The Lahore Fort

The Lahore Fort
Originally uploaded by Nauman Khawaja

Was built by Akbar in 1560s. It is culmination of many building built over a period of time. The entrance to the fort is throughAlamgiri-gate built in 1618 by Jahangir.

The Diwan-e-Am (Hall of Public Audience) is an open pavilion with 40 pillars built by Shah Jahan in 1631 to shelter his subjects when they appeared before him. The marble pavilion and red sandstone balcony at the back of the Diwan-e-Am are originals built by Akbar. Here the emperior appeared daily before the public-who, in his day, crowded under a canvas awning. The serpentine sandstone brackets are typical of Akbar's commissions, with the depiction of animals showing Hindu influence and reflecting Akbar's policy of religious tolerance.His two-storey Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), built in 1566, is behind the balcony and is reached by stairs on the tight.

The Khwabgah-e-Jahangir (Jahangir's Room of Dreams)is the main building running the length of the north side of Jahangirs Quadrangle and is typical of Jahangir's period in its austerity.It is now a museum, containing a huge ivory model of the Taj Mahal, some excellent illustrated manuscripts (including the Akbar Nama, the daily chronicle of Akbar's reign), some beautiful calligraphy, good miniature paintings and a collection of Mughal coins.