Western part of picture wall restored

The restoration work started in January 2018

LAHORE: Conservation work on the western part of the world’s largest picture wall inside Lahore Fort has been completed by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). The project of restoring the picture wall began in January 2018. Before work began, a small panel was restored and an international workshop was organised to study the different methods and techniques that were used to conserve the wall. Foreign experts on frescoes and mosaic tiles were also a part of the team. The western side of the wall, which measures 350 feet wide and 50 feet high, is adorned with 635 recessed panels on three levels. WCLA Deputy Director Media and Marketing Tania Qureshi said that the wall was commissioned by Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1624 and was completed by his son Shah Jehan in 1631. “The wall depicts several scenes comprising battling elephants, horses, angels from ancient Persian mythology, lions, dragons and men playing polo,” she said. WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari said that conservation on the northern side of the wall will soon begin.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2019.