Mughal heritage: 17th century road bridge found
Binding material used is the same as the Lahore Fort.
LAHORE:
Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a bridge in Mola Gujjarpura near Lakho Dehar, Ferozwala tehsil that they believe was part of the GT Road in the Mughal era.
The huge structure was discovered around 10 months ago but was ignored until patwari Rana Asghar, on seeing the find, informed his employer who in turn told the Punjab Archaeology Department.
“This place was used for cultivation a few decades ago. Now, it has become a sand bank for the farmers,” said Asghar.
The archaeology team reached the site on May 3 and on examination discovered that the structure is a bridge. They believe that the bridge had been constructed in the Mughal style.
The binding material used for the bridge is the same as had been used for the Lahore Fort and Jehangir’s Tomb, a combination of jute, lime, brick and other materials.
Punjab Archaeology Department deputy director Muhammad Afzal Khan said, “The structure most likely was built in the reign of Jehangir or Shahjahan. This bridge was built for the Grand Trunk Road so that there would be access from Lahore to Delhi.”
The structure opens in a sandy area where there is no access to the road and only tractors and trolleys can make their way to it.
The land is owned by Chaudhry Akram Chhabil.
Dil Faraz, a local, told The Express Tribune that the landowner is hopeful that the government will give him at least 50 percent of the land’s worth if it decides to take the land over for heritage purposes.
Dil Faraz said that they are now looking for more interested groups to visit the bridge.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2011.
Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a bridge in Mola Gujjarpura near Lakho Dehar, Ferozwala tehsil that they believe was part of the GT Road in the Mughal era.
The huge structure was discovered around 10 months ago but was ignored until patwari Rana Asghar, on seeing the find, informed his employer who in turn told the Punjab Archaeology Department.
“This place was used for cultivation a few decades ago. Now, it has become a sand bank for the farmers,” said Asghar.
The archaeology team reached the site on May 3 and on examination discovered that the structure is a bridge. They believe that the bridge had been constructed in the Mughal style.
The binding material used for the bridge is the same as had been used for the Lahore Fort and Jehangir’s Tomb, a combination of jute, lime, brick and other materials.
Punjab Archaeology Department deputy director Muhammad Afzal Khan said, “The structure most likely was built in the reign of Jehangir or Shahjahan. This bridge was built for the Grand Trunk Road so that there would be access from Lahore to Delhi.”
The structure opens in a sandy area where there is no access to the road and only tractors and trolleys can make their way to it.
The land is owned by Chaudhry Akram Chhabil.
Dil Faraz, a local, told The Express Tribune that the landowner is hopeful that the government will give him at least 50 percent of the land’s worth if it decides to take the land over for heritage purposes.
Dil Faraz said that they are now looking for more interested groups to visit the bridge.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2011.