Steeped in antiquity, Lahore History chronologically represents the time worn culture and tradition of the city in Pakistan. Presently, the cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahore has witnessed the reign of a number of hordes and dynasties. The city retained its importance as a seat of anti-colonial activities even during the freedom movement and emerged as the cultural center after the partition of Pakistan.
According to popular legends, Lahore was founded by Lava, the son of the legendary epic hero, Rama. The city finds its reference in ancient documents of Hiuen-Tsang and the Hudud-i-Alam, which is preserved in the British Museum. The city evolved as two dwellings on both sides of the tangled market place, which was encircled by the city walls.
The city was plundered and conquered by a number of vanquishers before the rule of Muhmud of Ghazni. The ruler had elected Malik Ayaz to throne, who rebuilt the city with citadels, masonry fort and the city gates. After the decadence of the Ghaznavid Empire, Lahore was witness to the rule of the Delhi Sultanate. In the 16th century, the great ruler, Akbar ascended the throne in
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Lahore, ushering the Mughal reign in the city. Lahore reached the apex of its rule under the Mughal dynasty. The Mughal rulers were the great patrons of architecture and built the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Alamgiri Gate. The degeneration of Mughal rule in the 18th century led to the rise of a number of independent rulers in Lahore. Power was consolidated by the legendary Sikh King, Ranjit Singh in 1799.
The powers of the Sikhs in the western province was crushed by the British after the Anglo-Sikh War. Lahore evolved as the seat of turbulence and anti-colonial activities during the freedom movement. Great revolutionaries and martyrs like Bhagat Singh and Jatin Das were detained in the Lahore prison. The Lahore session of All India Muslim League in 1940 decided the creation of Pakistan. The Lahore Resolution for a separate state for the Muslims played an integral role in the freedom struggle of the country.
After the creation of Pakistan, Lahore was declared as the capital city of the Punjab Province. The city has emerged as the seat of culture in Pakistan since then.
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