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 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.
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.
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.
Three miles ( 8 km) east of Lahore are the
famous Shalimar Gardens laid out by the Mughal
emperor Shah Jehan in 1642 AD.
Back To Top
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.
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.
Back To Top
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.
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.
Back To Top
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 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.
 See Also:
Lahore,
Pakistan
Back To Top
|
