This is probably the most charming and grand forts in entire Pakistan. Covering an area of 20 hectares, the size and structure that the fort has, was constructed by Emperor Akbar between 1556 and 1605. The succeeding emperors have all contributed to the styling of the fort; thus you can see different architectural ideas incorporated in Lahore Fort. Also known as 'Shahi Quila' among locales, the main attraction inside the fort are Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha pavillion and Moti Masjid. The fort was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1981. The fort has some really wonderful and well maintained gardens all around the fort which further add to the beauty of the fort.

The mosque was built under the patronage of the sixth Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb Alamgir. It was completed in 1673 under the supervision of Aurangzeb’s foster brother Muzaffar Hussain (also known as Fidaie Khan Koka) who was appointed governor of Lahore in May 1671 and held this post until 1675. He was also Master of Ordnance to the emperor. The construction of the mosque took about two years, from May 1671 to April 1673. The mosque was built opposite the Lahore Fort, illustrating its stature in the Mughal Empire. In conjunction with the building of the mosque, a new gate was built at the fort, named Alamgiri Gate after the Emperor. During the Sikhs rule, they used the mosque as a horse stable and Muslims were forbid to enter in Mosque. While British’s also used the mosque for military training including rifle and cannon fire range and later on they handed over the control of Mosque to the Muslims as a gesture of good will. A Committee was formed to restore the Holy place to its original glory. The Committee carried out extensive repair works from 1939 to 1960. Those repairs brought the mosque back to its original shape and condition. Capable of accommodating up to 60,000 worshippers, it is the second largest mosque in Pakistan. Like the character of its founder, the mosque is bold, vast and majestic in its expression. The interior has rich embellishment in stucco tracery (Manbatkari) and paneling with a fresco touch, all in bold relief, as well as marble inlay. A small museum was also b added to the mosque complex some 40 years before, which contains relics of Muhammad SAW, his cousin, and his daughter, Hazrat Fatima Zahra. Walled City of Lahore Authority is doing conservational works inside Badshahi Mosque and also shifting the Holy Relics Chamber to the ground floor of Mosque.

The quadrangle now occupied by the garden called Hazuri Bagh with a marble Baradari (1818 AD) in its centre, was originally a serai built by Aurangzeb, where during the Mughal rule thronged the imperial cavalcades and armed retainers. The two storeyed building adjoining the southern gateway (Hazuri Bagh gate) was also originall built in the time of Aurangzeb as a boarding house for scholars. Later on it was used as Abdar- khana or place for keeping refreshing drinks. During the reign of Ranjit Singh it came to be called as Gulabkhana or ‘’Rose-water House’’ , literally rose –house. During the British period it was again used as a boarding house for students. The Hazuri Bagh garden was reconstructed in 1818 by Maharajah Ranjit Singh to commemorate the capture of the Koh-i-Noor diamond from Shah Shujah of Afghanistan. The major monument in the garden is the baradari at its center. It is primarily constructed of marble stripped from numerous Mughal monuments in Lahore, many of which remain standing despite the removal of their marble cladding. Ranjit Singh used the pavilion as a place to hold court, and the mirrored ceiling in the central chamber is a testament to this function.

Commonly known as Shahi Hamam, the Wazir Khan Hamam was built by Sheikh Ilmuddin Ansari in 1634. The Hamam is the only surviving public bath from the Mughal era in Pakistan. The single-storey structure is spread over 1,110 square feet and was built using brick tiles and limestone cement. The building is a combination of Turkish and Persian style. It reminds one of the traditional Persian hamams which are still vogue in Iran. It is a single storey building with beautiful paintings and has three types of bathing facilities such as cold, hot and steam bath. All these facilities have been divided into separate sections. Massage and other similar facilities were also provided. In 2012 the Walled City of Lahore Authority, understanding the importance of Shahi Hammam, removed 52 encroachments from its façade and set out the conservation plan. This Conservation process was completed in 2016 and the same year Shahi Hammam won the Award of Merit by UNESCO for best conservation practices in Pakistan. During the conservation, the white wash over fresco work was removed through certain chemicals for revealing the original fresco underneath. Fresco experts from Sri Lanka who toiled with the students of National College of Arts carried out this task. Marble floors were laid in all the 21 rooms of the Hammam in 1991 restoration by the Archeology department. These floors were excavated during the 2014 conservation to reveal the hypocaust system.

The Wazir Khan Mosque sat astride the historic route that the Mughal nobility would traverse as they entered the city and made way to the royal residence in the Lahore Fort. The Mosque comprises a prayer chamber and a large courtyard. The latter is surrounded on its northern, southern and eastern sides with 28 hujras and two Pavilions facing each other across the width of the courtyard. There are four Minars marking the four corners of the courtyard. An important feature of the entrance system of the Mosque is the Calligraphers bazaar that crosses the axis of entrance at a right angle. The Mosque complex, in the form that it has survived, still has a singular outstanding attribute that places it in the frontline of the major monuments of the world- the exuberant architectural decorations that embellish its exterior and interior surfaces. In essence these are of two kinds- exterior surface decorations which are chiefly in the form of glazed ceramic tile murals; and interior decorations in the form of naqqashi wall painting- a semi –dry form of fresco.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 – 1839) became the first ruler of the Sikh Empire, which came to power in the Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. The empire, based in the Punjab region, existed from 1799 to 1849.Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s mausoleum is located in Lahore near the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque. The mausoleum was begun by his son Kharak Singh on the spot where he was cremated. It was completed by Duleep Singh in 1848A.D. The tomb exemplifies Sikh architecture, it has gilded fluted domes and cupolas and an ornate balustrade round the top. Ranjit Singh’s ashes are contained in a marble urn in the shape of a lotus, sheltered under a marble pavilion inlaid with pietra-dura, in the center of the tomb. Ranjit Singh though illiterate, showed great intellectual curiosity so was uncontested master of the region through four decades of the 19th century.

Behind the Golden Mosque Bhikari Khan is a baoli or large well, with steps descending to the edge of the water. The well was dug by Arjan, the fifth sikh Guru, in the time of Jahangir and had a large alms house attached to it. In the time of his successor, Guru Har Gobind, owing to a quarrel between the Guru and the Qazi of Lahore, the Baoli, with all the buildings attached to it was confiscated to the state, and in the place of Langar khana a mosque was built in 1890. The Maharaja, having fallen dangerously ill, was advised by his astrologers to reopen the Baoli and Bathe with its water, which would cure him. He acted accordingly, and is said to have been cured by the bath. He lost no time in demolishing the mosque, and constructed buildings consisting of rooms, chambers and balconies. The place is highly respected by the Hindus, who hold all their important meetings there. The Granth or holy book, wrapped up in a valuable cloth, is placed on a raised platform, and the great kettle-drum is beaten every morning and evening to awaken the faithful to a sense of their duty to the creator. After the death of Ranjeet Singh and to the current period there are no traces in history that what happened to the Baoli and how it reached to this condition of barren garden having no Baoli. Presently the entrance of the Baoli is encroached by shopkeepers and nobody could apprehend what happened to the huge structure which once standing there.

It is situated closely to the Wazir Khan Mosque on the Eastern side. It appears that it was the entrance of the outer premises of the Wazir Khan Mosque. Since it is part of the Mosque planning, its date of construction is the same as that of the Mosque i.e. 1631 AD. The gate is about 16feet wide and 30 feet high in shape of an arch. It is not in a good state of preservation while additionally heavily encroached upon by vendors. The monument is also in the possession and under the control of the Walled City of Lahore Authority of the Govt. of Punjab.

Raja Dina Nath was the person, who rose to remarkable power in the later days of Ranjit singh. In 1834 raja Dina Nath was made finance Minister. After annexation of Lahore by the British in 1849, Raja Dina Nath was appointed to the council of Regency. During his time the Raja constructed buildings and gardens for public welfare. Among these was the well he built opposite the white dome in the front of Masjid Wazir khan. The well was set under a dome and open arches provided for drinking of water by the people. It was done by the Raja in 1851 AD at the suggestion of the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore. The Well though still existent and antiquity, is no more in functioning order. An inscription on a marble stone affixed to the southern wall of the structure.. “This well was built by Raja Dina Nath, Raja of Kalanour, at his own expense, at the suggestion of the Major George Macgregor, Dupty Commissioner of Lahore, in 1908 Samvat, corresponding to 1851 A.D

The museum itself is in a small house in the inner city. The Fakirs were an important family during the Sikh rule of Punjab in the 1700s. Fakir was an ascetic and his sons took over in his role as an important member and minister in the court of the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh. This small museum showcases the history of Lahore and contains important pieces such as relics from the Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H) time as well as swords, jewels and coins dating back to the Sikh era and the Mughal rule of the city. Collections within the Museum have been passed through generations within the Fakir Family and number approx 30,000 items from British, Sikh and Mughal eras. The Museum has survived several wars and the India-Pakistan partition. Held within the Fakir Family were several prominent mansions (Havelis) in and around Lahore e.g. Mubarak Haveli and others. The art from those mansions and personal pieces collected by several prominent members of the Fakir Family have also been incorporated into the Fakir Khana collection. Historically the Family was known to possess a large collection of jewels and jewelled artifacts-many of which were personal gifts to the Fakir Brothers by Maharajah Ranjit Singh.

The Wazir Khan Baradari stands as a stunning example of Mughal-era architecture, constructed in 1634-35 by Hakim Ilm-ud-din Ansari, also known as Wazir Khan, who served as the Governor of Lahore during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign. This Baradari was originally built in the heart of Wazir Khan's Nakhlia Garden, which was once rich with date palm trees. It served as a place for Wazir Khan to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. The term "Baradari," meaning "twelve-door pavilion," reflects its architectural design featuring twelve doorways. The pavilion is adorned with intricate frescoes and Mughal-style embellishments, showcasing the artistic excellence of that period. This two-story structure includes four corner towers, each topped with sloping chajjas (eaves) and cupolas, typical of the Shah Jahan era. The garden once featured fountains and pools surrounding the pavilion. Following the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Sikhs took over Lahore and used the Baradari as a cantonment. After annexing Punjab, the British also used it as a cantonment for a time, and later it served as a Settlement Office and the first telegraph office in Lahore. It was the initial location of the Lahore Museum before the museum moved to its current site. In 1885, Sir Charles Atchison, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, established the Punjab Public Library at the Baradari. In 1939, the library was relocated to a new adjoining building, and the Baradari has since been used as a reading room for the library, thus remaining an integral part of the library complex. Govt. of Punjab has transferred the management of the Wazir Khan Baradari from the Archives deptt to the Walled City of Lahore Authority in the year 2023. Wazir Khan Baradari holds a significant position due to its proximity to several renowned literary and cultural institutions, including the Government Punjab Public Libraries, the National College of Arts (NCA), and Lahore Museum, Hailey College of Banking & Finance, Punjab University Old Campus, and Government College University (GCU). The Walled City of Lahore Authority has started the conservation of the Baradari in 2024.

Qutbuddin Aibak was a Turkish slave who rose to a position of prominence in Muhammad Ghori's army. He took over control of Muhammad Ghori's Indian possessions after his death in AD 1206. He was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate and the first independent Muslim ruler of Northern India. Qutbuddin Aibak was courageous, devoted, and generous. He was known as "Lakh Baksh'' because of his generosity. Most scholars regard Aibak as the true founder of Mulsim rule in India. He built Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra (Mosque) in Ajmer and started the construction of Qutub Minar which was later completed by his successor Iltutmish. Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in an accident while playing polo in 1210. He was severely injured when he fell from his horse. He was laid to rest near the Anarkali bazaar in Lahore. The tomb was built in its current form during the 1970s by Pakistan's Department of Archaeology and Museums, which attempted to replicate Sultanate-era architecture.

The Shalimar Gardens (or the Shalamar Gardens), a Persian type garden complex built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1641 AD, is situated in Lahore, Pakistan. It is one of the most significant among other Mughal Gardens. Its construction was supervised by Khalilullah Khan, who was a noble in Shah Jahan’s court. The complex lies near Baghbanpura, around 5 km northeast of the city of Lahore. The garden complex got influenced by regions like Central Asia, Persia, Kashmir, Punjab and the Delhi Sultanate. The Shalimar gardens were incorporated into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with Lahore Fort in 1981. Terraced and walled gardens with pavilions and canals running through the centre were another innovation introduced for the very first time in the architectural history of the sub-continent, by Mughal Emperor Shah jahan. These gardens are well known to the world by their popular name of “Shalimar”. The Shalimar garden is spread out in three elevated levels of terraces mounted above one another. The lower level is known as Hayat Baksh, which means Benefactor of Life. The second or the middle level is known as Faiz Baksh, which means Benefactor of goodness while the third or upper level is known as Farah Baksh meaning Benefactor of Pleasure. The Shalimar garden complex houses numerous buildings which includes Sawan Bhadun house, Naqar Khana, Khwab gah or room meant for sleeping, Hammam or the place of bath, the Aiwan or the big hall, Aram gah or place of resting, Khawab gah of Begum Sahib or the fantasy place for emperor’s wife, Baradaries or the resting places during summer especially to enjoy the coolness generated by the fountains in the gardens, Diwan-e-Khas-o-Aam or the place of interaction of special and ordinary people with the emperor.

Anarkali Tomb, one of the earliest dated mausoleums from the Mughal era, stands as a symbol of Lahore’s rich and layered history. Its unique octagonal design showcases the architectural elegance of its time and reflects the intricate fusion of art, culture, and tradition. Originally constructed as a mausoleum, the tomb's purpose evolved over time with each new ruler. During Sikh rule under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, it was repurposed as a concentration camp and later became the residence of Kharak Singh, Ranjeet Singh’s heir. Eventually, the British administration took control, transforming the tomb into a residency, a church, and later into an office for archiving government records. In 1855, Anarkali’s Tomb became the first parish church for the Protestant community in Lahore. Architectural modifications included the construction of an outer staircase and wooden galleries to increase seating capacity. The dome was color-washed blue and adorned with tinsel stars, creating a striking representation of the firmament. By 1891, the tomb was relinquished by ecclesiastical authorities and converted into a storage space for the Records and Archives of the Punjab Government. In 1923, Professor Garrett of Government College, Lahore, spearheaded efforts to organize the archives, marking the tomb's formal use as an official record office. Today, Anarkali Tomb continues to represent Lahore’s historical journey, from its Mughal origins to its British colonial past. The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) actively conserves this significant heritage site, ensuring its stories and architectural grandeur are preserved for future generations. A visit to the tomb offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in centuries of Mughal, Sikh, and British history, and experience one of Lahore’s most iconic landmarks.

Born in Saint-Tropez in 1785, General Jean-François Allard had an illustrious military career. After Napoleon lost the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 ,his army of mercenaries was in disarray. Many of those set out of France for military careers both to the west and the east to countries like Persia. General Allard sneaked into Lahore along with General Ventura after travelling from Persia to Afghanistan and then through Khyber pass to Peshawar and Punjab in March 1822. They sought the attendance before the Maharaja who at first was not very happy to see these suspected ” Farangees” and so he kept them under surveillance for three to four months. After assuring himself of their credentials, the Maharaja assigned them the task for reorganising Maharaja’s Special Forces. General Allard was made in charge of Cavalry and General Ventura was to supervise the infantry. Together, the two French men were responsible for the 6000 strong Fauj-i-Khas a kind of elite commando unit. Allard took part in almost all the major expeditions of Maharaja ,Ranjit Singh. On 23 January 1839, he died at Peshawar. His body was brought to Lahore and buried with full military honours alongside the tomb of his daughter in Kuri Bagh on 19 February.

The Shahdara Complex is a historical site located in Shahdara Bagh, on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan. It includes several notable Mughal-era tombs and monuments. The complex is situated on the Ravi River's western bank and was historically an important entry point to the city of Lahore.

Asif Khan was the brother of Nur Jahan, foremost of Emperor Jahangir's twenty wives. He was also the father of Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Emperor Shah Jahan and the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built. Asif Khan's clan rose to power as his sister gained entry into Jahangir's court. Jahangir had long been addicted to opium and alcohol, and as his addiction worsened he relied more and more on his close aides for day to day governing of the empire. Asif Khan's sister, Nur Jahan, used the opportunity to take power for herself. In 1625 she used her influence to obtain the governorship of Lahore for her brother, Asaf Khan. He held the position for a mere two years before Emperor Jahangir died in 1627. In the struggle for succession that followed, Asaf Khan broke ranks with his sister and sided with his son in law, the future Shah Jahan, in his bid for succession. When Shah Jahan emerged victorious Nur Jahan was placed under comfortable house arrest and lived out the remainder of her days as a poetess and sponsor of the arts. Asif Khan was placed in command of an army attacking Bijapur in 1632 but he failed to take the city. Shah Jahan retained him in the court but he never reached the heights of power that he had previously enjoyed. He died in June 1642 while fighting the forces of the rebel Raja Jagat Singh Pathania. He was accorded high honors in the placement of his tomb just a few hundred meters to the west of Emperor Jahangir's own tomb. Octagonal tombs were never used for emperors but they were commonly employed for burial of high-ranking noblemen such as Asaf Khan. The bulbous dome that crowns the tomb is an innovation of Shah Jahan's era that was used to great effect at other sites such as the Taj Mahal.

The tomb of Jahangir is located in Shahdara, in the suburbs of Lahore, Pakistan. It is presumed that it was Emperor Jahangir’s last wish to be buried in his wife Noor Jahan’s old pleasure garden called Dilkusha Bagh, as the area had been a favorite spot of his while he resided in Lahore The entrance to the mausoleum is through two massive gateways of stone placed exactly opposite of each other which leads to a square enclosure known as the Akbari Serai. Another enclosure on the western side gives a full view of the garden in front of the mausoleum which contained brick canals and several fountains that are now ruined. The exterior of the mausoleum is covered in red sandstone with ornate panel decorations that are inlaid with marble motifs. The building is divided into a series of compartments with the interiors being embellished in frescos and colorful semi-precious stones. The corridor around the mausoleum is made up of mosaic and is decorated with floral patterns. The mausoleum itself is a single floor building with four minarets in each of its corners. Except for the minarets, the entire layout of the mausoleum is horizontal with a flat roof covering the entire structure. The mausoleum of Jahangir holds a special place among the architectural relics of Pakistan as it is the only remaining Mughal tomb in the country. Its image appears on the National Currency and it remains Lahore’s most popular attraction.

Nur Jahan (31 May 1577 – 17 December 1645) born as Mehr-un-Nissa, was Empress of the Mughal Empire as the chief consort of Emperor Jahangir. A strong, charismatic and well-educated woman, she is considered to be one of the most powerful and influential women of the 17th century Mughal Empire. She was the twentieth and favourite wife of the Emperor Jahangir who ruled the Mughal Empire at the peak of its power and supremacy. The story of the couple’s infatuation for each other and the relationship that developed between them has been inspiration to many (often apocryphal) legends. The Tomb of Nur Jahan is a red sandstone mausoleum located in Shahdara Bagh in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It was constructed for the Mughal empress Nur Jahan as her final resting place.The whole mausoleum is surrounded by Mughal gardens. Unlike her father's tomb (tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah), which was constructed in white marble, Nur Jahan's mausoleum is primarily clad in red sandstone. Standing on a platform of 158 square feet the tomb measures 124 square feet and 19.6 feet high. The vaulted ceilings were covered with marble and wrought with flower mosaics in semi-precious stones. Minute paneling was executed in intricate patterns and cornices are honeycomb shaped in several rooms. The inner floor is covered with marble and the outer platform with sandstone. The exterior, encased in red sandstone, was inlaid with floral motifs in addition to white, black and yellow marble. The central vaulted chamber of the tomb contains a marble platform with two cenotaphs, one that commemorates Nur Jahan and the other to commemorate her daughter, Ladli Begum. Built by Hakim Ajmal, Khan of Delhi in 1912, the original marble sarcophagus bears ornate workmanship and the name of Allah, in the same style and size as seen in the tombs of Jahangir and Asif Khan.

The Akbari Sarai is a large caravan inn ("sarai") that is located in Shahdara Bagh in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Dating from 1637, the sarai was originally built for travelers, as well as for caretakers of the Tomb of Jahangir.The sarai is most notable for being the best-preserved example in Pakistan,[2] as well as for its large gateway that is richly embellished with pietra dura that serves as a portal to the tomb of Jahangir. The name can be translated as "Palace of Akbar". Abdul Hamid Lahori, court historian to the Emperor Shah Jahan, mentioned the building by the name Jilu Khana-e-Rauza, which means "attached court of the tomb", in his book the Padshahnama. The sarai quadrangle is situated in the middle of the Jahangir, to the east, and the east of Asif Khan which lies to the west of the sarai. Despite the name of the structure, Akbari Sarai was begun during the reign of Islam Shah Suri in the mid-1550s, and not during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The mosque at the sarai dates from the Suri period, though the cells which line the complex, and its gateways, date from the Shah Jahan period in the mid-1600s. The sarai served as both a station for wayfarers, and also a mail station known as a dāk chowkī. The sarai was administered by an official known as a Shāhnā with several assistant caretakers .Fodder for animals, hot and cold water, and bed steads were provided free of charge.The sarai also had a physician, as well as a resident baker, and a water well located outside of the walls of the sarai. As with many sarais, a small bazaar may have run between each gate. Maharajah Ranjit Singh converted the complex into a cantonment of one of his foreign generals, Musa Farangi, who used to live here with his platoon. The site was severely damaged during the British era, when it was used as a rail depot following the construction of the nearby rail line The sarai is in the form of an oblong quadrangle, which covers a total area of 12 acres.The sarai measures 797 feet by 610 feet. The courtyard of the sarai complex is flanked on all sides by a raised terrace where rows of 180 cells known as khanaha are located with a veranda and a common open passage. The corners of the sarai are flanked by towers. Tower chambers are the most elaborate of all the sarai's cells, and feature and elliptical hall in front with a veranda, with an octagonal room in the back. The palace has two large gateways in the Mughal style, located to the north and to the south that were built to be visible from a distance.The gateway is two stories, and housed the shāhnā.The main arch serving as a portal to the tomb of Jahangir features a large double storied iwan,flanked by 4 other smaller arched niches featuring ghalib kari, or a network of ribs in stucco and plaster applied to curved surfaces in each archway. The central iwan is decorated with muqarnas. while the façade of the gateway is richly decorated with pietra dura. The decorative elements, the style of the structure, and the size of the bricks indicate that the palace and the gateways to the tomb could have been constructed at the same time. To the west of the palace in the middle of the cell rows is a mosque with three domes. It is clad in red sandstone with decorations. The interior of the mosque was probably once embellished with frescoes and ghalib kari as well. The Akbari Sarai, along with the Tombs of Jahangir and Asif Khan, were inscribed on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993.