WCLA to complete Arzgah in Lahore Fort by September

LAHORE:The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) & Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan will be completing the conservation of the Mughal era Arzgah, located alongside the Picture Wall of the Lahore Fort, by September 2024.

The building is located alongside the world’s Largest Picture wall and is close behind the Diwan-e-Khaas. This Arzgah was the place where the affluent, or nobles of the royal court, gathered in the morning to receive the Emperor’s commands for the day to day tasks and decisions.

According to history and research by the WCLA, during Sikh era map, this building is referred to as Arzgah, while British travellers called it the Arz Begi, a term denoting an officer who would read letters and petitions to the King.

Najam-us-Saqib Director Conservation WCLA said ‘This building is set to be used as a conference hall in the future, making it ideal for government and corporate meetings. It will be equipped with the state-of-the-art furniture and facilities for the meetings and clients.

The building had been in a dilapidated condition for many years and was used as a warehouse. The Walled City of Lahore Authority with collaboration of AKTC took up the task to preserve it and highlight its historical importance. The repair and restoration work of the Arzgah began in 2023.’

WCLA DG Kamran Lashari said that the cost of this project was Rs2,900,000. The conservation project for this building included various works such as dismantling the decayed kankar lime terraced flooring and installing a new terraced floor, restoring Ghalib Kari, consolidating cracks, waterproofing the roof, and reviving the washroom.

He said the repair and maintenance of the warehouse are scheduled for completion in September 2024. Once the renovation was completed, the building would be opened to tourists.

Kamran Lashari further said that the Authority also plans to use this building for literary activities such as book launches and mushairas. ‘This building holds significant importance among the restored structures of the Lahore Fort, and preserving it for future generations is a primary objective of the Walled City Authority. It had been closed to the general public for long and was made a warehouse. WCLA aims to conserve each corner of the fort and open it up to the tourists and visitors, so that they can have an extensive experience of the fort,’ Lashari concluded.