LAHORE- Pakistan is a rich land in terms of history, culture, heritage, and many civilizations have been ruling here in the past which left a great impact on the lifestyle of the region. Lahore is the cultural hub of Punjab, this city has embedded layers of history in its surface.
The walled city, Lahore represents the culture of the past and one cannot miss going to the narrows streets which lead to the markets, havelis and many worth visiting places, one such treasure of Walled city is the ‘Fakir Khana museum’. The museum is located about 500m inside Bhatti Gate on the right-hand side. The museum was previously home to the Fakir family, who have lived in Lahore since the 18th century. It is said to be the largest private collection in South Asia, with over 13,000 pieces of art.
The fakir family ancestors were the minister of ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh’, who was the great warrior of Punjab in the 19th century. The family was basically a fakir (Muslim ascetic) from Bukhara whose three sons achieved prominence in the court of Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh, despite being Muslims. One son was royal physician, another a foreign minister and the third a finance minister. Largely as a result of their ties with Ranjit Singh, they amassed many valuable antiquities, as director hand-me-down gifts. Later generations preserved these pieces and collected more objets d’art during travels abroad.
The museum display consists of precious items which include relics of the Prophet Mohammed (on public display for one day during the Islamic month of Muharram), early Qurans and other illuminated manuscripts, miniature paintings, porcelain pieces, old coins, Islamic artwork, carvings, clothes worn by the Mughal emperors, a small armoury of Sikh weapons and carpets from the royal courts.
Let’s have a look at some of the treasures of the Fakir Khana museum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX8KcordQPo
The museum is not only visited by the locals but many foreign tourists especially visit the museum and get amazed by watching their glorious Ancestral heritage. It is the first private museum of Lahore which is promoting the culture of Lahore nationally and internationally.
Visiting the place is surely a treat for history and culture lovers!
