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Lahore:

Situated on the east bank of the River Ravi, the wonderful city of Lahore adds to thecharisma of Pakistan. Legend traces its origin to Loh, the son of Rama

Chandra, the hero of the Ramayana, but history records that it beganas a dependency of the 8th century AD Hindu ruler, Lalitiditya. In theearly 11th century it came under Muslim rule and evolved as a centerof Islamic culture and learning as well as trade and commerce. In the13th century it was depopulated and razed to the ground by the

 Tartar-Mongol hordes of Genghis Khan. Lahore was a cultural andintellectual center during the Moghul and British eras. Such atmosphere still pervades, but itis the diversity and contrast of the different sections of Lahore, which makes it the mosteventfully interesting part of Pakistan. 

Lahore is the second largest city of Pakistan and the provincial capital of Punjab. Apart frombeing the cultural and academic centre of the country, Lahore is the Mughal "show-window"of Pakistan. In the Mughal days a 9-meter high brick wall surrounded

the Old City. It had a rampart running around it which almostconnected with the River Ravi to serve as protection for the city. Acircular road around the rampart gave access to the city throughthirteen gates. Some of the imposing structures of these gates are stillpreserved. In the bazaars of the Old City one can still find tiny shopswhere craftsmen can be seen busy turning out master-pieces incopper, brass, silver and textiles in traditional fashion. 

In modern days, Lahore hosts a large number of industrial units running day and night toplay their vital role in developing the country's economy. Lahore is also an important centerof journalistic activities. A large number of newspapers, journals and magazines arepublished here. Lahore is a great commercial and trade center. It has combined the life styleof east and west and presents a lively mixture of some old and new patterns of life. 

 The most important historical monuments of the Moghul's in Lahore are; the Royal Fort(Shahi Qila), the Badshahi Mosque. The Independance monument, the tombs of emperor

 Jehangir, Noor Jehan, Anarkali, Asif-Jah and the famous ShalimarGardens. In the old part of the town and off the Kashmir Bazaar,reputedly the most beautiful Mosque of South Asia is located, the"Wazir Khan's Mosque'. It is a marvellous specimen of tile work andarabesque paintings. The Imperial or the Badshahi Mosque is accrossthe courtyard from Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort. The Mosque,made up entirely of red sandstone, was built by Emperor Aurangzeb.5 kms east of old city, are the famous Shalimar Gardens laid out by Mughal Emperor Shah-

 Jehan in 1642 A.D. The Gardens are set out in typical Mughul style and are surrounded byhigh walls with watchtowers at the four corners. The Golden Mosque is also situated in the

Kashmiri Bazaar. It was built in 1753 A.D. by Nawab Syed Bhikari Khan who was DeputyGovernor of Lahore. 

 The ashes of the Sikh ruler of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, and of his four wives lie in adome adjacent to the Hazoori Bagh and is famously known as 'Samadhy of Maharaja RanjeetSingh'. Apart from these there are certain Shrines and Mausoleumslike the Shrine of Data Sahib (Hazrat Ali Hajveri), the Mausoleum of Emperor Jehangir, Asif Khan's (Jehangir's brother-in-law) Mausoleum,Empress Noor Jehan's (light of the world) Tomb whose name appeared

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on the coins of the Mughal Empire, Qutbuddin Aibak's Tomb, Anarkali's Tomb and the tombof Allama Muhammad Iqbal who has been hailed as the poet-philosopher of the East. 

Lahore is a city full of life and color. It has something for everyone. Large number of beautiful gardens, historically exotic forts, mosques and shrines, mughal architectures andmuseums, shopping centres, fairs and festivals all add-up to make Lahore as Pakistan's most

surprisingly colorful package! 

Hiran Minar ( Deer Watch Tower  ):

This is a three story monument built by the Mughal Emperor 

Jehangir in the early 17th century and is dedicated to the memory of 

his pet deer Monsroj. It has an artificial pond and four small pavilionswhich were added after the minarts. The neighbouring village of 

Sheikhupura is famous for its dancing camel and horses. It is a popular spot 45km out side

Lahore.

Changa Manga:

Changa Manga forests are 70km from Lahore. These forests have

 been developed into an excellent park complete with a serpentine

rail road which gives the visitor a 50km ride on a miniature trainthrough the thick forest. There is a lake called Lunar Lake where

 boating is a common feature.

Food Street ( Gawalmandi  ):

This is a newly introduced food bazar were you can enjoy all kinds of local specialties. This

 place is famous for its Mughali, Pakistani, Lahori, and bar-b-q cuisine. The environment inwhich this bazar is situated reflects the pre-partition Indian architecture relived through effective

facelifting of the buildings on both sides dazzled by lively lights.

Courtesy of beautyofpk.do.am