Color Photographs of Lahore in 1914
Color photographs of Lahore taken in January 1914 offer a rare and fascinating glimpse into the city’s vibrant past. These remarkable images capture everyday life in early twentieth-century Lahore, showing grand Hindu temples, bustling markets, traditional houses, and iconic landmarks such as the Wazir Khan Mosque. Some photographs also show sadhus and their companions resting beneath a large tree at the Krishna Mandir, photographed on 12 January 1914, reflecting the city’s rich religious and cultural diversity.
These photographs were taken by Albert Kahn, a French banker, philanthropist, and visionary, who launched one of the most ambitious photographic projects in history. In 1909, Kahn began his famous Archives of the Planet project with the aim of creating a visual record of human life across the world. A strong believer in internationalism and peace, he hoped that showing people the everyday lives of others would promote cross-cultural understanding.
Using the revolutionary autochrome process, the world’s first practical method of producing true-color photographs, Kahn sent photographers to more than fifty countries over a period of twenty years. The result was an extraordinary archive of over 72,000 color images, documenting societies, traditions, architecture, and landscapes at a time when most of the world was still recorded only in black and white.
For many decades, this remarkable collection remained largely forgotten. Today, more than a century later, Albert Kahn’s work has been rediscovered and brought back to life through beautifully illustrated books and a BBC documentary series. These images allow modern audiences to experience the early twentieth century in vivid color, transforming our understanding of history by adding depth and humanity to what we often imagine as a monochrome world.
Many of the places visible in these historic photographs still exist in modern Lahore. Travel & Culture Services will be delighted to take you to see several of these historically significant locations on our Lahore City Tour. Visiting the Walled City, Wazir Khan Mosque, old bazaars, and surrounding heritage sites offers a powerful connection between the Lahore of 1914 and the vibrant city of today.
Learn more about our Lahore City Tour
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