About Lahore

Lahore is the capital city of Punjab province and is the second largest city of Pakistan covering an area of 1,772 kmֲ² consisting of 11.13 million population. It has the largest and fastest growing retail industries after Karachi. Lahore is known as Pakistan's educational capital, with more historical colleges and universities than any other city of Pakistan. The city has produced great people like Bano Qudsia, Sufi Tabassum, Saadat Hassan Manto, Habib Jalib, Ashfaq Ahmad and Abdul Rehman Chughtai. Lahore is also renowned as city of gardens, food and hospitality, so if you ever visit Lahore, don't miss out the traditional tasty and finger licking Lahori food, locally called "Lahori Khabay"

The origin of Lahore's name is unclear. Lahore's name had been recorded by early Muslim historians as LLhar, and Rahwar. Al-Biruni referred to the city as Lohšwar in his 11th century work, Qanun, while the poet Ameer Khusrow, who lived during the Delhi Sultanate, recorded the city's name as Lšhanrr. which is now called Lahore. Lahore history covers thousands of years. The oldest document about Lahore was written anonymously in 982, Lahore successively served as a regional capital of the Shahi kingdoms, Ghaznavids, Mughals and Sikh Empires.

Lahore reached a peak of architectural glory during the rule of the Mughals, whose buildings and gardens survived the hazards of time, Lahore touched the zenith of its glory during the Mughal rule from 1524 to 1857. The Mughals gave Lahore some of its finest architectural monuments, Great Badshahi Mosque, Wazir khan Mosque, Shalimar Garden, Lahore Fort, Jahangir Tomb, Sheesh Mahal, Sunehri Mosque, Baradari, are some piece of art built by Mughlas. In the Mughal days, the old city Lahore was surrounded by a 9 meter high brick wall and had a rampart running around it which served as a protection for the city. A circular road around the rampart gave access to the city thorough thirteen gates named Raushnai Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Masti Gate, Khizri (sheranwala) Gate, Yakki Gate, Delhi Gate, Akbari Gate, Mochi Gate, Shah Alam Gate, Lahori Gate Mori Gate, Taxali Gate and Bhati Gate. Some of imposing structure of these gate, are still preserved.

Lahore is also the engineering hub of Pakistan with industries such as car manufacture, heavy machinery, steel, IT, chemicals and computers. Lahore's contribution to federal revenue is 15.1 per cent. Lahore is the second largest financial hub of Pakistan and has industrial areas including Kot Lakhpat and the new Sundar Industrial Estate (near Raiwand) Katar Bund (Thokar Niaz baig).