60000+
Artifacts
30000+
Reserved Collections
5000+
Year Old History
150+
Years old Museum
About
As the country’s oldest cultural institution, the Lahore Museum seeks to educate its visitors about Pakistan’s deep and diverse histories through its collection which spans the pre-historic period to the present day. The Lahore Museum’s mission is to conserve and promote Pakistan’s cultural, visual and material heritage.
The Lahore Museum’s majestic red-brick building stands on Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, previously known as the Mall Road. It opened its doors to the public in 1894 and was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, which is a blend of Mughal and British Colonial Architecture. The Lahore Museum’s permanent collection houses approximately 60,000 artefacts of historical, cultural and artistic value. These objects represent Pakistan’s ancient and contemporary heritage and is inclusive of Islamic, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Jain histories. The museum presents to its visitors, works from its collection of Gandharan sculptures, Islamic decorative arts, miniature paintings and rare manuscripts. As well as Indus seals, ancient coins, ethnographic works and paintings from the Colonial and Modern period.
Currently, the Lahore Museum is actively engaged in community outreach through its exhibitions and public programming. To find out more about the Museum’s ongoing and latest activities, please visit our website regularly.
COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
Fasting Siddhartha
2nd – 3rd Century C.E.
Place of Origin: Sikri (KPK)
Dimensions: 84 x 53 x 21 cm
This sculpture of Fasting Buddha is a depiction of Siddhartha as a yogic ascetic in an emaciated state. Seated in a meditation pose, with the body reduced to a frame of skeleton, Fasting Siddharth is one of the most significant works of Gandharan art. The anatomical knowledge known to Gandharan sculptors is reflected in the attention to detail of the human form seen through the realistic depiction of this sculpture’s veins, ribs and bones.
Miracle of Sravasti
3rd – 4th Century C.E
Place of Origin: Muhammad Nari (K.P.K)
Dimensions: 118 x 98 x 23 cm
The sculptural relief represents Buddhist iconography depicting the scenes of miracles performed by Buddha to win converts. This sculpture shows a large central Buddha seated cross legged, in the gesture of preaching in Dharma chakra pose, surrounded by seated and standing figures. After performing many miracles, Buddha then transformed himself into many images which floated in the air reaching up to heaven while he preached the Law.
Evolution of Mankind
1974 Place of Origin: Lahore, Pakistan
Dimensions: 1152” x 288”
Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi (1923-1987) is considered Pakistan’s master muralist. He painted a large mural titled “Evolution of Mankind” in 1974 for the ceiling of Lahore Museum’s Central Gallery. This mural is an exploration of man’s search for knowledge and ultimate triumph.
Polo Players
Lapis Lazuli Mosaic by Ismail Guljee
Pre 1985
Place of Origin: Pakistan
Dimensions: 38” x 37”
Ismail Guljee (1926-2007), is credited to have painted a large number of commissioned portraits for various heads of states from around the world. This work is a mosaic made with a semi-precious stone called lapis lazuli, a blue monochromatic composition of four polo players composed in a square metallic frame. For his stone mosaics, Guljee chose to employ a complex and expensive process delicately creating chiaroscuro by selecting light and dark pieces of lapis lazuli.
Gold Coin of Mughal Emperor Akbar
1556-1605 A.D
Issued by Akbar (Mughal Period)
A gold coin from the treasury of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This coin was minted in Agra in an oblong arched form. On the obverse of this oblong coin with arched ends and a dotted perimeter, there is the Kalima and the names of first Four Caliphs of Islam. The full title of the Emperor is inscribed on the reverse of this coin.
Female Figurine
2600-1900 BCE
Place of Origin: Mohenjo-Daro
Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.4 cm
Female figurine embellished with elaborated jewelry and headdress.
Tilism e Hoshruba (The Enchantment of the Senses)
Oil Painting by Ustaad Allah Baksh
Pre 1956
Place of Origin: Pakistan
Dimensions: 72” x 49”
Allah Baksh (1895 -1978) was one of the pioneers of modern art in Pakistan. “Tilism e Hoshruba” is a key work in the Lahore Museum’s Contemporary Paintings Collection. This painting is based on a literary work by the same name. The use of mellow and dramatic light creates a sense of enchantment, in the land of Hoshruba. This densely composed painting includes a beautiful princess, powerful magicians, wizards, demons and an army of Amir Hamza.
Village Scene
Oil on Canvas by Sadequain
1954
Place of Origin: Quetta, Pakistan
Dimensions: 9’.1” x 3’.3”
This painting represents a village scene depicting provincial Balochi women. These female figures are dressed in traditional Balochi garments and can be seen drawing water from the tap. Beautifully painted earthenware pitchers are placed in the foreground, while village houses are visible in the background. All lines and colours are as simple and earthy as village life. This painting portrays the role of women in the villages and their work. The daily activities they’ve performed for their families for centuries.
Gold Coin With The Name Of Vasu Deva
Kushano-Sassanian Rulers
On the obverse, king, to the left, nimbate (halo) with a peaked helmat and complete suit of chain mail, is making an offering with right hand over small altar. He holds a long trident in his Ieft hand and a trident with fillet in right. A two-armed Siva standing to front with a noose in right hand and long trident and a bull standing to the Ieft on the reverse side.
Silver Coin Of Hippostratos
Hippostratos
Maharajasa tratrasa mahatasa jayamtasa Hipustratasa
King in full ceremonial dress, ‘panoply’, on horse prancing to the right
Silver Coin Of Eukratides II
Eukratides II
In astragalos border, diademded bust of king to right, wearing crested helmet adorned with ear and horn of bull on the obverse side. On the reverse side, mounted Dioskouroi is holding palms and charging to right with leveled spears.
Maricha Appears as a Golden Deer To Sita
1720-1730 A.D
Place of Origin: Nurpur, India
Dimensions: 6.8” x 10.7”
A folio from the Ramayana series. In this painting, Maricha (a demon who is Ravana’s minister) assumes the form of a golden deer and so captivates Sita, such that she pleads with Rama to catch it for her. Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana are shown seated in the doorway of a hut to the right of the image. The background is yellow, which is a recurring featuring feature in Pahari Miniature Painting.
Khusrau and Shirin
1760-1770 AD
Place of Origin: India
Dimensions: 6.8” x 10.7”
This painting shows Khusrau on horseback, approaching the bathing Shirin. She is seated on a riverbank in the foreground with her feet in the water while her horse grazes nearby.
The Construction of a Palace
Early 18th century
Place of Origin: India
Dimensions: 14” x 9”
This painting shows a nobleman standing on a plinth to the left of the image, as he supervises the construction of a palace. In the background, a hexagonal pavilion is shown under active construction, while more workmen can be seen in the foreground, carving two pink elephants.
Dream of Queen Maya
2nd - 3rd century C.E.
Place of Origin: Sikri
Dimensions: 25 x 19 x 5 cm
Maya, the Buddha's mother, had a premonition of Buddha's birth in a dream. In her dream, a white six tusked elephant entered her womb. The panel shows queen Maya asleep under a flat-topped canopy and dreaming of the descending white elephant. This piece from Sikri is one of the best examples of the illustration of Maya's dream.
Birth of Siddhartha
2nd – 3rd Century C.E.
Place of Origin: Sikri
Dimensions: 33 x 46 x 5 cm
Princess Mahamaya, the central figure in this relief, can be seen holding onto a Sal tree while giving birth to the Buddha in the Lumbini Garden. The baby figure of the Buddha emerges with his head erect and from Mahamaya’s side.
Ivory Box
Place of Origin: China
Dimensions: 10” x 7”
Donated by Molana Hifz-ur-Rahman
This ivory jewelry box contains two brass handles on both sides. The key knob in front is decorated with a carved pagoda. The box holds dense and details carvings of scenes depicting everyday life.
Rectangular Brass Tray from Nepal
Place of Origin: Nepal
Dimensions: 24” x 19”
A rectangular tray from Nepal studded with semi-precious stones (turquoise, agate, jade, crystal and marble). The central niche shows the figure of standing Buddha in Abhayamudra (the Reassurance Pose) holding a lotus on a platform. The niche is surrounded by a rectangular frame work depicting the flying figures holding garland. The lower part depicts two Boddhistavas standing on the semi-circular pedestals called “Padma-mandalas.”
Durga Slaying the Buffalo Demon
Dimensions: 53” x 34”
This magnificent sculpture shows the goddess Durga, slaying the buffalo demon Maheshasura. Her figure stands on top of Maheshasura, her posture dynamic and victorious. In this representation of Durga, she holds a chakra, a shield, a bow and a trident. There is a lotus halo on the back of her head and very high hair buff. Durga is flying by two Gandharvas at the top and two standing figures at the bottom, wearing garland and holding maces. The top arc of the sculpture depicts the carvings of nine gods from the Hindu pantheon.
Bird Figurine
2600-1900 BCE
Place of Origin: Harappa
Dimensions: 6.4 x 5.1 cm
A small bird in clay from Harappa. This object shows an interest in the realistic depiction of animal forms by Harappan artists.
Bull Figurine
2600-1900 BCE
Place of Origin: Mohenjo-Daro
Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 cm
A small terracotta bull figurine with curved horns and applique eyes.
Unicorn Seal
2600-1900 BCE
Place of Origin: Mohenjo-Daro
Dimensions: 2.4 x2.4 cm
A square seal with the figure of unicorn along with Vedi (altar).
Bukhara Sozni
Place of Origin: Bukhara
Dimensions: 5’ 10.5″ x 3’ 5″
This rug has a 16.5″ border in geometrical pattern. It’s woven with red fawn and black coloured threads. The central register of this rug depict approximately 20 figures and faces. The female figures have wings, suggested that they are celestial beings. There is a singular male figure present, who has a beard. Some figures are shown holding babies in their arms. All the figures are surrounded by floral patterns.
Bilingual Inscription
937 A.H
Place of Origin: Nawab ka Kotla Dist Rohtak India
Dimensions: 36.5" x 20"
The top register of this inscription is in Persian while the bottom register’s text in inscribed in Devinagri. The bilingual composition of both scripts provides the viewer a unique perspective on the multicultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent at this time.
Quaid-e-Azam Memorial Stamp
11th September 1949
Place of Origin: Pakistan
To commemorate the first death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, a set of three postage stamps were issued. These stamps were valued at 1 ½, 3 and 10 anna denominations. The stamp is simply composed with its text framed by a floral and arabesque border. The crescent moon and star that features in the Pakistani flag can be bee seen flanked on the top right and left sides of the border. The text printed holds the title and name of Jinnah, followed by the dates of his birth and death. At the very bottom is his memorable maxim: “Unity, Faith, Discipline”.
Crescent and Star with Leaf
Designed by Abdul Rehman Chughtai
9th July 1948
Place of Origin: Pakistan
The first series of postage stamps issued by the Government of Pakistan commemorated its Independence. This one-rupee stamp was designed by one of Pakistan’s earliest artists, Abdul Rehman Chughtai. The central motif of the crescent moon cradles the words Pakistan, surrounded by an intricate leaf pattern that encircles the central motif as well as two stars on the top right and left corners of the stamp.
GALLERIES
Tickets
Student/ChildRS20
ForeignerRS1000
AdultRS50
Nearby Attractions
TOLLINTON MARKET
Tollinton Market located on the Mall Road, and was built in 1864 as the First Exhibition Hall in Punjab. In the 1920s the building was remodeled as a market and became known as Tollinton Market, named after H.P. Tollinton, the then Secretary of Punjab Government. It served as Lahore City Heritage Museum from 2008 to 2019 under the aegis of Lahore Museum. The said building has been handed over to National College of Arts for the initial period of 5 years commencing in 2019.
Directions / Maps
TOMB OF QUTAB-UD-DIN AIBAK
Qutab-ud-Din Aibak was the founder of Slave Dynasty (Khandan-e- Ghulaman). He was a successor of Shahab-ud-Din Ghor who died as result of fall from horse while playing Polo (Chaugan) in 1210 A.D. and buried in the area outside Lohari Gate now known as Anarkali Bazar.
Directions / Maps
PAK TEA HOUSE
Experience the history, culture and literature in the heart of Lahore at Pak Tea House. Established in 1940, Pak Tea House was central to city’s artistic and political life for decades. An impressive belt of legendary personalities including poets, writers, artists and politicians came and stayed here. It remains a local favourite to this day for its prime location, quaint ambience and simple menu.
Directions / Maps
ANARKALI BAZAR
This bazar is more than 200 years old and known as Anarkali due to a nearby tomb associated to Anarkali, a Mughal courtesan who is said to be bricked into her tomb alive. This bazar is divided into two sections: Old Anarkali and New Anarkali, one has a food street and the other is a shopping hub.
Directions / Maps
URDU BAZAR
Urdu Bazar is among the oldest and biggest book markets in the Indian subcontinent. Its origins can be traced back to the Mughal era. You can find the rarest and newest collections of books here. It also serves as a wholesale market of stationary items.
Directions / Maps
DATA DARBAR
The tomb of Data Ganj Baksh (Ali Hujwiri) is located in the Old City Lahore. It is considered one of the most sacred places in Lahore. Data Ganj Baksh was a renowned Sufi saint from Ghazni (Afghanistan), believed to have lived in 11th Century AD.
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Virtual Tour of the Museum
Experience history like never before
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Testimonials
One of best historical places in Pakistan. A place which is itself a monument and it has a lot to tell about the history .You can find history especially of Gandhara and other local civilizations that used be in the subcontinent. History of Pakistan and important things like coins and stamps etc… Muhammad Huzaifa
Tourist
Lahore Museum's majestic red-brick building blends the old tradition of Mughal architecture. It stands out among the structures built in Lahore during the British period (1849-1947). This building is home to the country's largest and oldest collection of historical, cultural, and artistic… Raja Abdul Aziz
Tourist
Excellent Museum. Make this a stop on your visit. A very good museum with many wonderful artifacts. I recommend getting a guide to take you through the museum, otherwise the importance of many of the artifacts will be missed. Fabulous collection!
Kathleen RSalado, TX145 contributions
Be sure to visit Buddhists. There is a statue of Buddha fasting and it is said that this Buddha statue is nowhere else in the world.
Seung Phil LeeTourist
A most beautiful place. The building and the collections are breath taking. A very warm welcome also.
Yves ManvilleManville