THE DILEMMA OF LAHORE CITY
SEARCHING FOR LAHORIS IN LAHORE

Paindoos invasion of the city

Our copies used to be perfect. So nicely printed by Alpha Mian and Sons on Nicholson road, Lahore. And there used to be a verse on each copy and we were all familiar with these poems. One thing which was repeated again and again was that:

“God made the country, and Man made the town.”

Obviously William Cowper had an environment in mind, and he believed that rural villagers were innocent and nearer to God and there were only shrewd people in the city. But in our view this is totally wrong. God did not send us here to be ignorant fools but to move ahead in time, in research, knowledge, seeking of welfare of humanity and progress in general. Obviously the rural person may be very hard working, but certainly a donkey cannot be be better than a thoroughbred horse. Yes, the roles are totally different in character.

This is the dilemma of Lahore city. A place where education was hundred percent once upon a time and illiteracy was generated here by the definition of the British that one who did not knew English would be treated as illiterate in their views. All education in Arabic, Persian or Urdu was not considered enough for civilization. The result people resented this and with time really became ignorant in modern terms. It was people like Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who came to Lahore (Yes Lahore at least three times and it is on record) again and again, to receive the most grand reception at the Railway Station and was brought in a procession to the city. Leading to receive him were people like Muharam Ali Chisti of Kocha Chabuk Sawaran, who fecilitated the great man. Ghulam Sarwar Lahore was also there, as well as Raheem Baksh Mimar and Elahi Baksh Mimar. A list of Lahore’s best there for moving forward in time.

The Lahori was not only well educated, he was a man ahead of his times. His urban character was amazing for the rest of the region. Always willing to accept the new ideas, that is why they heard the Ahmadiyah chief well (before rejecting him) as well as the Kashmeeri Dr Allama Iqbal, who was taken seriously here. It was Lahore who rejected the Mullah all the time, and made fun of him. It was Lahore where the zest to return to original Quranic thought became a reality. Mosques produced scholars not rattoo totas (repetitive parrots). The Quranic thought sprung into view which culminated after partition in people like Ghulam Ahmad Pervaiz.

Go out and search for a Lahori these days. You will find one with great difficulty. At any festival holidays, see and you will find Lahore empty of people. Because Paindoos live in Lahore these days and they have destroyed the culture of Lahore. (Paindoos is Punjabi for villagers and rustic personality)

“HOW MUCH A DUNCE THAT HAS BEEN SENT TO ROAM, EXCELS A DUNCE THAT HAS BEEN KEPT AT HOME.”
WILLIAM COWPER