Colonial Architecture in Lahore: J. L. Kipling and the ‘Indo-saracenic’ Styles

Abstract

This article provides a concise introduction to a group of British colonial buildings in Lahore that can be associated with John Lockwood Kipling (1875–93). It argues for their international recognition and protection. Kipling’s contribution to the architecture of Lahore as a teacher, curator, journalist and conservationist is summarised, along with his work as a designer of buildings, several of which have been described in recent literature as by his pupil, Bhai Ram Singh and by the civil engineers Ganga Ram and Rai Bahadur Kanhaiya Lal. While concern spreads at the threat posed by new public transport infrastructure to Lahore’s Mughal shrines, temples and gardens this article encourages appreciation of its Victorian and Edwardian buildings, in terms of their innovative design, historic associations, rarity, settings and coherency as a group.