The Lahore Fort is the most popular historical landmark of Pakistan. It is located in the heart of Lahore, the capital city of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It is locally known as ‘Shahi Qila’ which means the royal fort. It is the citadel of walled city of Lahore. Situated on north western side of the walled city, Nobody exactly knows when it was built originally, however, the existing base structure was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar (1556-1606 AD), and regularly upgraded by subsequent rulers. Later the excavation and research proved that it was built way before 9th century AD. Because of importance and strategic location of Lahore Emperor Akbar ordered to replace the old mud structure with new fortified brick structure to withstand foreign aggression.
Lahore fort is an extraordinarily beautiful example of Mughal architecture and engineering. Fort is divided into two sections. The larger section was for the public which includes large garden and diwan-e-aam (hall for common people). The second much smaller section was in use of royal family, it contains sheesh mahal (the mirror palace) small gardens and other residential buildings. Sheesh Mahal is one of the main attractions of Lahore Fort. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631. It is the most beautiful and decorated building in the entire Fort with complex and beautiful mirror work on walls and ceiling.
Later in 1633 he built khwabgah (sleeping area), moti masjid (Pearl Mosque) and royal hamam (Bath). In 1645 dewan-e-khas (hall of special audience) was added to the fort under the order of Shah Jahan. Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir the son of shah jahan buit a massive Alamgiri Gate in 1674 AD, which is being used as a main entrance these days. He built it directly in front of the entrance of Badshahi Mosque, which was also built by him in 1673 AD. The Alamgiri Gate opens in a beautiful garden named ‘Huzuri Bagh’ which separates Lahore Fort from Badshahi Mosque. Hathi Gate(Elephant Gate) was in use as a main entrance before the construction of Alamgiri Gate. In that gate there is a huge staircase made for elephants which leads to the residential section of the fort.
During the Sikh era among other Mughal buildings Lahore Fort suffered great damage. During the British occupation of Indian subcontinent, the eastern wall of the fort was demolished and replaced by stepped structures which stand to this date. The extensive conservation and reconstruction work is in progress by the archaeology department, and most of the fort has already been restored to its original condition. The Lahore Fort was enlisted in UNESCO’s world heritage site list in 1981.
Lahore fort is an extraordinarily beautiful example of Mughal architecture and engineering. Fort is divided into two sections. The larger section was for the public which includes large garden and diwan-e-aam (hall for common people). The second much smaller section was in use of royal family, it contains sheesh mahal (the mirror palace) small gardens and other residential buildings. Sheesh Mahal is one of the main attractions of Lahore Fort. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631. It is the most beautiful and decorated building in the entire Fort with complex and beautiful mirror work on walls and ceiling.Later in 1633 he built khwabgah (sleeping area), moti masjid (Pearl Mosque) and royal hamam (Bath). In 1645 dewan-e-khas (hall of special audience) was added to the fort under the order of Shah Jahan. Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir the son of shah jahan buit a massive Alamgiri Gate in 1674 AD, which is being used as a main entrance these days. He built it directly in front of the entrance of Badshahi Mosque, which was also built by him in 1673 AD. The Alamgiri Gate opens in a beautiful garden named ‘Huzuri Bagh’ which separates Lahore Fort from Badshahi Mosque. Hathi Gate(Elephant Gate) was in use as a main entrance before the construction of Alamgiri Gate. In that gate there is a huge staircase made for elephants which leads to the residential section of the fort.
During the Sikh era among other Mughal buildings Lahore Fort suffered great damage. During the British occupation of Indian subcontinent, the eastern wall of the fort was demolished and replaced by stepped structures which stand to this date. The extensive conservation and reconstruction work is in progress by the archaeology department, and most of the fort has already been restored to its original condition. The Lahore Fort was enlisted in UNESCO’s world heritage site list in 1981.
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