The Punjab government of Pakistan is restoring street and locality names in Lahore to their pre-Partition Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and colonial designations [1].
This move represents a significant shift in how the city acknowledges its history. By reverting names that were changed following the 1947 Partition, authorities aim to revive a multicultural identity that had been largely erased for nearly 80 years [2].
Local municipal authorities began the renaming process in early 2024 [3]. The project targets areas that previously held Islamic names but originally bore designations reflecting the city's diverse religious and cultural roots. For example, Islampura has been renamed Krishan Nagar, and Babri Masjid Chowk is now Jain Mandir Chowk [1, 4]. Another change includes the renaming of Rehman Gali to Ram Gali [5].
Records indicate that nine places were renamed within a two-month period during the initial phase of the project [6]. These changes are part of a broader effort to preserve the city's heritage and showcase a more pluralistic image of Pakistan to the global community [1, 5].
Lahore has long been a center of trade and culture in the region. The decision to bring back names like Dharampura and Lakshmi Chowk serves as a physical acknowledgement of the communities that inhabited the city before the creation of Pakistan and India [1, 3].
Officials said the initiative is intended to preserve the city's multicultural heritage. By restoring these markers, the government seeks to reconcile the modern urban landscape with its historical reality — a reality that includes the influence of Hindu, Sikh, and Jain populations [1, 5].
“Authorities aim to revive a multicultural identity that had been largely erased for nearly 80 years.”
The restoration of pre-Partition names in Lahore is a symbolic gesture of cultural diplomacy. By acknowledging the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain history of the city, the Pakistani government is attempting to project an image of tolerance and pluralism. This shift suggests a strategic interest in heritage preservation as a means of improving international perceptions and recognizing the shared history of the Indian subcontinent.
