At one time, some 40 years back, it was Srinagar’s Carnaby Street
Lambert Lane
Sana Altaf (Kashmir Times)
Lined up with series of shops and business outlets, Lambert Lane at Residency Road has grown up as a favorite hound of shoppers. However the name of the few meters lane is linked to the history of Kashmir.
The Lane is named after a British pharmacist, Lambert.
During the British rule, Lambert had come to Kashmir to sell English medicines for his natives living in Kashmir. The quality of medicines used by Britishers would not be available in the valley.
“The types of medicines used by Britishers were found no where here. So Lambert came up with pharmacy,” said Zareef Ahmad Zareef, writer.
In a large building at the present location of Pamposh hotel, housed Lambert Pharmaceuticals Agency. The building was built in victorial architecture and was called Lambert building.
The medicines were mostly commonly supplied to the British solider fighting war who would also at times come to Lambert Pharmacy.
“During the British rule the transit camp was located at Naseem Bagh, The British officer and soldiers would come from there to take medicines from Lambert pharmacy,” said Zareef.
Lambert’s pharmacy not only invited Britishers but also local customers. The availability of quality medicines of all types gave the pharmacy brisk business.
Even after the end of the British rule, the pharmacy continued to function from the same building till late 1950’s.
“In 1950’ the building was sold to a local Kashmiri and Kashmir handicraft showroom was opened there,” recalls Zareef.
The old building was demolished despite it being of an ancient architecture. Later the buildings was again sold and converted into present Pamposh hotel.
It was after the pharmacist Lambert that Lambert lane was named. The lane, which initially had few shops, is now growing up as a leading shopping spot. Major national and international brands have opened up there showrooms in the Lambert lanes, making it attractive for the shoppers.