#lahore
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Detail from Krishna and Indra, Mughal, probably Lahore, ca. 1590. The Harivamsa ,“Genealogy of Hari” was a continuation of the great Sanskrit text, the Mahabharata. The Mughal emperor Akbar ordered it to be translated into Persian so that it could be read by non-Hindus. In this illustration to the text done in about 1590, Krishna sweeps down on the bird Garuda to triumph over Indra, the lord of the gods, riding on the white elephant Airavata, watched by gods and celestial beings. The swirling fabrics, billowing clouds, and the boat in the lower part of the scene, are all the result of the influence on Mughal court artists of European paintings. The original manuscript was dispersed and some pages were remounted for later albums, as here. The borders were probably added in Lucknow in the 18th century.
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Last week, while reading news online I saw the headline “Pregnant woman, aged 23, stoned to death by own family outside of Lahore High Court”. To most it might sound like one of the million awful stories in the news each day – but for me it struck a nerve in a way that has only deepened since.
I’m one month into a three month engagement of working 4-days a week in Pakistan. The Lahore High Court is just about a mile away from where I stay – where I was comfortably sitting at the moment of the attack.
This proximity was my first thought. The insanity of something so physically near yet based on such incomprehensible logic or morals. Our existence was so close, maybe I’ve passed her on the street, we’re even the same age- but our experiences are opposite sides of a coin in a much realer sense than simply life and death.
For your understanding, the basic points of the story are as follows: The woman wanted to marry a man who she loved (and was pregnant by). Her family wanted her to marry a cousin and so went to the court saying she was kidnapped and raped – trying to get the male put in jail. The woman was on the way to the court with a declaration saying she was marrying the man out of her own free will. When she arrived at the court a cousin tried to shoot her, but missed. Then more than 20 relatives attacked her with bricks, crushing her skull.
After reading a few articles on the event, I spoke with some family and friends, here in Pakistan and abroad, about what happened. What I realized was how quick to disassociate people are, and how if I didn’t have the similarity of space, maybe I too would do so. The idea of “they acting like this" or “their problems" are so easy to consider, what’s more difficult is having this event make us think about the similarity to family quarrels, public violence, and female oppression in our own societies. Once we acknowledge that these issues exist everywhere, and give it a foundation that we too share- we can begin to explore the differences in extremity and maybe talk about solutions.
A large part of this disassociation is spurred on by the media- especially in regards to the illogical links to this event and Pakistan being a Muslim nation. Islam fully accepts “love” (self-arranged) marriages and clearly forbids forced marriages, and so shouldn’t play a part in this story. Why it is used, is to emphasize the difference, making it easier to see the attackers as unfamiliar outsiders.
But pushing beyond this attempt to help our disassociation, we can see the foundation of similarity and how the pulse behind this murder is part of something in every society: sexism and ownership. Why people find it acceptable to be unkind (whether saying bad things or killing) is because they value others less than they value themselves. Women most often get the brunt of this oppression because gender is a dichotomy that exists everywhere humanity does, and because it is an easily discernible difference. In family structures, sexism can take on the role of ownership and modern day slavery- i.e “The daughters’ only value is to the father, rather than to themselves”. When this value was taken away by the woman deciding herself who she wants to marry, the reaction was to devalue her through murder. When a parent sees a child’s value as “family reputation” and then the child comes out as homosexual, changes religion, or gets an awful piercing – often they are devalued by being disowned as a way of saying “you have devalued yourself and you do not exist to us or as a part of us”- a symbolic killing. Or, when a woman in America gets 70% of the salary of a male counterpart, she is being devalued as a contributing employee. It happens everywhere, very often to women, and through this extreme event we can reflect on how we skew value of others and maybe think about how we can fix that.
What sometimes makes this harder to accomplish, and did very much so in this case, is when a crowd or the public is involved. More than 20 people attacked the couple, and more than 30 (including police officers), were onlookers. Are we so afraid to hold different value systems than others in our own community that we don’t stand up for someone when they are being attacked?!
If your initial thought to the question above was that this would only happen “over there” then consider the viral video from a week or two ago that showed an actor passing out twice on a crowded Western street, once in a suit and another time dressed to look homeless. When he was in the suit, representing someone that is valued in society, everyone came to his rescue asking if he was okay. When he looked homeless, and unvalued, not a single person stopped to help.
It’s scary to think about standing up for someone, especially in a violent situation, but what’s scarier is when no efficient system is in place to ensure this happens. I’m referring to the on-looking police – which is where the focus of initial reform should be- in proper laws that protect citizens and a police force and judicial system dedicated to righting wrongs. We need to think about how we can make sure we equally value all persons and also make certain that our governments are doing so; governments should be the role models to their citizens.
Of course, for good story telling, one similarity is usually promoted- that of the victim. Which is why the headlines refers to her age, pregnancy, and the story to her “love marriage”. Promoting this familiarity is obviously good- but we need it on both sides so that we don’t just feel bad for the victim but so that we also work to understand our differences with the attackers. Because only when we deeply consider both, can we truly hope that it won’t happen to ourselves AND make sure we don’t do so to others.
It all sounds good, right? The idea of first finding shared foundations, then understanding the differences, and finally seeing how to bridge those differences to a shared respect for all humanity… but is it possible? How hard is it?
Why this event has caused me so many troubling thoughts is that it’s made me momentarily not so optimistic. I can write and talk on and on about the theories above because I’ve studied them closely and I’ve worked in many communities around the world to promote this in small ways- but can change be had with such an insanely low starting point, with a largely unwilling population, and deep societal acceptability (conscious or not) of hatred for others? Can it be done on a large scale? This situation of course being the same in my home country the USA as well as here in Pakistan and all over the world on various issues.
I ask because this is partly what I’m actually here to be doing, and even more so because it is what I’ve been trying to do the past 6+ years. This murder showed me how hard the battle ahead is – how deeply these (de)values are ingrained in people. Can we change anyone’s mind? Even just a little?
It is the last question that, through these moments of doubt, keeps me going. It is a fight worth pursuing, not one we’ll likely see the finish line of, but one that has rewards with each step. To stay motivated I just have to focus on those small rewards, and be guided by and push hard for the end-state but not expect it of anyone, including myself.
As y'all probably figured, I’m not posting as much here anymore because I’ve made it back to the US. But I will continue to post pics and thoughts from my time in Pakistan on my wordpress blog website. Just a heads up, and a thank you to everybody that followed me here.
For now, I’ll leave you with a couple of pics from Lahore. Had a great time there, especially the first day. Wandered the old walled city solo, posed for at least a hundred cell phone “snaps,” had tea in a handful of homes, squeezed into one of those jittery metal kiddie ferris wheels (those things are WAY more exciting than you’d think!) and temporarily joined a biker gang. True story.
Through the sheltering glass (2014) •
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#setlife #shootlife #vivirrodando #travelforwork #travelingram #instatravel #pakistan #thejourneywithin #cinematography #cinematographer #dop #shotoftheday #filmframes #visualsoflife #filmmaking #film #lahore #lategram #cokestudio (at Lahore, Pakistan)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B740x9elCd8/?igshid=1fnvyiyyevlvf
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Bobby completed her matric and later on even got a teaching degree. She has been working with an NGO for quite sometime now and is one of the many people striving to find a decent job. She doesn’t want to sing or dance, she actually despises doing that. But that’s a source of income for her so she has little choice left.
She works day and night to fend for herself. Goes all the way to chaanga maanga, gets clothes which she sells by going door to door. She finds one way or another to earn. This is just amongst the many things she has done in the past years.
Bobby expressed her grief about people not seeing them as anything more. Going to the mosque, some would say “masjid ko tou baksh dou” not for once thinking that they might actually be there to pray just like any of us. We have left them no choice but to sing and dance to earn. Why does this have to be their identity when they can be so much more?
She has worked under a doctors supervision and learnt how to pass a catheter, how to put an I.V and provides this service around the neighbourhood in case of an emergency for which she gets paid.
Her brother having shunned her, she had little choice left but to leave the house and make a little one of her own. One room and one bath.
After we were done talking, she gave me her number and insisted that I contact her if I find any job that she can do. I Cant help but think how different her life would be had she been given the same opportunities as any of us.
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This is from the Eid Project we recently did at the Johar Town Slums. The beautiful smile makes my day. I like to share things that make me smile with the world.
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“My sister fell ill and her medical bills cost 30,000 rupees. My father wasn’t getting his salary on time, so we had no options. I took a loan from the brick kiln and agreed to work for them until it was paid off. Other members of my family did the same. We thought it would only take three months. But when I went to leave, they told me I owed them 90,000 rupees. I couldn’t believe it. They told me I couldn’t leave. It’s like quicksand. They only pay you 200 rupees per 1000 bricks, and it all goes to them, and the debt keeps growing. We are supposed to work from dawn to dusk for six days a week, but we never get the 7th day off. They tell me I owe them 900,000 rupees now. There is no hope for me. Every year they have a market. The brick kiln owners get together and they sell us to each other. Just ten days ago my entire family was sold for 2.2 million rupees.” - Humans Of New York - Lahore, Pakistan.
I just cannot believe. I was never aware of this happening around us. This is so saddening. Definitely this needs to end. I thought such slavery did not exist in this world anymore, sadly it is rooted in my own country. Millions of people on stake..
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Guy catches teargas canister midair during riot in Lahore, Pakistan❗️
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#Chicago #LA #NYC #London #Detroit #Seattle #Boston #Oakland #Providence #Lahore #Rincon #Williamstown
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The Robert Alexander Salon: From Lebanon to Lahore
The Nishat adds another much-needed amenity to its premises — the Robert Alexander Salon and Spa. It has created quite a stir in Lahore with its über modern interior and fantastic installations.
“I wanted The Nishat to be a one-stop shop for our clients, and it is important for a hotel to have a good salon,” says Iqra Hasan Mansha, owner of The Nishat.
“Not only is it important to cater to your spa needs, it is also vital to have good in-house stylists,” she adds. With guests flying in from Karachi and Islamabad for fashion and bridal weeks, and choosing to stay at The Nishat, it only seemed fit to have a state-of -the-art salon to cater to their hair and style needs. This is why it is great that Lebanese salon Robert Alexander has opened its doors to the Lahore market.
“I have always felt that the Lebanese have a great way with hair and are very artistic,” continues Mansha, “when I met Robert, I knew it was time to bring his services to Lahore and bring the hotel not just a great stylist but also an international touch.” (more)
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Transition: Decorated war hero passes away
Pakistan Air Force’s retired air vice marshal Muhammad Younas, who was awarded Tamgha-e-Basalat after 1965 war, passed away on Monday leaving behind two sons and a daughter.
He was suffering from Parkinson’s disease for the past many years. He was buried at Cavalry ground grave yard.
Muhammad Younas was born in July 24, 1933 in Gordaspur, India and received early education in Jhang.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Rizwan Younas said that his father joined the air force as a sepoy and rose up to the rank of an officer.
Muhammad Younus went to the Royal Air Force Academy in Cornwell and was the first Pakistani pilot to shoot down an Indian spyplane in Rawalpindi on April 10, 1959. He was air officer commanding of Northern Air Command in 1985 during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
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![WAPDA House in Lahore, Pakistan by Edward Durell Stone [1967]. Located on Mall Road, serves as the h](https://64.media.tumblr.com/ad3f8c07969aa1e013f432bbcc19e625/tumblr_ot45jhA2Aq1sfvdf5o1_1280.jpg "WAPDA House in Lahore, Pakistan by Edward Durell Stone [1967]. Located on Mall Road, serves as the h")
WAPDA House in Lahore, Pakistan by Edward Durell Stone [1967]. Located on Mall Road, serves as the headquarters of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
“Around 33 kanals and 6 marlas of land were purchased and the existing Mela Ram and Jodha Mal buildings were demolished to make way for the site on Mall Road, where the building now stands. The total construction cost was estimated at ₨42,643,000.[7] Former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto described the project as a symbol of neocolonialism, and called it a “white elephant” due to its enormous cost at the time.[7] Construction was initiated in October 1963 and completed in 1967.[1][2]The civil works and electrification were performed by local engineering firms.[1]Around 17,000 tonnes of cement and 5,650 tonnes of steel were used for the construction, along with a large quantity of wood, plate glass and other masonry materials.[1]
[…]
WAPDA House is oriented into three wings, each with its own entrance: The Mall wing, which provides the main entrance; the tower section, which faces the Charing Cross and Shahdin Manzil; and the Egerton Road wing which faces the Punjab Assembly Chambers.[1] The sub-basement contains parking spaces, and a 400 seat WAPDA Auditorium that is used as a venue for conferences, seminars and public events. The auditorium is equipped with a stage and wide screen projectors.[1] A sunken garden is located in front of the building which is influenced by Mughal themes.[1]
The first floor includes a prayer space for employees. All floors are serviced by a set of lifts, and contain centralised washrooms.[1]The building is centrally air-conditioned.[5] Several years ago, the basement lobby housed the now closed Saloo’s Restaurant which was open to the general public.[3]”
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Fatehpur Sikri is a startling reminder that history and its caretakers did not shy from enjoying the riches they so precariously accumulated.
In 1571, Akbar shifted his capital to Sikri. What may have been the reason behind the sudden change of capital to #Sikri remains unanswered to date, but one of the popular legends revolves around the story of a Sufi Saint Salim Chishti, who lived in Sikri. He foretold Akbar that he would be blessed with three sons if he builds a resting place for him and his followers.
In 1573, he (Akbar) built a big #JamaMasjid around the khanqah of Salim Chishti. He built the Buland Darwaza towards it’s north gate in 1602 which commemorated his victory or ‘fateh’ in the Gujarat campaign. The city later came to be known as Fatehpur Sikri with the increase of colloquial influence.
#Palatial construction began in 1572 and progressed rapidly. The palace complex spanning approximately 250 square metres, was built on two lower platforms and a higher platform, surrounded by a six-kilometre-long walled city with the fourth side facing an artificial lake.
However in 1585, Akbar moved onto the north-western frontiers of his empire and shifted his capital to Lahore and then back to Agra. By 1610, the city of Fatehpur Sikri was completely abandoned.
In 1806, as English occupancy increased around the imperial city of Agra and Fatehpur Sikri was converted into an administrative centre. The Marquess of Hastings started reparations of the complex in 1815 and by 1900s the population of the city markedly decreased to just 7000 inhabitants.
Today #FatehpurSikri is a #UNESCO World Heritage site which was once the first planned city by Mughals in the northern part of India. It was much larger and more popular than London at the time according to Ralph Fitch, a 16th century English traveller. Fatehpur Sikri’s structure and layout influenced the design and construction of Shahjahanabad or old Delhi.
Written by: @a.h.e.e.d
Edited by: @_ishitaraj_
Pictures by: @parvezkhan
Repost from @thewonderofhindusta
#mughal #mughalhistory #mughalempire #fatehpursikri #akbar #indianhistory #salimchisti #olddelhi #indianheritage #mughalcapital #lahore #incredibl
https://www.instagram.com/p/CcMXryWv4lL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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