Shahi Qila Of Lahore

As I mentioned in earlier post of this series (click here to check first part), Zia, a good friend of mine, went on a trip to Lahore and Islamabad in last week of December 2015. Initially, he shared about 21 pictures with me.

But later, he gave me some more stunning pictures with same condition: mark them copyright under his name. That wasn’t so difficult to agree upon, so I spent some time and pasted his name on all the pictures he gave me.

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So, in this second part of Zia’s trip, as I like to call it, lets take a look on more great views of Badshahi Mosque aka The Mosque of King.

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This is the main hall of Mosque

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A close view of main hall’s entrance. All that wall art is centuries old.

And now lets head towards Shahi Qila aka The Royal Fort. This fort is also located in Lahore, adjacent to Badshahi Mosque.

Constructed back in the 1550s, this citadel structure is complex and a mastery wonder of Mughal era art. The fort is very vast and all sections can’t be explored in a day. This fort is Lahore’s biggest tourist attraction and Pakistan’s national pride.

Some of the famous fort sites are  Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha Pavilion, and Moti Masjid.

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This is the Alamgiri Gate, the main entrance. Not entire fort is open for public viewing as few sections are closed but still you can check out most of the galleries, courtyards, hallways and much more.

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This section is probably in the Akbari Gate area. The structure is decaying with the passage of time but it is still incredible to see how long it has survived

https://flic.kr/p/BXyCUv

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All these old structures were once filled with royal life. Now with just tourist. I wonder whether those who built these or those who lived in it, ever thought about these structures lasting this long.

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Those hands that built these walls are unknown to us.

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The kings, queen, princes and princesses of centuries long dynasty lived here, ruled over the commons.

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Looking at all those pictures makes me think: What time has done to those who once rule the vastness of lands. They were supreme in their eras but now they are nothing but memories in our mind.

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These 2 pictures are of Sheesh Mahal, palace of mirrors.

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This looks so marvelous! Isn’t it?

And this concludes our Lahore trip.

Our next stop will be on some snow filled mountains, surrounded by giant trees. A place where you may want to stay forever.

 

8 thoughts on “Shahi Qila Of Lahore

  1. camilledefleurville January 10, 2016 / 4:41 PM

    Absolutely beautiful pictures. Some of the fort and palace are not unlike Versailles. And there is the same will to leave an inprint in time as well as to make a show of power during life in order to rule better over the subjects who fear the ruler. And it is to be believed that the rulers have a taste for beauty as well: this is their “level” of culture and civilisation.
    A superbe post!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hammad Rais January 10, 2016 / 5:31 PM

      Thank you! The Mughal architecture is combination of Arabic, Indian and Central Asian. Have you seen Taj Mahal? It was also created in Mughal era.
      Whenever I visit such place, I wonder about people who created those structures, have they ever wondered about their creation for lasting so long, against the effects of time and nature

      Liked by 1 person

    • camilledefleurville January 10, 2016 / 6:05 PM

      I have seen pictures of the Taj Mahal: it is a beauty! This is a very refined civilisation.
      What (some) people do not understand in the West is that there is a wonderful civilisation and culture in your part of the world, including literature – and the influene of Persia – and that when we say “Muslim”, the word covers a variety of people, cultures, sensibilities, civilisations, histories, etc., as when we say “Christian”.
      And at the same time, as we are all human beings with a similar core of humanity, there are this will to last, this love of beauty, this craving for power, this love of others and this cruelty.
      We are clothed by our cultures and civilisations but we are the same at heart. And the clothes are different and need to be seen and understood.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hammad Rais January 10, 2016 / 5:40 PM

      Thank you. Yes, you definitely should and I assure you the amazement of a lifetime

      Liked by 1 person

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