14-04-2018
Once upon a time, in the heart of Lahore, there lived a remarkable military man named General Jean-François Allard. This French officer, born in the quaint town of Saint-Tropez in 1785, had already carved an illustrious path in the annals of military history. His tale began amidst the tumultuous Napoleonic Wars, where he served valiantly as a captain in the French Hussars, leaving his mark on battlefields in Italy, Spain, and France.
However, fate took an unexpected turn after Napoleon retreated to Golfe Juan. Allard, ever adaptable, found himself in Iran, immersing himself in the intricacies of the Persian language. In this foreign land, he became a loyal servant to the local king until political machinations set the stage for his escape. The British government, promising significant military aid to Iran, demanded the expulsion of all French soldiers. Unwilling to face the consequences, Allard chose to slip away in the dead of night, embarking on a covert journey towards the distant city of Kabul.
His travels led him through treacherous terrain, including the perilous Khyber Pass, until he reached the tranquil banks of the River Ravi at Shahdara. With the assistance of his fellow French general Ventura, Allard stealthily crossed the river under the shroud of darkness, finding refuge within the ancient walled city of Lahore in March 1822.
In Lahore, Allard was a man on a mission. He expressed his fervent desire to Maharajah Ranjit Singh, declaring his intention to contribute to the local army's strength and train Sikh soldiers in the art of modern warfare to counter the looming threat of British forces. The cautious Maharajah, wary of potential British spies, kept a watchful eye on Allard and his compatriots, commanding them to stay in Lahore under the scrutiny of his spies.
Months passed, during which Allard patiently awaited the Maharajah's trust. Finally, after nearly three months, the cautious ruler extended his hand in confidence. Allard, now entrusted with the responsibility, set about reorganizing the Maharajah's cavalry, drawing inspiration from the sophisticated military practices of Europe.
Amidst the historical events, General Jean-François Allard found solace in the serene surroundings of Anarkali's tomb, seeking respite from the scorching Lahori heat.
Ignoring cautions of possible divine consequences for disturbing the grave, he opted to shift the tombstone aside, creating space to position his bed in the central hall of the tomb for a cooler environment.
Little did he know that tragedy would soon befall him. His beloved 12-year-old daughter, Mari Charlotte, succumbed to illness, leaving General Allard grief-stricken. In her memory, he laid her to rest in the Purani Anarkali area, where he also erected a beautiful garden known as Kuri da bagh—a poignant tribute to a life lost too soon.
And so, the tale of General Jean-François Allard unfolded, a journey marked by resilience, adaptability, and a profound commitment to a cause that led him to the heart of Lahore, where his legacy endured in the pages of history.
Special thanks to Dr. Amir Chaudhry, from Faisalabad for sharing this interesting part of history
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| Grave of Anarkali |
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| View of Tomb from the first floor, you can see the center of the Tomb, this used to be the original position of the Grave |
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| Another View of Standing along Grave |
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| Another view of Tomb from indie |
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| History of Tomb |
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| View of Tomb from Outside |
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| Tomb of Daughter of Gen. Alard, Marie Charlotte |
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