Pakistan

Treasure trove of history in dire need of rescue

Museum manages to preserve over 30,000 antiques

Asif Mehmood July 15, 2019

Nestled in the heart of the Walled City of Lahore, in Bhatti Gate, the private museum is now struggling for its survival. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: The Faqir Khana museum is the outpost of priceless collections of antiques and historical artwork, rescued over a century. But now it needs a rescue of its own.

Nestled in the heart of the Walled City of Lahore, in Bhatti Gate, the private museum is now struggling for its survival. Financial scarcity impairs much of the renovation and expensive preservation work required by the aging museum. At stake, is a treasure trove of artwork and historic items, worth millions to any art dealer.

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“The government has reduced the annual grant allotted to the museum from Rs2 million to Rs1 million. It would be difficult to pay the employees and our bills with this amount,” said museum director Faqir Saifuddin.

Established and run by the Fakir family, the museum has successfully managed to preserve over 30,000 antiques since it first opened its doors in 1901. The ancestral Haveli or mansion of the prominent Faqir family, now houses everything from relics believed to have been possessions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to precious antiques, paintings, coins, sculptures, and even court documents dating back to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule. With no alternative source of revenue, the museum has been entirely dependent on the government funding for its survival. “The walls are crumbling and we might be deprived of this historical treasure forever if they collapse,” said Saifuddin.

Known for its vast collections, the dilapidated Fakir Khana museum is said to be one of the largest private museums in South East Asia that houses scores of antiques from British, Sikh and Mughal eras. Interestingly, the museum also has the largest collection of Islamic exhibits.

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“We have a huge collection of holy relics belonging to Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” Saifuddin claimed.

According to Saifuddin, a significant portion of antiques has been distributed among the Faqir family. However, historic books, artifacts and coins that have been saved, are still on display at the museum.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2019.