Badshahi Mosque

Founded by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671, the Badshahi Mosque stands magnificently at the west of Lahore Fort. It is one of Lahore’s major tourist attractions because of its historical and architectural importance. Moreover, it is the largest mosque of the Mughal era and the second largest mosque in the country. It has a skillfully carved red sandstone exterior, and marble used for interiors. It features a colossal gateway. The façade is a two-story edifice with elaborate carvings on it. The inner part is just as glorious as the outer. It compromises of intricate tile work.

Lahore

Known as the ‘cultural heart of Pakistan,’ Lahore is packed with historical sites and breathtaking tourist attractions. Lahore is the second-largest city of Pakistan and the provincial capital of Punjab, being a complete package with a rich history, advanced infrastructure and buildings. Lahore is a mix of Mughal traditions, Western adaptations, and modern trends and fashions.

When you think of Lahore, the first thing that pops in your head is “great food.” People from all over Pakistan visit Lahore for its delicious cuisine, which is diverse enough to accommodate anyone, ranging from street food to fine dining. Lahore has hundreds of options to choose, from breakfast to midnight snacks. Thanks to the love of food, the locals keep the city alive for twenty-four hours a day.

History

Lahore has seen many rulers, giving it its rich background. Sikhs, Hindus, Mughals, and the British have all ruled Lahore at some point in history. Founded and named by ancient Hindus, Lahore came to life centuries ago. The name ‘Lahore’ comes from Lava – son of Lord Rama in Hindu mythology. Being by the side of River Ravi, Lahore made an excellent place for early immigrants to settle in. Lahore was home to many upper-class Hindus – Brahmins – in early centuries of its discovery.

Muslim takeover of Lahore began in the 11th century. Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi’s conquest brought Islam to Lahore and the rest of the Sub Continent. The first Muslim ruler of Lahore was appointed by Mahmud Ghaznavi which marks the history of the famous Lahore Fort, and gradually the descent of the Ghaznavid Empire saw Lahore fall in the hands of Muslim leaders of the Delhi Sultanate.

The Delhi Sultanate ruled Lahore, and rest of the Sub Continent for more than three centuries, before being defeated by the Mughals. Barbaric invasions by Mongols brought the Delhi Sultanate to its knees, destroying every piece of architecture and stripping the city of its wealth.

After that, the Mughal Empire took control of Lahore after the First Battle of Panipat (1546) fought between Babur, the first Mughal emperor, and Ibrahim Lodi, the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate.

Mughals are known for their excellent architectural perception and an eye for art. The peak of Lahore’s glory was during the Mughal rule. The art-loving emperors ornamented Lahore with magnificent monuments and gardens that still stand tall today. The city served as a capital to Akbar, the Great, and Jehangir. Akbar was the mastermind behind one of Lahore's most famous fortresses, the Lahore Fort. His son added addition to Lahore’s splendour by making Shalimar gardens along with additions to the Lahore Fort. Emperor Aurangzeb contributed to Lahore’s eloquence by building the city’s most famous monument, the Badshahi Mosque.

The downfall of the once Magnificent Mughal Empire came in 1875, due to administrative reasons. Historians blame the extravagance of the Mughals as a vital factor in the destruction of their kingdom. The colonizers from Great Britain came and took control of Lahore, along with the majority of the Indian Sub-Continent. The British had a significant role in the development of the city as many Gothic and Victorian-inspired buildings were found under the British Raj. A few key buildings include the General Post Office (GPO), the Government College University (GCU), the museums, the High Court, the National College of Arts (NCA), Montgomery Hall, Tollinton Market, the old campus of The University of Punjab, and the Provincial Assembly.

Lahore holds a particular part in the history of Pakistan and its independence. On the memorable day of 23rd March 1940, an All Indian Muslim League session in Lahore took place, where Muslim leaders demanded a separate homeland. Quaid-e-Azam publically proposed for an independent nation for Muslims in a document known as Lahore Resolution. This event eventually led to the independence of Pakistan in 1947.

Geography

Lahore shares a border with Sheikupura, Wagah Border (Indian Border), and Kasur. On the Northern side of Lahore flows the Ravi River, located between latitudes 31.15 to 31.45 North and longitude 74.01 to 74.39 east with an elevation 224 meters above sea level. The second-largest city of Pakistan covers a total geographical area of 1014 kilometre squares currently while expected to expand in the future.

Climate

Lahore’s climate varies with seasons. During the months from November to February, the winter season remains cold and foggy, followed by a pleasant spring till April. Summers tend to be quite hot, and as towards July-August, humidity and heat waves makes the weather a little unbearable. Once the monsoon period is over, the weather gets dry and pleasant before getting extremely chilly again in December.

The hottest month of the year is June when the average temperature usually goes above forty degrees Celsius (104.0 F). The most humid month is typically July, while January stands as the coldest month of the year.

People

Lahore has a considerable amount of population, with figures exceeding 10 million. It is the fifth-largest city in South Asia, and ranks the 26th largest city worldwide, in terms of people per square. Lahore develops a connection with other cities via road, rail and, air. The Lahore National Highway (N-5) links Lahore to Southern Pakistan, such as Multan, whereas Motorway M-1 connects it to North and North West.

Lahori people are known for their connection to the Punjabi culture. Urdu and Punjabi is the most widely spoken language of the city, however, due to a populous diversity in Lahore, a purely English speaking individual will not feel lost in the big city, as communication in English is easily practised and will not cause hindrance.

Tourist Spots

Lahore is one of the prime cities to visit. It has interests for all sorts of people. Those into historical sites and archaeology can explore the magnificent Mughal built wonders and structures put up in the British Raj under Queen Victoria. Moreover, Lahore is a shopper’s haven with local markets to huge malls with a variety of domestic as well as international branded goods and services. 

Lahore has a lot to offer. Food lovers visit from all around the world to try Lahore’s mouth-watering diverse cuisines.

Lahore Fort

The Shahi Qila is a fortified centre of the city, with its structure dating back to the 11th century. The modern fortress was built during Akbar’s reign when the Mughal Empire shone at its peak. The fort covers an area of more than 20 hectares. Its architectural style incorporates both Islamic and Hindu motifs. Shah Jehan, who is also known for the mastermind behind the Taj Mahal, added the luxurious marble work to the fort. Its magnificent entrance, the Alamgiri Gate was constructed by Emperor Aurangzeb. The citadel adorned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its "outstanding repertoire" of Mughal memorials in 1981.

It is a house to 21 notable monuments, most of which are made by the Mughals but has additions from the Sikh period and modern times as well. The Fort has many principal monuments of Lahore, such as the Sheesh Mahal, Naulakha Pavilion, the Deewan Khas, Naag Temple from the Sikh era.

Minar e Pakistan

Minar e Pakistan is a tower built in the years 1960-1968. The tower stands to celebrate the Lahore Resolution 1940. This event was a significant moment in the creation of Pakistan when the All-India Muslim League decided to demand a separate nation for Muslims of British India. Nasreddin Murat-Khan, a Pakistani architect, designed the tower with a total height of approximately 70 meters above the ground and a diameter around 9.5 meters. The base of the tower is about 8m above the ground, while the tower itself rises about 62 meters on the plate. Its estimated cost is around Rs. 7,058,000.

Food Street

The first thing that comes to mind at the mention of Lahore is the food. Fort Road Food Street is the most popular food spot in Lahore. The New Food Street Lahore spreads over 1.2 kilometres. It includes 25 heritage buildings that give the perfect background while you enjoy desi cuisine.

Food Street has some of the best food places in Lahore, including fine dining, dhabbas, and food stalls. The historical essence and traditional backdrop paired with modern re-touching make Food Street a remarkable experience of the Lahore life.

Anarkali Bazaar

Anarkali, like many of the tourist attractions in Lahore, has its roots in the Mughal Empire. The name of the place is after the nearby mausoleum of a courtesan girl, Anarkali. The locals tell the legend of Anarkali, who was killed by the orders of Mughal Emperor Akbar for having an affair with

Prince Salim, son of Akbar. The Old Anarkali Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in South Asia. It is known for its traditional foods, whereas the New Anarkali Bazaar is known for its traditional handiwork and embroidery. The Bazaar also has some popular shops for women’s items such as clothes, textiles, bangles, accessories, etc. It is the perfect place to shop local gifts for friends back home.

Shalimar Gardens

Emperor Shah Jehan made the Shalimar Gardens in 1641, inspired by the Persian paradise garden, showing an earthly utopia in which humans and nature exist in perfect harmony. It has an elaborate network of waterworks, with 410 fountains.

Routes and Treks

The motorway links Lahore to the rest of Pakistan if there is a need to travel by road. The Motorway M-1 connects Lahore to its North to the capital, Islamabad, as well as to the province of Khyber Pakhtun Khuwa. To go south towards Multan, the Lahore National Highway N-5 is the highway to take. The Grant Trunk Road connects Lahore to other cities as well, but it is outdated and slower compared to the roads.

Lahore has a link with national and international destinations via air travel. Allama Iqbal International Airport is the only airport accommodating the city. As for railways, the Lahore Junction Station locates near the city centre.

Hotels

The city has a vast range of hotels. From low budget hotels to five-star hotels, the city caters to all. There are a few international level hotels, as well.

Restaurants

When it comes to food, Lahore is incomparable. It offers everything from street food to fine dining. Whether you are craving an Italian pizza or something spicy and desi, you will have your fits of hunger satisfied even in the middle of the night.

Health and Security

There are numerous hospitals and health centres in the city. You can get assistance from both the government as well as privately owned hospitals. There are a lot of pharmacies available in the town, too.

In case of emergencies, you can dial 1122 for rescue service.

Dialling 15 will connect you to Punjab Police.

If you have any queries for Pakistan International Airport (PIA), you can dial 114.

Shopping

The city has a lot to offer. If you are interested in buying branded items, or from international shops, you can visit malls in Lahore or MM Alam Road. Bazaars in Lahore have traditional and locally handcrafted items such as clothes and accessories. These bazaars have low rate items,

which make perfect souvenirs and gifts for loved ones back home.

Transportation

Uber, Careem, and Airlift are the most popular online taxi systems used widely in the city. Local taxis and Qingqi rickshaws are also available all over the city. Moreover, the recently constructed Metro Bus system is excellent for the local commute as well.

Important Phone Numbers

Edhi Main Control Room

115

Bomb Disposal Squad

042-99212111

Fire Brigade

16

Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD)

0800-111-11

Lahore Police Complaint

8300