Pakistan :: Lahore

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Lahore

It is Pakistan's most interesting city, the cultural, intellectual and artistic center of the nation. Its faded elegance, busy streets and bazaars, and wide variety of Islamic and British architecture make it a city full of atmosphere, contrast and surprise. Being the center of cultural and literary activities it may rightly be called the cultural capital of Pakistan. The warm and receptive people of Lahore are known for their traditional hospitality. Since Independence in 1947, Lahore has expanded rapidly as the capital of Punjab. It is the second largest city in the country and an important industrial center.

History of Lahore:
Lahore has been the capital of Punjab for nearly a thousand years, first from 1021 to 1186 under the Ghaznavi Dynasty, founded by Mahmud of Ghazni, then under Muhammad of Ghor, and then under the various sultans of Delhi. It reached its full glory under Mughal rule from 1524 to 1752. The third Mughal emperor, Akbar, held his court in Lahore for 14 years from 1584 to 1598. He

built the massive Lahore Fort on the foundations of a previous fort and enclosed the city within a red brick wall boasting 12 gates. Jahangir and Shah Jahan (who was born in Lahore) extended the fort, built palaces and tombs, and laid out gardens. The last of great Mughals, Aurangzeb (1658-1707), gave Lahore its most famous monument the great Badshahi Mosque.

In the 18th and 19th centuries the Sikhs also had their capital at Lahore. When the British took over in 1849, they erected splendidly pompous Victorian public buildings in the style that has come to be called Mughal-Gothic.
Since Independence in 1947, Lahore has expanded rapidly as the capital of Punjab. It is the second largest city in the country and an important industrial center.
Lahore is rightly regarded as the cultural, architectural and artistic center of Pakistan; indeed, the city is so steeped in historical distinction that it would be possible to spend a lifetime studying it without learning everything that there is to learn.

Places Of Attraction:

Minar-e-Pakistan
- Minar-e-Pakistan is a landmark in Lahore and stands in the Iqbal Park to commemorate the date when a resolution was passed there back in 1940 demanding the creation of separate homeland for the Muslims of this sub-continent. The Minar is a blend of Mughal and modern architecture and has been very boldly designed. The Minar is about 60 meters tall.
Lahore Fort
- Although most parts of the Royal fort were constructed around 1566 AD by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great, there is a evidence that a mud fort was in existence here in 1021 AD as well.
Badshahi Mosque
- The Imperial or the Badshahi Mosque is across the courtyard from Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort. The Mosque which is made up entirely of red sand-stone was built by Emperor Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals, in a record time of two and-a-half years. Its construction was completed by 1674 AD.
Shalimar Gardens
- Three miles ( 8 km) east of Lahore are the famous Shalimar Gardens laid out by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan in 1642 AD.
Wazir Khan's Mosque
- In the old part of the town and off the Kashmiri Bazaar, reputedly the most beautiful Mosque in the sub-continent is situated. The Mosque was built in 1683 AD by Hakim Ilmuddin who was Minister to shah Jehan and was generally known as Wazir Khan
Shrine of Data Sahib
- Close to the junction of the Lower Mall and the Circular Road is the shrine of Data Sahib. Data Sahib was a great Sufi saint whose well-known work, "Kashf-ul-Mahjub" has been translated from the original Persian into several European languages and is considered a classic. Attached to the Shrine is a beautiful mosque.
Allama Iqbal's Tomb
- Outside the Badshahi Mosque, near its steps, lies the tomb of Allama Iqbal, the poet-philosopher of the East. The mausoleum is a mixture of Afghan and Moorish styles of architecture and is constructed entirely of red sandstone which was quarried and brought from Rajasthan.
Mausoleum of Emperor Jehangir
- The tomb of the fourth great Mughal emperor, Jehangir, lies three miles north-west of Lahore across the River Ravi.
Noor Jehan's Tomb
- The Empress Noor Jehan, "Light of the World" was the only empress whose name appeared on the coins of the Mughal empire. She was buried in 1845 AD at Shahdara (Lahore) outside Jehangir's mausoleum across the railway line.
Lahore Museum
- Opposite the old University Hall, a Mughal style building on the Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, houses the Lahore Museum.
Gulabi Bagh
- About 2km to the west along the G.T Road is the Gulabi Bagh, the rose garden of which only the gateway remains besides the road. It was built in mid 17th century by Shah Jehan's admiral of the fleet Mirza Sultan Beigh.
Sonehri Mosque
- Beautiful mosque located almost in the heart of the walled city. Originally known as Tilayee Masjid. It was built under the supervision of Mir Syed Bikhari Khan, the chief administrative of Mir Mueenul Mulk better know in history as Mir Munnoo who was the Vice Governor of the Punjab appointed by King Muhammad Shah. It was built in 1163 A.H.
Islamic Summit Minar
- It commemorates the first Grand Islamic Summit Conference held at Lahore in 1974 and in which all heads of the Islamic world gathered to symbolize the Islamic unity and faith.
Anarkali Bazaar
- Anarkali is the most fascinating of the many bazaars in Lahore. The alleys and lanes of this bazaar are full of exciting wares, especially traditional crafts like leatherwear, embroidered garments, glass bangles, beaten gold and silver jewellery, creation of silk - anything that you wish to bargain. It is named after the famous courtesan of Akbar's court called Anarkali.
Related Information:
Lahore Info

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