The Fort and the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore are two royal complexes from the Mughal era. The Fort is located at the northwest corner of the Walled City of Lahore and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times during its history. The extant monuments date from the 16th century, during the reign of Akbar. The Shalimar Gardens were constructed under the emperor Shah Jahan in 1642. They are an example of Mughal gardens which were influenced by Persian and Islamic traditions.
لاہور کا قلعہ اور شالامار باغ مغل دور کے دو شاہی احاطے ہیں۔ قلعہ اندرون لاہور کے شمال مغربی کونے پر واقع ہے اور اپنی تاریخ میں کئی بار تباہ اور دوبارہ تعمیر ہوا۔ موجودہ یادگاریں سولہویں صدی کے ہیں جب اکبر اعظم کا دور تھا۔ شالامار باغ شہنشاہ شاہجہان کے دور میں 1642 میں تعمیر ہوئے۔
LEGENDLegend links Lahore's founding to Prince Lava (Loh), son of the god-king Rama — the Loh shrine inside the fort is said to mark his birthplace.
How it was found
Excavations by the Walled City of Lahore Authority and Aga Khan Cultural Service continue to reveal Mughal-era chambers beneath later additions; the Picture Wall conservation (2015–2026) used 3D laser scanning — the first deployment at this scale in Pakistan.
🏗️ Picture Wall Conservationcomplete 100%
Completed 2026 — 475m of glazed-tile mosaics documented with 3D laser scanning, the first such deployment at scale in Pakistan. — AKTC / WCLA / US AFCP
🏗️ Shahi Hammam Restorationcomplete 100%
Restored 2015 — won UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Excellence. — AKTC / Royal Norwegian Embassy / WCLA
