Do you love to explore new places and have affection towards history? Then we are here with some joy for you. In Lahore, you have several historical places to visit that gives you a reflection of the past. Lahore has a good number of old and historical museum that one must visit in his lifetime.
We are here with the details of museum located in Lahore that are worth visiting for a trip.
Lahore Museum
Established in 1865 during the British Raj in the subcontinent. It is the oldest and largest museum of Pakistan. Initially, the museum was at Tollinton Market. In 1894, the entire collection of the museum shifted to the current location.
The architecture of the building was designed by the then famous architect Sir Ganga Ram who designed several other buildings in Lahore. This museum has a collection of several eras that passed from Lahore including Mughal, Sikh, and British.
The museum nearly possess 60,000 artefacts displayed in 14 galleries. These artefacts include coins, old manuscripts, paintings, postage stamps, Islamic and other religious relics and also the history Pakistan Movement.
Other than this, the museum has its own cafeteria, auditorium, research library, souvenir shop and book shop.
National Museum of Science & Technology
Located near the University of Engineering and Technology at GT road Lahore, National Museum of Science & Technology (NMST) is the only scientific museum in Pakistan. At first, the museum was only for the students of University of Engineering & technology. Later in 1976, the museum doors were open for the public.
The purpose of its creation was not only to preserve the scientific exhibits but also to educate the people with the contributions made by science for human existence. NMST exhibits a diversity of scientific topics including sound, mathematics, mechanics, machines, communication, gems and stones, biology and every aspect of science.
NMST also has a tuck shop, reading room and a mosque.
Chughtai Museum
Chughtai Museum is a museum in Lahore named after the great painter Abdur Rehman Chughtai. He has a regard to be the first significant and modern Muslim artist from South Asia. For his services, he was given the title of ‘Khan Bahadur’ by the British in 1934.
The Chughtai museum opened in 1975 after the death of Abdur Rehman Chughtai. Initially, the museum was opened for a temporary period but it wasn’t closed ever. Chughtai is regarded as one of the best painters of Pakistan. Sir Muhammad Iqbal, Pablo Picasso and Elizabeth II were one of his admirers.
Chughtai produced nearly 2,000 watercolour painting, thousands of pencil sketches and about 300 etchings. He also designed Pakistani coins and stamps and logo of Pakistan Television. For his services, he was awarded with Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance.
Al-Hamra Art Centre
The Alhamra Cultural Complex Qaddafi Stadium owns a Art Museum. This art museum houses several paintings, sculptures, ceramics and prints that are owned by the Lahore Art Council. The museum is spreaded over 12,000 sqft. And the walls of the art museum displays 200 plus works.
Fakir Khana Museum
Near Bhatti Gate, Fakir Khana museum is located that belongs to the Fakir family. Fakir family resides in Lahore since the 18th century. The ancestors of the family had worked under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and this made them collect the gifts that were given to the family by Maharaja in regard of their services.
The Fakir family opened the doors of their home in 1901 for the public. The Fakir mansion has more than 13,000 artworks. Undoubtedly, Fakir Khana Museum is the largest privately-owned museum in South Asia.
National History Museum Lahore
The National History Museum is the newest and most developed and hi-tech museum of Pakistan. Inaugurated in 2018, the National History Museum was developed with joint efforts of PHA (Parks and Horticulture Authority), CAP (Citizens Archive of Pakistan) and the Government of Punjab.
The museum is located in the Greater Iqbal Park where the Pakistan Resolution was passed. It displays the ideology and struggle for Pakistan that led to have an independent Muslim state.
Undoubtedly, this museum is the most modern and digitalized museum of Pakistan. The use of technology like virtual reality, holograms, 3D cinemas and interactive screens help the visitors to understand the story of Pakistan from the start.
Allama Iqbal Museum
Javed Manzil was the last residence of Allama Iqbal. Muhammad Iqbal remained here for three years and died here. He named this building after his son’s name Javed Iqbal because of the affection he had for his son. Javed Manzil was built on 7 kanals of land. After the sad demise of Allama Iqbal, the Javed Manzil was converted into a historical house museum.
In addition, the house consist upon 8 galleries. The first three galleries holds the original manuscripts, letters, documents, and certificates of Allama Iqbal. The fourth gallery of the Javed Manzil exhibits the very first editions of Iqbal’s books. Whereas the other galleries contain the dresses, photographs, Iqbal’s bed and dinning table etc.
The Javed Manzil or Allama Iqbal Museum is located on the main Allama Iqbal Road, Near Garhi Shahu Chowk, Lahore.
Shakir Ali Museum
Shakir Ali was a painter, art teacher and artist and he also remained the principal of National College of Arts. He was a magnificent artist. He built his house during his lifetime using the burnt bricks. It took 10 years to complete his house. Moreover, the Shakir Ali house contains all his personal belongings, paintings, and the artwork.
Shakir’s famous work revolves around the human emotions, pain, pleasures and thoughts. After his death, this house turned into a museum by the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). The house turned into a museum in 1975. Each room of his house contains paintings, artwork and drawings that are made by him and some quantity of the artwork is made by his devoted students.
In the basement of the museum, there is also has a research library and it often hosts seminars or workshops. This private museum is located in New Tipu Block, Garden Town, Lahore.
Army Museum Lahore
Army Museum in Lahore is located near the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore Cantonment. Established in 2017, this museum holds the military history of Pakistan Army. It is the second-largest museum having the military objects collection in Pakistan. Hence, the collection in the museum dates back to the Mughal Empire to the Military history of Pakistan.
Furthermore, the Army museum contains tanks used in wars, helicopters and other army equipment that Pakistan Army holds. There is an engraved collection of the names of Martyrs of Pakistan and statues of the all the Cheif of Army Staff Pakistan army since independence.
