Walled City of Lahore
Model of Walled City of Lahore (19th Century)
↓North, →West
The Walled City of Lahore, also known as the "Old City," or "Anderoon Shehr (اندرون شهر)," is the section of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, that was fortified by a city wall during the Mughal era.
The city walls were destroyed shortly after the British annexed the Punjab in 1849 and were replaced with gardens, some of which exist today. The Circular Road links the old city to the urban network. Access to the Walled City is still gained through the 13 ancient gates, or their emplacements.
The convoluted and picturesque streets of the inner city remain almost intact, but the rapid demolition and frequently illegal rebuilding taking place throughout the city is causing the historic fabric to be eroded and replaced by inferior constructions. Historic buildings are no exception, and some have been encroached upon. The few old houses in the city are usually two or three stories tall, with brick façades, flat roofs, richly carved wooden balconies and overhanging windows.
Walled City of Lahore had 13 gates: Akbari Gate, Bhati Gate, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Lohari Gate, Masti Gate, Mochi Gate, Mori Gate, Roshnai Gate, Shahalmi Gate, Shairanwala Gate, Taxali Gate, and Yakki Gate. All of these gates survived until the 19th century. In an effort to defortify the city, the British demolished almost all of the gates except Roshnai Gate. Some were rebuilt in simple structures, except for Delhi Gate and Lohari Gate. Shahalmi Gate burnt to ground during the riots of 1947 while Akbari Gate was demolished for repairs but never built again. Today, out of 13, only Bhati Gate, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Lohari Gate, Roshnai Gate, and Shairanwala Gate survive, yet many are in urgent need of repairs and restoration.
The city walls were destroyed shortly after the British annexed the Punjab in 1849 and were replaced with gardens, some of which exist today. The Circular Road links the old city to the urban network. Access to the Walled City is still gained through the 13 ancient gates, or their emplacements.
The convoluted and picturesque streets of the inner city remain almost intact, but the rapid demolition and frequently illegal rebuilding taking place throughout the city is causing the historic fabric to be eroded and replaced by inferior constructions. Historic buildings are no exception, and some have been encroached upon. The few old houses in the city are usually two or three stories tall, with brick façades, flat roofs, richly carved wooden balconies and overhanging windows.
Walled City of Lahore had 13 gates: Akbari Gate, Bhati Gate, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Lohari Gate, Masti Gate, Mochi Gate, Mori Gate, Roshnai Gate, Shahalmi Gate, Shairanwala Gate, Taxali Gate, and Yakki Gate. All of these gates survived until the 19th century. In an effort to defortify the city, the British demolished almost all of the gates except Roshnai Gate. Some were rebuilt in simple structures, except for Delhi Gate and Lohari Gate. Shahalmi Gate burnt to ground during the riots of 1947 while Akbari Gate was demolished for repairs but never built again. Today, out of 13, only Bhati Gate, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Lohari Gate, Roshnai Gate, and Shairanwala Gate survive, yet many are in urgent need of repairs and restoration.
Gates of Lahore
Surviving Gates
Bhati Gate
The Bhati Gate is located within Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Bhati Gate entrance is located on the Western wall of the Old City. It is one of the two oldest entry points into the Walled City which controlled the only major north-south thoroughfare during Ghaznavid period. When the Emperor Akbar expanded the city eastward and divided it into nine districts or Guzars, Bhati Gate and its bazaar marked the boundary between Guzar Mubarak Khan (east) and Guzar Talwarra (west). It was called Bhati Gate because it opens in the direction of Sandal Bar named after Rai Sandal Khan a Bhatti Rajput who lived there in ancient times.
The area inside the gate is well known throughout the city for its food. Just outside of Bhati Gate is Data Durbar, the mausoleum of the Ali Hajweri (Also known as Daata Ganj Bakhsh). Every Thursday evening musicians used to gather here to perform Qawwali music, but these days qawalies have been replaced with Naats and religious sermons.
The area inside the gate is well known throughout the city for its food. Just outside of Bhati Gate is Data Durbar, the mausoleum of the Ali Hajweri (Also known as Daata Ganj Bakhsh). Every Thursday evening musicians used to gather here to perform Qawwali music, but these days qawalies have been replaced with Naats and religious sermons.
Delhi Gate
The Delhi Gate is located within Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Delhi Gate was built during the Mughal period and is one of thirteen gates of the Inner City.Although the gate suffered greatly in the 1947 riots, it has since been renovated and today is in its former glory.
The "Delhi Gate" was once the main and only road that led from Lahore to Delhi. The area near the gate is a historical place, in which a number of old buildings, havelis and markets are located. The Wazir Khan Mosque can be accessed from this gate.
The "Delhi Gate" was once the main and only road that led from Lahore to Delhi. The area near the gate is a historical place, in which a number of old buildings, havelis and markets are located. The Wazir Khan Mosque can be accessed from this gate.
Kashmiri Gate
The Kashmiri Gate is one of the thirteen gates of Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
It is so named because it faces the direction of Kashmir. Inside there is a shopping area and market that is called "Kashmiri Bazaar" and a girls' college. This college, built upon an old haveli belonging to a shah, is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture.
It is so named because it faces the direction of Kashmir. Inside there is a shopping area and market that is called "Kashmiri Bazaar" and a girls' college. This college, built upon an old haveli belonging to a shah, is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture.
Lohari Gate
The Lohari or Lahori Gate is located within Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.The "Lohari Gate" is very close to "Bhati Gate." Like many other gates, it was built to keep enemies out. Although it is now surrounded by shops and stalls, it still has great architectural significance. In Urdu, loha means "iron," and the gate is named Lohari because many lohars (Blacksmiths) workshops were based just outside this gate.
Lahori and the bazaar behind it comprises the oldest arterial route in the Walled City built by Akbar. Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of the Subcontinent is buried just outside this gate. Caravans & travellers coming from Multan used to enter the city from this gate. Behind Lohari Gate also, once stood a brick fort called Kacha Kot probably the first fortified city of Lahore founded by Malik Ayyaz. Among the few city gates which British Government cared to reconstruct, only Lohari Gate retained its original form. During Mughal period, the two famous divisions of the Walled City, namely Guzar Bahar Khan and Guzar Machhi Hatta, were served by this Gate. During the anarchaic rule of the 18th century, all the city gates, except Lohari Gate & two others were walled up.
Lahori and the bazaar behind it comprises the oldest arterial route in the Walled City built by Akbar. Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of the Subcontinent is buried just outside this gate. Caravans & travellers coming from Multan used to enter the city from this gate. Behind Lohari Gate also, once stood a brick fort called Kacha Kot probably the first fortified city of Lahore founded by Malik Ayyaz. Among the few city gates which British Government cared to reconstruct, only Lohari Gate retained its original form. During Mughal period, the two famous divisions of the Walled City, namely Guzar Bahar Khan and Guzar Machhi Hatta, were served by this Gate. During the anarchaic rule of the 18th century, all the city gates, except Lohari Gate & two others were walled up.
Roshnai Gate
The "Roshnai Gate," also known as the "Gate of Lights," is located between the Lahore Fort and the Badshahi Mosque. As the gate was one of the main entrances into the city, it was constantly visited by Omerahs, courtiers, royal servants and retinues. In the evenings, the gate was lit up, hence its name. The gate was also referred to as the "Gate of Splendour." It is the only gate that is in good condition and still retains its original looks.
Khizri Gate or Sheranwala Gate
The Khizri Gate or Sheranwala Gate is one of the 13 gates of Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Shairanwala Gate is one of the four gates which once opened on the river front north of the Walled City. It was named after Khawaja Khizr, the patron saint of running waters and rivers. The Gate & its neighbourhood were so named because there was a ferry on the River Ravi in front of it. It is also known as Sheranwala Darwaza, because Ranjit Singh is said to have kept two lions in cages in front of this gate. The Italian traveller Niccola Mannuchi, who visited Lahore in 1667, has named it as Qadri Gate but gives no reason for this.
Gates that no longer exist
Masti Gate
Masti Gate also known as the "Gate of Merriment" is one of the thirteen gates of the Lahore Fort located within the Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located on the east side of the Fort.The name "Masti" name comes from the word masjid, relating to Masjid of Mariyam Zamani Begum named after the mother of Jahangir, Mariyam Zamani.Located further down the street it is one of the city's oldest Masjid.
Yakki Gate
The "Yakki Gate" was named after the martyr saint "Zakki." Zakki fell while defending the city against the Mughal invaders from the north. Over time the name "Zakki" became distorted to what the gate is known as today: "Yakki."
Taxali Gate
The Taxali Gate, is one of the gates of Walled City of Lahore, Pakistan. Also known as the Taxal, or royal mint, it was built during the reign of the mughals. There is a very famous shoe market located here known as Sheikupurian Bazar. There are a variety of foodstuffs available in and around this gate. In which most famous are Sri Pai of Fazal Din commonly known as "Phajja". Among sweet stores Taj Mehal and Shahbudin Halwi are famous.
Shah-Alami Gate
The "Shah-Alami Gate" is named after the one of the sons of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Shah Alam I. Before his death, the gate was called the "Bherwala Gate." During the 1947 independence riots, the gate was burned. Today only the name survives. One of Lahore's biggest commercial markets, "Shah Alam Market" or Shalmi as locals call it, exists near the site of the gate.
Mori Gate
Located between the Lohari Gate and Bhati Gate, the "Mori Gate" is the smallest of the gates of the walled city. This gate was used to remove the waste and disposal material from the city. Mori Gate was never considered an official gate, but the residents of Lahore considered it to be the 13th gate.
Akbari Gate
The "Akbari gate", the most beautiful gate of lahore. The "Akbari Gate" is named after the great Mughal emperor Akbar, who rebuilt the town and citadel. Close to this gate the Emperor also founded a market, which is named after him, "Akbari Mandi." (Akbari Market)
Mochi Gate
The Mochi Gate locally known as Mochi Darwaza (موچی دروازہ) is located within the Walled City of Lahore in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Mochi Gate is a historical gate built by the Mughals. It is at the site of one of the thirteen gates of the old walled city of Lahore.The Darwaza (Gate) used to exist next to the Laal Haveli , a prominent landmark at the entrance point. In Urdu, Mochi means cobbler (Cavalry Saddles and shoes repair person) which indicates that the bazaar was a market for shoes and repair shops. Mochi Gate is also known for ancient Mosque of Muhammad Saleh Kamboh Salafi, teacher of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
According to a legend it is named after Moti, a guard of the gate during the Mughal era, who guarded and looked after the gate all his life. The most likely origin of its name, however, seems to be from the word Morchi, which means trench soldier. The Governor's "Piada" units were stationed here during the pre-Mughal dynasty rule. This is further borne by the fact that the different streets (Mohalla's) which still bear their old names are the Mohalla Teer-garan (Arrow craftsmen), Mohalla Kaman-garan (Bow craftsmen). The bazaar around the Mochi gate is renowned for its shops of Dried fruit, kites and fireworks Further inside is the Mohalla Shia, where the traditional Shia of Lahore still gather annually, at Muharram (First lunar month of the Islamic calendar) to carry out the Majaalis (Shia religious gatherings) and Maatum (Self chest beating) to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him), the grandson of the Islamic prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). A number of Imaam Bargahs in the form of Haveli's are situated here. Apart from their religious significance, some are a masterpiece depicting the architecture of their times.Mubarak Haveli, Nisar Haveli and Laal Haveli are, but a few examples. A Kebab Shop, a sweet mart and an Old Khoo (Water well) are some of the well known features of Mohalla Shia.In front of the Laal Haveli is the Mochi Baagh. This, until recently, was a lush green patch with shady trees, it is barren now due to its landscaping to become a "Speaker's corner" in the light of its history of it having numerous renowned political leaders addressing the crowds at this place.
According to a legend it is named after Moti, a guard of the gate during the Mughal era, who guarded and looked after the gate all his life. The most likely origin of its name, however, seems to be from the word Morchi, which means trench soldier. The Governor's "Piada" units were stationed here during the pre-Mughal dynasty rule. This is further borne by the fact that the different streets (Mohalla's) which still bear their old names are the Mohalla Teer-garan (Arrow craftsmen), Mohalla Kaman-garan (Bow craftsmen). The bazaar around the Mochi gate is renowned for its shops of Dried fruit, kites and fireworks Further inside is the Mohalla Shia, where the traditional Shia of Lahore still gather annually, at Muharram (First lunar month of the Islamic calendar) to carry out the Majaalis (Shia religious gatherings) and Maatum (Self chest beating) to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him), the grandson of the Islamic prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). A number of Imaam Bargahs in the form of Haveli's are situated here. Apart from their religious significance, some are a masterpiece depicting the architecture of their times.Mubarak Haveli, Nisar Haveli and Laal Haveli are, but a few examples. A Kebab Shop, a sweet mart and an Old Khoo (Water well) are some of the well known features of Mohalla Shia.In front of the Laal Haveli is the Mochi Baagh. This, until recently, was a lush green patch with shady trees, it is barren now due to its landscaping to become a "Speaker's corner" in the light of its history of it having numerous renowned political leaders addressing the crowds at this place.
