Government eyes restoration of landmark names

The Punjab government has announced a comprehensive plan to restore the original names of historic areas, roads, and landmarks in Lahore, the provincial capital. The aim is to highlight the city’s historical identity and strengthen its connection with cultural heritage.

According to officials, the initiative seeks to present Lahore more effectively from a cultural and tourism perspective by emphasising its historical continuity. Lahore, which has been a centre of multiple civilisations for centuries, reflects influences from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and British eras. Over time, due to political, religious, and administrative changes, many areas, roads, and buildings were renamed, causing original historical names to fade into the background.

In the past, several locations were renamed, such as Krishan Nagar to Islampura, Dharampura to Mustafabad and Ram Gali to Rehman Gali. Similarly, Mall Road was renamed Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Mohan Lal Bazaar to Urdu Bazaar, Abbott Road to Ghaznavi Road, Lahore Stadium to Gaddafi Stadium, Gol Bagh to Nasir Bagh, and Minto Park to Iqbal Park. However, many of these new names did not fully gain public acceptance.

Officials say that these changes have partially blurred the city’s historical identity. Under the proposed plan, original names will be reintroduced to reconnect citizens with their past and revive Lahore’s cultural character.

Kamran Lashari, Secretary of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival, stated that the city’s streets, markets, and roads are an integral part of its cultural history, and restoring their original names will promote historical awareness. He emphasised that this initiative is not merely about renaming but a serious effort to revive the city’s overall cultural identity, which will also help boost tourism.

“Despite official name changes, many old names continued to be used by the public, indicating that historical identity persists. The gates, streets, and bazaars of the old city are custodians of centuries-old history and must be preserved in their original form,” said Lashari.

Archaeologists and historians have generally welcomed the initiative but stressed the need for balance. Former Director of the Punjab Archaeology Department, Malik Maqsood Ahmed, felt that historical names and places should be preserved as cultural heritage rather than viewed through religious or political lenses.

Dr Mehboob Hussain, Chairman of the History Department at the University of Punjab, noted that across the world, names of historical figures and places are preserved, and Lahore should follow the same principle. “Names like Ganga Ram Hospital, Lakshmi Chowk, and Lawrence Gardens are still part of public memory, reflecting the importance of historical continuity,” said Dr Hussain.

On the other hand, experts have cautioned that the plan’s success will depend on a balanced strategy. PhD scholar on heritage research, Umme Rubab, felt that along with restoring names, public awareness campaigns and improvements in urban infrastructure were also necessary for the initiative to be effective.

Researcher Syed Faizan Naqvi opined that many historic neighbourhoods and markets had lost their original names and restoring them would help connect the younger generation with their history. “Lahore’s true identity lies in its historical names,” shared Naqvi.

However, some citizens have expressed concerns about the plan. They argue that not all name changes would be appropriate, especially for roads and places named after national figures, and such changes could create unnecessary controversy.

The government has not yet released a final list, but initial consultations are ongoing, involving experts, public representatives, and relevant institutions. Officials say the process will be carried out in phases and through consultation to ensure both preservation of heritage and social harmony.