Lahore Fort
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-->The Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila (شاهى قلعه) is the citadel of the city of Lahore, in modern day Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern corner of Lahore, adjacent to the Walled City. Some of the famous sites within the fort are: Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha pavilion, and Moti Masjid. The fort is 1400 feet long and 1115 feet wide. In 1981, the fort was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites.
Origins
According to available historical information, the origin of Lahore Fort is obscure. Traditionally the foundation of Lahore and its fort is attributed to Loh, the son of Rama, Avatara of Lord Vishnu of Hinduism, and hero of the Ramayana of epic age (1200-800 B.C.). However, during the execution done in the year 1959 A.D. by the Department of Archaelogy, in front of Diwan-e-Am, a gold coin of Mahmood of Ghazni dated A.H. 146 (1025 A.D.) was found at a depth of 25 feet from the level of the lawns. Cultural layers continued to a further depth of 15 feet, giving strong indications that people had lived here, long before the conquest of Lahore by Mahmud in 1021 A.D. Further mention of the fort is traceable in connection with Shahab-ud-Din Ghori's successive invasions of Lahore from 1180 to 1186 A.D.
Timeline
- 'Long before' 1025 A.D. - Original Construction. It cannot be said with certainty when the Lahore Fort was originally constructed or by whom, since this information is lost to history, possibly forever. However, evidence found in archaelogical digs, gives strong indications, that it was built, long before 1025 A.D.
- 1241 A.D. - Destroyed by Mongols.
- 1267 A.D. - Rebuilt by Sultan Ghiyaas-ud-Din Bulban.
- 1398 A.D. - Destroyed again, by Amir Tamur's army.
- 1421 A.D. - Rebuilt in mud by Sultan Mubark Shah Syed.
- 1432 A.D. - The fort is occupied by Shaikh Ali of Kabul who makes repairs to the damages inflicted on it by Shaikha Khokhar.
- 1566 A.D. - Rebuilt by mughal emperor Akbar, in solid brick masonry on its earlier foundations. Also perhaps, its area was exteneded towards the river Ravi, which then and upto about 1849 A.D., used to flow along its fortification on the north. Akbar also built Doulat Khana-e-Khas-o-Am, the famous Jharoka-e-Darshan (the royal balcony), Masjidi Gate etc.
- 1618 A.D. - Jehangir adds Doulat Khana-e-Jahangir in 1618 A.D.
- 1631 A.D. - Shahjahan builds Shish Mahal Diwan-e-Am (Mirror Castle).
- 1633 A.D. - Shahjahan also builds Khawabgah (a dream place or sleeping area), Hamam (a warm bath area) and Khilwat Khana.
- 1645 A.D. - Shahjahan then builds Diwan-e-Khas and probably also Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in the same year.
- 1674 A.D. - Aurangzaib adds the graceful Alamgiri Gate.
- (Sometime during) 1799-1839 A.D. - The outer fortification wall on the north with the moat, the marble athdera, Havaeli Mai Jindan and Bara Dari Raja Dhiyan Singh were constructed by Ranjit Singh, ruler from 1799-1839 A.D.
- 1846 A.D. - Occupied by the British.
- 1927 A.D. - The British remain in possession of the fort till 1927, when it is handed over to the Department of Archaeology after demolishing a portion of the fortification wall on the south and converting it into a stepped form thus defortifying the fort.
Protected Monument
The Pakistani Government seems to understand the historic value of this fort, as is evident from this warning prominently placed at the visitor entrance to the fort:Warning: The Fort is a protected monument under the Antiquities Act 1975. It is incumbent upon everyone to take care and so safeguard it by avoiding any damage, destruction, misuse, bill posting, fixing of commercial sign, other scribbling on the structure etc. If anybody is found involved in the violation of aforementioned acts he/she shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to Rs.200,000/= (US $4,535.15) or with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both under the Antiquities Act, 1975. (The activity indicated was undertaken with the support of the World Heritage Fund of UNESCO).
See also
- Alamgiri Gate
- Hazuri Bagh
- Moti Masjid
- Naulakha pavilion
- Roshnai Gate
- Sheesh Mahal
- Badshahi Mosque
- Shalimar Gardens (Lahore)
- Mughal Empire
- List of forts
External links
- [UNESCO World Heritage Centre]
- [Photos and information about the Lahore Fort]
- [Panographic Images of Lahore Fort And Shalimar Garden]
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