S Mohkam-ud-Din and Sons Bakers started in 1879 in Anarkali Bazaar, Old Lahore. It’s a famous bakery that has been around for over a hundred years, showing off its long history and ability to stay popular. This bakery is not just a place to get tasty treats, it’s also an important part of Lahore’s culture. It is probably the first bakery in South Asia.
Explore the interesting story of S. Mohkam-ud-Din, who, during a time when cakes and biscuits were new to people in India, led the way in bringing baked treats to Lahore. He didn’t just focus on making food for the British upper class; he wanted everyone, including regular folks, to enjoy. S Mohkam-Ud-Din and Sons Bakers menu includes biscuits ( traditional biscuits, finger, Sugar-free Khatai, Jam Biscuits, almond, sugar-free, and soji), patties (three types of patties, vegetable, chicken, and plain), pastries, and cakes (Christmas cake, plum cake, cakes for weddings, and Muslim celebration like Eid Milad-ul-Nabi and other religious festivals).
Historical Delights: Exploring the Past of S. Mohkam-ud-Din & Sons Bakers
Mohkamuddin, who owned the bakery, passed away in 1947. He left the business to his two sons, and one of them is Naqvi’s father, Khushbakht Hussain. Now, the grandchildren of Mohkamuddin, including Mohkam Naqvi and Shajjar Naqvi are the ones managing the bakery.
Remember, the bakery has a lot of interesting history. When you go inside, it’s like visiting a museum. There are old dishes on display, and you can see decorations from Christian wedding cakes and chairs from classical Iranian restaurants that make you feel like you’re in the past. The best part is the old photos and newspaper clippings, and there’s a big picture of the owner, Syed Mohkam-ud-Din, the person who started the bakery. All these things bring back memories of the good old days.
Grand Opening:
There’s a story that Lady Aitchison, the wife of Sir Charles Aitchison (the governor and founder of Aitchison College), knew about Mohkam-ud-Din’s talent for baking. She encouraged him to start a bakery. Finally, on January 1, 1879, S. Mohkam-ud-Din & Sons opened its doors at Neela Gunbad, Anarkali. Lady Aitchison inaugurated it, and there were important British guests and government officials there, including Khushbakht Hussain Naqvi, an army contractor who was friends with some officers at the Governor’s House.
Customers:
S. Mohkam-ud-Din & Sons has been fortunate to serve a remarkable group of customers, including important people from different walks of life, both during the time when the British ruled India and afterward. The list includes Jawaharlal Nehru, Feroz Khan Noon, Mumtaz Daultana, Nawab of Junagarh and Sir Henry Lawrence, Tufail Hoshiarpuri, Waqar Ambalwi, Muhamad Tufail (Former Editor “Naqoosh”), Agha Shorish Kashmiri, Maulana Kausar Niazi, Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Tabasum, Dr. Nazir Ahmed, Dr. Ajmal Khan, Lala Dhani Ram, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, archbishop of Lahore, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Mr. Alexander John Malik and many others were among regular customers also.
Allama Iqbal was also a regular customer at the bakery. As Shah ji tells it, “He [Iqbal] used to live nearby, in the Anarkali area, and liked to visit for a chat over a cup of tea.”
Mohkam-ud-Din & Sons’ Signature Rich Plum Cake:
S Mohkam-ud-Din and Sons Bakers is renowned for its exclusive rich Plum cake, often called the “King of the cakes.” The recipe has always been a well-kept secret, demanding significant time and patience.
Today, the recipe is meticulously adhered to, typically crafted in the spring season with the finest ingredients. Raisins and black currants are sourced from Azerbaijan, cashew nuts from Vietnam, pistachios and almonds with khairadeeni oil from Iran, and saffron from Spain. These ingredients undergo thorough cleaning and are left to dry in the shade for several days.
Lady Harrison’s Fingers
Mr. Naqvi shares a funny story about his grandfather who created “Lady Harrison’s Fingers” biscuits. Mrs. Harrison, a friend, and painter, jokingly asked for cookies shaped like her fingers. To everyone’s surprise, the cookies (finger biscuits) became a hit, but many customers couldn’t speak English well and simply asked for “O Pajee Lady Harrison diyan ungalan deyo.”
Mohkamuddin, who owned the bakery, passed away in 1947. He left the business to his two sons, and one of them is Naqvi’s father, Khushbakht Hussain. Now, the grandchildren of Mohkamuddin, including Mohkam Naqvi and Shajjar Naqvi are the ones managing the bakery.
Prices and Contact Information:
S Mohkam-Ud-Din and Sons Bakers & Wedding Cakes
H8C6+4J3, Anarkali Bazaar Neela Gumbad, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan
Phone: 0300 8033700
Home Delivery is also available.
Contact for Home Delivery:
Mohkam Naqvi Phone: 0300 8033700
Shajjar Naqvi Phone: 0300 4267358
Abdul Khaliq Phone: 0304 4551306
The cakes and other bakery items have different prices depending on how good they are. You can get a cake that costs anywhere from 550 to 5500 PKR per pound. The cakes with red wine are the most expensive because they use really good wine.
S Mohkam-ud-Din and Sons Bakers are like a shining light of great cooking, bringing together old ways and new ideas. The stories, connections to history, and delicious treats all come together, making this bakery a crucial part of Old Lahore.
