Lahore: Tales Without End

by Majid Sheikh

The idea of a book on Lahore is hardly new. A number of books have been written on this wonderful city that has seen the ebb and flow of time through the centuries. But, there is a need for many more. For Lahore remains a virtually inexhaustible treasure of stories that inspire, instruct and entertain. Majid Sheikh in his writings on the people, places and events that constitute Lahore's history brings out its exuberance as well as its pathos. Over times it has been laid waste by waves of invaders and by bouts of famine but has bounced back each time with its zest for life undiminished. Perhaps, it is to this distinguishing trait that its denizens point to when they say Lahore Lahore ai. Today when the city can no longer call the Ravi its own and is beset with mindless development, and qabza groups as well as grinding poverty in its midst, that spirit is much needed. But, what strikes one most in reading the book is the historical plurality of culture, religion and ethnicity that gave Lahore its particular tone and style. And it is perhaps this that helps Lahore retain that very special place not only in the hearts and minds of those who live here or elsewhere in Pakistan but throughout the subcontinent and beyond.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Pakistan

435 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[John Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of books on the history of Lahore, including the two classic ones by SM Latif and Baqir. I studied these in my university days. Then there is an interesting book by Pran Nevile.

But when it comes to a true classic combining history and folklore no one can match the classsical books of Majid Sheikh. On Google I read his weekly column, each better than the last. Highly recommended to readers all over the world.

[Salman Ahsan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a collection of weekly columns published in the Dawn newspaper. With a some effort the book could have been better organized, with all the redundancies an typos removed - there is a typo in almost every sentence of the book. Regardless, it is a lovely mixture of myths, urban legends and history (with no real attempt to differentiate among these categories) - a great attempt to put together all these stories for generations to come.

[Hussnain Baqar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for someone who loves this remarkable city.

[M.Waqar Majeed` · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series of newspaper columns that are very interesting to read. They are basically stories related to different aspects of Lahore, past and present.