Lahore is Pakistan’s second-largest city after Karachi. Lahore ranks in the 26th spot of the world’s largest cities. No wonder then that Lahore is one of the country’s most socially liberal, enlightened, and diverse cities.
It’s also rich in history and culture, and its legacy goes back to ancient times when it controlled by several empires. For instance, the Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Ghurids, and Delhi Sultanate.
The city reached the height of its glory between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. In 1739, the city was captured by the forces of the Afsharid ruler Nader Shah. Soon it fell into decay amidst the battle between the Afghans and the Sikhs for control of the city. Then, in the early 19th century, Lahore was named the capital of the Sikh Empire. The city slowly regained some of its splendor.
Lahore became the capital of British Punjab after it became part of the British Empire.
Subsequently, the city was very much in the news working towards the independence of India and Pakistan and played a significant role in the independence movements. Notwithstanding all the riots that took place during the Partition period, the city was declared the capital of the Punjab province. This happened after Pakistan’s independence in 1947.
The diversity of the city is evident in what it offers. It’s known for its publishing industry and literary scene. Also, it’s home to several leading universities and is a major center of education in the country. On the more glitz and glamorous side, the buzzing city is home to Lollywood (Pakistan’s film industry). It’s also known for its Qawwali music.
The ancient Shahi Hammam (also known as, Wazir Khan Hammam) Persian-style bath inside the Old Walled City, near the Delhi Gate. Now a tourist information center, it is the only monumental building (dating back to the 17th century) in Pakistan that represents the Central Asian/Turkish/Irani tradition of public hot baths.
Address: Akbari Mandi Walled City of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab 54000, Pakistan
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