Lahore History:
Introduction:
Lahore is a historical city of Pakistan and the second largest city of Punjab. It is located on the banks of the river Ravi.
Lahore is considered one of the most important and ancient cities in the world. Lahore is called the heart of Pakistan because of its traditional sessions.
Geographically One hundred and ninety thousand 22 Longitudinal and Located at 350,000 latitudes. It has always been central to civilization and culture.
Its long history is lost in the past. And there are only traditions and speculations about its early history. But it is generally said that Raja Ram Chandra had two sons. one’s name was kiswa who laid the foundation of qasoor. The name of one who founded Lahore was Laho, the name of Lahore was lahoor which gradually became Lahore.
In this article, you will find all the best places to visit Lahore as well as the most essential things to know before going to Lahore. I hope that by the end of it, you will be impressed to see this remarkable city for yourself too!
Top 10 Best Places to visit in Lahore
Lahore fort
Lahore Fort, or Royal Fort, is a magnificent and a kind of Mughal structure. Be sure to visit this historic palace, which was built by the legendary Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century.This large-scale compound is an invitation to all art lovers who have the option to see the beauty of various gardens, palaces, halls, mosques and other buildings and structures located inside the Lahore Fort.It measures 1400 feet by 1115 feet and Mahal Aina (Sheesh Mahal) is one of the most visited places in Lahore Fort. The fort was completely rebuilt during the Mughal Empire in the 17th century, after which it was damaged by the Sikhs and the British and today it is partially restored.The castle complex is huge, so be sure to set aside plenty of time to visit its many palaces, gardens and museums. You could easily spend half a day here.
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 5 pm daily
Entrance fees: 500 PKR ($3 USD)
Badshahi Mosque
The Badshahi Mosque is a real treat for visitors to Lahore. It is one of the most famous mosques in the world and was built by the Mughal King Aurangzeb in 1674.According to reports, it was discovered that the mosque could accommodate about 40,000 people in one prayer seat. The interesting thing about it is that it is made entirely of red sandstone. The spacious courtyard of the mosque can accommodate one lakh worshipers, making it the second largest mosque in Pakistan. For most of its history, the Badshahi Mosque was used as a military base by the Sikhs, who ruled Lahore from 1799 to 1849. After the fall of the Sikh Empire, when the British came to power, they continued to use the mosque as a military outpost. It was only in 1947, when Pakistan gained its independence, that the Badshahi Mosque was restored to its original purpose of worship and prayer. Visitors will be able to see the relics of the Prophet Muhammad, his daughter and his son-in-law.
Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily
How to dress: Please fully cover your body from wrist to ankle; women should also wear a headscarf
Anarkali Bazaar and Liberty Market
For many, a great shopping experience is one of the best things a tourist can look for when exploring a new city, and Lahore can easily provide it. There are many different shops and markets in this city. From metros such as Metastore, Sinhwa Mall, to Hyperstar, this city offers the best “drop-off” experience.In many shops, Liberty Market and Anarkali Bazaar are prominent, so a visit is a must. From jewelry to embroidery to leather clothing to silk to shoes, the best of Lahore can be found in these bazaars.
There are two parts to this market: ‘Old Anarkali Bazaar’ and ‘New Anarkali Bazaar’.
In the old section, you will find lots of traditional food, while in the new section, there are lots of clothes, jewelry, embroidery and crafts. Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, just watching the turbulent market activity makes for an interesting experience. With that, it’s always nice to support the local economy!
Fort Road Food Street.
Less than 5 minutes from Badshahi Mosque is Fort Road – one of Lahore’s most famous food streets, full of vibrant and colorful buildings. Some of the buildings here have so much detail. Every time you see them again you will see something new. What makes it even better is that there are a number of restaurants that offer spectacular views of the Badshahi Mosque, such as the Haveli Restaurant, Andaz Restaurant, and Coco Dan.
Tomb Of Jahangir
Jahangir’s tomb is another notable historical site in Lahore. Completed in 1637, it is a tomb built for Jahangir, one of the most successful emperors of the Mughal Empire, who ruled between 1605 and 1627.
The architecture of the place exhibits some beautifully intricate Petra Dora, pictorial mosaics made of semi-precious stones. It took 10 years to build this tomb and it is the only Mughal tomb in Pakistan.
I suggest spending an hour or two wandering around the complex, which also has a large garden where locals picnic and gather with their families.
Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
Entrance fees: Foreigners: 200 PKR ($1.3 USD) | Pakistani citizens: 10 PKR
Shalimar Gardens
If you are looking for something to relax in Lahore, walking around Shalimar Garden, locally called Shalimar Garden – is a great option.
The garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as Shalamar Garden, it was built in 1641 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
There is also a large pond with springs in the garden compound, and the atmosphere is very cool, which is a great place for a walk.
opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily
Entrance fees: 500 PKR ($3 USD)
Delhi Gate Market
The walled city of Lahore (also called the Old City) had 13 gates leading to it. When the British conquered the area, almost all of them were destroyed.Today, there is a bustling market that leads to this gate, and the atmosphere there is wonderful and full of life – I highly recommend you take a walk! It is a great place to meet locals and catch a glimpse of local life in Lahore.
Masjid Wazir Khan
From the Delhi Gate Bazaar, you can see a yellow minaret standing in the distance. If you walk towards it you will reach Wazir Khan Mosque which is one of the peaceful and quiet places of Lahore.This mosque was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1641, and as you approach the entrance, its magnificent decorative tilework will captivate you.It just breathes more than that, because every interior surface of the mosque, including its roofs and arches, is covered with beautiful, intricate patterns and Mughal frescoes.
If you visit in the evening, you will probably hear the evening prayer call. You will not be allowed to stay in the courtyard of the mosque during prayers and you will have to wait in special prayer rooms (there are separate rooms for men and women).
At the end of the prayer, the etiquette is to wait a few minutes before going out, as it is believed that souls return home from the courtyard of the mosque at sunset.
Opening hours: 5 am – 5:30 pm daily
How to dress: Please wear clothes that fully cover your body from wrist to ankle; women should also wear a headscarf
Lahore Museum
A visit to the Lahore Museum is a must if you want to get the ultimate lesson on Pakistan’s history and culture. Inside this museum, you will find the largest and oldest collection of historical and cultural specimens of Pakistan, ranging from rare manuscripts, old coins and carved wood to antique jewelry, musical instruments and Buddhist art.
The famous “Fasting Buddha” statue from the ancient Gandhara kingdom can be found here, as well as collections of Sikh, Mughal and British empires.
Opening hours: 9 am – 7 pm Saturdays to Thursdays | Closed on Fridays
Entrance fees: Foreigners: 1,000 PKR ($6 USD) | Pakistani adults: 50 PKR | Pakistani children & students: 20 PKR
Gurdwara Nankana Sahib
About 1.5 hours west of Lahore, Nankana Sahib is the most important religious site for Sikhs. The city was named after Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, and has nine large Sikh shrines. Central Gurdwara Nankana Sahib – It is believed to be located at the birthplace of Guru Nanak.
Millions of visitors visit this holy place every year, and it is definitely worthwhile to see if you are interested in getting a little out of Lahore.
How to dress: Please wear clothes that cover your whole body, from ankle to wrist. Both men and women need to cover their heads as well.