Culturally Sustainable Ornamentation in Sikh Architecture: A Case Study of Sher Singh Baradari, Lahore

This paper draws attention to the richness of architectural ornamentation in the complex of Sher Singh Baradari in Lahore, Pakistan. It holds a diverse cultural evolution in the sub-continent's historical context. The research emphasizes how the Sikh community learned aesthetics heavily from the then-empires, notably the Mughals, who introduced innovative ornamentation techniques through their art and crafts in grand monuments, forts, and palaces. During the Mughal empire, Sikh artisans participated in royal training programs and acquired skills in mural decorations, miniature artworks and structural embellishments, which they later adapted into their own designs for havelis, forts, palaces and gurduwaras. This comparative study clearly investigates key ornamental features, including stylized vase arrangements, blooming lotus heads, symmetrical floral borders with curvilinear stems and multi-petal flowers, pointed cinquefoil arches and geometric brick patterns. The Sher Singh Baradari was originally a summer residence for the Maharaja Sher Singh during his reign; he was the son of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. After the assassination of Sher Singh, that palace became his resting place. The building comprises the Baradari complex, Samadhi, a small mosque and the tomb of saint Hazrat Bilawal Shah Qadri. The complex embraced substantial destructions by mobs and conflicts. In a nutshell, the findings underline that the progression of Sikh art was often overshadowed by the then-existing empires. The research highlights the need for urgent conservation to safeguard and protect this site from further deterioration. The study drew attention towards synthesized traditional influences with local creativity, with a unique elegance in a visual language.