PU arranges lecture on architectural heritage of Pakistan

Lahore: Punjab University’s Pakistan Study Centre arranged a special lecture by an Art Historian Prof. Dr. Francoise Dasque, who is currently working at the Centre for Mexican and Central American Studies, Mexico. Prof. Dr. Massarrat Abid, Dean, Faculty of Arts & Humanities, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the nineteenth century architecture, Dr. Francoise Dasque said that Pakistani region belongs to the larger sub continental Indian region, with similar dynamics regarding engineering and construction, both Anglo-Indian and Indian and the local characteristics only proved that general law. She added that in the large cities where the British presence was effective, proper Indian architecture benefited from the general boosting of activity in the zone. Cities like Karachi, Multan, Rawalpindi, Lahore reveal, together with the Anglo-Indian built heritage, an Indian architectural legacy, mainly inflected by international patterns. It indicates, through the analysis of style, the periods of prosperity undergone by the town, she added.

She emphasized that the Indian corpus, located in the old or walled part of the city, was in great need of preservation. She said it should be maintained at least as well as the British buildings. Dr Massarrat Abid thanked Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran for generous support for arranging the visit of the professor. She said that due to the administration’s encouragement, the Centre had been able to play its due role in promotion of research on Pakistan. The eminent academician, who was on her maiden visit to Pakistan, stayed in Pakistan for about two months and was able to travel to several cities including Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and many other places.