The Oldest Photograph of Government College Lahore : The courtyard of Haweli Raja Dhayan Singh (1870)

From a historical point of view, this is the oldest known photograph of Government College Lahore. It was taken in 1870 with proper arrangement.

A few months ago, a kind friend informed me about this photograph. I also learned that in the early 20th century, a large copy of this photograph had been prepared. I had been searching for both the original photograph and its copy for a long time. A few days ago, a friend uploaded a digital version of it on Facebook. I am very familiar with the walls and rooms of Raja Dhian Singh Haveli. But for confirmation, I sent this image to the family of the late Muhammad Asghar (specifically to Mr. Shahid Asghar). The late Muhammad Asghar was a calligrapher and a teacher. Right after Partition, he and a few friends reopened the school that was established inside Dhian Singh Haveli. After the creation of Pakistan, his family settled in the house located on the northern side of the haveli, where they still live. This house is part of Dhian Singh Haveli. On the upper floor of this house are two rooms where the first hostel of Government College Lahore (founded in 1864) was set up. I have had the chance to carefully see and examine the bricks and stones of these rooms.

In short, I sent the photograph under discussion to Mr. Shahid Asghar (the eldest son of the late Muhammad Asghar). The message he sent in reply is as follows:

“This place appears to be about ninety-nine percent part of Dhian Singh Haveli.
Later, as you know, the passage leading to the first floor was built by my father in 1948. Before that, the way to the first floor went up from inside the ‘court hall’, that is, the last hall situated next to the stairs going down to the basement. This door and the stairs leading to the first floor still exist, but the route got blocked because of the debris that came out during the repair of the roof in 1991. I am an eyewitness to all these events.
I am also sending you a picture of this place which you already know. By comparing both images, it becomes clear that the newly discovered photograph (from 1870) looks about fifty years old or perhaps a little older, because the plaster on the wall on the left side had already fallen off.”

It should be remembered that the haveli named after Raja Dhian Singh (1761–1863) is located near the Syed Mitha Hospital compound (near Taxali Gate). This haveli belongs to the late 18th century. The sixty-kanal historical mansion named after Dhian Singh was built by Khushal Singh. Today, its area has shrunk and only three or four kanals remain.

In the newly discovered photograph taken in 1870, the students and teachers of Government College can be seen. Since the original image is not available, the features and details are not very clear. It is also unknown whether Dr. Leitner is present in the photograph or not. The first principal of the college and a tireless orientalist, G. W. Leitner, had gone on leave in 1869. The purpose of this leave was to visit the neighboring countries of India and regions not yet explored. According to Garrett, Leitner returned in April 1871. Mention of his tours and official leave can also be found in the writings of Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad.

There are 54 people visible in the photograph. According to Garrett’s history:

“This year the attendance in the college reached forty-five; such a large number had not been seen before.”

The courtyard visible in front of the plastered wall and broken door at the back of the photograph measured about two and a half kanals. According to Mr. Shahid, the wall was thirty to thirty-five feet long, and at the top near the rampart it was three feet thick. This wall and courtyard existed until 1965.

Dhian Singh Haveli has long been empty and abandoned. Its pillars are broken, the walls have become weak, and cracks have appeared in the foundations. A huge eucalyptus tree is slowly destroying the structure of the haveli.

This historical heritage, spanning three centuries, has never been empty of knowledge, literature, and learning.

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