Lahore Fort Lahore Pakistan History and Interesting Facts

Lahore Fort Quick Facts

Lahore Fort Overview

Lahore Fort is located in Lahore, Punjab, a territorial city in Pakistan. This fort is located on the northern side of Lahore. This fort was first constructed by the Mughal rulers. Presently there are 21 remarkable monuments available inside this magnificent fort, which is built in the 17th century, this monument displays the wonderful architecture of the Mughal period.

Lahore Fort History

The origin of the Lahore Fort is unclear, but according to many historians, the fort has been ruled by many rulers, in which the First Historical reference to the Fort is found by Mahmud Ghazni, which dates back to the 11th century. The fort was built from mud during the reign of Mahmud Ghazni, but in 1241 AD, the Mongols invaded Lahore and established their authority over the fort, after which a new fort was built at the site in 1267 by Sultan Balban of the Turkic Mamluk Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. was constructed. But the fort was destroyed by the invading army of Timur.

After which Lahore was captured by the Mughal Emperor Babur in 1526, bringing the fort under the Mughal Emperor. But the present structure was built by Akbar in 1575 AD. After which the Mughal emperor Akbar built many new monuments in the fort. After which the Mughal emperors Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb also made many changes in the fort and new monuments were also built in the fort.

Lahore Fort Interesting Facts

1. There are many prominent and attractive structures inside the fort, including Khilwat Khana, Shah Jahan's Quadrangle, Mai Jindan Haveli, Moti Masjid, and Jahangir's Quadrangle, etc.
2. Lahore Fort has been ruled by many kings and maharajas, due to which many changes have taken place in the structure of the fort from time to time, but today this fort is currently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and all the monuments inside the fort have their own. Provide excellent style in the artistic and Aesthetic fields.
3. The Lahore Fort is covered over an area of more than 20 hectares and has 21 notable monuments inside it. All these were built by different kings during different reigns.
4. The Lahore Fort is divided into two sections with the first being the administrative section, well connected to the main entrance, and contains the gardens and the Diwan-i-Khas for the royal visitors. Second, a private and hidden residential section is divided into courts to the north and can be accessed through the Elephant Gate. It consists of Sheesh Mahal, spacious bedrooms, and small gardens.
5. The outer walls of the fort are decorated with blue Persian Kashi tiles and the main entrance of the fort houses the Mariam Zamani Mosque with which the Hazuri Bagh is connected through the majestic Badshah Mosque, the big Alamgiri gate.
6. The Naulakha Mandap inside the fort was built in 1633 AD during the reign of Shah Jahan and is made of white marble. The Naulakha Mandap is known for its distinctive curvature roof and at that time it cost around Rs 9,00,000.
7. The "Picture Wall" in the fort is considered the greatest artistic triumph of the Lahore Fort as the monumental Picture Wall forms a major part of the outer wall, richly decorated with glazed tiles, financi mosaics and frescoes. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
8. Inside the fort lies the Sheesh Mahal inside Jahangir's Shah Burj block in the north-west direction, it was built between 1631 AD and 1632 AD by Grand Mirza Ghiyas Beg of Mumtaz Mahal and father of Nur Jahan during Shah Jahan's reign. Built of white marble, its walls are decorated with frescoes. Sheesh, Mahal is considered to be one of the most famous monuments of Lahore Fort.
9. Near the Sheesh Mahal inside the Lahore Fort is the Summer Palace, also known as the Pari Mahal or the Fairy Palace. This monument is a maze built by Shah Jahan.
10. Cold water scented with roses flows through an elaborate system of 42 springs inside this palace which reflects the exquisite style of this palace.
11. The Khilwat Khana located in the fort was built by Shah Jahan in 1633 AD. It is situated to the east of Shah Burj Mandap and to the west of Shah Jahan Quadrilateral. It was the residence of the royal ladies of the court during the reign of Shah Jahan. Which is made of marble and includes a curved roof.
12. Inside the fort is the Black Tower, also known as the "Black Pavilion", and its vaulted ceiling is painted in the style of European angels, symbolizing the characteristics of King Solomon. King Solomon is considered an idealized ruler in the Qur'an. The Black Pavilion was used as a summer pavilion.
13. Apart from this, the fort has many monuments built by the Mughals, including Akbari Akbari Gate, Alamgiri Gate, etc. The Alamgiri Gate is located on the western side of the fort. It is also the main entrance to the Lahore Fort. Also, the elements of the Akbar era of this palace are decorated in a style blending Hindu and Islamic motifs.