Lahore restores historical original Hindu or British-era name

In the past two months, Lahore has officially renamed nine locations that previously carried Islamic names, returning them to their original Hindu or British-era names. Authorities say the move is part of an effort to preserve the city’s historical and cultural heritage.
The changes include streets, parks, and landmarks, some of which date back over a century. While historians have praised the initiative for highlighting Lahore’s diverse past, residents have expressed mixed reactions—some welcome the restoration, while others feel the changes are unnecessary.
City officials say more renamings may follow as part of ongoing heritage preservation projects.
Located around 50 kilometres from Amritsar, Lahore is now returning to its roots after spending decades under the grip of Islamisation. Among them, Islampura will now officially be known by its old name Krishan Nagar, while Babri Masjid Chowk has been restored to its earlier name, Jain Mandir Chowk. New signboards reflecting these changes have also been installed. Notably, no hardline groups in Pakistan have managed to launch any major opposition against the move.
According to Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, all eight gates of the walled city of Lahore, including Delhi Gate, will also be restored. Sources say that in the second phase of the renaming drive, original names could also be reinstated in Pakistan’s Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Their original names restored
Islampura renamed back to Krishnanagar
Sunnatnagar renamed back to Santnagar
Maulana Zafar Chowk renamed back to Lakshmi Chowk
Babri Masjid Chowk renamed back to Jain Mandir Chowk
Mustafaabad renamed back to Dharampura
Sir Aga Khan Chowk renamed back to Davis Road
Allama Iqbal Road renamed back to Jail Road
Fatima Jinnah Road renamed back to Queens Road
Bagh-e-Jinnah renamed back to Lawrence Road
Saad Malik, a lecturer at Beaconhouse National University in Lahore, says, “This is truly a welcome change. I have always called it Lakshmi Chowk because my father used the same name.”