Lahore offers many breathtaking historical monuments for visitors to enjoy during their journey through its ancient streets and alleyways. Discover medieval structures of marvel here that will captivate and charm.
Minar-e-Pakistan, one of the city’s most iconic structures, stands in the same spot where Mohammad Ali Jinnah passed his iconic Lahore Resolution.
The Tomb of Cypress
This incredible piece of Muslim architecture stands as one of the finest examples of Mughal design, constructed during the 17th century and featuring intricate tilework to truly extol its beauty. Be prepared to be truly amazed! This historic landmark will leave you speechless.
Sharfun-un-Nisa Begum used this structure as a meditation chamber during her lifetime and requested burial there after death so as to remain protected from unrelated men. It became widely known as the Cypress Tomb due to the beautiful cypress motif decorating its exterior walls.
This mosque showcases an intricate blend of styles influenced by both Mughal and Pashtun Lodi empires – not one to miss when visiting Lahore! Don’t miss it when exploring Lahore!
The Mausoleum of Ali Mardan Khan
Mughal emperors left Lahore with an impressive cultural and heritage legacy. One of their lasting pieces is Masjid Wazir Khan which stands as an impressive testament to this legacy.
Construction on this remarkable structure began in 1634 and was finished seven years later, in 1641. Its intricate tile work is truly astounding.
Ali Mardan Khan was an expert engineer who contributed greatly to the Mughal Empire. His most acclaimed achievements included building the Chashme Shahi garden in Srinagar as well as fortifications in Qandahar and Peshawar.
Ali Mardan Khan’s tomb sits on a site once graced with lush gardens; today it lies forgotten and is mostly enclosed by railway yards. Access to it requires passing along an unsettling passageway lined with razor wire across these rail yards.
The Great Mosque of Jahangir
Located in Shahdara, this exceptional tomb is famed for its marble inlay work on red sandstone. This tomb is known for being Jahangir’s burial place; he ascended the throne upon Emperor Akbar’s death in 1605 CE and was himself an art lover and connoisseur.
The tomb chamber features an octagonal shape topped by a white marble chhatri (mausoleum roof) featuring 99 attributes of Allah depicted by intricate mosaic and pietra dura inlays on its roof chhatri roof chhatri roof depictions. Four openings with minarets surround it while its outer walls are decorated with intricate mosaic designs and pietra dura inlays for decoration. In addition, this tomb complex contains the tomb of Nur Jahan (Jahangir’s Empress).
The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula
Nur Jahan constructed Itmad-ud-Daula tomb as part of her mausoleum for Mir Ghiyas Beg and Asmat Begum’s burial plot at Itmad-ud-Daula Gardens near Lahore. It became widely known as “Baby Taj Mahal”; being India’s first tomb entirely constructed out of marble.
This square two-storeyed tomb stands in the center of a traditional Char Bagh garden layout, featuring four attached minarets which rise from each corner, topped by open pillared pavilions called Chhatris.
The tomb is constructed of fine marble and is elegantly embellished with inlaid colored stones and latticework, featuring Persian heritage-inspired decorations like ewers, wine vessels, fruit and trees.
The Tomb of Khan-e-Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang Kokaltash
This majestic monument was constructed during the sixteenth century of white marble and lush gardens, earning UNESCO World Heritage status and becoming one of Lahore’s most remarkable historic landmarks.
It marks the tomb of Khan-e-Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang Kokaltash, a high-ranking officer under Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir who was dismissed from office in 1693 and interred here four years later.
This octagonal tomb was once decorated with intricate Mughal tiles; unfortunately, much of these decorations have since been stripped away and the tomb is located on land owned by Pakistan Railways.
Nau Nihal Singh’s Haveli
Nau Nihal Singh’s Haveli in Lahore is an architectural masterpiece, dating back to Aurangzeb and later used by Ranjit Singh. Situated within a large quadrangle with Hazuri Bagh as its southern gate and featuring a marble baradari from 1818 A.D, its two-storied design makes this Haveli an impressive sight in Lahore.
The Haveli is a magnificent example of Indian and European architecture combining. The western and northern walls feature windows reminiscent of Mughal “Hawa Mahal”, or Palace of Winds.
In 1849, it was acquired by the British government and turned into the Victoria Higher Secondary School – currently being restored by Punjab Archaeology Department and other organizations.
