3rd December 2024, 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Auditorium A-16, Academic Block, LUMS
The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature hosted a thought-provoking session titled “Yahāṅ sē Dēkho Shehr ko: Lahore kī Tārīkh Nīgārī per Mukālma”, focused on the historiography of Lahore. The discussion featured two young, self-taught historians, Talha Shafeeq and Syed Faizan Abbas Naqvi, and was moderated by Manahil Raza, a visiting faculty member at LUMS.
The session began with a discussion on Talha Shafeeq’s book, Lāhor: Aik Qos-e-Qaẕah, and the annual journal Lahore Shānasī, led by its chief editor, Syed Faizan Abbas Naqvi. Shafeeq shared the inspiration behind the title of his book, explaining how the concept of “Rainbow Culture” in South Africa resonated with the diverse cultural and historical patterns he observed in Lahore. The term “Rainbow Culture,” popularized in post-apartheid South Africa, symbolizes the country’s unity in diversity, celebrating its multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural society. Shafeeq drew a parallel with Lahore’s own rich history as a city where different communities, traditions, and beliefs have coexisted, creating a vibrant, multifaceted identity.
As the conversation progressed, both speakers delved into their personal and intellectual relationships with the city. Talha Shafeeq highlighted his meticulous research into Lahore’s rich and layered history, encompassing its architecture, lesser-known landmarks, graveyards, tombs, mosques, temples, and other hidden gems that often escape mainstream narratives. His work frequently challenges misconceptions and dispels myths about these aspects of Lahore’s history.
Syed Faizan Abbas Naqvi shared his efforts, along with those of his institute Lahore Shanasi, in advocating and campaigning for the protection and preservation of Lahore’s historical sites. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding these spaces, not just as remnants of the past, but as living connections to the city’s identity. He elaborated on campaigns led by Lahore Shanasi to raise awareness about the significance of these sites and the threats they face due to urban development and neglect.
The session also explored how history students and researchers can adopt alternative methodologies for studying local and community histories. The speakers emphasized the importance of moving beyond traditional, top-down academic approaches to embrace methods that engage directly with communities. This shift not only makes history more accessible but also broadens its scope by incorporating themes such as environmentalism, urban development, sustainability, gender and religious inclusivity, and unequal access to resources.
The discussion concluded with a focus on how these counter-narratives can democratize the study of history and inspire budding historians to connect deeply with their surroundings, ensuring that the city’s story continues to be told in its full complexity and richness.
The event ended with a rigorous question-and-answer session, where the audience engaged with the speakers on a wide range of topics, further enriching the discussion.
