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Zara speaks to Shahroze Khan, a politics and history student and photographer, about the walled city of Lahore. Shahroze explains its history, from its somewhat contentious roots, steeped in Hindu mythology, to the heights of its splendour under the Mughals, followed by its brief period as capital of the Sikh Empire in the 19th century. He discusses the politicisation of history after Partition and the creation of Pakistan, and talks about his favourite buildings and monuments in the Old City. Lastly, we talk about whether enough is being done to preserve the Old City and its historic sites, as well as the controversy surrounding the Tourism Summit recently held by the government of Pakistan.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE
- Shahroze’s week long ‘Insta tour’ of the Old City for Sacred Footsteps
- Navigating the Old City- which is still lived in, rather than preserved for tourists
- Roots of Lahore and its Hindu heritage
- Pluralism of Lahore before partition
- Politicisation of Lahore’s history after partition
- The Mughal period
- Wazir Khan mosque, Jahangir’s tomb, Shalimar Garden and other monuments in the Walled City
- Capital of the Sikh Empire; Sikh buildings still existing
- Lack of preservation of the Old City and its monuments; the situation with Chau Burji; former Hindu temples now being used for other purposes.
- ‘Hidden’ history of the Walled City- sites long forgotten.
- The fate of the city during Partition and the lack of acknowledgement today.
- The Tourism Summit – can the Old City handle more tourism?
- The sidelining of local voices (bloggers, writers, etc) at the Summit in favour of foreign bloggers.
- ‘Gentrification’ of Pakistani tourism?
- Colonial hangover? How white travellers are treated differently to POC travellers.
- Shrines and Islamic history of Lahore
PEOPLE/THINGS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Imagining Lahore: the city that is, the city that was by Haroon Khalid
- Can Pakistan Handle It? The Increasing Challenges of Tourism Management by Rida Arif
- Alex from Lost With Purpose
- Sam Dalrymple
- Everyday Pakistan
- Travel Beautiful Pakistan
- Hazrat Ali Hujwiri
Find Shahroze Khan on Instagram.
