Faisalabad clock tower built in memory of Queen Victoria

The first building that comes to mind when hearing the name of Lyallpur (Faisalabad), which was settled during the British era, is the historic Clock Tower.

Built in memory of Queen Victoria, the foundation of the clock tower was laid on 14 November 1903 by Sir Charles Rivaz, Governor of Punjab.

Its construction was completed in about two years and on December 13, 1905, the Financial Commissioner of the Punjab, Leo Percy, after inaugurating the clock tower, waved from its balcony to thank the citizens for its construction.

Mazhar Abbas, a lecturer in the history department at GC University Faisalabad, says that the people of Lyallpur wanted a monument in honor of Queen Victoria, representing the four major communities there, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. be

Speaking to Independent Urdu, Mazhar Abbas said: ‘If you look at Ghanta Ghar, there are inscriptions on all four sides in Urdu, Hindi, Gurmukhi and English representing the four major communities.

‘Interestingly, Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901, while the foundation of the clock tower was laid almost two years and ten months after her death.’

He added: ‘In order to raise funds in this regard, the procedure was adopted that 25 acres of land (per sq.) was taxed at Rs.18.’

According to Mazhar Abbas, just as the Mughal architecture can be seen in the Qaisri Darwaza or Gumti, the design of the Ghanta Ghar building is also a combination of Mughal and British architecture, while red sandstone is used in its construction, which is Sangla. was brought from the hills of Hull.

“It has been tried to reflect Mughal architecture so that our heritage can be seen in the gift that is being presented to the Queen.”

Regarding the gharial on the clock tower, Mazhar Abbas says that in the past, people used to divide time according to the first hour, the second hour, etc.

‘Since the building of the clock house, the clock chimed every hour to let people know the time.’

Discussing the political significance of Lyallpur clock tower, he said that it is usually compared with dictatorship.

‘The bell tower is built in the center and eight markets are attached to it. Similarly, a dictator either makes decisions himself or makes decisions or influences these decisions, i.e. he is the center of power. In the same way, if we look, we find the markets of Ghanta Ghar also extending outwards or connected with it.’

He said that as a student of history, he was not satisfied with the maintenance or preservation of the clock tower.

‘Who has given permission for tall buildings here? Don’t they know that this is a historical building and with time this historical building will be buried under?’

He said that due to traffic congestion and pollution, the original beauty of the clock tower is in danger.

‘As time goes by I think we may be wasting the watchtower instead of saving it. We are making some policies regarding traffic and buildings, which will harm it and we will lose this historical building or place.’

These concerns of Mazhar Abbas are not unjustified because the gharial of this historic clock tower has been closed for the past one month, while many stones of its platform and railing have also been removed from their place, but no attention has been paid to their construction and repair. is going

Two years ago, the watch clock of Ghant Ghar was closed, on which the Rafiq Watch Company located in Kachhari Bazar repaired it and made it functional at its own expense.

Rafiq Watch senior technician Irfan Hafeez told Independent Urdu that he has met the Commissioner and the Chief Officer of the Municipal Corporation to restart the gharial, but he has not received a positive response from anywhere.

‘Two years ago I repaired it myself and all the expenses incurred on it were borne by Rafiq Watch, we got nothing from the government. Still no one has contacted, no one has any problem.’

He said that special steps need to be taken to operate and maintain this clock of historical importance.

‘It has to be keyed every week. There should be a special man for the rest of the repairs and cleaning etc. which is not there at present.’