Mam Shajeea Shuja (Conservation architect)
For our project, we had to do some research, and we found out that the Akbari Amal Library and Archives are open for researchers. We came here and found this amazing place. MrTalha and his team were very supportive. They took us to every document that we were looking for, they have found it for us scanned it and they also helped in alternatives to do research. They plan to help researchers find information which is difficult to find and it’s a great effort. I am really thankful for the team for helping us through the documentation and finding the research. Really it’s a great job guys.
Dr Tahir Kamran
It was like a pleasure coming here because I saw this in the early phase and it was all in debris but now it seems that it has been revolutionized in the radical sense of the world. I think the archive section is very, very fascinating and they have a big collection of archives. All the people who are interested in history, literature, geography, or administrative science and history of administrative science, must come and benefit from this collection. It’s a great feedback performed by young historians of Lahore and beyond.
Dr Walter Schwarzacher, Dean of Swiss Institute of Science and Engineering
I have really been impressed by what I have seen in this archive. Not only is the interest of the collection huge, the quality of the work which is being done to conserve it and the quality of the surroundings in which that work is done. All of them are encouraging.
Dr. Kevin Greenbank, Vice President of Wolfson College, Cambridge University
When I first came here, when we were kicking out the doors and removing archives that were covered in dust, scrunched up in boxes to get to where it is now, from what we saw on the first visit is astonishing. As an archivist the most amazing testimony is the extent of the cataloging that has been done by an enthusiastic young team from Government College who clearly worked hard and did an amazing job, to get a very large archive into a single catalog in a very short span of time.
To have this open as a public space is very important and to use this as a space which can encourage other people into study and scholarship or just into curiosity, is a great thing.
Congratulations on this magnificent achievement.”
Dr Kanwal Khalid
I am Dr Kanwal Khalid and I have been visiting Lahore fort and library of the fort for many decades and this has been my main source of research and information and lots of books that I have consulted here. Overall its an exceptional place for research but interestingly the past few years a huge transformation that I have witnessed is luckily for good. Because now when I come here the books and overall presentation and the best thing that has happened to this library is the ambiance. The books were there, the research was there and the overall ambiance has become very research friendly. On the top of the collection that this place has the stuff. Yes, I find them extremely cooperative and extremely friendly and they are always there whenever something is needed. Now I find things are more open than they used to be. I appreciate the previous people who have been associated with this library but apart from that the current administration and the young staff. I am really grateful to them and they are doing a wonderful job here. All the best for the future.
Dr Zeeshan Ahmad ( Surgeon)
As a student of history, I’ve always had a passion for historical places and books. My greatest wish was to find a platform where one could read and conduct research freely, without the need for any formal documentation. Through my Facebook friend, Talha Shafique, I came to know about the Akbari Mahal Library, and visiting it today has made me incredibly happy.
This is a very thrilling and exciting project. The best part is that there are no restrictions on qualifications or age. You can bring children, and students and scholars are all welcome. I believe this library represents a paradigm shift for libraries in Lahore. When you visit, you will discover the incredible things that await you.
I urge everyone to visit at least once; you will find yourself wanting to return again and again. This library contains books on archaeology that are beyond our wildest imagination. As Talha mentioned, they even have attendance registers of the laborers who excavated Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. It would be fascinating to learn who those people were that carried out all this excavation in that era. I am at a loss for words to express my excitement after visiting this place. I request everyone to visit it once and see for themselves what an amazing addition this is to Lahore.
Raza Rumi (writer)
What a pleasure it is to be here at Akbari Mahal Khudukhana, which has been newly restored as a library, based on the numerous hundreds and thousands of documents that were discovered locked up in terrible shape. Unfortunately, the archaeology department spent over a century on this. I’ve spent the last few hours looking at the kind of documentation that has been organized and classified.” It’s truly remarkable that the authorities here in Lahore have taken the lead and initiative to uncover, classify, protect, and make these archives publicly accessible. As we walked through the corridors, we saw numerous documents concerning ancient civilizations, contemporary Pakistan and India, and the colonial period, which dominates a significant portion of the documentation. This is an invaluable resource waiting to be explored. I envision dozens, perhaps hundreds, of scholars piecing together information to unveil new ideas and deepen our understanding of history and heritage.
What’s equally commendable is how this initiative engages the public, particularly students and younger generations, by providing open access to these historical treasures. Public spaces should indeed be unrestricted and open to all.
Of course, there’s still much work to be done, including further classification, subclassification, and digitization. By leveraging newer technologies, these documents can be preserved and made accessible not only to Pakistanis but also to people in South Asia and around the world, including Europe and the US.” The civilizations we explore here are part of our shared global heritage, whether it’s in this valley, Gandhara, or other regions. The wealth of information and the range of books, particularly from the colonial era, is truly remarkable. Seeing documents that I had only read about or referenced before, and being able to physically open them and appreciate their pages, was a delightful experience. I’d like to extend my appreciation to the historian, Talla Shafiq, who’s leading this project with such passion. It’s heartening to see young people who aren’t just doing their job but are genuinely invested in preserving history, recognizing its importance to our present and lives.
Kudos to the Lahore city conservation authorities, the staff, and particularly Tanu Tania, who’s now at the helm of this project, and Kamran Nasani, who’s worked tirelessly over the years to build this institution from scratch, navigating the complexities of bureaucracy. Thank you to Bhadi for showing me around. I’m looking forward to coming back, and I hope everyone gets a chance to visit this place at least once.”
