BARKAT ALI KHAN MUHAMMEDAN HALL MOCHI GATE LAHORE
MISTRI MANGA CONTRACTOR ARCHITECT BUILDING IN 1888 AD

Khan Bahadur Barkat Ali Khan is a famous member of nobility of Lahore. As a tehsildar, he worked on restoring the Badshahi Mosque to its former glory. For the advancement of Muslim community, he offered his services and an Anjuman Islamia was made in Lahore for the said purpose, around 1868. It was in 1887 that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan paid a visit to Lahore and attended a conference at the Anjuman. There was felt a need to build a Hall in Lahore for the promotion of Islamic values. It was in 1888 that the Muhammedan Hall was constructed outside Mochi Darwaza Lahore. It was built for around 1800 Rs and there is a brochure published by the Anjuman highlighting same in 1888.

The contract for making and constructing same was given to MISTRI MANGA of Lahore. Manga belonged to a famous Mimar family of Lahore with his ancestors responsible for many Mughal buildings in Lahore and Delhi. He was ancestor of M.A. Rahman Chughtai, the artist, too. Obviously the most famous Manga was Mehr Manga of Lahore, who was Chief Gardener of Emperor Shah Jahan and custodian of the Shalimar Gardens Lahore., His descendants were there in the Wazeer Khan Mosque and Chishti records the presence of a certain Kareem Baksh, descendant of Mehr Manga. Mistri Manga was named after Mehr Manga of Lahore.

Khan Bahadur Barkat Ali Khan died in 1905, and his funeral was attended by Chughtai family. Mian Kareem Baksh Mimar, father of M.A. Rahman Chughtai was at the Chaleeswan of Barkat Ali Khan. There was close relationship between the two families. Basheer Ali Khan was son of Barkat Ali Khan, and Saadat Ali Khan was grandson of Barkat Ali Khan. As Saadat Ali Khan was childless, the family ended with him. Their house Kothi Barkat Ali Khan remained famous in their life time. Now no one remembers their pivotal role for Islamic mission in Lahore.

Another missing chapter of Lahore which needed to be highlighted and we did that. Enjoy!