Restoration projects in Lahore Fort complete

LAHORE:Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in partnership with Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has completed conservation of Shah Burj, waterproofing of Sheesh Mahal attic roof, Naulakha Pavilion and drainage improvement in Shah Burj section in Lahore Fort.

Shah Burj complex has been restored and conserved with generous funding of Royal Norwegian Embassy. Rs41 million (USD 367,000) on Digital Documentation of Lahore Fort and Rs147 million on Conservation of Shah Burj Complex were spent. The conservation of Shah Burj was started in 2017 and completed in 2021. The Shah Burj refers to a block of monuments located in the north-western corner of the Lahore Fort, which includes circa 635 ft segment of the picture wall as the apron wall, famous Naulakha Pavilion, Shah Burj Gate and the Sheesh Mahal attic roof and quadrangle at the upper level with serious water drainage related issues.

Under this project the picture wall was also conserved. The conservation of the picture wall western side was completed in 2019 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Similarly, work on NW section of picture wall was carried out from April 2019 to December 2020. The process of conservation included the stabilisation and consolidation of the picture wall’s structure, as well as its decorative elements, and warranted the expertise of both heritage crafts as well as conservators. It also included excavation in order to expose Mughal-era floor level which is 7 feet below the present ground level and linking that with water disposal system. The total surface area of picture wall is 97,442 sq ft and 50pc is completed with restoration 48,283 sq ft of façade area in Shah Burj section. Similarly, the Shah Burj Gate, which forms part of the famous picture wall in the Lahore Fort, is the principal entrance to the fort complex. The gate was constructed during the period of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631-32.

The conservation of the Shah Burj Gate was carried out from June 2019 to March 2020. Naulakha Pavilion is a 17th century white marble monument from the era of Mughal ruler Shah Jahan (1932 AD). It has also been conserved under the Shah Burj Project components in June 2021.

Consolidation of the entire pavilion was carried out by dismantling the damaged area in piecemeal and fixing the cracked marble pieces using thick epoxy and replacing the iron clamps with stainless steel clamps. For the decorative work a detailed grouting process was carried out using lime-based mortar in varying consistency filling the gaps behind the panels and ensuring reattachment with the brickwork.

In the same project the waterproofing of Sheesh Mahal attic roof was also done which was in a dilapidated condition. It was constructed under the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631-32.

Attic rooms adjacent to Sheesh Mahal main area were in state of disrepair and need immediate conservation. Through this project all decayed wooden elements of 6,335 sq ft roof, structural consolidation, conservation of decorative elements along with water rerouting would be completed by January 2021. Lahore Fort’s storm water drainage system no longer functions properly due to successive transformations that have affected the drains.