Changing of the Guard

About 45 minutes west of Lahore is the border between Pakistan and India. For those that do not know, Pakistan was created by severing a western section of India in 1947. Pakistan was created as an Islam state and all muslims from over India migrated to Pakistan and all Hindus left. There have been wars fought between India and Pakistan, the latest being around 1962 and maybe in the 70s (I can't know everything).

At the border crossing there is a nightly ritual of lowering the flags on both sides of the border. There are viewing stands set up on both sides of the border where each side tries to out cheer the opposition. This is a picture looking over to the Indians from the Pakistan side of the border.





This is a picture of the Pakistan cheering sections. Note that there are viewing stands on both sides of the road. Men and women in Pakistan do not sit together. Note that all the people in the stands are men. The VIPs and foreigners can be mixed and get a front row seat. You will note that the Indian side have co-ed seating and play loud rock music while the Pakistani side plays traditional music and chants Islam cheers.

The Pakistani honor guard march down into the centre of the roadway between the viewing stands. There is a lot of marching up to the gates with a lot of pomp and show with heavy stomping feet. This is to intimidate the opposition and to challenge. This goes on a few times then the gates are opened. Now the guards from both sides march up to the gate and stomp their feet and give each other the evil eye.






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