A STUDY OF THE CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE OF

PIRZADA MANSION, LAHORE, PAKISTAN

A. M. Malik*
M. Rashid**
S. S. Haider***
A. Jalil****

ABSTRACT 1050, which shows that its existence was due to its placement
along the major trade route through Central Asia and the
Built heritage is not merely about living quarters, but it Indian subcontinent. The city was regularly marred by
also reflects the living standards, cultural norms and values invasion, pillage, and destruction (due to its lack of
of any society. The old built heritage gives references to the geographical defenses and general over exposure) until
past, the way people used to live and their living 1525, when it was sacked and then settled by the Mughal
arrangements. This is done by understanding the spatial emperor Babur. Sixty years later it became the capital of the
layouts of that particular built heritage. This research aims Mughal Empire under Akbar, and in 1605 the Fort and city
to focus on documenting a historic building from the colonial walls were expanded to the present day dimensions. From
period located in the walled city of Lahore, to highlight the the mid-18th century until British colonial times, there was
need and significance of conservation of these historical a fairly lawless period in which most of the Mughal Palaces
buildings that are neglected and under threat. The method (havelis) were destroyed, marking a decrease in social norms
of research adopted for this paper was to document this and association with the built environment, that has continued
building via an ethnographic analysis using photographic unabattingly till today. Much of the walled fortification of
surveys, questionaires, interviews from government the city was destroyed following the British annexation of
authorities (Walled City of Lahore Authority) and local the region in 1849, as both a defensive measure to allow the
residents, and several site visits for detailed documentation. colonists to better control the city and because of a
This paper aims to identify the aesthetics and structural commercial objective in order to resale the bricks for new
threats and other aspects of the Pirzada Mansion, which is projects (PEPAC, 1993). In 1864 many sections of the wall
a splendid example of the British colonial period and is had been rebuilt. Major physical contributions of the British
located in Walled City of Lahore. to the old city consisted of piped water and well system,
established right outside the former walls. The building of
Keywords: Pirzada Mansion, Walled City, Deterioration, the railroad and a station well outside the old city, set the
Damage, Conservation, Lahore. stage for later expansion. A new wave of destruction washed
INTRODUCTION over the city in 1947, following the partition of British
colonial India into the Hindu majority nations of India and
Lahore is a multi ethnic city filled with diverse architecture the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The resulting inter-
belonging to different areas. It is the capital of the province communal strife destroyed wide areas of the urban fabric,
of Punjab, the most fertile area of Pakistan and the chief some of which was repaired by the 1952 Punjab Development
producer of agricultural products for the country. The earliest of Damaged Areas Act. Many of the arriving Muslim families
credible records of the city date its establishment to around from India moved into the emigrating Hindu residences,

* A. M. Malik, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management of Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
Email correspondance: ayesha.malik@umt.edu.pk
** M. Rashid, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management of Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
Email correspondance: meoona.rashid@umt.edu.pk
*** S. S. Haider, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management of Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
Email correspondance: sajjad.haider@umt.edu.pk
**** A. Jalil, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management of Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
Email correspondance: adnan.jalil@umt.edu.pk

34 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
although the low land values of the old city established the SELECTION OF THE PIRZADA MANSION
concentration of lower income groups in the city center,
The Walled City of Lahore is enriched with a multi-
with wealthier families residing outside the fortification
diversified timeline from Mughal to Sikh great British
wall. In the 1950's an organization called the Lahore
architecture. History has left buildings from all the eras
Improvement Trust attempted to initate a plan for commercial
(both original and transitions of the either two eras) (Table
development in the old city, but these efforts were largely
1, Figures 1 and 2). A lot of work has been done in order
without effect. Between the early 1970s and '80s, 29% of
to preserve these historic legacies yet a few are still untouched
the old city population moved out. The Walled City of Lahore
and are under severe threat. There are many glorious
is the product of the cultural influences of atleast three major
buildings from the Sikh colonial period that show splendid
empires in the subcontinent of India: the Mughal Empire,
architectural elements of the two periods, out of which the
the British colonial presence, and the modern nation-state
Pirzada Mansion is selected for this study, based on its
of Pakistan. As a result of its position along a major trade
architectural and regional milieu. This building has private
route, it has also been influenced by many other, less dominant
ownership and there are no such national policies that apply
cultures, such as Afghanistan and China. Unlike Peshawar,
on it.
which has lost much of its larger scaled architectural past,
and Islamabad, which can only boast modern monumental LOCATION
architecture of some merit, Lahore contains some of the best Pirzada Mansion is an old Haveli located on Fort Road, in
expmples of all the empires which have touched it, as well close proximity to the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and
as smaller scale vernacular architecture. the Walled City. The area of the haveli is 3880 sq.ft. It was
constructed in the colonial period and is called “Pirzada
Mansion”, also known as Peerzada House.

Table-1: Famous Sikh Colonial Havelis in Walled City During Sikh and British Eras.
Havelis from the Illustration Havelis From The Illustration
Sikh Colonial Period Sikh Colonial Period

Haveli Diwan Din Nath, Noori Manzil, Lohari Gate

Dehli Gate

Lal Haveli, Mochi Gate Haveli of Prince Nau

Nihal Singh
Now “Victoria Higher
Secondary School”

Haveli of Khushal Singh and Haveli Barood Khana,

Dhian Singh, Cluster of Heera mandi, Lahore
Havelis Also Known as
Chuna Mandi Havelis

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 35
 VI
RA
R
VE
TO KABU
L RI

SHAHDARA

KOT KHWAJA
SAEED
CHAH MIRAN MUGHAL PURA

G. T. RO
AD SULTAN PURA

NAULAKHA
BEGUM PURA HI
DEL
DATA TO
DARBAR
TRIPOLIA

MOHALLA
ZAYN KHAN

MOZANG

AN
LT
MU
TO NAWAN KOT

ICHHRA

Figure-1: Location of havelis outside Walled City of Lahore. Figure-2: Examples of plans of havelis in Lahore.

The site of Pirzada Mansion is located in the oldest part of and Grand Mosque complex (Figure 3). During the British
Lahore, approximately three hundred meters from the rule the wall of the city was demolished and the esplanade
‘Roshnai’ Gate of the ‘Walled City’, connecting to the Fort of the Fort complex, where the site is located, was inhabited.

Figure-3: Pirzada Mansion’s (Haveli) location plan.

36 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
The Fort Road, along the southern façade and main entrance RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
of the haveli, has since then become one of the main vehicular
routes into the ‘Walled City’. The northern (rear) gate of the After a detailed study of the Pirzada Mansion many historical
haveli opens into a courtyard across which lies the famous and cultural evidences were revealed, that indicated its
‘Cuckoo’s Café’(Figure 4). The eastern wall faces the outer architectural significance (Figures 5 and 6). Pirzada Mansion
fortifications of the Lahore Fort. To the west of the is one gem among all the colonial era buildings found here.
consolidated property, a 9 ft wide lane connects the Fort It seems to be inspired in style and design by buildings
Road to the rear courtyard space. conspicuously popular among the Sikhs, primarily the

The main building, as suggested by a plaque on its north

entrance, dates to 1930 and was built in the name of Lala
Sita Ram Mehra, the Municipal Commissioner, and son of
late Gobind Ram Sahib, a lawyer in High Court Punjab. The
construction of the mansion is a fine example of local
traditional and decorative techniques.The roof top vista
provides a commanding view of the Badshahi Mosque, the
Lahore Fort and Gardens. The name ‘Pirzada Mansion is
inscribed above the southern entrance door, suggesting a
change of ownership after the partition of the Sub Continent.
It is a five story plus one (mumty floor plan) structure, of
approximately 57 ft height. The construction of the haveli
comprises of traditional brick and kankar lime.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research was based on ethnographic analysis of the area

and the building occupancy, thus the data for this study was
collected from various sources of historic literature,
architectural offices (project based research), books, research
papers, newspaper clippings, interviews (local authorities),
questionnaires (from occupants of the area). The data was
further verified by the examination of the building. Frequent
visits of the site were also done to enhance the documentation.
The collected data was then analyzed with reference to the
urban configuration of horizontal and vertical arrangements
of the structure, its present condition and the need for
conservation.

Figure-4: Front view of Pirzada Mansion.

Figure-5: External view of the Pirzada Mansion. Figure-6: Internal view of the Pirzada Mansion.

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 37
religious monuments. Their secular edifices such as fortresses, house has a basement, ground floor, first floor, mezzanine
palaces, samadhis (mausoleums built over places of floor, second floor and top floor (mumty floor), with the
cremation), havelis (fortified houses), bungas (residential centralized courtyard that is supported by columns, thick
cum educational houses) and educational institutions, are walls of 13 inches. The courtyard makes the building warmer
no different from the contemporary style which is generally in winters and cooler in summer, and protects the severe
a mixture of Mughal and Rajput Architecture, or as Percy weather to enter the building. Some changes have been
(Browne, 1942) an art historian, has described, a late form incorporated in the last 40 years in which rooms near the
of the Mughal style of architecture. back entrance have been repaired the entrance of the basement
has been closed for security issues, decorative columns have
Architectural Significance been replastered and the room on the front also has been
replastered. Furthermore, the stair near the back entrance
Prominent examples of this type of architecture are the of the haveli has been altered.
Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore and the Khalsa
College in Amritsar. Whereas massive columns, portals, The layout of the haveli is similar to the typical plans of
inner structures, bukharchas (three or four paneled projecting havelis having a courtyard and a central space around which
windows in a row) on penda or gharvahj (projecting base) different rooms have been arranged (Figures 10-15).
in the shape of bisected open lotus, the chhatns (kiosks) on
the parapet, all trace back their origin to Rajput Architecture. The haveli was built in the traditional brick and ‘kankar
The dome, arches, minarets and underground cellars bear lime’ construction. Repairs have been done in portland
the stamp of Mughal style architecture (Figure 7). Religious cement mortar. The columns are massive and reflect a design
buildings of the Sikhs, the gurdwaras, also display essentially style beloging to that period and can be noticed in the
eclectic nature of the architectural design, but they at the elevation (Figure 16). The columns are based on vine, plant,
same time possess some special features, and present an flower, bird and animal motifs. (Figures 18-20). The main
identifiable picture of a style which can doubtlessly be called entrance to the haveli is decorated with floral designs.
Sikh architecture.

One of the major distinctive features of Sikh shrines seems

to be the presence of pillars and pilasters. The shafts are
mostly plain, without any carving, except the vertical lines
of accession. The capitals consist of floral or foliage designs
(Figure 8). Some of the noticeable architectural features
found in these building are jharokas, carved wooden doors,
raised platforms, massive columns, floral ornamentations,
Rajput architecture arches, bas-reliefs of geometrical, floral
and other designs, interior – stucco work, fresco paintings,
column friezes based on vine, plant, flower, bird, animal
motifs and windows with jaalis (Arshi, 1985). The Pirzada

Figure-8: Stucco Pillar.

Figure-7: Entrance Stone. Figure-9: View from top.

38 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
 7
45’-4 16 ”

RAISE FLOOR LEVEL CRACK IN FLOOR

ROOM
15’-4”X11’-9”
DOUBLE HEIGHT DAMAGED PLASTER
ROOM
FP CLOSED REMOVE BD 15’-5 1/2”X11’-9” FP CLOSED
SLIGHT DIP IN FLOOR DOUBLE HEIGHT

PROTECT SIDE PRESERVE DOOR FRAME PROTECT SIDE

AGAINST WEATHER BATH AGAINST WEATHER
ROOM
12’-0 1/2”X6’-8” 9’-11 1/2”X14’-0”
CH 10’-0” DOUBLE HEIGHT
PRESERVE FLOOR

DAMAGED PLASTER CRACK IN FLOOR FP CLOSED

LOBBY
REPAIR FLOOR 12’-2”X21’-10” CRACK IN WALL
DOUBLE HEIGHT
+2’-0” BUCKLING IN WALL REMOVE PIPES
FROM WALL
ROOM
FP CLOSED 12’-0 1/2”X13’-10 1/2” INSERTION OF NEW COLS.
DOUBLE HEIGHT REINF.CELING DIP IN FLOOR
REINF. / EXTEND BALCONY
BATH
9’-11 1/2”X6’-8”
8”X8” GULLEY TRAP CH 10’-0” CRACK IN WALL

VER.
STORE CH 10’-0”
5’-1 1/2”X4’-0” LAUNDRY +2’-2”
REMOVE FIXTURE 4’-3”X4’-0” LINTEL CRACK
REPLASTER CEILING
EXPOSED REINF.
DAMAGED PILLARS CRACK IN WALL
REPLASTER ROOM
REMOVE FIXTURE KITCHEN
10’-1 1/2”X7’-10” LINTEL CRACK LINTEL CRACK
CH10’-0”
+2’-0” VER.
CH 10’-0”
+2’-2”

LINTEL CRACK STORE REMOVE BSMINT

10’-2”X7’-10” ENTRANCE
CH10’-0”
LINTEL CRACK

CRACK BELOW STR.

CRACK IN WALL COURTYARD
DAMP BELOW STR. LINTEL CRACK 22’-11”X38’-0” DAMP IN FLOOR
+1’-6” DIP IN FLOOR
DAMP IN CEILING
BATH
5’-10”X6’-5” SEVERE DAMPNESS
IN WALL & CEILING
BUCKLING IN FLOOR
CRACK IN FLOOR

DAMP IN FLOOR
PORCH DIP IN FLOOR
10’-1 1/2”X17’-5 1/2”
CH 11’-6”
FP CLOSED
CRACK IN WALL ROOM
8’-10”X11’-2”
CRACK IN FLOOR CH 10’-0”

7
48’-4 16 ”

Figure-10: Ground floor plan.

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 39
 CRACK IN
LINTEL

DN STAIR
10’-0”X11’-9”

CRACK IN SLAB
EDGE
DAMAGED

STORE
12’-0 1/2”X5’-8”
CH 7’-5”
CRACK IN LINTEL SILL
SITABILATY
WINDOW ABOVE
BELLOW
LOBBY CRACK IN WINDOW SILL

CRACK IN BALCONY
CRACK IN WALL CRACK IN BALCONY
WATERTANK
EXPIRE STEEL

LAUNDRY CRACK
STORE WINDOW ABOVE CRACK THROUGH STAIR IN WALL
4’-9 1/2”X4’-2 1/2
5’-8”X4’-2 1/2

CRACK IN LINTEL
CRACK
BALCONY CRACK IN WALL
CRACK IN WALL

ROOM
10’-1 1/2”X13’-0”
FP CLOSED CH 7’-5”

CRACK IN FLOOR CRACK IN BALCONY

REAPER
CEILING
CRACK IN WALL
LINTEL CRACK
CRACK IN LINTEL
CRACK IN WALL

CRACK IN LINTEL
CRACK IN BALCONY

CRACK IN
CRACK IN LINTEL CEILING

CRACK IN WALL
ROOM CRACK IN FLOOR
10’-2”X17’-5”
CH 7’-5”

ROOM
8’-10”X11’-3”
CH 7’-5”

BALCONY BALCONY

Figure-11: Mezzanine floor plan.

40 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
 CRACK IN BELOW ABOVE

CRACK IN FLOOR
STAIR
SOME CRACK BUT CRACK
ROOM IN TAKE
ROOM
FP CLOSED ROOM FP CLOSED

DAMPNESS IN CRACK IN WALL

CEILING OF LANDING

CRACK IN WALL
ROOM
FP CLOSED
CRACK IN WALL
LOUNGE
CRACK IN CRACK IN WALL
FP CLOSED BALCONY FLOOR
CRACK IN SILL & DAMPNESS
ROOM CRACK FLOOR

CRACK
CRACK FLOOR (MAY BE
CRACKED IN BATH
VIBRATE IN FLOOR)
CRACK IN SILL
CRACK
CRACK IN WALL
CRACK IN WALL

BATH CRACK

CRACKS IN BALCONY
CRACK
LOWER
BADLY DAMAGED TERRACE
CRACK IN WALL FLOOR SEVERE CRACK IN WALL
CRACK

BATH VER.
CRACKS IN BALCONY
CRACK IN LINTEL
& WALL CRACK IN WALL

DAMPNESS & CRACK

IN FLOOR ABOVE VALL
SEVERE DAMPNESS
& CRACK IN CEILING

CRACKS IN LINTEL
CRACKS IN BALCONY

RUSTING/ DAMPNESS IN CEILING TREE GROWTH

KITCHEN
9’-3”X17’-3” ROOM
CRACKS IN BALCONY 9’-3”X11’-4”
CRACK

CRACKS IN FP
TREE GROWTH CRACK IN LINTEL SEVERE DAMPNESS
FRONT FACADE WALL

BALCONY BALCONY
TERRACE
CRACK IN SHADE CRACK IN SHADE

Figure-12: First floor plan.

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 41
 CRACK

CRACK IN CORNER

MAJOR CRACK IN ROOF

DAMPNESS
ROOM
ROOM

CRACK IN
CRACK IN WALL WALL
DAMPNESS
CRACK IN CORNER

CRACK CRACK CRACK

CRACK IN LINTEL
CRACK IN LINTEL DAMPNESS & CRACK WALL
TO BANCH BOVE

CRACK TERRACE CRACK

CRACK CRACK
CRACK

CRACK
CRACK CRACK
CRACK CRACK

CRACK

UPPER FACED
CEILING CRACK
AT PARAPET
EDGE

CRACK IN LINTEL

CRACK IN CEILING
W/C VOID

CRACK

TARRACE

2’-0” HIGHT
MUMMTY COHKET
CRACK

SEAT TOP 2’-0” SEAT TOP 2’-0”

Figure-13: Second floor plan.

42 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
 CRACK IN SILL CRACK IN SILL
TERRACE TERRACE
CRACK IN ROOF
FLOOR DAMAGED
CRACK IN SILL CRACK IN LINTEL

STAIR
SEAT TOP SEAT TOP
BOTTOM BOTTOM

CRACKING BANCH
& WALL

LOW ROOF

VIOD
O. H. W. T.

LOW ROOF LOW ROOF

Figure-14: Mummty floor plan.

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 43
 FOOT PRNT G.F. WALL
PROPERTY LINE

WALL THIKNESS NOT CONFIRMED

ROOM
13’-10”X5’-7 1/2”
WALL THIKNESS NOT CONFIRMED

WALL FOOTING LINES

HALL
13’-10”X10’-9 1/2”
BEAM 9” DROP

WALL FOOTING LINES

BEAM 9” DROP BEAM 9” DROP

HALL
27’-10”X7’-7”

PROPERTY LINE

Figure-15: Basement plan.

44 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
Figure-16: Front and side elevations. Figure-17: Section.

Figure-18: Front façade of the haveli. Figure-19: Architectural elements adorning the front façade.

In the interior, doors and windows are made of wood. They

mostly have an arched profile (Figure 21). The number of
windows and jharokas indicate the affluence of the owner.
The havelis of the time were commonly known for the
amount of wooden windows and carved doors (Fatima,
2013). The windows at the top have painted glass; they were
used for generating patterns with the help of sunlight within
the building. The arches were a common part of the buildings
from that era, and were mostly taken from the Rajput
architecture, hence the name Rajput arches (Figures 22- 23).

It is understandable from the plans that the mumty floor had

terraces on both sides, with a staircase on the left one (Figures
24-25). The roof top vista provided a commanding view of
the Grand Badshahi Mosque, the Fort and the Gardens. As
the haveli is located in a sandwiched plot the front façade
is most important from conservation point of view. The rear
Figure-20: Ornamentation on front façade of the haveli. elevation is shown in Figure 26.

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 45
The haveli is located on a street that is only 35 ft wide.
There are no compulsory open spaces left between buildings,
and there were no bye-laws that were enforced at the time
of the construction of the haveli. So the ventilation and air
circulation is from the central courtyard of the haveli, that
is around eighteen feet in width and thirty four feet in length,
with the doors and windows opening into it (Figure 27).
The perepheral walls, including the mezzanine floor are

Figure-22: Rajput arch framing the doorway.

Figure-21: Wooden windows in the interior of the haveli.

Figure-23: Rajput arch framing the doorway. Figure-24: Terrace on right, showing the staircase leading to the rooftop.

46 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
double height with each wall having, atleast four to six Conservation Significance
windows, making the rooms well lit and having proper
ventilation. Some wooden doors and windows used in its It has been analyzed that in built heritage ageing has always
construction are still in their original condition. Each room been a vital factor of decay, but there are some other factors
has an open space in front of it, which become internal too which accelerate the deterioration of the monument. As
courtyards with openings, making the place comfortable. In per Sir Bernard “of the causes of decay in historic building,
winters these spaces are used to take sun bath by the family the most uniform and universal is gravity followed by the
members of the haveli whereas in summers this courtyard actions of man and then by diverse climatic and environmental
helps ventilate the house. Thick walls (13 inches) also help effect” (Mughal, 1995). There is no single cause responsible
to make the house cool in summers and warm in winters. for the deterioration and decay of Pirzada Mansion.

The neighbourhood of Pirzada Manison is now being used

as a food street but previously it was not used as a public
place but as a residential area. These havelis have now been
converted into restaurants and cafes. Although this has been
a successful social attempt to bring people, to the old parts
of Lahore yet there are parking issues, issues of traffic flow
and emission of carbon monoxide which damages the façade
of the historical buildings. No proper garbage disposal system
is in place and there is absenc of dustbins, street furniture,
water dispensers and garbage collection systems. Some of
Figure-25: View from the mumty floor.

Figure-26: Rear side of the haveli. Figure-27: A view of the courtyard.

Figure-28: Dampness on walls seenin the interior. Figure-29: Unstable soil conditions in the contect.

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 47
the other reasons behind the deterioration of the haveli are objective behind this research was to recommend the idea
discussed in detail in the following section. that the haveli should be preserved for future generations.
It not only adds to the cultural heritage, but is an example
Rain and Moisture of a rich architectural edifice having interesting elements
and features. In contrast to the adaptive re-use of the building,
In Lahore the average rainfall is twenty inches annually. it should be restored or conserved on priority basis with
Rain has damaged the masonry above the ground level and immediate and long term plans. The objective of retaining
penetration of rainwater through capillary action has caused its original usage is that, at times, the original identity of
decay of structure internally. At some places in the haveli, the building is lost while preparing it for adaptive re-use.
this water penetration has also caused dampness (Figure And for this reason the proper conservation plan must be
28). made first.
Sensible maintenance and repair can reduce the necessity
Topography and its Effects for restoration work in historic buildings, as it is extremely
important to maintain the originality of historic building,
The nature of the ground and stability of soil, on which the with minimum interventions. A detailed conservation plan
building is erected are of an utmost importance. The site is is essential before carrying out any restoration work, as it
located in an area with up to thirty feet of back fill, making helps to decide which part of the building needs replacement
it extremely unstable. Normally the back fill is upto 3 ft and which part can be preserved after minor repair. “Any
(Figure 29). intervention must be minimum, necessary and be allowed
the maximum amount of existing material to be retained."
Man Made Causes (Fielden, 2003) As already mentioned, after the foundation
survey, it was clear that the foundation of the building is
The haveli has also been adversely affected by political highly unstable. In order to enhance the structural support
instability in the region, general neglect and traffic and air and to resolve the problem, piling is the immediate solution.
pollution within the immediate context. Furthermore, regular pointing and grouting is necessary. It
is necessary to restore the surrounding environment of the
CONCLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS building. Surroundings must be kept clean. It is also necessary
to use the original material in case any conservation work
A detailed study of the architectural significance of the is done to restore the building.
building, that is located in one of the oldest parts of Lahore,
concludes that the building has seen years of wear and tear The conservation of a heritage building is generally perceived
under all kinds of weather conditions. Apart from the natural to be in the long term interest of the society as built heritage
deterioration to the various parts of the building that has led plays a very important role in developing the identity of a
to the structural cracks and depletion of the structure of the city. It helps people to stay connected to religion, traditions,
mansion, the whole structure is standing on scaffoldings culture and beliefs. This study directs towards the requirement
which is a threat to the structure. The owners are no more for a proper conservation policy to be initiated by the
interested in retaining the structure and they want it to be government, that should take measures for the conservation
demolished and a new building to be builtin its place. Wasif of heritage buildings and respect the Antiquities Acts that
Ali Associates Design office, an architectural firm, was was made for the sake of protection of old heritage buildings.
approached to propose on the location a five star hotel, but Pirzada Mansion requires the attention of the Government
due to serious structural threats it was advised that instead of Pakistan. Heavy traffic flow should be discouraged near
of the original structure, a new structure for the new function the haveli, as according to the Antiquity Act of 1975 no
should be built by demolishing either the whole structure vehicular traffic or construction should be done within 2000
of Pirzada Mansion or parts of it. This proposal was not ft of a historic edifice. This and similar laws and policies
approved by the Walled City Authority and they have taken should be enacted to help preserve this and other such
a stay against the demolition of the structure. The major buildings.

48 Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue)
REFERENCES

Arshi, P. S., 1985, Sikh Architecture, Delhi.

Browne, P., 1942, Indian Architecture: Buddhist and Hindu Period, Tobey Press, India

Fatima Q., 2013, “Haveli Bakhshi Ram-A Unique Potohar Architecture”, viewed- 02-05-2017., from
https://quratulainfatima.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/haveli-bakhshi-ram-a-unique-potohar-architecture

Fielden, B. M., 2003, Conservation of Historic Building, Architectural Press, London.

M. R. Mughal, 1995, Legislation for the Protection and Management of Archeological Heritage of Pakistan: UNESCO:
Educational Publishers, Karachi

Pakistan Environmental Planning and Architectural Consultants Ltd. (PEPAC), 1993, "Monograph of the Walled City of
Lahore", Pack Art Press (Pvt) Ltd., Lahore.

Journal of Research in Architecture and Planning: Vol. 24, 2018 (First Issue) 49