IN MEMORY OF LALA MELA RAM– A FAMOUS HINDU FROM LAHORE (2021)

In honor of Lala Mela Ram, a prominent Hindu figure from Lahore, several significant contributions and legacies mark his memory. One notable contribution is his donation to the establishment of Lahore Zoo. In the 1860s, the zoo began as a menagerie and later transformed into a proper zoo with the addition of an aviary, generously donated by Lala Mela Ram in 1872. Even today, a commemorative plaque stands in Lahore Zoo, serving as a testament to his generosity. The plaque features inscriptions in English, Urdu, and Hindi, with the English inscription stating,

“This Aviary was presented to the municipal committee of Lahore By Lalla Mela Ram. March 1872”

Lala Mela Ram's impact extended beyond the zoo. The area where Charing Cross now stands on Mall Road, Lahore, once housed the Mela Ram Building, which contained numerous shops. However, in the early 1960s, the building was demolished, and the WAPDA House was constructed in its place. This significant structure measured 21 Kanal, 5 marlas, and 190 square feet, including both buildings and open and vacant sites spanning 3 kanal and 2 marlas. Notably, the area encompassing the PTCL Building today was also part of Mela Ram's property.

Within Bhati Gate, Mohallah Shish Mahal, Rai Bahadur Mela Ram resided in a grand Haveli, which unfortunately no longer exists. This Haveli was a spectacle within Bhati Gate, showcasing the splendor and elegance of the era. Both Rai Bahadur Mela Ram and his son, Rai Bahadur Ram Saran Dass, were followers of the "Sanatam Dharm" and commanded immense respect within the community. Rai Bahadur Ram Saran Dass, known for his patronage of the arts, celebrated Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh festivals with great fervor at his residence.

The contributions of Rai Bahadur Mela Ram and Rai Bahadur Ram Saran Dass extended beyond their personal endeavors. In the late nineteenth century, when Lahore was connected to Amritsar by rail, the Lahore Railway Station was built by notable contractors, including Mian Sultan of Landa Bazar, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh Dol Gar of Mochi Gate, and Rai Bahadur Mela Ram. The father and son duo held celebrations for various festivals, inviting individuals from diverse backgrounds. These gatherings were known for their musical soirees, with attendees including esteemed figures such as Allama Iqbal, Sir Abdul Qadir, Sir Shahabud Din, Mian Sirajud Din, Raja Narindranath, Raja Sir Days Kishan Kaul, Nawab Liaqat Hayat Khan, Nawab Ahmed Yar Khan Daultana, Sikandar Hayat Khan, Mian Muhammad Nasirud Din, Khan Bahadur Suyed Maratab Ali, Sardar Sundar Singh Majitjia, and Sardar Joginder Singh.

To honor Lala Mela Ram's memory, a road in Lahore was named Mela Ram Road. This road was home to Mela Ram Textile Mill, although the mill no longer exists today. Additionally, the present-day Lahore Zoo, originally known as Chirya Ghar, also holds a connection to Lala Mela Ram, as the land on which it stands was donated by him in the late nineteenth century. Thus, Lala Mela Ram's contributions have left an indelible mark on Lahore's landscape and continue to be remembered through various landmarks and institutions bearing his name.