Lahore Fort
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| Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore * | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii |
| Reference | 171 |
| Region ** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1981 (5th Session) |
| Endangered | 2000–present |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO | |
The Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila (Urdu: شاهی قلعہ) is citadel of the city ofLahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Walled City of Lahore. The trapezoidal composition is spread over 20 hectares.
Origins of the fort go as far back as antiquity, however, the existing base structure was built during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar (1556–1605), who was a Secular Emperor of Hindustan (India) and was regularly upgraded by subsequent rulers, having thirteen gates in all.[1] However, it is said to be built first in 800B.C. Thus the fort manifests the rich traditions of Mughal architecture.[2] Some of the famous sites inside the fort include:Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha pavilion, and Moti Masjid. In 1981, the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Shalimar Gardens (Lahore).
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[edit]Origins
The origins of Lahore Fort are obscure and are traditionally based on various myths.[4]However, during the excavation carried out in 1959 by the Department of Archaeology, in front of Diwan-e-Aam, a gold coin of Mahmood of Ghazni dated AH 416 (1025 AD) was found at a depth of 7.62 metres from the level of the lawns. Cultural layers continued to a further depth of 5 metres, giving strong indications that people had lived here, long before the conquest of Lahore by Mahmood in 1021 AD.[5] Further mention of the fort is traceable to Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Ghuri's successive invasions of Lahore from 1180 to 1186 AD.
The Sikhs Under Baba Banda Singh Bahadur (1670-1716) The Emperor of the Sikh or Khalsa Raj (Empire) Marched on Lahore but Banda Singh was in hurry to look after his government. Lahore was the only City in Punjab which was Spared.
Sikhs in 1758 Under Maharaja Jassa Singh Ahluwalia (1718-1783) Captured Lahore Fort, with it the City.
Sikhs Again in 1761 Took Lahore and the Fort and Declared Maharaja Jassa Singh Ahluwalia as the King of Lahore and the Fort.
Then the Bhangi Sikh Dynasty (1716-1810) one of the Many 12 Sikh Kingdoms (Misl) of Punjab Ruled Lahore City from 1760s upto 1799 Expanded the City of Lahore. When Ranjit Singh another Sikh Chief from Gujranwala Area Took Lahore From The Bhangi Misl the Lahore Fort Fell to Ranjit Singh and in 1801 He was crowned as the Emperor Of Whole of Punjab.
Lahore Fort and the City from (1799-1849) Remained under the Control of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Sher-e-Panjab and his Sons, Grandsons and Wives until the fall of the last Sikh Empire Or Lahore Darbar in 1849.
[edit]Timeline
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- 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 archaeological digs gives strong indications that it was built long before 1025 AD.
- 1241 AD - Destroyed by Mongols.
- 1267 AD - Rebuilt by Anushay Mirza Ghiyas ud din Balban.
- 1398 AD - Destroyed again, by Amir Tamir's army.
- 1421 AD - Rebuilt in mud by Sultan Mubark Shah Syed.
- 1432 AD - The fort is occupied by Shaikh Ali of Kabul who makes repairs to the damages inflicted on it by Shaikha Khokhar.
- 1566 AD - Rebuilt by Mughal emperor Akbar, in solid brick masonry on its earlier foundations. Also perhaps, its area was extended towards the river Ravi, which then and up to about 1849 AD, used to flow along its fortification on the north. Akbar also built Doulat Khana-e-Khas-o-Am, the famous Jharoka-e-Darshan (Balcony for Royal Appearance), Masjidi Gate etc.
- 1618 AD - Jehangir adds Doulat Khana-e-Jehangir
- 1631 AD - Shahjahan builds Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace).
- 1633 AD - Shahjahan builds Khawabgah (a dream place or sleeping area),Hamam (bath ), Khilwat Khana (retiring room), and Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque).[6]
- 1645 AD - Shahjahan builds Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Special Audience).
- 1674 AD - Aurangzeb adds the massively fluted Alamgiri Gate.
- (Sometime during) 1799-1839 AD - 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, Sikh ruler from 1799-1839 AD
- 1846 AD - Occupied by the British.
- 1927 AD - The British hand over the Fort 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.
In the 13th Century, the Loharana king, Chahir Ray, was betrayed by his confidant Kualnger, who turned traitor for a large fortune in gold and gems. Due to this, the Lohana community split, and a new leader emerged who again unified the Lohanas. Veer Jashraj, who is revered as Veer Dada Jashraj, was born in the city of Lohar (today's Lahore in Pakistan), which was the capital of Lohargadh. His domain extended from Lahore to Multan (also in Pakistan today).[citation needed] As the folklore goes, Mongol invader Changez Khan, attacked Multan and was killed by Dada Jashraj, Rana of Lohargadh.
This finds mention in Mongol folklore, which say, "King of Mongols was killed by Mirana, the tiger of Multan fort". His descendants who proudly carry the surname of 'Mirana' preserve the memory of this great warrior king. Dada Jashraj was also treacherously killed when only 28 - a life so short but full of heroic deeds.
After the death of Dada Jashraj, the decline of Lohana kingdom began and their reign at Lohargadh ended. King Dahir ruled for a while from Narayankot (today's Hyderabad, Sindh).
After his demise in a war against Muslims, Narayankot and Sindh fell to Muslims. It was around this time that some Lohanas converted to Islam. Many migrated to far-off southern regions like Kutchchh, Saurashtra and Gujarat and gradually became a trader community like Agarwals and Baranwals.
[edit]Structure
The strategic location of Lahore city between the Mughal territories and the strongholds of Kabul,Multan, and Kashmir required the dismantling of the old mud-fort and fortification with solid brick masonry.[7] The structure is dominated by Persian gardens influence that deepened with the successive refurbishments by subsequent emperors.[8] The fort is clearly divided into two sections: first the administrative section, which is well connected with main entrances, and comprises larger garden areas and Diwan-e-Aam for royal audiences. The second - a private and concealed residential section - is divided into courts in the northern part, accessible through 'elephant gate'. It also contains Shish Mahal (Hall of Mirrors of Mirror Palace), and spacious bedrooms and smaller gardens.[9] On the outside, the walls are decorated with blue Persian kashi tiles. The original entrance faces the Maryam Zamani Mosque, whereas the larger Alamgiri Gate opens to the Hazuri Bagh through to the majestic Badshahi Mosque.[10]
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