Minar-e-Pakistan (Lahore)

Minar-e-Pakistan (Lahore)

The Minar-e-Pakistan is a tall concrete unique minaret in Iqbal Park in Lahore, Pakistan. Its height is about 60 meters [1] or 198.5 feet. The name can be translated as Minaret of Pakistan, Pakistan Tower or Pakistan Column. Now it is officially recognized as the National Monument of Pakistan. This is the site where in 1940, seven years before the formation of Pakistan, the Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution, now known as The Pakistan Resolution, in which the need for a separate homeland for the Muslims from the British Empire and Hindu dominance in India was originally recognised.

The Minar-e-Pakistan was designed by Murad Khan, a Turkish architect. The base of the tower is raised approximately 4 metres from the ground. It rises up to approximately 13 metres, forming a sculpted, flower-like base. From this point it tapers as it rises. The base platform is shaped like a five-pointed star and it encloses crescent shaped pools. The overall height of the monument is approximately sixty metres. It is constructed of reinforced concrete, with the floors and walls rendered in stone and marble.

At the base, there are floral inscriptions on ten converging white marble Commemorative plaques. The inscriptions include the text of Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali and English, and Delhi Resolution’s text, which was passed on April 9, 1946. On different plaques, Quranic verses a

nd 99 attributes of God are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy, whereas National Anthem of Pakistan in Urdu and Bengali, excerpts from the speeches of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Urdu, Bengali and English, as well as few couplets of Allama Iqbal are inscribed.

The Pakistan resolution is also passed in 23 march 1940 in Iqbal Park where minar-e-Pakistan is located in Lahore Pakistan.

Environmental Concerns

With the growth of the city and location of the monument at busy intersect ion of Cir cular Road and Multan Road, air pollution from traffic-congestion is continuously damaging the marble structure which is now in need of refurbishment.

The tower rises above a platform shaped like a five-pointed star. The terrace is three feet from ground level, the platform's height is about six feet, and the star platform is about 12 feet high. It is surrounded by two crescent-shaped pools, four feet deep and lined with green and red marble. The tower has a spring shaped hall spanned by arches. The rostrum facing Badshahi Mosque is a quadrant constructed with

Mughal patterned tiles. The circular diameter of the tower is 320 feet. The petals, 30 feet high, look like a blooming flower. The total height of the structure is 203 feet from ground level. On the marble slabs of the central shaft are inscribed a brief history of the Pakistan Resolution in English, Urdu and Bengali, the 99 names of God and poetic verses from Allama Iqbal. The tower has 10 vertical covering slabs interlaced with flower petals and glazed cement domes, with a sightseeing platform and a central spiral staircase.

The design of the base and the first four platforms depict the history of the Pakistan Movement through architectural symbols. Rough stones and cement have been haphazardly laid representing the chaotic conditions and the lack of direction in the early stages of the freedom movement of the Indian Muslims. The stones used for the first platform are rough Taxila stones. Hammer-dressed stones are used on the second platform. On the third platform are laid chiselled stones, while the fourth and final platform is of highly polished marble, symbolizing the ultimate success of the freedom movement.

The dome is of stainless steel inlaid with fine glass pieces. Up to the dome there are four stages spread over 162 stairs.The best and encompassing panoramic view of Lahore and the citadel is obtained by using the elevator which takes you all the way up to the top of the tower. The park is a popular recreational spot for Lahorites who congregate there in large numbers. It is often used for holding large public meetings. The locality of the memorial has been highlighted with well planned parks. Eight marble fountains on the main access add to the beauty of the memorial, emitting watery rainbows with the help of multicolored lights.