Lahore Fort

Lahore Fort is accessible from the Badshahi Mosque as it seats just opposite. During mughal glory days, Badshahi Mosque was used for a grand Friday prayer by the Emperor.

Hazuri Bagh Pavillion in front of Lahore Fort

The Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila is a citadel of the city of Lahore. Its unique trapezoidal composition is spread over 20 hectares of land space. It was built by Mughals and its base structure was built during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar, (1556–1605). Akbar was a Secular Emperor of Hindustan (India). The fort was regularly upgraded by subsequent rulers, having thirteen gates in all. However, some said it was built first before the Mughals period, in 800B.C, but award should still goes to the Mughals as the fort manifests the rich traditions of Mughal architecture. Some of the famous sites inside the fort itself include; Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha pavilion, and Moti Masjid.

Diwan-e-Aam, hall of Public Audience

Mughal Canon

Naulakha Pavilion seen behind the roses

The Fort timeline, information obtained from Wikipedia:-

• From evidence found in archaeological digs, the Archaelogist  gives strong indications that the fort was built long before 1025 AD.
• 1241 AD - Destroyed by Mongols. 
• 1267 AD - Rebuilt by Anushay Mirza Ghiyas ud din Balban.
• 1398 AD - Destroyed again, by Amir Tamir's army.
• 1421 AD - Rebuilt in mud by Sultan Mubark Shah Syed.
• 1432 AD - The fort is occupied by Shaikh Ali of Kabul who makes repairs to the damages inflicted on it by Shaika Khokhar.
• 1566 AD - Rebuilt by Mughal emperor Akbar, in solid brick masonry on its earlier foundations. Also perhaps, its area was extended towards the river Ravi, which then and until about 1849 AD, flowed along its fortification on the north. Akbar also built Doulat Khana-e-Khas-o-Am, the famous Jharoka-e-Darshan (Balcony for Royal Appearance), Masjidi Gate etc.
• 1618 AD - Jehangir adds Doulat Khana-e-Jehangir
• 1631 AD - Shahjahan builds Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace).
• 1633 AD - Shahjahan builds Khawabgah (a dream place or sleeping area), Hamam (bath), Khilwat Khana (retiring room), and Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque).
• 1645 AD - Shahjahan builds Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Special Audience).
• 1674 AD - Aurangzeb adds the massively fluted Alamgiri Gate.

Old Kangah built before the Mughals

Alamgiri Gate by Aurangzeb

Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Special Audience) by Shah Jahan

Shish Mahal by Shahjahan

Ladies Quarters

The elephant entrance

The fort is located at the strategic of Lahore city between the Mughal territories and the strongholds of Kabul, Multan and Kashmir was the reason why the old mud-fort was replaced and fortification with solid brick masonry. The structure is dominated by Persian gardens influence that deepened with the successive refurbishments by subsequent emperors. The fort is divided into two sections. First is the administrative section well connected with main entrances which comprises larger garden areas and Diwan-e-khas for royal audiences. The second is a private and concealed residential section, divided into courts in the northern part, accessible through 'elephant gate'. It also contains Shish Mahal (Hall of Mirrors of Mirror Palace), and spacious bedrooms and smaller gardens. On the outside, the walls are decorated with blue Persian kashi tiles. 

The Mughals garden