Lahore Fort history

In the 16th century, Lahore became Akbar’s capital and, in circa 1580 he established the Lahore Fort as it is known today. Since his reign, successive leaders have made their mark on the fort including Shah Jahan’s 17th century Crystal Palace or “Shish Mahal”. However, despite all of the renovations and additions to the Lahore Fort, Akbar’s work can generally be distinguished as the red brick constructions.

Ornate and full of incredible sites such as Naulakha Pavillion and the Hall of Public Audience or ‘Diwan-i-Aam’, the Lahore Fort is also well-planned. For example, it is compartmentalised to separate the residential aspects from those of the administrative functions.

The entrance to the fort is the Alamgiri Gate built by Aurangzeb in 1674 as a private entrance to the royal quarters. It was large enough to allow several elephants carrying members of the royal household to enter at one time. The small Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) was built by Shah Jahan in 1644 for the private use of the ladies of the royal household and was restored to its original delicacy in 1904.

After the Mughal Empire fell in the 18th century, the Lahore Fort was ransacked and many of its buildings were damaged. However it has now been carefully restored, allowing visitors to enjoy its original splendour.

Lahore Fort today

The Lahore Fort houses three museums, the Mughal Museum, the Armoury Gallery and the Sikh Museum, each containing a series of interesting exhibits.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Getting to Lahore Fort

Entrance to the fort is on the western side. An autorickshaw/taxi from The Mall to Lahore Fort should cost about 80- 200Rs.

Mohenjo-daro history

Mohenjo-daro is believed to originally have been known as ‘the city of the cockerel’, found inscribed on an Indus seal. Built in the 26th century BC, Mohenjo-daro was one of the Harappan Civilisation’s largest cities. This culture spanned much of what is now north India and Pakistan, reaching westwards to Iran.

At its height, the city was the most advanced of its time, with remarkable and sophisticated civil engineering and urban planning. Yet as the Indus civilisation went into rapid decline around 1,900 BC, Mohenjo-daro was abandoned.

Undocumented for 3,700 years, the site was ‘rediscovered’ in 1919 when archaeologist R. D. Banerji found what he thought was a Buddhist stupa. Instead, what he had found were the remains of an immense ancient city, arranged along a grid plan and likely boasting a peak population of 40,000.

Mohenjo-daro today

Significant excavations have been ongoing at Mohenjo-daro, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Although unfortunately, the site has been threatened by erosion, especially considering its sheer size. Divided into two parts – the Citadel and Lower City – you can still see the fascinating remains of the Great Bath, the 12 metres-high Citadel, several houses, guard towers and more.

Getting to Mohenjo-daro

The site is not particularly easy or comfortable to get to as it is in rural Sindh – 30 kilometres from the nearest city, Larkana. However, direct flights run from Karachi to Mohenjo-daro 3 times a week or you can drive along the Indus Highway between Karachi and Peshawar.

Nagarparkar Jain Temples history

Nagarparkar was the centre of Jainism for several centuries and the local wealthy Jain community built many extravagant temples in the area. As a result, Nagarparkar became a place of pilgrimage known as Sardhara, soon gaining a reputation as “the most glorious of all regions of India”.

Yet as silt from the Indus River pushed the Arabian Sea further away, Jain influence in the region declined. Many Jain communities also left the area following the Partition of British India in 1947, although several Hindu communities maintained the temples.

Nagarparkar Jain Temples today

Today, the remaining Jain temples are popular tourist attractions and heritage sites in the region. As there are no local roads, the area is also in relatively good condition. Approximately 14 Jain temples are scattered throughout the region, including the Gori Temple. Built in 1375, the Gori Temple features 52 Islamic style domes and is made of marble. It also homes the oldest existing Jain fresco in the world.

The Nagarparkar Bazaar Temple is also a remarkable site, with intricately carved sculptures and paintings, that was in use until Pakistani independence in 1947.

Getting to the Nagarparkar Jain Temples

A remote location, your best way of reaching the temples is by car. Follow the road from Islamkot south towards the Indian border.

In 1993, the Ranikot Fort was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Ranikot Fort history

The great fort was built under the Talpurs during the administration of Prime Minister Nawab Wali Muhammed Leghari in the 17th century. The extensive structure was reinforced around 1812 at the massive cost of 1.2 million rupees, and formed the last capital of the Amirs of Sind before they were bought under the control of the British Empire who invaded the fort.

Ranikot Fort today

This huge fort connects several bleak mountains in the Kirthar hills, and is interspersed with several bastions surrounding a central smaller fort known as Miri Fort. The Miri Fort once once served as the palace of the Mir royal family.

Today, the well-preserved Sann Gate can be climbed to get to the top of the fort where you can get great views of the surrounding area. While you’re wandering around, be sure to also look out for the beautiful niches, carved with floral patterns.

Getting to Ranikot Fort

Ranikot Fort is situated 56 miles north of Hyderabad on the indus highway (N55). Or you can take the easy access road from Karachi to Sann along the highway. The fort is located within Kirthar National Park, Pakistan’s second largest national park.

Rohtas Fort history

The fort was commissioned by Sher Shah Suri, founder of the Sur Empire, to stop the advancing Mughal emperor Humayun. Humayan had been exiled to Persia after his defeat at the Battle of Kannauj. Therefore, the fort was built upon a strategic location between Afghanistan’s mountains and the plains of Punjab to stop the Mughal emperor returning to India.

The fort doubled as a means of suppressing the local Gakhar tribes – allies of the Mughal Empire who refused to recognise Sher Shah Suri’s authority. Unfortunately, the fort was soon ceded to Humayun in 1555 after the local governor deserted the fort when the Mughals advanced. The fort was later used by the Sikh Empire until its collapse by the British Empire in 1849.

Rohtas Fort today

Today, visitors to Rohtas Fort are greeted by the view of the Sohail Gate, featuring some of the best masonry work of the Sur Empire. This ceremonial entrance was named for the local saint, Sohail Bukhari, whose remains were interred within the gate.

Another gate, the Kabuli Gate, is so named for facing Kabul and now houses a visitors’ information centre as well as a museum founded by the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, open between 8am and 5pm.

Getting to Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort lies 16 kilometres from Jhelum and is near the city of Dina. The easiest way of getting there is by car.

History of Taxila

What makes Taxila such a significant archaeological site is the fact that, over its 500 year lifespan, it witnessed the evolution of numerous civilisations, including the Persians, Greeks and Hindus. It was also an important site in the development of the art of Gandhara. Its location – at an important junction between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, made it something of a cultural melting pot and a desirable site to have control of.

Taxila (literally, City of Cut Stone in Sanskrit) itself is actually made up of a complex of ruins, including the Khanpur Mesolithic cave, several Buddhist monasteries, medieval mosques and four settlements called Bhir, Sirkap, Saraidala and Sirsukh. In particular, Bhir was probably the earliest settlement in Taxila and, in its excellent condition, boasts street structures, house foundations and stone walls. Alexander the Great conquered Bhir during his victorious route through Taxila.

Sirkap, which was probably founded by the Greeks in the 2nd century BC and destroyed by the Kushanas in the 1st century AD, also offers a wealth of both religious and cultural archaeological finds, particularly as relates to its Hellenistic structure.

Taxila faded into irrelevance as the trade routes it sat on declined steadily, and it was largely destroyed by the Huns in the 5th century AD. The ruins were rediscovered by Europeans in the mid 19th century, and have been excavated over a period of over a century.

Taxila is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a great place to discover the roots of Buddhism, the art of Gandhara and the ancient culture of the subcontinent. It is one of Pakistan’s most popular tourist sites.

Taxila today

The ruins cover a large area: go with good shoes and plenty of time on your hands in order to explore properly and do them justice. There’s a small but decent museum of Taxila, which includes some archaeological finds and gives a decent overview of the site’s history. Don’t expect great things – and bear in mind facilities i.e. toilets and refreshments are pretty non-existent.

Getting to Taxila

Taxila is about 45 minutes drive from Islamabad via the N5. Try public transport at your peril!