Who knows what is hidden inside the royal land of Lahore. Since Lahore originated, it witnessed the seasons of turbulence and tranquillity. It remained a princely state and also got looted during riots but despite several attacks and ransacks Lahore remained in limelight during different rules. Walled City Lahore gave birth to the stories of many writers, scenes for the painters and empires for the rulers. Lahore became a dream city in 1500s when the Mughal Empire settled in Lahore and made it one of the main capitals. That was the time when additions were made to the zenith and majestic buildings in galore and monuments gushed. Akbar, the Mughal emperor built a thirty feet high fortified wall around the city with thirteen gates. Lahore Fort is also one of the majesties built by Lahore by Akbar.
The Lahore fort, also known as Shahi Qila, is a reflection of many centuries. The earliest reference to the fort comes in a history of Lahur (Lahore) compiled by Al-Biruni, which refers to a fort constructed in the early 11th century. He further notes that Munshi Sujan Rae Bhandari, author of the Khulasa tut-Tawarikh in 1695-96 AD, records that Malik Ayaz, a favourite of Sultan Mahmud, built a masonry fort at Lahore and repopulated the city. Khan believes it is the same fort that was destroyed by the Mongols in 1241 and in 1398 by a detachment of Timur’s army after which it was rebuilt again in 1421 by Sayyid, son of Khizr Khan. Mughal emperor Akbar the great, demolished the earlier mud fort, and re-built it in burnt brick in 1566. Akbar’s successors, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb added several buildings to the fort.
You must have had read a lot about the Picture Wall, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas and of course the Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors) but have you ever noticed a small structure near the Royal Kitchens and the Mandir of Prince Loh? Yes like many of us you might have ignored it too. This is a small cell a tiny little structure which has been used as Jail in old times and till a recent past. Let me direct you to this place. As you enter the Lahore Fort and climb up the steep you will see a small structure of two rooms separated from other buildings, right there in front of the Archaeology Admin Block. Next to this structure is the Royal Kitchen and nearby is the Temple of Prince Loh.
The punishment cells and dungeons of Lahore fort were used by the Mughal Emperors to torture and imprison those who planned mutiny against their Empire. The same practice continued in the following eras as well. This very cell I am writing about is of immense importance and historical value. In 1856 this cell was given a name of “Special Jail” by the British. During the British Raj, there were not many political or personal rivalries by the British, but this jail served for those who were a part of freedom movement. Many of the freedom fighters were put into this special jail and tortured to death. This place was known for torturing and many people dreaming of freedom lost their lives in this jail. The first Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru and few members of his cabinet were also imprisoned in this jail. Finally Pakistan became an independent state in 1947, but the use of jail did not end with the British Raj, rather it increased. The only difference this Jail saw was the change of prisoners. Once it had the freedom fighters as prisoners and later it had the political and personal rivals of our influential and politicians. Most of the prisoners in this Jail were the Indian agents right after partition till the two wars between India and Pakistan. During the war of 1971 some prisoners escaped from this jail, a few were caught back but some were able to cross the border. Some of the important personalities that remained imprisoned in this Special Jail were Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Prime Minister of Pakistan, Wali Khan head of a political party, Salmaan Taseer Governor Punjab, Hanif Ramay Chief Minister Punjab, Agha Shorish Kashmiri Journalist, Akbar Bugti Baloch Leader, Maulana Abdul Sattar Niazi leader of Pakistan Movement, Tufail Mohammad of Jamaat-e-Islami, Zia Shahid journalist, Muhammad Khan Daku and many political workers politicians of Pakistan Peoples Party.
Till many years this place was used for torturing people because of personal vendettas. Many died of the torture, some became mentally ill and disabled, and some escaped but were caught by different diseases. Nobody could ever get over with the tortures they met with in this jail. Lahore Fort had become a tourist spot right after partition but who knew the ongoing stories in this Special Jail. No tourist could imagine the atrocities being carried out in this cell while they were in Lahore Fort. This cell was designed in such a way that there was no source of light and during the day also it remained dark. It is said that after the sunset, the lights were switched off and horrific messages and sounds were played on tape recorders to the prisoners. Many living in the nearby community inside Lahore Fort could listen the dreadfulness and weak hearted people often met death due to these. I wonder what would have been the condition of the prisoners. Historians write and claim that during the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq the torture and types of tortures were at their crest. The women were also tortured and sometimes they died of it. Those types of torture are nowhere to be found in any Islamic society. Men and women were equally tortured and this was the peak time of this cell. Established since 1856 for almost 132 years this place was the king of torture cells. New torture techniques were practiced here ever day but the peak time of torturing people and number of prisoners is associated with Zia Regime. It is said by the sources that during Zia regime this place housed most of the prisoners than the previous Mughal, British and Sikh eras.
Finally this cell was closed for such activities by Benazir Bhutto in 1988. She declared that no prisoner would be tortured there and thus a time of tranquillity touched this cell as well. The watchmen of Lahore Fort Mr Liaquat Ali and Mr Sanober said that they were unaware of whom police was brining into that cell while they were living there. So this was the level of secrecy, the cars would come right close to the cell and the police would take the unfortunate prisoner inside without letting anyone know.
At present this room is locked and not in any use. It is neither opened for the tourist. I think it can be a great source of information to the past if it is made a tourist spot now.
