Punjab plans to restore original names of Lahore’s historic landmarks

LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a broad plan to bring back the original names of historic localities, roads and landmarks in Lahore, saying the move is intended to reinforce the city’s historical identity and deepen its link with its cultural heritage.

Officials said the initiative is aimed at presenting Lahore more effectively from cultural and tourism perspectives by highlighting the continuity of its past. They noted that Lahore has remained a centre of several civilisations over centuries and carries influences from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and British periods.

According to officials, political, religious and administrative changes over time led to the renaming of many neighbourhoods, roads and buildings, pushing older historical names into the background. They said several places had previously been renamed, including Krishan Nagar as Islampura, Dharampura as Mustafabad and Ram Gali as Rehman Gali.

They added that Mall Road was renamed Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Mohan Lal Bazaar became Urdu Bazaar, Abbott Road was changed to Ghaznavi Road, Lahore Stadium was renamed Gaddafi Stadium, Gol Bagh became Nasir Bagh and Minto Park was renamed Iqbal Park. Officials said many of these newer names did not fully take hold among the public and that the changes had, to some extent, obscured Lahore’s historical identity.

Under the proposed plan, the original names would be restored to reconnect residents with the city’s past and revive its cultural character. Kamran Lashari, secretary of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival, said the city’s streets, markets and roads form an essential part of its cultural history and that restoring their original names would encourage historical awareness.

He said the effort was not simply about changing names but was part of a wider attempt to revive Lahore’s cultural identity, which could also support tourism.

Archaeologists and historians have largely welcomed the proposal, while also stressing the importance of a balanced approach. Former Punjab Archaeology Department director Malik Maqsood Ahmed said historic names and places should be protected as cultural heritage rather than being viewed through political or religious lenses.

Dr Mehboob Hussain, chairman of the History Department at the University of Punjab, said that names of historic figures and places are preserved around the world and that Lahore should adopt the same approach.

“Names like Ganga Ram Hospital, Lakshmi Chowk, and Lawrence Gardens are still part of public memory, reflecting the importance of historical continuity”, he said.

Some experts, however, said the plan would only succeed if implemented carefully. Heritage research PhD scholar Umme Rubab said public awareness campaigns and improvements in urban infrastructure would also be needed alongside the restoration of names. Researcher Syed Faizan Naqvi said many old neighbourhoods and markets had lost their original names and that restoring them would help younger generations connect with their history.

At the same time, some citizens have voiced reservations. They said not every name change would be suitable, particularly in the case of roads and places named after national figures, and warned that such steps could trigger unnecessary controversy.

The government has yet to issue a final list of names. Officials said initial consultations are under way with experts, public representatives and relevant institutions, and added that the process would be carried out in phases and through consultation to preserve heritage while maintaining social harmony.