| THE PIGEON HOUSES ON THE PICTURE WALL OF LAHORE FORT: A LIVING SANCTUARY |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
/JRAP-2025(1stIssue).jpg) |
Khurram Amer, Zain Zulfiqar, Madeeha Altaf ORCID: 0009-0007-0048-434X ORCID: 0000-0001-9550-8015 ORCID: 0009-0004-3912-0429 Article DOI: www.doi.org/10.53700/jrap3512025_5 ABSTRACT The Picture wall of Lahore Fort; a UNESCO World Heritage site, has the world's largest glazed tile mosaic work spanning 1450 feet. The tile mosaics depict hunting scenes, social events, and scenes from everyday life in the courts of Mughal Emperors. The monument also features avian micro-architecture; more than two hundred miniature structures and cubby holes that host a large population of pigeons. No official historical record makes a mention of their existence except a reference to them as miniature balcony windows or loopholes for weaponry by Jean Phillippe Vogel, superintendent for the Archaeological Survey of India. After critically analyzing historical data, on-site observations, and surveys, the study attempts to bring to light the purpose of these structures as pigeon houses, their significance, and their role on the picture wall of Lahore Fort. The methodology adopted for the paper included a study of similar historical trends, patterns, and philosophies to identify the structures' purpose and raise awareness regarding their role as a living avian sanctuary. The research contributes to the discourse regarding the application of concepts of ecological awareness in traditional architectural practice. The study will also aid in conservation efforts toward the retention of the picture wall as a living sanctuary for the local avian population. Keywords: Avian Micro-Architecture, Ecological awareness, Lahore Fort, Mughal Architecture, Pigeon Houses, Picture Wall
Volume 35 Issue 1
|
ISSN (P) 1728-7715 - ISSN (E) 2519-5050 Issue DOI: www.doi.org/10.53700/jrap3512025 |
Download |
|
 |
← Back to Journal's Contents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
