Tucked between the verdant Mayou Gardens and the prestigious Aitchison College lies a shaded avenue connecting Canal Road with Davis Road. Known fondly as Thandi Sarak (The Cool Road), it earned its name from the towering trees that form a leafy canopy, keeping the temperature refreshingly lower than in most parts of Lahore. This serene stretch has long been a refuge for those seeking a peaceful escape from the city's urban chaos.
In the year 80s, my Nana would take me on his bicycle from Mughalpura, navigating the calm and shaded path of Thandi Sarak to reach Lawrence Garden. The road’s solitude, fresh breeze, and the gentle rustling of leaves are memories I cherish deeply. It was a time when Lahore was a city of open spaces, not yet consumed by its transformation into a sprawling concrete jungle.
Years later, while exploring the historical names of Lahore’s roads, I discovered that Thandi Sarak had a much richer past. It is originally called Sundar Das Road. Intrigued, I stumbled upon an article by Majid Sheikh in Dawn, which unraveled the remarkable legacy of Rai Bahadur Sundar Das Suri, the man behind the name.
Who Was Rai Bahadur Sundar Das Suri?
Rai Bahadur Sundar Das Suri, MA, was a distinguished figure in pre-Partition Lahore. As Punjab’s Chief Inspector of Schools, he was instrumental in advancing education and worked closely with luminaries like Lala Lajpat Rai and Professor Ruchi Ram Sahni. His efforts significantly shaped the academic landscape of the region, including the expansion of Aitchison College and addressing the educational needs of Punjabi students.
The area now known as Zaman Park was originally called Sunder Das Park, named after his family. By 1942, the colony housed six homes, all belonging to members of the Suri family. However, the Partition of 1947 uprooted the family, and much of their contributions to Lahore faded into obscurity.
The Trailblazing Daughter: Savitri Sahni
Amidst Sundar Das Suri’s legacy, his daughter Savitri Suri stands out as a remarkable figure. Born in 1902 in what is now Zaman Park, she later married Professor Birbal Sahni, a pioneering palaeobotanist who founded the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) in Lucknow, India.
Tragedy struck shortly after the institute's foundation in 1949 when Professor Sahni passed away. Despite this devastating loss, Savitri dedicated herself to fulfilling her husband’s vision. For over two decades, she served as the institute’s president, transforming it into a leading center for palaeobotanical research. Her tireless efforts earned her the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1969, one of India’s highest civilian honors.
A Road Rich in History
While Thandi Sarak still retains its lush greenery and cooling breezes, its deeper historical significance often goes unnoticed. Sundar Das Road is more than just a shaded avenue—it is a quiet reminder of Lahore’s vibrant intellectual and cultural legacy.
Beneath the leafy canopy lies a story of pioneering educators and scientists whose contributions transcended borders. It speaks of a Lahore that once nurtured visionaries who shaped education and science across the subcontinent—a legacy worth remembering and celebrating.
