The Walled City
Monuments
Although there are
many structures that
were built by Hindus
of Lahore, who
because of their
philanthropy are
remembered to this
day, the most
important among them
is Sir Ganga Ram,
whose contribution
to the buildings and
hospitals of Lahore
has hardly been
surpassed. However,
another name which
is perhaps equally
famous is that of
Raja Dina Nath,
after whom an area
Raja Dina Nath
Garden is named.
Another fact that
may be of interest
to Mughal history
buffs is that the
Raja belonged to
Kalanaur, the same
place where the
young Prince
Jalaluddin (later
Emperor Akbar) was
crowned after he
received the news of
the death of his
father Emperor
Humayun. Although no
structures of the
period are extant,
however, the
platform used for
his coronation was
in existence until
the early 20th
century.
Raja Dina Nath
Well
Raja Dina Nath's
well is located in
Chowk Wazir Khan,
entered through
Dehli Gate of the
Walled City. It is a
small structure
which is capped by a
cupola.
Unfortunately, today
it is difficult to
examine its interior
and to determine its
use as a well for
drinking purposes,
since it is
surrounded by small
structures abutting
its outer wall. The
domed building
itself serves as a
storage space for
the langar and food
shops around it for
the devotees
thronging the famous
Wazir Khan Mosque.
Because of
encircling
structures, the
marble plaque
affixed to the
southern wall,
mentioned by the
historian Latif is
not traceable. It
carried the
inscription: "This
well was built by
Raja Dina Nath, Raja
of Kalanour, at this
own expense, at the
suggestion of Major
George Macgregor, DC
of Lahore, in 1908
Samvat,
corresponding to
1851 AD."
Dina Nath's
generosity no doubt
provided a much
needed facility for
the large number of
devotees who came to
attend the tombs of
Syed Gazruni and
Syed Suf.
Gurdwara Janam
Asthan
'Gurdwara Janam
Asthan Sri Guru Ram
Das jee', is named
after the fourth
Guru of Sikhs and
founder of the Sikh
holy city of
Amritsar. The
gurdwara faces a
narrow street and is
similar to many of
the mansions in the
Walled City, its
white marble plaques
providing clues to
its importance. The
architectural
character responds
to the usual Sikh
Period architecture
in its utilization
of arched openings
on the first floor
which are outlined
by multifoil arches
borrowed from Mughal
imagery. The whole
building has been
painted concealing
the original brick
masonry structure.
The gurdwara is
well-maintained and
is in use by the
Sikh community.Fort Monuments
The Walled City Monuments
The City Monuments
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