9 inches tall and is in bronze.

In 1951 an attempt was made to remove this statue but it fortunately survived.

The inscription on the left of the statue bears the following statement,

“Professor of Sanskrit, and Principal of the Oriental College from 1903 to 1936 and Dean of the
University studies from 1920 to 1936”.

The inscription in front says,

“Alfred Woolner 1878 to 1936 a great and beloved leader”.

The inscription on the right bears the words:

“C.I.E, M.A, D.Litt, F.A.S.B. Vice Chancellor Punjab University from 1928 to 1936 and Registrar from 1903
to 1920”.

NCA Alumini Space

The space, just above the NCA basement Cafe, has been created or planned for NCA alumini where they
could sit together, meet old friends, share their memories and tell stories. This place could turn into a
personal memorial.

NCA Old Cafeteria

The old cafeteria, located by the bakgate parking space, lying deserted now. For many, it could stand for
a space where they spent best years of their lives. They might have profound memories attached to this
place and in this sense it could also be considered a personal memorial.

Shrine - Abu Saeed Shah Qutb Qadri

The Shrine is located right in the middle of NCA backgate and main entrance of Punjab Public Libraray. A
narrow alley leads to the tomb. The front wooden door contains the inscription. People have religious or
spiritual associations to these shrines. Many rituals are performed and festivals are held. The place could
be more than just a grave of a religious figure.

Pigeons of Zamzama Fountain

The area around Zamzama canon and fountain is home to hundreds of pigeons. Abandoned or old
buildings are favorite nesting areas for them. Mass nesting is common as pigeons are a community
flocking bird, often dozens of birds share a building. Pigeons are particularly fond of roof spaces.

Perhaps the availability of water was the first attraction here. People are very fond of these pigeons and
offer grains to them. Pigeons have abundant supply of feed here.

Bhangian di Toap

The massive cannon first came into being in all its grandeur in 1757, following the Afghan conquest of
Lahore and its subsequent inclusion under the dynastic rule of Ahmad Shah Durrani, founder of the
Durrani Empire. The copper and bronze used in the gun was molten out of household utensils collected
from the Hindu and Sikh residents of Lahore through jiziyah (a form of taxation levied by Muslim rulers
upon non-Muslim subjects). The behemoth cannon weighed 80 lbs., was 14 feet long with a bore
aperture of 9.5 inches. Two similar cannons were made at the time of casting, while the Zamzama
survived the course of history, the sister gun was lost by Durrani’s army during its transport across the
river. The Zamzama was easily one of the largest pieces of military hardware to be put together in the
region where ballistics were the cutting-edge technique in the art of war of the period.
The Zamzama has two inscriptions, one on the front and one on the back. The front one
reads: “By order of the Emperor Durri Dowran Shah Wali Khan, the Wazir made this gun,
named Zamzama, the capturer of strongholds. The work of Shah Nazir.”

The canon stands as a monument of history, a very ironic presence among birds of peace,
which land fearlessly on the moudlings of its muzzle.

The Sabre (serial# 1728) - War Memorial

The Sabre (serial# 1728) on display outside Lahore Metropolitan Corporation Building,
Lahore, is one of ex-Luftwaffe Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk 6 aircraft that were acquired by
Pakistan through Iran after 1965 Pak-India war. Sabre serial# 1728 was not in PAF
inventory during 1965 war. Sabre1728 stands to commemorate the memory of a famous
but controversial stunt by MM Alam.