Hello Local Guides,
At the start of May, as I shared earlier, Pakistan’s own official cricket league , the Pakistan Super League (PSL) , has been producing outstanding cricketers for nearly twelve years. It’s one of the most remarkable initiatives by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Alongside promoting cricket, PSL has also introduced us to many unsung heroes of Pakistan, honoring their contributions through the “HBL PSL Hamaray Heroes” campaign.
It was under this campaign that I, as a Google Maps Contributor and an active member of the Local Guides community from Pakistan, was honored with the HBL PSL Hamaray Heroes Award.
This was a three-day trip to Lahore, and honestly, after almost ten years, visiting Lahore again was a delightful surprise. The city has completely transformed, its infrastructure, organization, and development show a huge difference compared to Karachi.
Initially, I was supposed to receive the award on 30th April, during the Lahore vs. Multan match, but due to heavy rain and dust storms that evening, the ceremony was postponed to 1st May, during the Peshawar vs. Quetta match.
Since it was a Friday and I had some free time during the day (despite the scorching heat), I decided to use that time for something meaningful. And honestly, if you’re in Lahore and don’t visit the Shahi Qila (Lahore Fort), your trip feels incomplete.
I owe special thanks to @MaazAhmad , who came to pick me up from my hotel and took me to explore the majestic Shahi Qila.
A Glimpse of History of Lahore Fort :
The Lahore Fort, also known as Shahi Qila, proudly stands in the heart of Lahore as a timeless masterpiece of Mughal architecture. Built during Emperor Akbar’s reign in the 16th century, it was later expanded by Shah Jahan, giving it a red-sandstone grandeur quite similar to Delhi’s Red Fort.
The resemblance is striking, both forts were built during the same Mughal era, and both cities, Lahore and Delhi, were deeply connected in culture and governance. Interestingly, in Delhi, there’s a “Lahore Gate”, while in Lahore, there’s a “Delhi Gate”, a poetic reflection of how closely the two cities were tied.
I’m proud that since May 2025, my Google Maps review of this historic landmark has been featured at the top among 25,843 reviews, and as of today, it has helped 9,445 people.
Inside the fort are many remarkable sites such as the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), Naulakha Pavilion, Moti Masjid, Baradari, and the Maharani Jindan Kaur Haveli: Sarkar-i-Khalsa Gallery, which beautifully preserves the legacy of the Sikh era and Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule.
My Visit to Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila)
@MaazAhmad Bhai gave me a wonderful tour inside the fort. We initially took an electric cart but soon realized we could have explored even more on foot! 
I must appreciate the Government of Punjab for maintaining this heritage site so well. Restoration work has been done carefully to preserve its original look, and cleanliness is highly commendable.
A truly delightful moment was meeting staff members dressed in traditional royal costumes, walking around the fort as Mughal guards and courtiers. They engaged with visitors, especially children, helping them learn about the history through attire and storytelling. People were happily taking photos with them.
We also visited the Maharani Jindan Kaur Haveli, home to the Sarkar-i-Khalsa Gallery, which showcases artifacts from the Sikh Empire. Honestly, that place deserves a separate article of its own.
Our visit concluded with a stop at Allama Iqbal’s Mausoleum and offering Friday prayers at the Badshahi Mosque, which stands magnificently beside the fort.
A Personal Connection to the Visit of Lahore Fort :
This trip was deeply emotional for me. The last time I explored the Lahore Fort in detail was when I was about 11 years old (now I’m 48), with my late father. Walking through those same places brought back faint yet powerful childhood memories, of my father holding my hand, explaining the stories behind every corner of the fort. Revisiting it now made this journey truly nostalgic and unforgettable. And I can honestly say that my love for exploring the world and its beauty is something I inherited from my father.
I’d like to once again thank Maaz Bhai for his warmth and hospitality, and also my dear friends @Sarbland , @Aliakhan , @azharmasood786 , @thehmsofficial , @zubair-rafique , and Muhammad Usman Bhai, who had planned a Friday night dinner for me. Unfortunately, I couldn’t join them because of my stadium commitment, but their thoughtfulness meant a lot.
Lahore, it was wonderful to see you again, until next time!
Tagging my friends from India, those who keep a deep eye on the history of India and that part of United India which is now Pakistan.
@TusharSuradkar @NareshDarji @TravellerG @Kumaarsantosh @K.K.Sharma @curatorofmemory @Shalz @Ssiddharth2000 @AjitThite @Vandana_shines @SwetaDhondoo
Nostalgia and history together always make a trip unforgettable….
