historical places in lahore essay in urdu

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History of Lahore

It is written in the holy book of Hindus that the city of Lahore was settled by Loh, son of Ram. This is the reason that Lahore is known as Lahore. Other than this, the oldest history of Lahore is first mentioned in the book “Hudood-ul-Alam,” published in 982 AD. Shah Hussain Miran Zanjani, the famous spiritual personality, along with his two brothers, visited Lahore in the same period.

How Lahore Became the Important City

Shortly after his arrival, Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated the Hindu Raja Jayapal and captured Lahore, and Mahmud Ghaznavi’s slave Ayaz built a fort at Lahore for the first time. After that, an important milestone in the history of Lahore was the construction of Sher Shah Suri’s Lahore GT Road. With the construction of this road, the city of Lahore was not only connected with the important cities of the subcontinent, but after its completion, the importance, fame, and breadth of Lahore city continued to increase. If we study the history of Lahore city, a very strange situation emerges.

Highs and Lows in the History of Lahore

At one time, Lahore was counted among the most beautiful cities globally, and at another time, this city was a victim of looting and destruction.

When the Tatars looted and destroyed the city of Lahore, the Mughals rebuilt the city and made it one of the most beautiful and developed cities in the world. A wall was built around the city, and 12 entrances were made. The river flowed outside the wall, and a beautiful garden was made along the river. Eternal buildings like Badshahi Mosque, Fort Lahore, Shalamar Bagh, Jahangir’s Tomb, and Wazir Khan Mosque built during the Mughal period are still a source of pride for Lahore city.

The Sikh era, especially the era of Ranjeet Singh, destroyed the beauty of this city again. For centuries, many Muslim nobles and nobles, in particular, were forced to flee the city, and many of the city’s beautiful historic buildings, shrines, and mosques could not escape looting.

At the end of the long dark century, from 1750 to 1850, when the British took over the rule of Punjab, a new chapter of development of Lahore opened. The British started the construction of many modern buildings in Lahore. Railway Station, Punjab University, Town Hall, District Court, Government College, Museum, High Court, GPO, Montgomery Hall, Aitchison College, Conrad College, Mayo Hospital, Mayo School of Arts, (later National College of Arts) Tollenton Built markets, assembly halls, and countless other buildings. These buildings have a beautiful blend of British, Mughal, and Islamic cultures.

The 55 years from 1860 to 1915 proved to be a period of peace, development, and prosperity for the people of Lahore. During this British period, a modern, beautiful, and new Lahore emerged outside the wall. Undoubtedly, this was the period of development and rise of Lahore.

The Railway system in Lahore started in 1861. Electricity was provided in Lahore city in 1912. The telephone system started. Wide paved roads, sewerage system, supply of clean drinking water, a municipal committee for sanitation, Lahore Improvement Trust for construction of settlements under urban planning, the judicial system for the provision of justice and general. A wide range of schools, colleges, and universities was started to provide education.

Why Lahore is so Famous

Lahore is famous for some reasons. You cannot state a single reason for its popularity. Let us look at some of the reasons one by one. Pakistan’s second-largest city is Lahore, known as Zinda Dalan Lahore’s Zinda Javed, and it is called City of Colleges, City of Flowers, City of Parks, and Film City (Bollywood).

This city, which has the unique honor of “Data Ki Nagri,” was settled by a Hindu king, “Lahut,” on the banks of the river Ravi about a thousand years ago today. Thanks to this, it has gained international, historical, and political significance today.

Another reason for its popularity is that it is simultaneously an ancient and modern city. It has a beautiful combination of historic buildings. ۔

Lahore is also famous for its food. These include Kashmiri Gate’s Gol Gruppe and Dahi Bhalla, Anar Kali Ki Kher, Regal Chowk’s Saleem, Shahi Mohalla’s Pahja’s Sree Paaye, besides these Lahore dishes include Tabaq, Charsi Tikka, Danba Karahi, Ludo Pethiyan, Keema Walay Naan, Pathura, Bong, Nahari, and Chakkar Chhole are very popular.

Pakistan’s largest food street adjoins the southern wall of the Badshahi Mosque, where Barbie cuisine and fast-food items are always ready to enchant domestic and foreign tourists, as well as Lakshmi Chowk and Old Anarkali.

In the vast area of ​​Greater Iqbal Park, Minar, Pakistan, a 200 feet high monument is located. This minaret has been built on the exact spot where the chair of Quaid-e-Azam presided over 79 years ago. On March 23, 1940, when the resolution was passed by a large gathering of nearly 300,000 Muslims at the annual meeting of the Lahore All India Muslim League.

A short distance south of Minar, Pakistan, is the second-largest mosque in Pakistan, the Badshahi Mosque, where about 100,000 Muslims can pray at a time.

Suppose you want to understand the city of Lahore. In that case, you can understand it by the two famous sayings about Lahore: “Jine Lahore nahin dekhya o jamya e nai” this famous Punjabi quote means that If you don’t visit Lahore, you have not been born yet. Another saying about Lahore is, “Seven days and eight fairs, how can I go home.” It means that there is so much fun in Lahore that I don’t have time to go home

Lahore, the City of History and Culture

Welcome to the second largest city of pakistan, with a rich and diverse history spanning thousands of years. art, culture, history and a deep-rooted passion for food make this city vibrantly beautiful, and leave its indelible mark on whoever visits..

By SOCH Outreach Foundation

Rajasthan, Punjab. (North Western Frontier). (1838) by Jean-Baptiste Tassin Kalakriti Archives

History of Lahore

Lahore (Urdu: Lāhawr) is the second-largest city of Pakistan and has a rich and diverse history spanning thousands of years. The first recorded mention of the city can be found in the 982 AD ‘Hudud-i-Alam’ where Lahore is mentioned as a small city with large temples, markets and orchards.

Lahore; Jahangir's Tomb, in the Shadra Gardens (about 1863–1864) by Samuel Bourne The J. Paul Getty Museum

Let’s explore what Lahore has to offer

Much of the Mughal Empire influence to this day stands strong in Lahore. It was during this time period that Lahore was at the pinnacle of its architectural glory, starting with the rule of the first Mughal Emperor Babur in 1524, right up until 1752 when Mughal rule finally came to an end. From the famous Wazir Khan Mosque, Shahi Hamam to the Badshahi Mosque and the Royal Fort, these magnificent structures have withstood the ravages of time right up to the establishment of the British Raj and the independence of Pakistan and India in 1947.

Delhi; The Palace, Lahore Gate (about 1866) by Samuel Bourne The J. Paul Getty Museum

Many historians agree that Lahore was originally founded as early as the second century, but traces of the ancient city are few and far between. While there are several legends associated with the founding of the city, perhaps the most popular one is of the Hindu god Ram’s son.

Lahore: The Heart of Pakistan (2023) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Lahore - The Heart of Pakistan

Watch our film about Lahore .

Hamzanama (1557–1577) by Akbar MAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Let’s explore what Lahore has to offer: Art & Culture

With Punjab being home to many of Pakistan’s Sufis, saints, and mystics, a love for art, poetry, architecture and music also flows along the intricate folds of Lahore’s culture. Myriad festivals and events take place here often and include concerts, art exhibitions and literature festivals especially during the cooler months of the year.      

Wazir Khan Mosque (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Wazir Khan Mosque

The Wazir Khan Mosque is a 17th-century mosque located in the city of Lahore. It is considered to be the most ornately decorated Mughal-era mosque and is renowned for its intricate tile work known as  kashi-kari. It was commissioned during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan.

shot of a mosque (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

The mosque is located along the southern side of Lahore's  Shahi Guzargah , "Royal Road," which was the traditional route traversed by Mughal nobles on their way to royal residences at the Lahore Fort.

low angle shot delhi gate (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Shahi Hamam Exterior

The Shahi Hammam  "Royal Baths"   is a Persian-style bath that was built in Lahore in 1635 C.E. during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. The Shahi Hammam is the last remaining Mughal-era hammam in Lahore.

low angle shot of the masjid (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Shahi Hamam Interior

The Shahi Hammam is located just within the Walled City of Lahore, steps away from the Delhi Gate.  It was built by the chief physician to the Mughal Court, Wazir Khan. The baths were built to serve as an endowment for the maintenance of the Wazir Khan Mosque.

Frescoes under the main dome have been preserved and restored between 2013 and 2015 by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Walled City of Lahore Authority.

A glimpse of lahore street (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Delhi Gate & surrounding commercial area of the Walled City

Lahore is a bustling metropolis and the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, full of culture and history.

wide shot of lahore architecture (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Centuries Old Architecture

With its rich influences from the Mughal Empire, to the reflection of Sikh, Hindu and British governance, there are multi-faceted aspects to Lahori culture. 

delhi gate Lahore at night (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Walled City at Night

Northwest of Lahore lies the Walled City, where it feels like one has travelled into the past.

delhi gate Lahore (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Walled City by Night

Regal old mosques, tombs, residential buildings and bazaars where families have been living for centuries in their ancestral homes are the highlights of this area.

busy roads of delhi gate (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Walled City by night.

Preparing Tawa Chicken (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Beloved Lahori Food Trends

The people of Lahore represent the culture of this old city, welcoming weary travelers with open arms, hot cups of tea, delicious food and delightful conversations. A city as large and old as Lahore is bound to have a strong bond with food, especially traditional, ethnic cuisine. Just like old architectural structures and bazaars, the food streets of Lahore are full of gastronomic history tied to the province of Punjab and beyond.

Paye in the cauldron (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Phajje ke Paye

A spicy, steaming beef or mutton trotters broth is cooked overnight and served for breakfast.

Murgh channay with naan and salad (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Naan Channe

Curried chickpeas slow cooked with chicken is served with fresh naans (leavened bread).

Close Up of Tawa Chicken (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Tawa Chicken

Succulent chicken breast is pan-fried with spices on a hot tawa (iron cast pan) to create a mouthwatering dish.

Naan being baked in oven (2020) SOCH Outreach Foundation

Preparing Kulchas in a Traditional Tandoor

Leavened bread is fast-cooked on the sides of a superhot clay oven. 

Lahore truly has a little bit of something for everyone, and it is no wonder why this historic city is so beloved by all those who visit.

Produced by SOC Films  Project Director: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy Producers:  Syed Ayub , Sameer Khan Project Manager:  Huma Shah Director of Photography:  Murtaza Ali Photography:  Karim Baig , Murtaza Ali Photography Editor:  Karim Baig Additional Video & Photography:  Khurram Victor Exhibits Writer:  Nazia Latif , Sameer Khan Exhibits :  Syed Ayub , Sameer Khan Art Direction :  Rahat Niazi   Associate Producer :  Asad Pabani Video Editors : Nina Zehri, Farhad Jamali  Color Grade:  Sourath Behan Additional Video Editing : Mishal Adhami  Sound Design:  Sameer Khan

Regional Foods of Pakistan

Soch outreach foundation, qutb shahi heritage, kalakriti archives, joseph: a celebrated haitian model in 19th-century paris, the j. paul getty museum, the hamzanama, mak – museum of applied arts, thaal tales: pakistan’s bohra community, cosmology to cartography - sacred maps from the indian subcontinent, irises at the getty, gustav klimt and the palais stoclet, a virtual tour of asia’s largest chili market: kunri, his highness the nizam's army, taking a moment, portfolio gustav klimt.