Adil Najam
Do you know what place this is? Can you recognize any or all of the buildings you see? And how is it important to Pakistan?
I suspect this ATP Quiz is either a little too easy. Or, maybe, not easy at all. I guess we shall find out soon enough.
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Dear readers,
Yes, you are right. This is a photograph of Lahore from above. Government College (now University) and its surroundings.
My thanks to those who have provided such great details of GC and what surrounds it. I do hope that others will add even more details and anecdotes.
We put up this ATP Quiz as a ‘teaser’ to a longer pictorial essay by Naveed Riaz of what Lahore and its surroundings look like when seen from above. It is Lahore as most of us have never seen it. That post is now up, and is worth a look:
http://pakistaniat.com/2010/02/25/lahore/
Watan Aziz gave a detailed description of GC Lahore. But how could he miss out the Love Garden and the Amphitheatre. The former, a small yet spectacularly carved out mughal replication is situated between the Masjid and the Lower Mall. It was (and may be still is) a shelter to those afternoon lovebirds who wished to just sit together for some light and romantic talk away from the eyes of naughty undergrats.
Amphitheatre, situated right in th middle of the main building, Iqbal hostel and the squash courts was the second home to the Ravians, who, taking advantage of the proximity of the English Department spent most of their idle time here. The same venue is used for group photographs of clubs and societies.
GC Main Campus
With its main grounds and the famous stairs. The grounds were active place to sit and eat “bhang walay papar”. (Only if you believed it.) And they were kept by a team of “malis” to not only cut the grass with huge grass cutting contraptions but also by running heavy rollers on the ground to keep it smooth. I never saw the grass bald like this.
To the left of the Main Building is the mosque. Behind is the Principal’s residence. Further to the left and the rear are two new buildings that I do not recall. The smaller structure to the left and center is the old debate hall.
The Main Building had the English and Urdu and the “Arts” departments. Directly behind the Main Building and across the bagh is the auditorium / test center.
To the right, the large square is the male hostel, with it’s world famous dining hall. The food was excellent. The prices remarkable and his haleem was second to none. You could not be near Anarkali and goof up the food. You could buy by day or a monthly “hazri” system. Naturally, all you can eat. And the Lahoris who did not live on the campus got our money’s worth there.
Further to the right is the tennis courts (I do not remember them there). And the building to the right and front were the chemistry and “bia-low-gy” departments. Which almost brought you to the massive iron gates.
Physics department was across the street, after you got the “gunnay ka russ”.
Left takes you to Anarkali.
Naisr Bagh was across the street and naturally the other side was Lower Mall. Though the whole area was also generally referred to as “Lower Mall”.
Tollinton Market was just a walk away. Ahhhhh. As is the old campus of Punjab University. The Punjab Public Library, the “Ajaeb Ghar”, Bhangion wali Toup” and all the Kulfi you want to eat. The best.
And to the left across the road was naturally the “Kachari” buildings. And further down to the left the famous Model School.
Straight line and crow flight towards the back of the Main Building is the one and only Urdu Bazar.
Needless to say, within a 5 square miles distance, 99% of the books and 75% of the educational power houses.
And 75% of the best food you would wish.
And I was lucky and privileged to enjoy it all.
As for the importance to Pakistan, well, I can only think of one reason; me.
Humility is my name.
GC Lahore! with Nasir Bagh and Lower Mall!
It looks like it is Frere Hall . Eidee Man you are not correct Marriot is right across the Frere Hall and not left and US Embassy is next to Marriott.