Faridkot Block King Edward University

 December 30, 2017

The First Medical College building was of the Anatomy Department. However, it went through

timely alterations in 1887, 1892, and subsequently in 1915. The original entrance to the main

hall faced South in beginning but later faced North indicating modifications through a donation

by the Nawab of Faridkot.

The present-day building famously known as the Patiala block of King Edward Medical College is not

the actual structure that was constructed in 1883. The newly constructed building known as

Patiala block was established and inaugurated in 1915 by Lord Hardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy, and Governor General of India. Both Patiala block and Bahawalpur block were constructed in

the colonial era of the British Raj and they were the extension projects of 1914 and 1916

respectively. Patiala block was built as the replica of the Palace of Nawab Bhupinder Singh Marble

from mines of Balochistan, teakwood from Burma, and sandstone from various states in India

was brought to build the architectural masterpieces. The building comprises of an administrative office, a large library cum examination hall, four lecture theatres, a museum, a council room, and common rooms for staff and students. This block was named after Nawab Bhupinder Singh

of Patiala (October 1891- March 1938) who was famous for his bold architectural designs and

construction of buildings. He donated generous funds and was known for his extravagance. It was

an expansive structure by any standards where Burma teakwood was used extensively. The façade

of Patiala has two balanced wings on its sides with a central dome and a pattern of three arches

along with a domed tower. This well-designed symmetrical building is elegant not only in its

structure but also in its function. This charismatic building has different architectural features.

which are symbolic representations of various dynasties and the portico, which has an archway entrance from East to West. Inside the portico, dado work is used for decoration in the form of cartouche and crown with lotus ower which represents Buddhism. The entrance corridor is ornamented with different types of architectural features, pilaster, inverted cone (latu), dental frieze, corbel, and brackets. On entering through the portico in a hall which has a central wooden staircase. The quarter landing staircase with three types of newel posts has been used for central staircase. This wooden staircase is infiuenced by the Victorian (1870 to 1910) style. Then there are marble slabs one of which carries names of the donors, another of graduates of the college who laid their lives for the countrymen. Square collar column are used in this block which are divided into three parts including capital, shaft and base like human body. The columns have ionic type capitals which are decorated simply with a design of diamond. Before going to the main library hall there is a corridor that gives the look of an arcade but actually is the placement of collar columns. The Main Library Hall has a tapered roof and this significant and historical hall has also been used for shooting of many films. The structure or design of the Patiala Block is not only an Imperial stamp of the British Raj. It also shows the cross-cultural connection of ingenious and foreign elements in architectural language. The domes of the building both in Patiala block and Bahawalpur block have pendative or Byzantine style with an imposed circular dome above. The domed towers of both buildings are similar in structure to the minarets of Sheesh Mahal of Palace in Patiala built in the 19th century by Maharaja Narinder Singh and Sheesh Mahal of Lahore Mughal Fort. 

In 1909, Lt. Col. D.W. Sutherland, King Edward Memorial Fund was launched 1910 to expand the facilities of the college, Mayo Hospital, Albert Victor Block, and Lady Aitchison Hospital. Lahore Medical College was renamed as King Edward Medical College st on 21 December 1911. Dr. Sutherland worked hard for the progress of this newly named institution. A stroke of good fortune came in the form of the King Edward Medical Memorial Fund. Lt. Col D.W. Sutherland became Principal of the King Edward College. “The naming of Lahore Medical School to King Edward medical college has an intriguing history of its own. The college was named after Edward VII. As expected from a King, Edward VII lived a life of luxury but with bad health. Edward contracted typhoid, the disease that was believed to have killed his father King Albert. There was a great national concern, as a King, he had numerous responsibilities. Therefore, he needed immediate medical attention. Sadly, that was not properly available at that time. Towards the end of his life, he suffered from pneumonia. Also, his wife, Alexandra of Denmark, suffered from Otosclerosis, a congenital disease. He died on 16 May 1910 from pneumonia. King George V, son of Edward VII, established this memorial fund in recognition of the need of providing medical treatment to the common people, as a service to humanity and as an homage to his parents”. (Haider 2018) In 2006 KEMC was upgraded to King Edward Medical University. Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Hasan (Sitara-Imtiaz) became the first Vice Chancellor of KEMU