Minar-e-Pakistan (Pakistan Day Memorial) is a minar which was built to commemorate the day when the Pakistan resolution was passed on March 23, 1940. The main tower of this memorial was completed on March 22, 1968.
The location was originally known as Minto Park. It was here that the historic session of the All-India Muslim League was held on March 23, 1940.
If you are interested in seeing the impressive daily ritual of the flag-hoisting and flag-lowering ceremonies at Pakistan-India border, it is worth traveling on G.T. (Grand Trunk) Road for 29 km (18 miles) to Wagah, which is a border crossing between Lahore and Amritsar in India.
The flag-lowering ceremony, which takes place before sunset is particularly interesting. It is performed by active and smartly turned out Pakistani and Indian soldiers and receives spontaneous applause from the audience gathered to watch the ceremony. The ritual comprises a handshake between the captains of the two countries, followed by a battle of angered looks, stomping with vigor to show military strength. The blowing of trumpets and the march past add to the colorful ceremony. It is a unique and thrilling event much enjoyed by people who come from long distances to view it.
The location was originally known as Minto Park. It was here that the historic session of the All-India Muslim League was held on March 23, 1940.In 1960 the Muslim League leaders impressed upon the local authorities the need for building a memorial. The governor of West Pakistan, Akhtar Hussain, issued an appeal to the public for contributions for constructing the memorial. He also constituted a memorial committee and a memorial fund for collecting donations from philanthropists. Murat Khan, a Turkish architect, designed the memorial. The governor laid the foundation stone of the memorial on March 23, 1960. The tower took about eight years to complete, at an estimated cost of Rs. 500,000.
The tower rises above a platform shaped like a five-pointed star. The terrace is three feet from ground level, the platform's height is about six feet, and the star platform is about 12 feet high. It is surrounded by two crescent-shaped pools, four feet deep and lined with green and red marble. The tower has a spring shaped hall spanned by arches. The rostrum facing Badshahi Mosque is a quadrant constructed with Mughal patterned tiles. The circular diameter of the tower is 320 feet. The petals, 30 feet high, look like a blooming flower. The total height of the structure is 203 feet from ground level. On the marble slabs of the central shaft are inscribed a brief history of the Pakistan Resolution in English, Urdu and Bengali, the 99 names of God and poetic verses from Allama Iqbal. The tower has 10 vertical covering slabs interlaced with flower petals and glazed cement domes, with a sightseeing platform and a central spiral staircase.
The design of the base and the first four platforms depict the history of the Pakistan Movement through architectural symbols. Rough stones and cement have been haphazardly laid representing the chaotic conditions and the lack of direction in the early stages of the freedom movement of the Indian Muslims. The stones used for the first platform are rough Taxila stones. Hammer-dressed stones are used on the second platform. On the third platform are laid chiseled stones, while the fourth and final platform is of highly polished marble, symbolizing the ultimate success of the freedom movement.
The dome is of stainless steel inlaid with fine glass pieces. Up to the dome there are four stages spread over 162 stairs.The best and encompassing panoramic view of Lahore and the citadel is obtained by using the elevator which takes you all the way up to the top of the tower. The park is a popular recreational spot for Lahorites who congregate there in large numbers. It is often used for holding large public meetings. The locality of the memorial has been highlighted with well planned parks. Eight marble fountains on the main access add to the beauty of the memorial, emitting watery rainbows with the help of multicolored lights.
Lahore
Of all the cities in the world, there is something special about Lahore that strikes the heart. It could be that I see it that way because it is the city of my birth but that would do little to explain the way it has fascinated the minds throughout the ages. From pauper to a king or queen, everyone has come under its spell at one time or another. The city has inspired many to sing praises of its glory and even after numerous upheavals and sorrows, it continues to do so. Lahore is mysterious, it is romantic, and some describe it as a “melancholy picture of fallen splendor” but in the words of Empress Noor Jahan, it is Paradise.
"I have purchased Lahore with my life. By giving my life for Lahore, I have actually purchased another Paradise." Empress Noor Jahan
It is human nature to long for something that is lost. And after moving half a world away, I realized what I have lost. I have lost the chance to do the things I didn’t do, see the places I didn’t see, and meet the people I didn’t meet, for I have lost Lahore. So, in my little way of reclaiming what I lost, I have promised myself to photograph and preserve the images of Lahore. And I have created this site in hopes that others who, like myself, are also enchanted by this magical city or even those who have yet to come under its spell can take some benefit.
The photo gallery, though it includes some of my other adventures, is mainly to showcase the images I have captured of Lahore. I have also included a brief introduction to the city and its history as well as descriptions of some sites of interest. I will continue to add to this and build a comprehensive list of historical and important places in Lahore, as I have yet to come across a website that provides an up-to-date listing of all the important sites in Lahore. There are some excellent websites out there about the city of Lahore which, although very extensive and descriptive, unfortunately appear to have copied much of the information from a book written in the 19th century during the time of British rule. This makes it very difficult to weed out what has survived to be seen and what has succumbed to the ravages of time or become the loot of conquerors.
Wagah BorderIf you are interested in seeing the impressive daily ritual of the flag-hoisting and flag-lowering ceremonies at Pakistan-India border, it is worth traveling on G.T. (Grand Trunk) Road for 29 km (18 miles) to Wagah, which is a border crossing between Lahore and Amritsar in India.
The flag-lowering ceremony, which takes place before sunset is particularly interesting. It is performed by active and smartly turned out Pakistani and Indian soldiers and receives spontaneous applause from the audience gathered to watch the ceremony. The ritual comprises a handshake between the captains of the two countries, followed by a battle of angered looks, stomping with vigor to show military strength. The blowing of trumpets and the march past add to the colorful ceremony. It is a unique and thrilling event much enjoyed by people who come from long distances to view it.
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