Pakistan “Lahore, A Visit to Fakir Khana Museum”

• November 5, 2020
• By Daryl
• 0 Comment

We were up and running, winding through the streets. Scooters cutting off cars and anyone that hesitates loses his spot.  A very special museum is in our future and it is privately owned. Fakir Khana Museum is seen by appointment only, and we were the only ones seeing it today. Pandemic travel is lonely as many places are empty or near empty when we view them. 

We entered from a chaotic street in a very old neighborhood, were dodging scooters, which is an art form in itself. 

We entered the office that a six generation family member shared his family’s collection and spoke of his family going back to seventh century. It is amazing how far back people here have family trees they go back twelve hundred years like our friend Ejaz. This Fakir Khana family goes back to the seventh century and was a medical family that set up the first medical hospital and pharmacy in Lahore. The Doctors had to make their own medication. The Government of Maharajah Ranjit Singh backed the good Doctor and assisted in what ever he needed for his hospital and practice and ingredients for his medication. 

Fakir Khana was very wealthy and an avid collector of all things of importance. Weapons of war collection was displayed in the office with swords and antique firearms. We listen to an oratory history account of the family in the office. Afterwards, a tour like none proceeded up some narrow stairs. At the top, we removed our shoes for protection of three hundred year old carpets. We viewed miniature paintings; some painted with a one hair brush. One in point, took 15 years to complete and looks like a photograph. Another one of staggering beauty is of one of the Queens from a palace we viewed the day before. Unfortunately she did not live long.

A sword and shield was the original for the king of the palace we visited and this family man-made the statue of that king and used the sword and shield to make the mold for the statue.

We move to another small room, where stories were numerous and larger than the room in importance. We saw porcelain and pottery so delicate, so thin and Bunny was asked to hold and inspect them. I was nervous for her. We were shown 8000 year old bowls and figurines. Never have we been in museums that handling the artifacts was insisted. 

We were shown stone carvings of Buddha during all ages of his life. One was of him at the winter season of his life with his ribs showing on his fragile chest. 

We saw Chinese porcelain eight piece tea sets without a blemish on them, and so delicate only one of a dozen was fired properly. That mean about one hundred cups were produced to get eight perfect cups for the King.

We were shown an ivory painted and carved frame with a painting so detailed with over fifty people painted in a Royal scene. Every face was distinct and the tile work paintings was perfect. We were shown several Quran, each about 1200 years old. These are very important artifacts of Islam.