TRIP & HISTORY OF LAHORE FORT, SEESH MAHAL, ELEPHANT STAIRS|EP 2 LOVE AT LAHORE FORT

lahore fort beauty at night

SUMMER PALACE OR FAIRY PALACE AT LAHORE FORT

‘This part of Lahore fort remains cold even in summers because of its unique ventilation system. Large spacious rooms were used as Harem. Queens, consorts n princesses meandered here. We just open this area just for our special guests. You can visit this area at ease.’

Tourists spread in the rooms of summer palace just beneath Seesh Mahal in hope to hear few gossips, cackles and tears from past. Just then, Murad turned to him.     

‘What you just said to Irravati?’ he became furious.

‘I’m not in state of saying anything to anyone,’ Saadun tried to budge outside the wall.

TEMPLE OF LOH

‘But I know why you’re roving disguised as guide at this fort?’ Saadun looked in his eyes. Just then they heard bells ringing in ‘temple of Loh’ named at prince ‘Lava’ or ‘Loh’ ;the son of Raam and Sita.

‘She is back,’ Murad looked above. Tourists came back to him.

CONSTRUCTION OF LAHORE FORT

‘You told that Lahore fort observed the destruction and ruins of many invaders before coming to its marvelous grace,’ one tourist approached Murad just then.

‘It’s unfortunate of warriors to destroy the history of ignoring the verity that history can’t be wiped out.  Its saved at every inch of this universe, at skies, at rocks and at souls,’ Murad stopped and looked at Saadun, who stood still in the wall now. He became restless.
ALSO CLICK: FALL OF DELHI

 ‘Malik Ayaz heaved the foundations of Lahore fort with mud bricks it but Mongols ruined it in 12^th century. Sultan Balban rebuilt it. Timur felt content to smash Lahore fort again and Mubarak Shah Syed satisfied after re-erecting it. Lodhi’s dwelled here too while ruling at Lahore but Mughal kings gave the real blush to Lahore fort by reconstructing it to marvelous structure, as architecture remained their signature marks in sub continent,’ Murad put the story in plain but intriguing terms like professional guide.

CONTRIBUTION OF MUGHAL AT LAHORE FORT

‘I know every Mughal king continued to add beauty to this fort in their era. Because of its strategic location to control Multan, Kashmir and Kabul; Akbar decided to demolish mud brick fort into stronghold. He accomplished the Lahore fort with gardens and pavilions. Then King Jahangir added mosque Maryum Zamani Begum and magnificent picture wall to it. Shah jahan gifted the Diwan e Aam and mesmerizing Seesh Mahal. How Aurangzeb could miss his inherited traditions by constructing Badshahi Mosque?’ one brown haired lady tourist revised her notes.

BADSHAHI MOSQUE & ALAMGIRI GATE

‘Umm…impressive research,’ one of her mate praised.

‘You know I’m big fan of Mughals architecture.’

BADSHAHI MOSQUE LAHORE

  ‘Let me see you the Badshahi Mosque, adjacent to fort. This mosque was built by King Aurangzeb. The marvelous semi circular doomed entrance of Lahore fort the Alamgiri gate is also Aurangzeb’s gift to this fort,’ he pointed the tourists out of harem rooms towards elephant stairs.

‘Hey, get me out of here,’ Saadun called him from back and tried to leave that wall. Murad just ignored him and took tourists outside.

 Harmonium, tabla, khungroo, the air filled with charming sounds as the life at fort seemed restoring to life at that instance. A private royal function was in its preparation at Seesh Mahal at arrival of prince Khuram( King Shah Jahan, later on) and Prince Sharyar, the sons of King Jahangir.

ELEPHANT STAIRS
ALSO CLICK: LAST MUGHAL KING MISERY

‘These giant stairs were specially made to ride the elephants when kings visited this fort. Then you’ll cross lush green magnificent Hazoori Bagh to enter Badshahi Mosque,’ they all came outside at giant stairs.

PICTURED WALL

picture wall at lahore fort

‘I actually loved the ‘picture wall’ constructed by King Jahangir. Every panel of wall depicted the living scenes of elephant fights, polo games, tea parties…I’ve visited the monuments of all world but I’m big fan of Mughals artistic approach. Every structure is master piece and unique with fusion of Islamic, Persian, European and off course Indian styles,’ the lady tourist seemed really impressed. 

 It was about to spread dusk when tourists moved forward. The sky was clear with twinkling stars and a shining full moon. The guards of Lahore fort were about to shut its gates for general visitors.

FOOD STREET ADJACENT TO LAHORE FORT & BADSHAHI MOSQUE

full moon VIEW OF LAHORE FORT FROM FOOD STREET

‘We should move outside now. You can enjoy fabulous traditional Lahori food at foodstreet just outside fort. It’ll be awesome to view of Lahore fort, Badshahi Mosque, Ranjit Singh’s Samdhani and Naag temple( temple made by Ranjit Singh’s daughter at his regime) from there in flood lights across this area,’ Murad guided the tourists towards gate.

‘Wait a minute, how can we skip the famous ‘SEESH MAHAL,’ that brown haired lady turned back.

SEESH MAHAL, LAHORE FORT

                           

‘Please…,’ Murad called her from back and gazed at Hazoori bagh towards Jahangir’s Shah burj block. Just for instance the world stopped and moved back in times.

DANCE PERFORMANCE AT SEESH MAHAL

     Hundreds of ‘diyas’ (cup-shaped oil lamps) rowed in his ways. Full moon rays were reflecting back after hitting to the mirrors of Seesh Mahal to cast panorama effect on atmosphere. Musicians took their positions at one corner that time reached which he was scared.

Irravati came on the floor adorned with jewels and anklets. Strings of sitar mixed the air to hammer saccharine reverberation at hearts.

‘Why you stand there, Murad. Though it’s a private place reserved just for royals but being buddy you’re always welcome,’ Prince Shyaryarcalled him....

to be continued
disclaimer: all characters n images are fictitious. any resemblance would be coincident.

TO READ THE STORY FROM FIRST EPISODE JUST CLICK

LOVE AT LAHORE FORT

Other stories of series are: 

The Mughal Eclipse

1. THE MUGHAL ECLIPSE

2. ACROSS NILE

3. FUTURE EYE

4. PRITHVI VS GHOURI

5.MY GUILTY STYLE

6. BURIED HATE N BORN LOVE IN WAZIRISTAN