The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP) are set to complete the preservation of the Mughal-era Arzgah by September 2024.
This historic structure, located alongside the Picture Wall of the Lahore Fort, will be transformed into a conference hall equipped with state-of-the-art furniture and facilities, making it ideal for government and corporate meetings, according to WCLA Director of Conservation Najam-us-Saqib.
Najam-us-Saqib highlighted that the Arzgah had been in a state of disrepair for many years, serving as a warehouse. The WCLA, in collaboration with AKTC, embarked on its preservation to emphasize its historical significance, with restoration work commencing in 2023.
WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari shared that the conservation project cost approximately 2.9 million Pakistani Rupees. The restoration included dismantling the decayed kankar lime terraced flooring, installing a new one, restoring Ghalib Kari, consolidating cracks, waterproofing the roof, and reviving the washroom facilities.
The repair and maintenance work is expected to be completed by September 2024. Once restored, the building will be opened to tourists and used for literary activities such as book launches and poetry recitals. The Arzgah is a significant historical structure within the Lahore Fort, and the WCLA aims to conserve and open up each corner of the fort to enhance the visitor experience of its rich heritage.
Located next to the world’s largest Picture Wall and behind the Diwan-e-Khaas, the Arzgah was historically a gathering place for wealthy and noble members of the royal court, where they would receive the Emperor’s instructions and directives for the day’s tasks and decisions.
Historical records and research by the WCLA indicate that during the Sikh era, this building was referred to as the Arzgah. However, British travelers and observers at the time called it the Arz Begi, a term referring to an officer who would read letters and petitions to the King.
