Lahore Fort — A Must Visit Tourist Destination
The Lahore Fort is the only location in Pakistan that exemplifies the many stages of Mughal architectural evolution. Read on to know more.
The main attraction of the Old City is the Lahore Fort, which was constructed, damaged, destroyed, rebuilt, and restored multiple times before Emperor Akbar gave it its current configuration in 1566, the year he declared Lahore to be his city.
The Lahore Fort is the only location in Pakistan that exemplifies the many stages of Mughal architectural evolution. It rose to prominence under Emperor Akbar’s rule. Subsequently, several more structures were erected by Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, his successors.
The city’s northwest corner is where the Fort is located. Its layout is asymmetrical, measuring roughly 400 yards north to south and 500 yards east to west.
A thick, small-brick fortification wall encircling it provides significant strength. The wall is dotted with musketry holes and bastions.
Dault Khana-e-Khas-o-Am, the Sleeping Chamber of Emperor Jahangir, Shish Mahal, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khas, Moti Masjid, Alamgiri Gate, and other significant structures are among the fort’s main structures.
Keep in mind that certain museums can close an hour or so before dusk. Let’s walk you through this amazing tourist attraction in Lahore.
Location Details
The historic walled city of Lahore is where the fort is situated, towards the north.
The Alamgiri gate of the fort is a part of a group of structures that surround the Hazuri Bagh in a quadrangle with the Badshahi Mosque, Roshnai Gate, and Ranjit Singh’s Samadhi.
The fort’s northern perimeter is shared by Iqbal Park and Minar-e-Pakistan.
The Amazing History of Lahore Fort
Excavations at Lahore Fort indicate that it was occupied before to Maḥmūd of Ghazna’s capture of Lahore in 1021, indicating that the fort’s existence extends far into Indian history.
Over the ages, the massive and impressive building that is seen today has been added upon. The most notable addition occurred in 1566 when the Mughal emperor Akbar expanded and replaced the pre-existing mud-built fort with one made of brick masonry and red sandstone.
Strategically positioned between the four major Mughal strongholds of Kashmir, Kabul, and Multan, Lahore was a major metropolis in the Mughal Empire. The city had to have a large, well-functioning fort because it was the location of the first Mughal conquests in India.
Shah Jahan, who also constructed the Taj Mahal, is renowned for his appreciation of elaborate and lavish architecture.
Other examples of his ornate design are the white marble Naulakha Pavilion and the Hall of Mirrors (Shish Mahal) within the fort. The latter has stunning mosaics with elaborate flower designs made of semiprecious stones (pietra dura).
The term “nine lakh,” which means “900,000,” is derived from the name of the Naulakha Pavilion and may allude to the total amount of rupees required for construction or the quantity of stones used in the mosaic work.
Inside the fort, Shah Jahān was also the first to construct a Mughal mosque made of white marble, which has come to define the fort complex. In 1981, Lahore Fort received the UNESCO World Heritage designation.
Layout and Design of Lahore Fort
· Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience)
Shah Jahan constructed the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) in 1631, and Akbar added an upper balcony. The emperor would appear in public every day, greet dignitaries, and oversee parades from this location.
· Khawabgarh-i-Jehangir
Today a modest museum of Mughal antiques is housed in the pavilion on the north side of Jehangir’s quadrangle, known as Khawabgarh-i-Jehangir (Jehangir’s Sleeping Quarters).
Jehangir had a chain hanging outside the fort that anyone who couldn’t get justice through the regular channels may pull.
This is one of the interesting legends about him. He would personally attend to the plea once a bell in his private rooms rang.
· Moti Masjid
Moti Masjid is the oldest of three Mughal “Pearl Mosques.” The two other locations are one each in Delhi and Agra.
Situated near Alamgiri Gate on the western side of Lahore Fort, the Moti Masjid is one of the “Pearl Mosques” and dates back to the Shah Jahan Period. It is located in Dewan-e-Aam’s northwest corner.
Among its notable additions to the Lahore Fort Complex are the white marble building and the Sheesh Mahal and Naulakha pavilions.
The word “moti” (meaning “pearl”) in Urdu refers to the holy building’s seeming value. The Mughal emperors had a long-standing custom of naming their mosques after common names for gemstones.
· Shish Mahal
Built by Shah Jahan in 1631, the Shish Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) was closed for renovations when this study was conducted, but it should be open by the time you read this.
It was constructed for the empress and her court, with screens added to keep them hidden from prying eyes, and embellished with glass mirrors inlaid into the stucco inside.
The ancient marble tracery screens and pietra dura (inlay work) are in excellent shape, despite the walls having been reconstructed during the Sikh period.
Rewarding is the view over the remainder of the fort and Badshahi Mosque from this location.
· Naulakha
As mentioned earlier, the marble pavilion that faces the quadrangle to the west is called Naulakha, and it is ornately adorned with pietra dura, which is made of tiny gems set in elaborate floral patterns.
It was built in 1631, and its name, which translates to “nine lakh” (900,000), alludes to either the cost of building or the quantity of semiprecious stones that went into its construction.
· Makatib Khana Fort Secretariat
You have to visit this location if you are exploring Lahore’s Walled City. The Makatib Khana overlooks a small enclosed court that is just next to the Moti Masjid.
This was where, according to historical accounts, clerks maintained tabs on who entered the fort.
· Temple of Prince Loh
The Alamgiri Gate of the fort leads to the Temple of Prince Loh, popularly known as the Lava Mandir.
While some scholars and historians believe that Loh was born in this room, the majority see it as the shrine of Loh. The area is small, well-lit, and accessible to everyone.
· Museums
Three small museums are located on site (photography is not allowed).
The Armoury Gallery features a variety of weapons, such as swords, daggers, spears, and arrows; the Sikh Gallery primarily displays rare oil paintings; and the Mughal Gallery features antique manuscripts, calligraphy, coins, miniature paintings, and an ivory model of the Taj Mahal in India among its exhibits.
Gates of Lahore Fort
The gates to Lahore Fort are as follows.
1. Akbari Gate
One of Lahore’s most well-known historical sites, the Lahore Fort, features numerous gates. This exquisite gate was built in 1666 and named for Akbar since he was involved in its repair.
It is located on the eastern side of the Lahore Fort, facing both the Mariam Zamani Masjid — which Jahangir ordered built for his mother — and the Rim Market.
2. Alamgiri Gate
In 1673, Aurangzeb gave the order to build the Lahore Fort’s Alamgiri Gate. Facing Huzoori Bagh and Badshahi Mosque to the west, it is the main entrance to the fort. It consists of two semi-circular bastions flanking an elegant doorway.
These bastions are topped with domed pavilions and feature fluted shafts and lotus petal bases.
3. Musaman Gate
Historical writings also refer to Musaman Gate as Musaman Burj or Samman Burj, which both translate to “Jasmine Tower.” This gate is situated higher up in relation to the other gates. Historical records state that Shah Jahan built it sometime in 1632.
Musaman Gate was once thought to be one of the Lahore Fort’s most significant gateways, but time finally led to its neglect and eventual condition of disrepair. Eventually, the stairs leading up to it gave way, and some of the steps vanished.
Final Word
New Metro City Lahore is a newly launched housing society with all the features and amenities. Distance from New Metro City Lahore to Lahore Fort is 32 min (32.5 km) via Lahore Ring Rd/L-20.
For more information about the society payment plan and location, get in touch with our experts today.