Bhubaneswar: A quiet but significant cultural shift is underway in Lahore as authorities begin restoring historic names of roads and localities that had been altered during decades of Islamisation following Partition.
Nearly 80 years after Partition, several old neighbourhood and landmark names associated with the city’s multicultural past are gradually reappearing in public usage and official references. Areas such as Islampura are once again being referred to as Krishan Nagar, while Babri Masjid Chowk has reportedly been renamed Jain Mandir Chowk.
Over the past two months, authorities have implemented multiple such name restorations with relatively limited public opposition. Other notable changes include Sunnatnagar reverting to Santnagar, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Chowk being referred to again as Lakshmi Chowk, and Mustafaabad returning to its older name Dharampura. Historic roads including Queens Road and Jail Road are also increasingly being identified by their traditional names.
The initiative is reportedly part of a broader heritage revival vision supported by Nawaz Sharif, aimed at reconnecting Lahore with its older civilisational and cultural identity. Officials involved in the project have stated that the effort is intended to preserve historical memory that continued to survive socially even after official names had changed.
The renaming and restoration drive falls under the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival, a large-scale conservation initiative launched in 2025 under Maryam Nawaz. The programme reportedly carries an estimated budget of around 50 billion Pakistani rupees and focuses on restoring Lahore’s historic architecture, urban character and public infrastructure.
Authorities are currently undertaking conservation work on dozens of colonial-era structures while also improving drainage systems, shifting overhead wiring underground and removing encroachments around heritage zones.
Officials say the larger objective is not merely infrastructure restoration but the revival of Lahore’s historically diverse cultural identity shaped over centuries by Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and colonial influences.
Historic religious and cultural sites including temples, gurdwaras and churches are also reportedly undergoing restoration as part of the broader urban heritage initiative.
Once regarded as one of the subcontinent’s major cultural centres, Lahore is now witnessing renewed efforts to reconnect with its shared historical legacy and architectural heritage.
-OdishaAge
