Bradlaugh Hall

Bradlaugh Hall was constructed in the late 19th century.^[4] The Indian National Congress, after five years of planning and fundraising, utilized this structure for its annual session in Lahore in 1893.^[4] This initiative was significantly assisted by Sardar Dyal Singh, a noted newspaper publisher who secured Lahore as the session venue in 1888.^[4] Surplus funds of Rs 10,000 from the session were allocated for the construction of Bradlaugh Hall.^[4]

The building was named in honor of Charles Bradlaugh, a British MP during the late Victorian era, recognized for his advocacy for social justice and affinity towards India.^[4] Bradlaugh attended the Indian National Congress's 5th annual session in India in 1889.^[4] In recognition of his contributions, a dedication plaque was installed at the hall by Surendra Nath Banerji, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, on October 30, 1900.^[2]

Over the ensuing decades, the hall served as a venue for several advocates for the Indian subcontinent, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s.^[4] However, with the rise of the Muslim League in 1946, the Indian National Congress discontinued using the hall.^[4] Subsequently, the hall was repurposed as a grain storage facility, a residence for migrants from Amritsar, and a storage facility for ironworkers.^[4]

After a flood in 1956 rendered the hall unsuitable for habitation or storage, it was transferred to the National Technical Institute.^[4] Following the institute's closure in the late 1990s, the building was rented out to teachers of nearby government schools and other short-term tenants.^[4]

In 2024, the building was conserved and restored by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), to preserve its legacy for future generations.