Sharing an Equal Past-Amritsar and Lahore
Author : Bhumika Patel and Dr. Shweta Gohel
Abstract :
Before the tragic partition of 1947 split the two neighbouring countries, India’s Amritsar and Pakistan’s Lahore were both part of the Indian state of Punjab. These cities are often referred to as sister cities or twin cities due to their similarities in food, culture, and traditions. They are located just 50 km apart, a distance that can easily be covered in about an hour.
Lahore and Amritsar are both enclosed by walls and feature several gates that were constructed to protect against invaders. The cities share similar layouts; Lahore has landmarks like the Badshahi Mosque, Shahi Qilla, and its old city, while Amritsar is home to the Hindu temple Durgiana Tirath and the Gobindgarh Fort, located on the opposite side of the border. Lahore and Amritsar are both walled cities that have several gates that were built to deal with invaders. Additionally, both cities have Lahori and Mori gates in their historical areas.
During the partition, both Lahore’s Shah Alam market and Amritsar’s Hall Bazaar suffered significantly from the fires that devastated the cities. It is reported that much of the migration during independence occurred between the refugee camps in Lahore and Amritsar. These twin cities served as major commercial centers where members of all three communities lived. According to author Pran Neville, who wrote a book titled "Lahore: A Sentimental Journey," there was no formal border between the two cities until 1965, allowing for easy travel between them. During this time, numerous individuals, including businessmen and writers such as Balwant Singh, Khushwant Singh, and Amrita Pritam, migrated from Lahore to various parts of India. Conversely, some authors from Amritsar moved to Lahore, attracted by its status as Punjab's cultural heart. Poets like Ahmed Rahi, Firozdin Sharaf, and Saifuddin Saif transitioned from Amritsar to Lahore as well. The Kashmiris who emigrated from Amritsar to Lahore in 1947 are also believed to have greatly influenced the cultural and culinary landscape of Lahore.
Keywords :
Indian Subcontinent, Twin Cities, Amritsar, Lahore.
