The Collective Research on Mughal Lahore (CROMLahore) is a community of scholars sensitively investigating the historicity of their Mughal Lahore. We are committed researchers actively pursuing in understanding the unique Mughal influences that shaped our city, Lahore.

Lahore is one of the continuously inhabited ancient cities of South Asia with a living history of more than 5000 years, making it one of the original river settlements of the region. It is a city of ancient literature, custodian of a sophisticated knowledge system as manifested in vedic texts, folklore and mythology. The traditional bazaars of this city stand witness to the seasonal arrival of silk road traders delivering the unique enterprises of the world. Its built heritage is evidence of the many dynasties that ruled over this city, making it familiar with diverse architectural vocabulary. The city’s rich creative expression is a testament to the highly complex aesthetic and intellect of the Lahoris. It is shaped by its people and their creative expressions, such as music, dance, calligraphy, theater and architecture. We study the city’s lived in fabric, which, to this day, churns out traditional building crafts comprising of varied fresco styles, kashi kari techniques, intricate brick and stone work, wood and marble carvings, etc, which reached their pinnacle in the workshops and ateliers of the early Mughals.

The cultural, creative and artistic impact of the Mughals still remains an embodied experience for Lahoris. For the Collective, Mughal era can be divided chronologically into two major parts: from the arrival of the early Mughals till the British colonization of South Asia, and thereon till the present, the later Mughals. This well researched era has been predominantly documented under various contextual influences. The fulcrum of our research is on the creative milestones of Lahore under the Mughal dynasty, whilst recognizing the pre and post dynamics as relevant necessities for understanding these developments.

CROMLahore will operate through public talk series, conferences and publications to disseminate their research, concerns and discoveries.

Founding Members:

Dr. Faiqa Waqar Fatima Saeed Dr. Mehreen Chida-Razvi Dr. Murad Khan Mumtaz Saamia Vine Ahmed Saba Samee Usman Saeed