Leaving behind ancestral lands, a decades-old family residence, and a business painstakingly built with blood and sweat is an emotional upheaval that would today seem insurmountable for anyone. Yet, such was the reality for numerous refugee families, some of whom even chose to settle in Lucknow.
It was a time when most of the Lucknow lay in what we now recognize as the ‘Old Lucknow’ area, while the present-day prominent areas of Gomti Nagar, Jankipuram or even parts of Indira Nagar were yet to take shape. Despite the difficulties, Mr. A.R. Kapur, a 26-year-old at the time, decided to settle in Lucknow and establish his optical shop in the Hazratganj area, in the year 1947. And that’s Lahore Optical for you!
Finding a new home
A.R. Kapur owned the flourishing optical shop, ‘Lahore Spectacles Mart,’ a legacy established by his father in 1936 on Railway Road in Lahore. Following the tumultuous events of 1947, like other Sikh and Hindu families, he resettled and resumed his familiar trade.
While reflecting on his father’s journey, Mr. Anil Kapur, a humble septuagenarian optician and son of A.R. Kapur mentioned, “My father, a learned man with a bachelor’s in English, navigated the challenges of those times. Despite the St. Cathedral Church typically allocating rental space exclusively to missionaries, a special exception was made for him in 1947 by order of the divisional commissioner.”
“He was further allotted a bicycle by the DM at the nominal cost of ₹10 for commuting between home and his store, a small yet significant support that aided his dedication to rebuilding in a new city.”
The controversy which once surrounded the shop
The inclusion of ‘Lahore’ in the name of the optical shop became a source of controversy, particularly during the Indo-Pak conflicts from 1965 to 1971, a period marked by escalating tensions. Mr. Kapur recalls the challenges his father faced when people insisted on changing the shop’s name due to its association with a present-day Pakistan city. Despite the threats, his father, rooted in the business’s Lahore origins, steadfastly refused to alter the name.
“He chose not to change the name but instead concealed the signboard with a chaadar,” Mr. Kapur revealed. Over time, the city’s residents embraced the name, and the shop became cherished for its excellent service, earning the trust of numerous patrons.
Lahore Optical, a one-stop shop offering complete optical solutions
Despite the growing competition from online platforms, the shop has maintained a loyal customer base. In Mr. Kapur’s words, “God has been merciful, hamara to chal raha hai.”
Today, Lahore Optical, a shop in the fronside of St.Cathedral Church, offers comprehensive optician services, encompassing eyesight testing, customization of spectacles, lenses, sunglasses, and spectacle frames from internationally reputed brands, as well as contact lenses—all available under one roof.
Knock Knock
In Lucknow one can find numerous businesses, including renowned eateries, shops, famous restaurants, and local brands, established by refugee families, and which are flourishing. The narrative unfolds as a poignant tale, where refugees who settled in Lucknow, not only ended up identifying the city as their home but also made Lucknow identify with them.
Where: Lahore Optical, St. Cathedral Church, near Hazratganj Metro Gate 3
Contact: 9335907501
