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These are two masterpieces from the time of the brilliant Mughal civilization, which
reached its height during the reign of the Emperor Shah Jahan. The fort contains marble
palaces and mosques decorated with mosaics and gilt. The elegance of these splendid
gardens, built near the city of Lahore on three terraces with lodges, waterfalls and large
ornamental ponds, is unequalled.1
As for the heterotopias as such, how can they be described? What meaning do they have?
We might imagine a sort of systematic description - I do not say a science because the term
is too galvanized now -that would, in a given society, take as its object the study, analysis,
description, and 'reading' (as some like to say nowadays) of these different spaces, of these
other places. As a sort of simultaneously mythic and real contestation of the space in which
we live, this description could be called heterotopology2
Heterotopias are the change accommodating factors within the city that work
behind facades of their true content.
An Armature is a Channel though which an individual moves that can be compared
to Kevin Lynchs path
An enclave is a place of some value3
THE AREA
ENCLAVES
ARMATURES
IDENTIFICATION OF KEY SPACES
The major spaces have been colored in the map above.
Taking into consideration heterotopias armature and enclaves, the area can be
divided into many parts out of which a few of them are
HISTORY:
The Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila) is situated northwest of the walled city. The
work on the fort has undergone centuries. One of the earliest references in
the written history about the fort comes from Al-Biruni that proves the
original construction occurred in the early 11th century. The fort was severely
damaged by the Mongols (1241) and again by the hands of Timur (1398) it
was rebuilt by Sayyid, son of Khizr Khan (1421).4
IDENTITY:
ELUCIDATION:
As Enclave:
An enclave is a place of some consequence; a place to go to. Thus
this area is an enclave. To a passing person this might become a
landmark, a point of recognition. But to a person entering the enclave,
the site becomes much more.
As Armature:
As soon as a person enters the site, it transforms into a series of
enclaves and armatures. Streets and pathways curve around the many
enclaves of the fort to form complex patterns thus this ca be further
categorized into the armature inside enclave
As Heterotopia:
Looking at the site in a historical context, we can conclude that this
place can be considered a heterotopia. In the past this was the main
area where the power of governance resided thus it became a sort of a
heterotopia of deviation. A ruling class that is completely different
from the masses and must be kept protected i.e. it must reside in a
stronghold where it might be difficult for the enemy to approach and
damage the foundations of a city.
VISUAL:
Map:
Image(s):
The Badshahi Mosque:
HISTORY:
The Badshahi mosque (1672-74) is one of the largest mosques. It was built
under the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb. The mosques main entrance is through
the Lahore fort.5
As Heterotopia:
It can be called as a heterotopia of crisis. A place where generations of
people have gone with a certain specific agenda on their mind i.e. to pray. It
is a sacred place where all can be invited but not all are free to exercise
particular activities. To define heterotopia of crisis would be
Sacred or forbidden places reserved for individuals who are in a state of crisis in
relation to the society in which they live6
Then the state of crisis can be the necessity to pray in order to live a happy
life and failure to do so might produce undesirable results.
VISUAL:
Map:
Image(s):
Hazuri Bagh:
Image(s):
Iqbals tomb:
Image(s):
Derha Sahib Gurdwara:
HISTORY: located opposite the fort and the mosque it is this place where the
Sikh guru Gur Arjun Dev Ji was martyred after being subject to various
tortures by chandu in the river Ravi on 30 may 1606 AD. The very place
where the guru was martyred a Thara sahib or platform was built by Guru
Hargobind Ji in Samvat 1619 when he was visiting Gur Asthans. Later the
Maharaja, Ranjit Singh, added a small built structure or the Gurdwara. In
1909 AD the place was expanded the Parakashasthan and Manji Sahib were
constructed for the Parakash of Guru Granth Sahib. Among other things, an
arrangement for daily diwan was made alongside an inn for the
accommodation of the pilgrims10
VISUAL:
Map:
The Minar-e-Pakistan:
Image(s):
Heera Mundi:
HISTORY:
A strong nexus between the performing arts and prostitution has long existed in
South Asian culture and society. Lahore - one of the great imperial Mughal cities,
and the most sophisticated in British India - boasted one of the most elegant red-
light districts on the subcontinent
The Heera Mandi is not a typical red-light district but one renowned for its dancing
girls and classical music traditions. It is nestled in the shadow of Pakistan's famous
Badshahi Mosque, behind the walls of the old medieval city. The district's narrow,
byzantine streets and alleys date back to the time of the Mughal emperors. And for
centuries, young courtesans, learning the family trade, received rigorous training in
the performing arts from professional musicians14
ELUCIDATION:
As Enclave: a large number of small enclaves exist in this area. These work
as highly complex systems, one enclave will intersect go through encroach
go over or under the other forming a highly charged density of living spaces.
As Armature: as the enclave becomes increasingly complex, so does the
armature. The narrow winding streets and pathways define this area; it has
become their identity. These narrow roads are extremely hard to navigate for
an outsider but for a person living inside this setup can identify and move
around the area with extreme ease.
VISUAL:
Map:
Image(s):
CONCLUSION
In between this highly charged place are many examples of heterotopias enclaves
and armatures. Even though not many have been discussed above but the most
important of these have been discussed.
Image taken from class lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, urban design and planning-I
ENDNOTES
1
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, World Heritage, United Nations - Copyright 1992-2010 UNESCO World
Heritage Centre, All Rights Reserved
<http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/171/>
2
Michel Foucault, Of Other Spaces (1967), Heterotopias
<http://foucault.info/documents/heteroTopia/foucault.heteroTopia.en.html>
3
Class Lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, Urban Design and Planning-I, Lecture presentation 3, 4 and 5. 2009.
4
Shirazi (January 22nd, 2007), Shahi Qila, Chowrangi,
<http://www.chowrangi.com/shahi-qila.html>
5
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, Pakistan, Asian Historical Architecture Copyright 1998-2010
<http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/pakistan/lahore/badshahi.php>
6
Class lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, Urban Design and Planning-I, Lecture presentation 4. 2009
7
Mohammad Waliullah Khan, Lahore and Its Important Monuments, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of
Pakistan. 1964. p.89-91
8
Masudul Hasan, A Guide to Lahore, Ferozsons, 1978. p.1
9
Samadhi of Ranjit Singh, Absolute Astronomy, AbsoluteAstronomy.com 2009. All Rights Reserved.
< http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Samadhi_of_Ranjit_Singh>
10
Iqbal Qaiser, Gurudwara Dera Sahib Panjvin Patshahi, Lahore, 1999-2009 Gateway to Sikhism, All Rights Reserved
<http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras-in-pakistan/gurudwara-dera-sahib-panjvin-patshahi-lahore.html>
11
Class lecture, Hala Bashir Malik, Urban Design and Planning-I, Lecture presentation 4. 2009
12
Christophe Jaffrelot (2002) A History of Pakistan and Its Origins. Athens Press. 326 pages
13
Ian Talbot (1998) Pakistan: A Modern History. St. Martin's Press. 450 pages.
14
Elizabeth S. Ghauri, Pakistan cultural center struggles with its history, The Christian Science Monitor. All Rights
Reserved.
< http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0814/p11s01-wosc.html>