Lahore Reclaims Pre Colonial Identity, Hindu, Sikh and Colonial Names Restored

After nearly 80 years after partition, Lahore is shedding its Islamised identity by restoring historical Hindu, Sikh, Jain and colonial-era names to its streets and localities. Official signboards are being updated to reflect the cultural capital’s pre-partition heritage as an extensive effort to reclaim the city’s old glory.

The renaming campaign is a part of the Lahore Heritage Area Revival (LHAR) project, an ambitious 50 billion PKR undertaking. Envisioned by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and launched in 2025 by his daughter, Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The provincial government argues that like European nations, Pakistan should also preserve its historical architecture and cultural fabric rather than erase following decades of ideological rewriting.

Notable changes include:

• Islampura has reverted back to Krishan Nagar

• Rehman Gali is once again known as Ram Gali

• Babri Masjid Chowk has reverted back to Jain Masjid Chowk

• Sunnat Nagar has become Sant Nagar

• Maulana Zafar Ali Khan Chowk has reverted back to Lakshmi Chowk

• Mutafabad is now Dharampura

• Bhag-E-Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah Road have returned to its colonial identities as Lawrence Gardens and Queens Road respectively.

Strategic and Economic rebranding

A primary objective of this restoration is to boost heritage tourism to generate government revenue. This move is a strategic attempt to rebrand Pakistan’s global image from “radical” to one that is “tolerant, inclusive and multicultural”. By restoring these names, Islamabad aims to facilitate diplomatic and economic assistance that reassures the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the country’s social stability, and prevents the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) from re-imposing stringent sanctions.

Restoring Minto Park's Legacy

The initiative also includes damage control measures at Minto Park (now Greater Iqbal Park) by restoring its legacy. Plans are underway to restore three historical cricket grounds and a traditional wrestling arena (Akhara) that was demolished in 2015 during an urban development program led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. These sites hold significant history; the wrestling arena was home to famous veterans’ such as Gama Pehalwan while the cricket grounds once trained legends like Inzaman-ul-Haq and hosted Indian cricketer Lala Amarnath.

While the plight of minorities in Pakistan, including forced conversions and property encroachments remains a matter of grave concern, this drive has surprisingly unfolded with almost no organized opposition. This lack of resistance is notable in a country that has been shaped by decades of intensive islamisation.

This article is written by Archana Prasad, a student of English and Foreign Languages University, interning with Deccan Chronicle.