Faqir Khana Museum

One of the largest private museums Faqir Khana (the house of Faqir) located in the heavily congested part of the walled city in Bazaar Hakiman inside Bhati Gate of Lahore. It is in fact a treasure house containing three to four hundred years old paintings, carvings, manuscripts, carpets and innumerable other objects d’art. Faqir Khana is managed by the family of late Faqir Syed Mughis-ud-Din.

LAHORE MUSEUM

A red-brick building, in the Mughal Gothic Style, opposite Punjab University’s old campus at the Mall houses the Lahore Museum. Known to the common man as “Ajaib Ghar”, it contains a vast collection of antiques and valuable treasure. This repository of cultural and historical heritage offers one with a plethora of information about bygone days.

It was built in 1894 during the British rule and has been open to public since then. The building in which the museum is presently housed was built in 1887 to commemorate Her majesty Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. His Royal Highness Prince Victor in 1890 laid the foundation stone. In 1893 the construction was completed, which was designed by Sardar Sahib Ram Singh.

Lectures and art and craft exhibition were also held in the premises which are yet some of the most popular activities of the museum.

At the beginning the museum only consisted of five galleries, later two more galleries were added. In 1965, again steps for renovation were taken. Besides this, new galleries such as the historical Jain Temple and ethnological I and II galleries were added in the late 1960’s. In 1973, the Pakistan Movement gallery, and Pakistan postage stamps gallery were set up. Presently the museum has twenty galleries and includes the miniature painting, Gandhara, Hindu, Buddh and Jain, Pre-historic and Proto-historic, Islamic, general, contemporary paintings, Jain temple gallery, arms, stamps, medal and coins gallery, the Sadequain gallery, the Ethnological Gallery I and II (Swat) and III (fabrics and clay models).

Wazir Khan's Baradari

Adjacent to Lahore Museum, in the premise of the Punjab Public Library stands a magnificent building ‘Nakhlistan-I-Wazir’/Nakhlia (date grove) or Baradari Wazir Khan. It was completed in about 1635A.D (1045A.H).

The Nawab Wazir Khan after erecting pearl of Asia ‘Wazir Khan Mosque’ diverted his attention to lay out a fine garden in the city. It was once the spacious garden covering vast area where during Sikh period famous Qadam-ka-Mela used to be held, now divided and occupied by Lahore Museum, Tollington Market and Punjab Public Library up to Punjab Secretariat.

WAZIR KHAN HAMMAM

Public baths were constructed throughout the Islamic world. In the city of Istanbul alone in the seventeenth century there were more than 300 public baths. Mughals were also fond of hammam and erected many private hammam, among them the jewel is built inside Delhi Gate known as Wazir Khan’s hammam has the distinction of being the only specimen of public hammam of Mughal period in Lahore or Pakistan.

Surrounded by congested narrow streets, shops and old-buildings, close to the historical Delhi Gate Shahi Hammam is situated. Attested by a Waqf Deed is earlier than 1641 A.D. (1051A.H). It is recorded that it was personal property of architect and was source of income. An entrance fee was charged of 1-½ farthings, later emperors made free for the populace in order to gather popularity.

Here one could witness exquisite impressions depicting trees (Cyprus), flowers, grape vine, fruits, fairies, and vases. Richness of designs and variety of colours is worth praising.

WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE

In the heart of Lahore’s old city, near Delhi gate, stands Wazir Khan Mosque. Congested narrow streets, old buildings, shops, and the day-to-day hustle and bustle that is so typical of this area surround it.

It was built in 1044 A.H (1634 A.D), by Hakim Illmuddin Ansari, during Shah Jahan’s reign. Apart from a place has also served as a university or college with art students copying out the designs on its ceilings and walls. The mosque stands at the site of the tomb of Sayyed Muhammad Ishaque alias Miran Badshah, who came from Persia and settled in Lahore during the time of Tughlak dynasty.
One can see exquisite impressions depicting trees, flowers (such as daisies, lilies and sunflowers), clouds, grapevine, fruits and vases. Art lovers, archaeologists (including Kipling and Wheeler) and the common visitor to the mosque can’t help but be enchanted by the beauty of the architecture. The work is strictly inlay, not painted decoration. The richness of the designs, arabesque frescoes and superb calligraphy, having freshness in variety and colours, has had many admirers and makes this mosque this mosque a place worth visiting.

MARYAM ZAMANI MOSQUE

The one of the most ancient mosque of the city is situated to the east of the Lahore Fort, close to the Masti Gate. Mughal Emperor Jahangir built the mosque in the 1614 A.D. It was erected in Lahore under the patronage of Jahangir's mother known as Maryam Zamani, or Begum Shahi Mosque. The mosque is made of brick and plaster and its architecture represents a transition between the Lodhi and Mughal eras.

During the Sikh period, Ranjit Singh used the mosque to manufacture weapons and gunpowder The British got it vacated. It was restored in 1850 A.D. by Major Mc Gregor, the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore ordered for the mosque to be used as a worship place only.

A PAKISTAN DAY MEMORIAL

To commemorate the Pakistan resolution, in 1960 some of the Muslim League leaders (who had arranged the 1940 session) wished for the local authorities to erect a memorial as a symbol of freedom. Mr. Akhtar Hussain (then Governor of West Pakistan) appealed to the public for contributions for the cause. As a result, a memorial committee and a memorial fund were set up. Turkish architect Murat Khan designed the Minar and built by "Mian Abdul Khaliq and Company" Construction Company. On March 23, 1960, the Governor in a simple ceremony laid its foundation stone----at the very place where the India Muslims had demanded a separate homeland. On March 22, 1968, the main tower of this memorial was completed. It took 10 years to build at a cost of Rs. 500,000. Situated in the middle of Iqbal Park (old Minto Park), the memorial or Minar-e-Pakistan, as we know it, expresses the spirit of the movement for the creation of Pakistan.

HAZURI BAGH AND BARADARI

The Hazuri Bagh is a small enclosure between the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort and eastern gate of the Badshahi Mosque and the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh (north side) and the Roshnai Gate (south side). In the center stands the Hazuri Bagh Baradari, built by Ranjit Singh. This garden was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1813 to celebrate the capture of the famous Koh-i-Noor Diamond from Shah Shujah of Afghanistan. The Sarae Alamgiri formerly stood here.

LAHORE FORT

The Lahore Fort is one of the three great palaces built by the Mughals of South Asia. Standing in the north-western corner of the old city, it boasts the work of four great Mughal Emperors (Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb). No one is sure about the exact date of its construction.

It contains now over thirty different buildings and structures which representing different eras of its history. The fort can be divided into six blocks, in addition to the Shah Burj Complex. These areas are: Akbar’s Quadrangle, Diwan-e-Aam Quadrangle, Jahangir’s Quadrangle, Moti Masjid Quadrangle, Shah Jahan’s Quadrangle, Paeen Bagh Quadrangle and Shish Mahal.

The most important components of Lahore Fort are: Masti Gate, Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of common audience), Daulat Khana-e-Khas-o-Aam (hall of special and common audience), Bari Khawabgah (large sleeping chamber), Dalan-e-sang-e-Surkh, Khawabgah-e-Shah Jahan, Diwan-e-Khas, Hammam-e-Shahi, Paeen Bagh (ladies garden), Ladies Mosque, Shish Mahal, Hathi Paer (elephant Path) and Moti Masjid.

The fort has two museums, one located in the Bari Khawabgah in Jahangir's quadrangle and the other comprising two new galleries in Dalan-e-sang-e-Surkh in Moti Mosque Quadrangle.

BADSHAHI MOSQUE

The Badshahi Mosque is attached to the royal fort in Lahore. One of the most splendid examples of Mughal architecture in today's Pakistan.

It is capable of accommodating over 55,000 worshippers, it is the second largest mosque in Pakistan, after the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. It was built under the patronage of Aurangzeb. 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. The construction of the mosque took about two years from May 1671 to April 1673.

The interior has rich embellishment in stucco tracery (Manbatkari) and panelling with a fresco touch, all in bold relief, as well as marble inlay. The mosque remained in the possession of the Sikhs until annexation of the Punjab by the British and in possession of British for seven years after that.

THIRTEEN GATES OF LAHORE

Access to the old and walled city had effectively controlled and gained by thirteen gateways, at intervals throughout its peripheral run provided in the huge wall. The gateways were differently named.

On the north sides are:-

1-Roshanai Gait
2-Masti gate
3-Kashimiri Gate
4-Khizri or Sheranwala gate

On the eat side are:-

5-Yakki Gate.
6-Delhi gate
7-Akbari Gate

On the south side are:-

8-Mochi Gate
9-Shah Alami Gate
10-Lahori Gate
11-Mori Gate
12-Bhatti Gate
13-Taxali Gate

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF LAHORE

Fairs and events are events of social significance provide delightful opportunity to the people to rejoice. Among them the totally different in character and full of amusement are:

The Urs of Data Ganj Baksh is held with great zeal and respect by people both from home and abroad every year in the month of Moharram.

Urs Madho Lal Hussain’ generally known as “Mela Chiraghan” --- one of the most colourful events of Lahore, is celebrated every spring on the last Friday of March outside Shalimar Gardens, to celebrate annual anniversary of Madho Lal Hussain.

Today, Lahori Basant is symbolic combines’ rural mela culture with modern intricacies of modern cities life and also called "king of festivals.

The national Horse and Cattle and Tattoo Show once the distinctive fair of Lahore held in Lahore Fortress Stadium at the end of February or first week of March. But how has been celebrated on and off, as in the year 2004 has been celebrated after nine years. Here number of cultural activities took place daily.

Lahore is a land of traditions and destiny

Lahore is a land of tradition and destiny. It has a lot to offer to its visitors and admirers. Since its earliest days (between the 1st and 7th century AD), the city has remained a kind of pathway for conquerors. It reached its height during the Mughal period. That was a time when the land was enriched with architectural heritage which very few other cities of the world could match.The large number of buildings of different nature constructed before the advent of Mughal rule but unfortunately they have not survived due to ravages of time.Emperor Akbar during his stay at Lahore enclosed the city with brick wall of considerable height in 1598. He also erected the palace which during subsequent time was enlarged by his successors i.e. Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. It has been recorded that the city wall built by Akbar’s architects fell into decay after 18th century but Ranjit Singh repaired. He also had it surrounded with deep and broad ditch. The Sikhs captured and ruled the city from 1799 to 1849, making Lahore the capital of the Sikh empire.However the Mughal monuments have some extent survived and now glorifying and enhancing the beauty of Lahore.