Lahore’s Aitchison College Celebrates Indian and Pakistani Friendship
In an inspiring gesture, a classroom at Lahore’s Aitchison College has been dedicated to Harcharan Singh Brar, a former student from the time before the Partition. The ceremony took place on June 10, honoring the legacy of Brar, who later became the Chief Minister of Punjab from 1995 to 1996. The room, known as ‘Classroom No. 108’, features a plaque inscribed with the words “God is One” in English, Urdu, and Gurmukhi, which was unveiled by Brar’s daughter, Babli Brar.
This heartfelt tribute was made possible by Brar’s long-time friend and schoolmate, Syed Babar Ali, who is now 100 years old. Ali, a prominent industrialist and former finance minister, is recognized as one of Aitchison’s oldest alumni. Their friendship began in undivided Punjab and has endured through numerous challenges, including the Partition and various conflicts, lasting until Brar’s passing in 2009.
Established in 1886 and often referred to as Pakistan’s version of Eton, Aitchison College has been a training ground for many notable leaders, including former Prime Ministers Imran Khan and Zafarullah Khan Jamali. Brar joined the school in 1937, excelling in academics, sports, and as a student leader. During a return visit in 1989, he opened a library dedicated to Ali, marking a strong bond of friendship that has now come full circle.
The plaque is part of a larger project supported by Ali, which honors other classmates and influential teachers from the years 1934 to 1943. This project serves as a reminder of an undivided Punjab, celebrating figures such as Pandit Hetwa Nand Kashyap and Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s sons.
Muhammad Mohsin Khan Leghari, a former senator and an Aitchison alumnus, shared that this honor reflects the tradition of recognizing distinguished students at the school, which has educated the sons of many influential families. “This school was about nurturing future leaders,” he noted.
As part of a broader effort in Lahore to reconnect with its pre-Partition history, several historic street names have been restored, while discussions continue on how to honor the legacy of Bhagat Singh. These efforts align with the Lahore Heritage Area Revival project launched in 2025.
For families of former students, Aitchison’s history is deeply entwined with the events of Partition. Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, an honorary envoy at the college, emphasized that boys from Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh backgrounds studied together at Aitchison. Though the Partition caused many friendships to fade, efforts are being made to preserve their stories. Of the roughly 245 students in 1947, many left for summer vacations but never returned, leading to a poignant sense of loss.
Butalia recounted the story of a student who was abruptly told by a soldier that his father had summoned him, leaving him little time to say goodbye to friends. Sadly, he was quickly sent away to India.
Today, only a few pre-Partition alumni are believed to still be alive in India. However, many who once roamed the halls of Aitchison from Lahore have returned, weaving their stories back into the fabric of this historic institution.
