LAHORE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT

MOSQUE SARDAR JAHAN 1880s

There are some other reasons also which make it probable that these suppositions may be correct. It is probable that there was an old city of Lahore somewhere in the vicinity of Ichra now a “muhalla” (Ward) of city. In the first place, there was a tradition in old local inhabitants of Ichra and Muzang (another ‘Muhalla’ of the city) to this effect. It is also said that the old name of Ichra was Ichrah Lahore, Which is still found in old documents. Besides, the oldest and sacred Hindu shrines were also found in these localities. These stories and suppositions, however cannot be considered as history, but they show some intimate connection of Lahore with semi-mythic period of the sub-continent’s history.

Nowhere, Lahore has been mentioned as a glorious city, say a thousand years ago. Yet Lahore existed, and it is mentioned under different names. Nevertheless the recorded history seems to make a beginning with the dawn of Muslim rule in the sub-continent. It appears that before the Muslim invasion, Lahore was a ordinary town of no importance at all.

So beyond the fact of its Rajput origin hardly anything can be recorded with certainty of history or even of existence of Lahore until the period of Muslim conquests. It is neither mentioned in connection with the Alexander nor described by Strabo or Pliny. The first connection record of Lahore is that of Hiuen T’ sang, the Chinese Pilgrim, who visited the city in 630 A.D. About this time it is probably that the capital of the kingdom of Lahore was transferred to Sialkot, as Alberuni speaks of Lahore as a province with its capital at Mandhukur (ancient name of Sialkot).

Lahore as a town was first mentioned in 882 A.D. in the book “Hadood-e-Aalam”.

It was then under the ruler of Mooltan (Old name of Multan). It simply mean that it was then not an important town. Beside that there is no mention of Lahore in the geography of Masudi, the “Herodotus” of Arabs, who wrote in th 10^th Century, and himself sojournes at Mooltan. Had Lahore any important at that time, Masudi would  have mentioned it particularly which he was only two hundred miles away from the spot.

JAHGIR TOMB 1870s

These facts coupled with the silence of earlier writers, lead to the conclusion that Lahore, by the end of the tenth century, through a place of considerable importance, was not remarkable for its extent, beauty, trade or commerce.

Around the end of the tenth century, the kingdom of Lahore was in hands of Brahman King, and in 988 A.D. Jai Pal, the reigning monarch, was decisively beaten by Sabuktagin (the father of Mahmud Ghaznavi). The first Muslim king to conquer Lahore was Mahmud of Ghazna in1021 A.D.

DAI (NURSE) ANGHAS TOMB 1880s

He was followed by a long line of conquerors until the city passed into the hand of Mughals in1524 A.D. and rose to its greatest glory as the centre of art, culture, trade and commerce during the next two hundred years of their domination.

  

Throughout its hoary past Lahore, however, suffered extensively due to its location. Being on the direct trade rout it was looted again and gain by hordes of invaders from the north. Since all area around the city is flat, so its defence was problem in the past and so it is even today.

CITADEL OF LAHORE FROM THE HAZOORI BAGH

The second factor is the river Ravi which, during the good old days, flowed by the grand old Fort. The river, however, Changed its course and now it flows about a mile further down separating the old Fort and Shahi Mosque from the other two major Mughal monuments, that is, the tombs of Emperor Jahangir and his Empress Nur Jahan. In the process of changing to course, the river has eaten up the famous historical Mughal landmark, known as Kamran’s Baradari and garden. This monument was supposed to be the first Mughal monument constructed on the soil of Lahore. It is now right in the middle of the river as it has been reconstructed by the Government of Pakistan.

The city is now so near the Indian boarder that its development and progress have been actually affected, otherwise this city would have had a phenomenal growth after independence. But right or wrong, it is the location of Lahore which made it so important, from the historical, cultural, commercial and defence point of view.

GULABI BAGH GATE WAY LAHORE

The role of Lahore cannot be ignored in the early Muslim history of subcontinent because its name is associated with every Muslim Dynasty of North Asia right from the Ghaznavides to the Mughals.  It was some time the seat of the government, sometimes the second capital, but it was always the place of importance. It was here, at Lahore, that Pakistan Resolution was passed on March 23, 1940 at Manto Park, now known as Iqbal Park, in the presence of millions of peoples who gathered there from all parts of the India and Minar-i-Pakistan has been constructed right at the spot where Pakistan Resolution was passed.

But Lahore is the city which claims attention not only of the students of history, archaeology and antiquities, but also of the general and even casual visitor as it offers many interesting places and faces. It is full of life and attracts millions of visitors of every class and creed every year from all parts of Pakistan as well as abroad.

HAZOORI BAGH

It is believed that the Lahore was built by Rajputs but deserted by them. It was then occupied by Hindus but invaded, damaged, captured and rebuilt by Muslims. It was damaged by Tartars, repaired by Pathans but plundered by Changez Khan, rebuilt by Khiljis and Tughlaks but looted and destroyed by Ghakhars. The city survived for some time but it was invaded and destroyed by Timur’s forces. Repaired by its residents but ransacked, looted and burnt by Babur, Repaired and developed by Akbar and his successors but invaded and captured by Afghans and Sikhs. It was conquered by the British in 1846 and finally taken over by Muslim in 1947.

Such has been the chequered history of this city but through the dust of confusion, barbarism, tyranny and the game of power it always sprang up glistening, glittering, and smiling. It was perhaps these qualities of the city which induced scores of invaders to conquer it.

CHIBURJI

The city now enjoys a central position as it is more or less right in the centre of the country and very well connected by road, rail and air with all the other major cities and town of Pakistan. The national highway and the main Karachi – Peshawar Railways run through the heart of Lahore. A ‘Motorway” from Islamabad to Lahore has already been constructed and it will be extended to other cities as well.