LAHORE FORT

“ The living history of an era. “

INTRODUCTION :
• Lahore Fort also known as Shahi Qila.
• Enlisted as World Heritage Sites in 1981 by UNESCO.
• Citadel of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

LOCATION : North-western corner of the historical city of Lahore.

SIZE : 427 meters east-west and 335 meters north-south. ( excluding the
fortification wall added later during the Sikh rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799
– 1839 A.D).
HISTORY :
•Evidence of existence of mud fort in 102, said to be constructed in Hindu Period.
•Invasions of Mughals and Mongols destroyed the fort.

•Present fort of brick and solid masonary built during Akbar’s reign.
•Reflects a series of monuments from Emperor Akbar (ruled: 1556 – 1605) to the
Aurangzeb (ruled : 1658 – 1707 ).
PLANNING :

•Trapezoidal plan spread over 30 acres.

•Two huge gates in the fortification, one in the east and one in the west :
a) Akbari gate in the east.
b) Alamgiri gate in the west.
NOTEABLE BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES :
Whole citadel is divided into series of structures that are interconnected
to each other :

1. Akbari Gate.
2. Alamgiri Gate.
3. Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience)
4. Jahangir’s Quadrangle
5. Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Special Audience)
6. Khwabgah (Sleeping Chamber) of Shah Jahan
7. Makateeb Khana (Reception Chamber)
8. Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque)
9. Lal Burj (Watch Tower)
10. Kala Burj (Watch Tower)
11. Hammam-e-Shahi (Royal Bath)
12. Paien Bagh (Ladies Garden)
13. Hathi Paer (Elephant Stairs)
14. Khilwat Khana (Place of Isolation)
15. Ath Darra (A building having eight openings)
16. Shish Mahal (Palace of Mirrors)
17. Bangla Naulakha (Naulakha Pavilion)
GATES :

1) AKBARI GATE :
a) Eastern Gate, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar.
b) Built in 1566 and now called Maseeti Gate.
c) Used as the main entrance to the fort during the Mughal
era.
d) Its outer facade consists of a central arch flanked by two
semi-octagonal bastions topped with a crenellated wall.

a) A central vaulted chamber.

b) The Akbari Gate also consists of a basement.
c) There is a small window like access to the basement as it is
all hidden by the plantation.
d) Inner facade with projecting jharoka window.
e) Constructed of Burnt bricks and wood.
GATES :

1) ALAMGIRI GATE :
DEEWAN - E- AAM : ( Hall of public audience )

• Located in the middle of the northern side.

• Constructed by Shah Jahan.
• Hall of forty columns, which separates private and public spaces.
• Built on a raised platform (34’) bounded by a stone railing.
• Wooden Floor added by Shah jahan.
• Court (730'X460') and a hall (187’x60’) on its northern side.

• The façade has red sandstone brackets supporting the wide slanting chajja..
• Pillars are decorated with chevron designs on their shafts, and stalactite designs on their
capitals.
• The outer walls are arcaded, open to the court and to the outdoor gardens.
• Back wall contains a balcony-throne from which the emperor granted audiences.
Various parts and additions in the building, arches and roof are British era construction.