Lahore

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Lahore (لاەور) is a major city in Pakistan and is the capital of the province of Punjab. A native of Lahore is called a Lahori.

It is located near the river Ravi and the Indian border, at 31.5710 North, 74.3130 East. Lahore has 8.5 million inhabitants and thus is the second largest city in Pakistan, (Karachi being the largest). It is considered to be the 45th largest city of the world. Punjabi is the language of the province, and is the most widely spoken language in Lahore. Punjabi spoken by the people of Lahore is known as Lahori Punjabi due to a mixture of Punjabi and colloquial Urdu spoken in Lahore. Lahore is largely thought of as the cultural centre of Pakistan ever since its accession by Mughal rulers since the 16th century A.D.This is apparent by the vast array of historic buildings, presence in architecture and scenery. A truly beautiful city, with thousands of years of history.

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History

According to a legend, Lahore was named by Loh (called Luv in Sanskrit), the once ruler, son of Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana.

The city came under Muslim rule due to the raids of Mahmud of Ghazni, who placed it under the rule of his beloved slave, Malik Ayaz. When Qutb-ud-din Aybak was crowned in 1206 here, he became the first Muslim Sultan of the Indian subcontinent. From 1524 to 1752 Lahore was part of the Mughal Empire.

During Akbar's rule, Lahore was the capital of the empire from 1584 to 1598. During this time a massive fort, the Lahore Fort, was built on the fundaments of an older fort in the 1560s. This fort was later extended by Jahangir and Shah Jahan.

The last of the Mughals, Aurangzeb, ruling from 1658 to 1707, built the city's most famous monuments, the Badshahi Masjid and the Alamgiri Gate next to the Lahore Fort. The Sikhs ruled it in the 18th and 19th centuries, making Lahore the capital of sovereign Punjab. However the last bloody Anglo-Sikh war resulted in very narrow British victory thus bringing Lahore under the rule of the British crown. On partition of British India in 1947 into India and Pakistan, Lahore passed into the newly formed Pakistan.

The famous British author and poet, Joseph Rudyard Kipling, lived in Lahore during the 1880s, where his parents were also working. Kipling began working as an editor for a local newspaper and continued tentative steps into the world of poetry; his first professional sales were in 1883.

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Sites of interest

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Roshnai Gate area

The Badshahi Masjid, one of the world's largest mosques and one of humanity's greatest architectural treasures, is located just outside the Northeast corner of the Walled City. Opposite is the historic Lahore Fort which houses the famous Sheesh Mahal, or Palace of Mirrors. Between the two buildings is a garden known as Hazuri Bagh in which Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a baradari, a decorated marble pavilion. Every Sunday afternoon story-tellers, poets and singers gather in the garden to continue their oral tradition, often reciting Waris Shah's Heer, Bulleh Shah, Farid Ganjshakar or other Punjabi literature.

The Mausoleum of Muhammad Iqbal is also located in this garden, near the Eastern wall of the Badshahi Masjid. On the Northern side of the garden is the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh. Very close to that is the shrine of Syed Ali Hajveiri (ra), who is popularly known as Data Ganj Bukhsh and is famous as the Patron Saint of Lahore. The shrine is referred to by many as, "Data Sahib."

The Southern side of Hazuri Bagh is bounded by the wall of the Walled City, with the Roshnai Gate serving as an entrance. Roshnai Gate leads into the Shahi Mohalla quarter of the Walled City, also known as Hira Mandi. Shahi Mohalla offers a large variety of traditional food, including the famous Phajje ke Paye.

The Minar-e-Pakistan is a white marble construction and is fashioned as a commemorative tower that was built to remind its visitors of the famous "Pakistan Resolution" passed by the All India Muslim League, in 1940. This resolution was the first public expression of intent on the part of the mulims of United India to build their own homeland - Pakistan - A country that would guarantee them their freedom and liberty. The Minar (or Tower) is located in Iqbal Park, across the road from the Badshahi Masjid complex.

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Masti Gate area

Just behind the Lahore Fort is the Masti Gate entrance. This area is dominated by wholesale shoesellers, or both traditional and Western style shoes. Further down the street is located one of the cities oldest mosques, the Mosque of Mariyam Zamani, named after the mother of Jahangir.

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The Lohari Gate

This Gate is very close to Bhati Gate and it was build, like many other gates, to keep the enemies out. Now, it is surrounded by shops and has significance of great architenture. In urdu "loha" means Iron. The gate is named Lohari because on the out side of this gate many Lohars (Black Smiths) lived and they had their workshops there.

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Bhati Gate area

The Bhati Gate entrance is located on the Western wall of the Old City. The area inside the gate serves is well known throughout the city for its food. Just outside of Bhati Gate is Data Durbar, the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Ali Hajweri (also known as Data Sahib Ganjbaksh). Every Thursday evening musicians gather here to perform Qawwali music.

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Delhi Gate area

Delhi Gate is an entrance on the Eastern wall of the Walled City, named because it faces the road towards Delhi (now part of India).

Inside the gate on the left hand side is located the Shahi Hammam, or "Royal Baths". Further down the bazaar, one will find the beautiful Wazir Khan Mosque, named after a viceroy of the Punjab during the reign of Shah Jahan. Further inwards, the road leads towards the Sonehri Masjid.

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Railway Station area


Lahore Railway Station
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Lahore Railway Station


Lahore Railway Station, Dai Anga Mosque, Landa Bazaar

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Railways HQ

Pakistan Railways HQ is also located in lahore. Pakistan Railways provides an important mode of Transportation in the farthest corners of the country and brings them closer for Business, sight seeing, pilgrimage and education. It has been a great integrating force and forms the life line of the country by catering to its needs for large scale movement of people and freight.

The possibility of Karachi as a sea port was first noticed in the mid of 19th century and Sir Henry Edward Frere who was appointed Commissioner of Sind after its annexation with Bombay in 1847 sought permission from Lord Dalhousie to begin survey of sea port. He also initiated the survey for Railway line in 1858 . It was proposed that a railway line from Karachi City to Kotri, steam navigation up the Indus /Chenab upto Multan and from there an other railway to Lahore and beyond be constructed.

It was on 13th May,1861 that first railway line was opened for public traffic between Karachi City and Kotri, the distance of 105 miles. The line between Karachi City and Keamari was opened on 16.6.1889.By 1897 the line from Keamari to Kotri was doubled.

The railway line from Peshawar to Karachi closely follows Alexander’s line of march through the Hindu Kush to the sea. Different sections on existing main line from Peshawar to Lahore and Multan and branch lines were constructed in the last quarter of 19th century and early years of 20th century.

The 4 sections i.e.Scinde railways, Indian Flotilla company Punjab railway and Delhi railways working in a single company were later on amalgamated into Scinde, Punjab & Delhi railways company and was purchased by the Secretary of State for India in 1885 and in January, 1886 it was named North Western State Railways which was later on renamed as North Western Railways.

At the time of partition, North Western Railway’s 1847 route mile was transferred to India leaving route miles 5048 to Pakistan. In 1954 The railway line was extended to Mardan and Charsada section and in 1956 Jacababad-Kashmore 2’-6’’ line was converted into broad gauge. Kot Adu-Kashmore line was constructed between 1969 to 1973 providing an alternate route from Karachi to up country.

addenda by b.b.goyal, barnala: lahore railways station is beautiful. i have spent some time there. it looks more cute especially in night time when lights are glowing. http://www.bbgoyal.com and http://www.barnala.co.in. regards,

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Anarkali

Tomb of Anarkali

Anarkali Bazaar is a concentrated area of every type of shop imaginable. Foreign-made goods are readily available, as well as all domestic products, from brassware to tailored suits.

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Gawal Mandi

Food Street

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Ichhra

Tomb of Shah Jamal, Pappu Sain

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Mall Road

Pak Tea House, Lawrence Gardens, Aitchison College Punjab Assembly[1]

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Shalimar Gardens

Tomb of Lal Hussain, Mela Chiraghan, Shalimar Gardens

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Shahdara

Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Noor Jehan

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Shimla Pahari

The mausoleum of Bibi Pak Daman

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Legendry Traditional Lahori Resturants/Cafes

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Towns of Lahore

Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS), a renowned institute in Lahore
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Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS), a renowned institute in Lahore
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Education in Lahore

Lahore boasts hundred's of schools, private and public. The recent decade has witnessed a major surge in higher education institutions' numbers. Lahore is the city of the enlightened, and the land of people who love and respect knowledge. A list of premier education institutions in the city of Lahore is given below:

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Major Universities and Colleges

University of the Punjab Old Campus, Mall Road Lahore
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University of the Punjab Old Campus, Mall Road Lahore

ALLAMA IQBAL MEDICAL COLLEGE

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Economy and business

The city of Lahore never sleeps. The food/resturant businesses are open all night long. They serve traditional dishes in dinner, till its time for serving breakfast in the morning. The markets are usually open night long.

The new Lahore Airport Terminal
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The new Lahore Airport Terminal
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Infrastructure and development

Lahore is one of the most accessible cities of Pakistan. In addition to the historic Grand Trunk Road a.k.a G.T. road, a motorway was completed in 2000, from Lahore to Islamabad, the capital. The new airport has been constructed in 2003 named Allama Iqbal International Airport.

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Shopping

Lahore's most famous tech-bazaar is the Hafeez Center, located on the Gulberg Main Boulevard and Electronics Market at Hall Road.

Other well known and popular malls are the Liberty Market Center in Gulberg and Pace Shopping malls located in Gulberg and Model Town. Purani Anarkali has some amazing ethnic gems and jewelry as well as khussas (traditional flat shoes).

If you are interested in clothing, then private boutiques are scattered all over the city. The expensive ones are on the Main Boulevard Gulberg and Defence Y Block Market.

Western fast food outlets are making inroads in the local food scene
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Western fast food outlets are making inroads in the local food scene
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Restaurants

While Lahore has a great many traditional and modern restaurants, the turn of the century has seen the appearance of western fast foodchains such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Subway Sandwiches, Dunkin Donuts, Nando's and Kentucky Fried Chickenin new shopping centres all over the city. A major tourist attraction in Lahore is the famous Food Streetin the old historic district of Gawaalmandi. Gawalmaandi had almost legendary status as the place to go for authentic Lahori cuisine. Food street has been a massive restoration project in which Gawaalmandi was cordoned off and a street cafe was established under the lights of the restored havelis.

One of Lahore's most famous restaurant is "Coocoo's Den", located just behind the legendary Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort. The restaurant has a magical ambience and is housed in a 300 year old "kothi" style, 5 story house. At different points in the life of this property, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Muslim families have owned it. It is currently owned and operated by a Professor from Lahore's National College of Arts. Sitting on the verandah's while enjoying food from the area - most of which has been cooked by the same family, to the same recipe for hundreds of years - one can glance through the Hindu Idol figurines, gazing upon a statue of the Virgin Mary which forms the foreground of the massive and awe-inspiring red sandstone construction that is the Badshahi (Royal) Mosque.

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Financial Institutions

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Banks

Bank Alfalah..., UBL(United Bank Limited), ABL(Allied band limited), Habib Bank Ltd, Habib Bank AG, Zurich, Bank of Punjab, Soneri Bank, Citibank, Cresecent Bank, Standard Chartered, Grindley's, National Bank of Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan

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Insurance

Adamjee Insurance, EFU, State Life, Saudi Pak Leasing and many more


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Stock Exchange

The fully computrized Lahore Stock Exchange is located on Mall Road near Holiday Inn and Awan-e-Iqbal.

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Industry and Manufacturing

Mughal Kashan Carpet
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Mughal Kashan Carpet
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Handmade Carpets Industry

Lahore is famous as the hub of handmade carpet manufacturing in Pakistan. At present, hand-knotted carpets produced in and around Lahore are among Pakistan's leading export products and their manufacture is the second largest cottage and small industry. Craftsmen in Lahore have the capacity to produce any type of carpet using all the popular motifs: gulls, medallions, paisleys, traceries, and geometric designs in various combinations. However, the new Institute of Carpet Designing and Weaving has been established in Bahawalpur to train teachers. The Lahore Design Centre at the Punjab Small Industries Corporation maintains a separate section of carpet designing to experiment with new designs.

Ninety-five percent of the carpets are produced for export and Turkoman, Persian and Caucasian designs are crafted since they meet the popular taste abroad. Lahore is famous for single-wefted designs in Turkoman and Caucasian style, and double-wefted Mughal types (commonly referred as Pak Persian).

To read more about the arts of Punjab (with a focus on Lahore in particular), visit this page on the Government of Pakistan's web site.

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Famous Lahoris

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See also

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External links

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