Lahore Fort
The Lahore Fort (also known as Shahi Qila) is an 11th-century citadel in Lahore and a symbol of Mughal grandeur. The fort was a mud-brick fortified structure dating back to the 11th century, and its history has seen many damages and restoration before being given its current form by the 3rd Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great when he made Lahore his capital.
With Mughal era remains, historical monuments, ornate palaces, and museums, no place in the city shows more raw history than the Lahore Fort. Located in the Old City, the Lahore Fort is one of the best places to visit in Lahore and famous historical landmark. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for the repertoire of Mughal-era monuments, some of which date back to Akbar the Great period.
It has been featured on the back of a 50 Pakistani rupee note in 1986, which is now part of the withdrawn banknotes series. The Lahore Fort is one of the most popular attractions in Walled City, and it fascinates travelers all year round.
Read our complete guide to the Lahore Fort to learn its history, architecture, and notable monuments.
The hefty walls of the Lahore Fort enclose 20 hectares of land in the northern part of Lahore’s walled city. It is a few hundred meters away from the historic Badshahi Mosque, which was built by Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir.
Minar-e-Pakistan, Greater Iqbal Park, Tomb of Allama Iqbal (intellectual founder of Pakistan and national poet), and the National History Museum are also within walking distance from the fort.
The Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum is adjacent to the eastern walls of the fort. Fort Road Food Street and Shahi Mohalla Bazaar are also close to the Lahore Fort.
The exact origins of the Lahore Fort are obscure and based on myths. However, the first historical mention of the fort suggests that it was inhabited during the reign of Mahmud Ghaznavi when he conquered Lahore in the early 11th century.
It was later destroyed by Mongols and refortified in 1267 by Sultan Balban of Delhi Sultanate. That mud-built fort was destroyed and rebuilt many times before the conquest of Lahore by Mughal Emperor Babur. The initial reconstruction of the fort was carried out during the reign of Emperor Akbar.
In 1575, the existing mud structure was replaced with solid brick masonry when Akbar the Great occupied the site to quell rebellions from the northwest frontier of his empire. He made Lahore his imperial capital due to its strategic location between the other Mughal territories and strongholds of Multan, Kabul, and Kashmir.
The fort was later modified by the successive Mughal emperors Jahangir (1605–1627), Shah Jahan (1628–1658), and Aurangzeb (1658–1707) in the 17th century. They added stately palaces, pavilions, mosques, and gardens to enhance its architectural beauty.
Shah Jahan greatly expanded the fort during his period with Diwan-e-Aam, Sheesh Mehal, Moti Masjid, and Naulakha Pavilion. The fort remained under the occupation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh from the late 17th century to the mid-eighth century. The Sikhs damaged the fort’s Diwan-e-Aam during their occupation of the fort.
However, they also made many additions to the fort complex. The Lahore Fort was damaged by the British during the second Anglo-Sikh War in 1848, which culminated in the fall of the Sikh Empire. When overtaken by the British, the fort began a new history of conversion of existing buildings for colonial use.
It has now been partially restored and is believed to be a site with the most ancient remains of the city. Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, it has become Lahore’s most popular tourist attraction and a widely recognizable symbol of the city.
The Lahore Fort is one of the most popular historical places in Pakistan. It was once the royal residence when Lahore was the imperial capital of the Mughal dynasty. The older part of the fort was built during the Akbar period in the 16th century, while the new fort was constructed during the Shah Jahan period when the Mughal Empire was at the height of its grandeur.
The architecture of the Lahore Fort is influenced by Islamic, Hindu, and Persian architectural styles. The design of this fort is characterized by the use of marble, red sandstone, tiles, and stone carvings.
The main gates of the forts are Akbari Gate, Shah Burj Gate, and Alamgiri Gate. Akbari Gate, facing the famous Maryam Zamani Mosque, was the fort’s main entrance before the construction of the iconic Alamgiri Gate built by Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. Curtain walls surround the fort complex, and two sections of the citadel are divided by usage – a residential or private section and an administrative section.
The residential or private section is divided into private quarters and courts, which connect with the Shah Burj Gate. It can be accessed through the elephant stairs (or Hathi Paer).
However, the administration division is connected to the Fort’s main entrance and features spacious gardens and Diwan-e-Khas (hall of royal audience), where the emperor would attend state affairs.
The mosques, palaces, gardens, and other buildings are well connected by a system of walkways. The architecture of this majestic fort is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, comparable to other Mughal forts at Agra and Delhi in India.
The Lahore Fort is undoubtedly the symbol of Lahore’s visual identity. The citadel lacks its former glory as it has been damaged many times and used as barracks for the British military in the colonial period.
There is plenty to keep you occupied in the Lahore Fort as some of its original monuments have survived, including the ones dating back to Akbar the Great period. Some buildings are closed to the public to prevent further deterioration, but conservation and restoration works are underway by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Walled City of Lahore Authority.
Here are some of the notable monuments of the Lahore Fort you must see on your visit to Lahore Fort:
Located south of Jahangir’s quadrangle, the Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audiences) is a huge red sandstone Persian-style forty-pillared audience hall built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1628. This massive hall with carved pillars served as a place where the emperor would hear the public’s complaints.
The pillars’ shafts feature chevron designs, and capitals are decorated with muqarnas designs, similar to the Diwan-e-Aam at the famous Agra Fort in India. This building is not in its original 17th-century condition as it was demolished by the Sikhs in the mid-18th century and rebuilt by the British.
The ornate white marble Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audiences) is the most opulent structure of the Lahore Fort, where the Mughal emperors would receive state guests and courtiers.
Moti Masjid, or Pearl Mosque, was built during the reign of Shah Jahan in 1644 for the royal household. This white marble structure is the earliest pearl mosque built during the Mughal era.
The two others are the one in Agra Fort, built during Emperor Shah Jahan period, and the other in Red Fort Delhi, built by Emperor Aurangzeb. Moti Masjid was converted into a Sikh temple when Maharaja Ranjit Sikh took over Lahore. It was later restored to its original glory in 1904.
Sheesh Mahal is the most palatial monument of the Lahore Fort, commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631 for the empress and her court. This ornate white marble pavilion is part of Jahangir’s Shah Burj block and is best known for its complex mirror work. These mirrors glimmer and create reflections when touched by sunlight.
When moonlight touches these mirrors at night, the entire palace starts to glow as if thousands of stars are shining inside—a truly amazing sight to behold. Its walls are adorned with fresco and are inlaid with pietra dura. Sheesh Mahal has an expansive hall in front where royals used to sit, and its exterior walls are adorned with mosaic art depicting paintings of the Mughal princes’ everyday sports.
You can enjoy a stunning view of the Badshahi Mosque, the Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the rest of the fort from one corner of Sheesh Mahal.
Occupying the fort’s northeast corner, Jahangir Quadrangle is one of 21 notable monuments of the Lahore Fort. Its construction began during the Akbar period and was completed under Emperor Jahangir (son of Emperor Akbar) in the early 17th century.
The layout of this quadrangle differs from other quadrangles built during the Mughal period, which typically follow the design of a Persian paradise garden. Instead, it consists of concentric rectangles with a fountain at its center.
The chamber facing the courtyard features open cloisters, and its red sandstone façade was constructed in a trabeated style, reflecting the trabeated style of Fatehpur Sikri (city of victory) built by Emperor Akbar.
The composite zoomorphic brackets that support the chhajja of the courtyard wings are carved in the shape of animals such as peacocks, elephants, etc. Jahangir’s sleeping chamber, or the Barri Khwabgah, is also part of the quadrangle, which was demolished and later rebuilt in the British era.
The monumental Picture Wall of Lahore runs from Elephant Gate to Jahangir’s Quadrangle of the citadel with a height of 50 ft. and 1450 ft. in length, making it the largest picture wall in the world.
Its construction started during the reign of Emperor Jahangir and is believed to have been completed during Emperor Shah Jahan’s period. It is lavishly decorated with frescoes, cuerda seca tiles, and faience mosaic panels displaying imagery on different subjects, including battles, the life of Mughal emperors, demons with cloven hoofs and birds, elephant fights, dancing girls, dragons, and representation of zodiacal signs of angels.
The western façade of this embellished wall features the Shah Burj Gate, which leads you into the Lahore fort. This gigantic gate with the world’s largest picture wall provides a hint of the aesthetics of those times and the love for opulent architecture the Mughal emperors had.
Located at the fort’s northwest corner, Hathi Paer, or elephant stairs, is an entranceway built between 1631 and 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan. These stairs were crafted to provide access to the imperial household from the Shah Burj Gate to the outer courtyard of Sheesh Mahal while riding on the royal elephants.
The palatial royal quarters were accessed through the Elephant Gate, which is located at its southwest corner. The staircase features 58 wide and minimal heighted steps, which are 573 centimeters in width and 548.6 centimeters in length.
These extremely wide and low steps allowed elephants carrying royals to ascend from ground level to the top of the citadel.
The Alamgiri Gate is a gigantic gate located on the western side of the magnificent Lahore Fort. This mammoth structure was built by Emperor Aurangzeb, who also commissioned the Badshahi Mosque. It was used to access the public areas used by the royals for state occasions.
This monumental gate was large enough to accommodate several royal elephants carrying the royalty to pass through it simultaneously. The Temple of Prince Loh (son of Rama and Sita) is located a short distance from Alamgiri Gate. According to legend, Prince Lava founded the ancient city of ‘Lavapuri,’ now called Lahore.
The Naulakha pavilion is a prime example of Emperor Shah Jahan’s elaborate style and love for ornate architecture. This marble pavilion stands beside the Sheesh Mahal and is adorned with pietra dura (mosaics of precious and semiprecious stones) in intricate floral motifs. Its western façade provides a view of the historic walled city of Lahore.
This unique, rectangular pavilion, built in 1665 and named Naulakha, means ‘nine lakh’ (900,000)—which may refer to the cost of its construction. The Naulakha Pavilion served as a summer house for the emperor during his visits to Lahore.
One of its key features is the distinctive arched roof, which has influenced the architectural design of the Pakistani embassy in the USA.
Three museums are located within the Lahore Fort complex: the Mughal Gallery, the Sikh Gallery Museum, and the Armoury Gallery.
The Mughal Gallery exhibits miniature paintings, old manuscripts, calligraphy, miniature models of the Taj Mahal, and coins from the times of different Mughal emperors.
The armory gallery houses swords, arrows, pistols, and daggers used by people at that time. The Sikh Gallery exhibits rare oil paintings, weapons used by people during the Sikh rule, and the preserved horse of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.
The Lahore Fort is open for visitors every day from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Allocate a few hours to explore this historic fort, wander through the preserved monuments, admire their architectural beauty, or find a quiet corner and enjoy the splendor.
To avoid crowds, aim to visit it early in the morning or in the afternoon. Shah Burj Gate is used as the main entrance to the fort after the closure of the grand Alamgiri Gate, which is located on the north-western side of the fort.
The ticket counter and souvenir shop sit on the right of it. The entry fee is 50 Pakistani rupees for local visitors and 500 rupees for foreigners. However, visitors need to pay an additional 100 rupees to visit the famous Sheesh Mahal inside the fort.
The Lahore Fort is about a 10-minute walk away from Azadi Chowk metro bus station. You can take a golf cart ride to explore the notable monuments of the fort. If you don’t want to wander aimlessly, go on a guided Rangeela rickshaw tour.
This tour covers many other historic places in Lahore, including the Lahore Fort. Hiring a private tour guide is also a good idea if you don’t want to miss interesting details about this historic fort.
As Lahore experiences extreme heat in summer, the ideal time to visit the Lahore Fort is from October to April.
Lahore’s famous landmark, Badshahi Mosque, is located a few minutes away from the Lahore Fort. This mosque is the last Mughal-era mosque, which impresses visitors with its monumental size and architectural beauty.
Therefore, a visit to the historic Lahore Fort is often combined with a visit to Badshahi Mosque. The Citadel is in proximity to Minar-e-Pakistan—a national landmark that is a symbol of freedom for the people of Pakistan as the tower was built on the site where the Pakistan Resolution was passed for a separate homeland for Muslims.
A short walk from the Lahore Fort takes you to Fort Road Food Street. Climb to the top story of one of Fort Road Food Street restaurants and enjoy authentic Pakistani flavors. Haveli Restaurant is the most famous restaurant here, located in a beautifully restored 200-year-old haveli.
Known for its delicious Mughlai dishes, it also offers stunning views of the Badshahi Mosque from its rooftop. If budget is a concern, visit the ancient Shahi Mohalla Bazaar behind Fort Road Food Street, which is the busiest eating hub in the old city.
You will find vintage restaurants, street food stalls, and sweatshops here, which are famous for their mouthwatering fare. Try Siri Paye at Fazal e Haq, famously known as Phajjay ke Paye, and tawa chicken at Arif Chatkhara when you visit Shahi Mohalla Bazaar.
This area is not only famous for regional food but also has many musical instrumental stores. When you’re here, feast on your favorite food and wander around to see this interesting part of the historic walled city.
If you find this Lahore Fort guide helpful, check out these articles to further plan your trip to Lahore:
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About Author:
Sondus Ubin
Sondus Ubin is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in travel and food. With nearly 10 years of experience in lifestyle content creation, her toes are dipped in the exciting world of travel and food. In her time working as a travel writer, she has had the opportunity to interact with frequent travelers and travel photographers. All that knowledge she gains and her passion for travel make it possible for her to bring you informative yet fun travel content. Trust her words to help you plan your dream trip. She lives in Lahore, where she explores the city’s most intriguing, interesting, and unusual places and captures the beauty and essence of every place through her lens. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her giving her eyes a much-needed break from screens with a good book, painting landscapes, or trying out new recipes.
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