CONSERVATION CHALLENGES IN PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF PAKISTAN: MARYAM ZAMANI MOSQUE; THREATS, AND RISKS

Abstract

Maryam Zamani mosque has its religious significance. This mosque is about 4000 years old. Jahangir built this mosque after his mother and later on Raja Ranjit Singh converted the mosque to a gunpowder factory and then the British returned the mosque to the Muslims. Recently the WCLA (walled city authority) documented and conserved some parts of the mosque. This research aims to study the impacts of the conservation and and restoration works that includes the shrine and ablution parts of the mosque. The methodology adopted for this research is through site surveys, documentation of the conservation report by WCLA. The research findings indicate that the conservation attempt is arguable because conservation of the heritage buildings should be in their original context. Walled city of Lahore authority did a short-term solution of this by filling cracks with plaster, but they did not pay attention to its material and its decoration. Another cause is ignoring this heritage site for decades and the material of this mosque is also outdated. Other than authorities, people should also take responsibility toward heritage buildings. Cultural heritage should be respected because respecting the heritage means respecting the forefather’s efforts. Keywords: Damage mapping, Cracks, Conservation, Lahore, Maryam Zamani, Mosque