Lahore Gates
Lahore city
is walled by 13 great doors. There were 13 gates but 6 survive. Theses gates
are made up of iron and wood. The Walled City of Lahore, also known
as the "Old City," or "Androon Shehar" Lahore was fortified by a city wall during the Mughal
era. It is located in the north western part of the
city.
Outside of
every gate there was a hotel for needy people and passengers to stay.
Earlier than
describing the significance of Lahore gates I illustrate the history of Lahore
to take you back in past fine-looking era of Lahore city.
History of Lahore:
In the 18th
and 19th centuries the Sikhs also had their capital at Lahore. When the British
took over in 1849, they erected splendidly pompous Victorian public buildings
in the style that has come to be called Mughal-Gothic.
Since Independence in 1947, Lahore has expanded rapidly as the capital of Punjab. It is the second largest city in the country and an important industrial center.
Since Independence in 1947, Lahore has expanded rapidly as the capital of Punjab. It is the second largest city in the country and an important industrial center.
Lahore is
rightly regarded as the cultural, architectural and artistic center of
Pakistan; indeed, the city is so steeped in historical distinction that it
would be possible to spend a lifetime studying it without learning everything
that there is to learn.
GATES
There are 13
gates named after
Ø Raushnai Gate
Ø Bhatti Gate
Ø Mori Gate
Ø Lahori Gate
Ø Shah-Alam Gate
Ø Mochi Gate
Ø Akbari Gate
Ø Delhi Gate
Ø Yakki Gate
Ø Sheranwala Gate
Ø Kashmiri Gate
Ø Masti Gate
Ø Taxali Gate
I am heading
for an explanation of Gates of Lahore which are survived and they are six of
all.
Bhatti Gate ::
This gate
and its surrounding area is popular for food. It marks its entrance from the
west side of the city.
It is named
after the Bhattis, on ancient Rajput tribe, which invaded the quarters in old
times. the most popular market here is the Hakiman wali bazar as the name
suggests there are a number of Hakim shops here. A museum is also located near
Bhatti gate, where there are a number of ancient remains of different old
times.
Famous Data
Darbar and Old house of famous poet and philosopher (Allama Mohammad Iqbal ) is
also located in Bhatti gate. He used to live here when he was doing his
graduation. An old school named Victorian school is also located here; it is
given the name Victoria after the name of Queen Victoria. People of Bhatti gate
are lively and they love to eat heavy and good food mainly Sri pai, halva puri
and lasi. The favorite sport among the people here is wrestling. Famous wrestler
Kala Maro also belongs to Bhatti gate.
Old view
of the gate is…
Delhi Gate ::
It is named
Delhi gate because in ancient times it was a very important gate because it was
the only gate which connected Lahore to Delhi. A big cloth market is situated
in Delhi gate. It is a big retail market of clothes.
A variety of other shops are also located near the Delhi gate, known as "
Chota bazar “.
The gate was
built during the Mughal era. Although the gate suffered greatly in the
1947 riots, it has since been renovated and today is in its former glory.
Old view
of the gate is…
Kashmiri Gate ::
The
"Kashmiri Gate" is so named because it faces the direction of
Kashmir. Inside the gate, there is a shopping area 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.
Old view
of the gate is…
Lohari Gate ::
It is situated adjacent to the Bhatti gate and
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. There also is a
large flower bazaar there, where flower of every specie is available.
A beautiful
mosque names as Muslim Masjid is also located near this gate. Biggest optical
market of Lahore is also located here. The tomb of
Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak is also situated in Lahori gate, adjacent to Anarkali bazar.
Old view
of the gate is…
Roshnai Gate ::
The
"Roshnai Gate," also known as the "Gate of Lights,"
It 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.
It is
located between the Royal palace and citadel. There is a very famous gali /
street commonly known as the shahi mahala. The name shahi has been given after
the Shahi Qila. Now-a-days people are making good use of gate as
they have established a public call office under the gate.
Hazuri
Bagh is
a garden in Lahore, Pakistan, bounded by the Lahore
Fort (east side), Badshahi Mosque (west side), the Samadhi of
Ranjit Singh (north side) and the Roshnai Gate (south side). In
the center stands the Hazuri bagh Bara Dari, built by Ranjit Singh.
Sheranwala Gate ::
It is also
known as " Khiziri gate ", the river in former times
followed by the city walls and the ferry was near this part. The gate was,
therefore, named as Khiziri after the name of Khizz Elias, the patron saint
according to the Mohammedan belief.
The
"Shairanwala Gate," also known as the "Gate of the Lions,"
was made by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After its completion, Singh placed two
live lions (or Shers) in cages at the gate as a symbolic gesture to warn any
invader.
Other Gates
which are no longer exists.
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)
It is the
biggest retail market of Lahore, in which food grains of all kinds are
available.
Masti Gate::
Just behind
the Lahore Fort is the entrance to the "Masti Gate," also
known as the "Gate of Merriment". This area is dominated by wholesale
shoe sellers who sell both traditional- and Western-style shoes. Located
further down the street is one of the city's oldest Masjids, the Masjid of
Mariyam Zamani Begum, named after the mother of Jahangir, Mariyam
Zamani.
Mochi Gate::
The Mochi
gate, the name is the corruption of the Moti, a pearl. It was called so after
the name of Pandit Moti Ram, an officer of Akbar, who resided here at that
time.
The most popular place of Mochi gate is the Lal Haveli. Mochi gate is known to be the " Heart of the Lahore city ". It is the biggest political place of Lahore and many political processions have taken place here.
The most popular place of Mochi gate is the Lal Haveli. Mochi gate is known to be the " Heart of the Lahore city ". It is the biggest political place of Lahore and many political processions have taken place here.
The people
of this area love to fly kites. It is a big market of dry fruits and fire works
of every kind are available here. Rafiq Sweet House is the well-known sweet
shop of the area. The owner of this shop started his business here with only
one shop and now there are 12 branches of Rafiq Sweet House. Among the foods
available here " Kabab's " of this area are a real specialty.
Mori Gate::
This gate is
the smallest of all the gates. It was used to sweep the city off from the
litter and dirt.
It is known
for its big fish market and surgical goods, that is the biggest surgical market
of Lahore. Another specialty of this gate is furniture polish commonly known as
" Lakh ". It is the best polish for wooden furniture and the one
produced here is known for its quality. People of this gate love to fly kites
and a big kite market is also located here. During the Basant season there is a
tough competition among the shopkeepers about the quality and sale of kites.
Shah-Alam Gate::
The
"Shah-Alami Gate" is named after 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.
The Soneri
Masjid is also located in this area, the name soneri has been given to the
Mosque as the tombs of this beautiful mosque are Golden ( soneri) in color. Lal
Masjid is also located in this area. The 'Kulfis' of this area are really
delicious in taste and are very famous among the Lahoris. 'Potoras' of this
area are well known for their taste and quality.
Taxali Gate::
The Taxali
gate so called from the " Taxal ", or Royal mint, having being in its
neighborhood during the period of the Mohammedan emperors.
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 " Phaja". Among sweet
stores Taj Mehal and Shahbudin Halwi are famous.
Yakki Gate::
The Yakki gate, originally known as " Zaki
Gate" , that being the name of a saint. Who, according to a tradition,
fell fighting against the " Tataraies " who invaded Lahore. Zaki Pir
fought them with great courage and bravery . During the fight his head
was cut off from his body at the gate but his body kept on fighting for some
time, and at last fell in the quarter of the city closed by. One tomb of this
great saint is build where his head fell and the other tomb is where his body
fell.
There is school for blinds situated near Yakki Gate. There are a number of havelis located in and around the gate. A number of temples are also located in and around Yakki Gate.
There is school for blinds situated near Yakki Gate. There are a number of havelis located in and around the gate. A number of temples are also located in and around Yakki Gate.
