Lahore Gate

Delhi Heritage  Trail : 20

         Lahore  Gate

      A beautiful view of the Lahore gate facing  Chandni  Chowk around 1858 with  dwellings occupying the  open  space  outside. This  is the  main gate of Red Fort  through  which  the  Moghul  emperors in their  caparisoned elephants  and  their attendants used  to  come out of the  Fort on important  occassions.

      The  Chief architect was Ustad Ahmed Lahori of Persia.  The  work was began  in 1638 at a supremely  auspicious  time selected  by astrologers.  Since the  gate led to  the  road  to  Lahore  it was called Lahore  gate.  The  protective  bastions  around the gate were constructed by Aurangazeb during the life time of his father. The  dwellings in front of the gate  were removed in the first decades of 20th century  to make way for the present open grounds. 

Old Pic courtesy   :  George Beresford