LAHORE, Aug 18: There is a great similarity between and Lahore, both the cities being centres of art and learning. This was the impression of a scholar and expert in public relations from Lucknow, Hasan Ali Khan, on a visit here to see friends and relatives.

Talking to Dawn, he said both the cities have much in common. Their names start with the same word, they have the same language, and have buildings of historic interest and monuments presenting a fine example of architectural beauty.

In style and grandeur, in town planning, in quality and patterns of architectural layout, Lucknow and Lahore have a vast resemblance. He said that during the 16th and 17th centuries, the Moguls controlled much of the sub-continent and spent a lot of energy and amount on construction of palaces, fortresses, mausoleums and places of worships besides building new cities at Delhi, Agra, Lahore, Fatehpur Sikri, Lucknow and other sites.

He said Humayun's tomb, built south-east of Delhi in 1556, set the pattern of mausoleums erected subsequently in Lahore, Lucknow and other cities during the Mogul period.

Shah Jehan built structures of extreme decorative richness. He also built the Jamia Mosque in Delhi in 1958, which was a source of direct inspiration for the rulers who built Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and Jamia Mosque in Lucknow.

He said he found similarities of thinking among people on both sides of the Pakistan-India border whose vast majority was peaceful and peace-loving and cherished to live in a peaceful atmosphere.

Hasan Ali Khan lauded the peace initiative launched by both the neighbours, India and Pakistan, and efforts on both sides to promote peace, harmony and mutual trust.