HERITAGE SITE | LAHORE FORT

• The location of the Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila) has been in use as a site of defense for at least a millennium with its earliest recorded usage dating back to the 11thcentury during Ghaznavid rule. During Mughal rule, when Lahore became the capital, the fort was completely rebuilt and renovated. Construction of the fort began in the late 1500’s during the reign of Emperor Akbar and additions were made by each of the emperors thereafter.

• Covering an expanse of about 20 hectares, the imposing walled complex comprises a musjid, the Hall of Public Audience, the Naulakha Pavillion, a ‘palace of mirrors’, a ‘picture wall’ as well as 21 special monuments – each of them reflecting the artistry, skill and intricacy of the Islamic world at the time. Most of Akbar’s construction included the use of the red brick which was employed in the construction of many Mughal constructions. The musjid and part of the fort were decorated in marble and kasha (encaustic tile work). 

• The entrance to the fort is the Alamgiri Gate which was built by Aurangzeb in 1674CE as a private entrance to the royal quarters. It was large enough to allow several elephants carrying members of the royal household to enter at one time. The small Moti Musjid (Pearl Mosque) was built by Shah Jahan in 1644 for the private use of the ladies of the royal household and was restored to its original delicacy in 1904.

• After the fall of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, the Lahore Fort was ransacked and many of its buildings were damaged. It has however been carefully restored to its former splendor in recent years.