Shahi Qila is located in the city of Lahore, Punjab,Pakistan. It is also known as Lahore Fort.
Location:
It is located in the northwestern corner of the Walled City of Lahore in Iqbal Park which is one of the largest urban parks in Pakistan. The trapezoidal composition is spread over 20 hectares.
Structure:
The existing base structure was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar between 1556–1605 and was regularly upgraded by subsequent Mughal, Sikh and Britishrulers.
Origin:
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 until about 1849 AD, flowed 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).
1645 AD – Shahjahan builds Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Special Audience).
1674 AD – Aurangzeb adds the massively fluted Alamgiri Gate.
Main Gate(Alamgiri Gate)
Gates:
It has two gates one is known as Alamgiri Gate build by Emperor Aurangzeb which opens towards Badshahi Mosque and other older one known as Maseeti (Punjabi language word means of Masjid) or Masjidi Gate which opens towards Masti Gate Area of Walled City and was built by Emperor Akbar. Currently Alamgiri Gate is used as the principal entrance while Masti Gate is permanently closed .
Diwan-e-Aam, Shahi Qila
Famous Sites:
The fort manifests the rich traditions of Mughal architecture. Some of the famous sites inside the fort include: Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha pavilion, and Moti Masjid.
World Heritage Site:
In 1981, the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Shalimar Gardens.
