Shri Mela Ram Saran Das

 

Shri Mela Ram Saran Das, was a famed industrialist of Lahore who was devoted to HH  Shri Bjola Nathji.  When he heard about the sudden conversion of R.R. Khanna who was very westernised he came all the way to Lucknow to meet. Him. When Khanna told that Shri Bhoa Nathji has left for Lahore he went back and to Lahore to meet Shri Nathji for His Blessings.

He had been surprised at the Lala Mela Ram was a famous son of Lahore. His factory, his house as well as his many things were left in Lahore. The Mela Ram road is still there near Data Darbar Sahib and is called Darbar road now. A huge safe was salvaged by people, which included a host of documents. Stocks worth lakhs of rupees, photographs of his family, invitation cards (including the investiture of British Kings and Queens) from London,

Rai Bahadur Lala Mela Ram Saran Das (1876 - 1945) was a popular socialite and businessman a major contractor for the British Government. He owned and lived in a grand  Haveli called Shish Mahal, inside Bhati Gate. He was a great patron of the arts,  and celebrated all major Hindu, Muslim and Sikh festivals with great fanfare at his residence. Now that building is demolished.

He had major role as contractor in the laying of the Lahore-Amritsar Railroad in 1880. Mela Ram Road in Lahore is named in his memory. Its near Data Darbar Sahib and is called Darbar road now. There used to be Mela Ram Textile Mill on this road. That mill no longer exists. The present Lahore zoo (named Chirya Ghar at that time) is also land donated by Rai Mela Ram in late nineteenth century.

In Lahore w Rai Mela Ram's Building used to house many shops and businesses. It was also pulled down in the 1960’s and at this central location now stands the WAPDA, or Water and Power Development Authority headquarters in Lahore. Its photo is given bellow

After partition his factory, his house as well as his many things were left in Lahore. A huge safe was salvaged by people, which included a host of documents. Stocks worth lakhs of rupees, photographs of his family, invitation cards (including the investiture of British Kings and Queens) from London. It that safe were also certificates of his proclamation as RAI and as RAI BAHADUR.by the British Govt. Those Certificates were latter purchased by the Chughtai Museum in Lahore and are displayed there.