Empire, Faith, And Form: The Gothic Revival Legacy Of The Cathedral Church Of The Resurrection, Lahore

Abstract

Architecture has always been a powerful tool throughout history of mankind to showcase power struggles and evolution of cultural elements. It has been used to demonstrate political dominance and the superiority of one's religion. The Subcontinent has been home to numerous structures, including those created by indigenous Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Islamic invaders, and the British Empire. These structures were designed to demonstrate their political hold, faith, or connection to local culture.

Gothic architecture was primarily used by Christians for religious buildings, as they were considered the physical house of God on Earth. Gothic cathedrals, which originated in the 12th century, were designed to block out nature and earthly distractions, allowing Christians to develop a more personal connection with God.

The construction of Gothic or Neo Gothic style churches in Lahore was driven by the increasing number of Protestants in the subcontinent and to mark the land as their own. Although some modifications were made, the actual style remained gothic. The construction was costly, and the colonial rulers needed to show the superiority of their religion and their relationship with the local population, as well as the Catholics, as their own church, the "church of the sacred heart of Jesus," was being built nearby.