Friday 7 November 2014

Haveli Nau Nihal Singh, Lahore

by Muhammad Ali Khwaja

This lofty Haveli is reckoned among the most magnificent buildings of the old city of Lahore, in Punjab, Pakistan. It was built by Prince Nau Nihal Singh (died 1840), son of Maharaja Kharak Singh (who was son of the famous Maharaja Ranjit Singh) as his private residence. It contains numerous spacious chambers, halls and balconies. The ceilings are decorated with paintings and mirrors, and are worked in gold. The walls are richly and tastefully ornamented with glasses and painted flowers. The back of this haveli is richly decorated with stucco carving. The Haveli was taken over by the British Government when Punjab was annexed in 1849 and converted into the first public school for girls, named the 'Victoria Higher Secondary School' later the  'Government Victoria Girls High School'.

Today, this historic old haveli still survives but is in need of careful and loving preservation.


For comprehensive details and nice photographs please see http://www.sikhchic.com/architecture/the_haveli_of_maharaja_naunihal_singh_a_jewel_in_the_heart_of_lahore



 
                        (c) Old/Walled City of Lahore Development Authority site, Govt of Pakistan, 2014,                                    acknowledged with thanks 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave a constructive comment, which will be only posted after approval of admins.