Lahore Fort
The first historical reference to a fort at the site of Lahore dates back to the 11th century during the rule of Mahmud of Ghazni. This early structure was made entirely of mud and stood as a simple defensive barrier against invaders. It met its end in 1241 when the Mongol Empire destroyed it during the Siege of Lahore. A new fort rose from the ashes in 1267 under Sultan Balban of the Mamluk dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. This rebuilt fort did not last long either, falling to Timur's invading forces in 1398. Mubarak Shah Sayyid reconstructed the walls once more in 1421. Shaikh Ali of Kabul occupied the fort in the 1430s before it passed to the Lodi dynasty. The cycle of destruction and rebuilding continued until the Mughal Emperor Babur captured Lahore in 1526.
Emperor Akbar laid the foundations for the modern fort in 1566 while occupying the site as a post to guard the northwest frontier of his empire. The strategic location between Mughal territories and strongholds like Kabul necessitated dismantling the old mud-fort. Solid brick masonry replaced the fragile earth structures that had failed so many times before. Lofty palaces were built over time along with lush gardens to create a seat of power. Notable structures from this period included the Doulat Khana-e-Khas-o-Am and the Jharoka-e-Darshan. Elephant-shaped column brackets still stand today reflecting the influence of Hindu motifs on Mughal architecture during Akbar's reign. Many of these early Akbari structures would later be modified or replaced by subsequent rulers seeking their own legacy within the complex.
Emperor Jahangir first mentioned his alterations to the fort in 1612 when describing the Maktab Khana. He added the Kala Burj pavilion which features European-inspired angels painted on its vaulted ceiling. British visitors noted Christian iconography during this period with paintings of the Madonna and Jesus found throughout the complex. In 1606 Guru Arjan of the Sikh faith was imprisoned at the fort before his death. Jahangir bestowed the massive Picture Wall measuring approximately 350 meters long and 4 meters high. This wall is decorated with a vibrant array of glazed tile faience mosaics and frescoes. The spandrels below Jahangir's Khwabgah display azdahas or winged dragons from ancient Persian mythology alongside cup-bearing angel figures. One panel shows four horsemen playing the noble game of Vaughan known nowadays as polo. Most prominent are scenes relating to elephant fights which were one of the favorite recreations of the Mughal court.
Shah Jahan's first contribution to the fort commenced in 1628 and continued until 1645. He ordered the construction of the Diwan-i-Aam in the style of a Chehel Sotoun featuring forty pillars for public audiences. The Shah Burj forms a quadrangle with the famous Sheesh Mahal and Naulakha Pavilion. Both structures reflect the distinctive white marble used extensively during his reign. The Naulakha Pavilion built in 1633 cost around 900,000 rupees an exorbitant amount at the time. Its name derives from the Urdu word for nine hundred thousand. The pavilion was originally inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones before fading into history. A sloping-roof based on Bengali styles combined with a baldachin from Europe created a unique architectural blend. The Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque also dates from this period serving as a place of worship within the complex.
The fort fell to the army of Ranjit Singh who took Lahore from the Bhangi Misl in 1799. During their occupation Sikhs made many additions to the fort and repurposed portions for their own use. The Hazuri Bagh garden and its central baradari were constructed to celebrate the Maharaja's capture of the Koh-i-Noor diamond. Ranjit Singh used the fort's Summer Palace as his own residence while the Moti masjid became a Gurdwara called Moti mandir. The Sehdari pavilion added three doors while the Ath dara pavilion featured eight openings. The fort's Naag Temple and Loh temple were also constructed during Sikh rule. Kharak Singh Haveli was added to house the heir to Ranjit Singh. The fort's northern outer wall parallel to the picture wall was constructed during this period. Sher Singh bombarded the Diwan-i-Aam in 1841 during his fight against Chand Kaur destroying the original structure.
The British occupied the fort after their conquest of Lahore following the Second Anglo-Sikh War. They made several modifications primarily involving conversion of existing buildings for colonial use including hospitals and barracks. Excavations in 1959 led to the discovery of a gold coin dated 1025 CE belonging to Mahmud Ghaznavi. This coin was unearthed at a depth indicating continuous habitation before the Mughal conquest. Other pre-Mughal objects included terracotta depicting mother goddesses horses bulls and figures of Hindu origin. The current Diwan-i-Aam was built by the British in 1849 after their victory against the Sikhs. Beginning in World War 2 the Summer Palace served as a storehouse for the British Civil Defence Department. It remained in use by Pakistan until 1973 when structural integrity issues became apparent due to its storage function.
In 1981 the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding repertoire of Mughal monuments dating from the empire's artistic zenith. In 2000 Pakistan sent a letter to include both sites in the List of World Heritage in Danger seeking help to restore damaged outer walls. Officials urged UNESCO to remove the name from the endangered list in April 2006 following extensive restoration work funded by Norway Hong Kong the United Kingdom and France. Restoration projects included works at the Sheesh Mahal Alamgiri Gate and Hazuri Bagh. After years of renovation the fort and Shalimar Gardens were removed from the endangered list in June 2012. Conservation works at the Picture Wall began in 2015 by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Walled City of Lahore Authority. Documentation using a 3D scanner was completed in July 2016 before conservation efforts resumed. A wedding reception held on the 23rd of December 2010 violated the Antiquities Act of 1975 prohibiting such events.
Common questions
When was the first historical reference to a fort at the site of Lahore?
The first historical reference to a fort at the site of Lahore dates back to the 11th century during the rule of Mahmud of Ghazni. This early structure was made entirely of mud and stood as a simple defensive barrier against invaders.
Who laid the foundations for the modern Lahore Fort in 1566?
Emperor Akbar laid the foundations for the modern fort in 1566 while occupying the site as a post to guard the northwest frontier of his empire. Solid brick masonry replaced the fragile earth structures that had failed so many times before.
What is the length and height of the Picture Wall built by Emperor Jahangir?
Jahangir bestowed the massive Picture Wall measuring approximately 350 meters long and 4 meters high. This wall is decorated with a vibrant array of glazed tile faience mosaics and frescoes.
How much did the Naulakha Pavilion cost when it was built in 1633?
The Naulakha Pavilion built in 1633 cost around 900,000 rupees an exorbitant amount at the time. Its name derives from the Urdu word for nine hundred thousand.
When was the Lahore Fort inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
In 1981 the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding repertoire of Mughal monuments dating from the empire's artistic zenith.