Pakistan is a culturally diverse country with natural beauty, culture, cuisine, and, of course, historical sites. Pakistan offers it everything, from lush green plains to enormous mountain ranges and stunning deserts. People who enjoy visiting antique and historical sites would find Pakistan to be a wonderland. Various civilizations reigned over the nation. Throughout their excursions, several renowned persons travelled through the land. People from around the world travel to visit these historical places in Pakistan and enjoy these. Along with historical places there are many beautiful lakes in Pakistan, and you can visit northern areas of Pakistan as well where people visit and enjoy with their families.
Did you know that How many historical places are in Pakistan?
Pakistan is a region known for its rich cultural history & diversity , There are many historical places in Pakistan but down below we’ve compiled a list of the best historical places in Pakistan that you shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re interested in history. If you want to know about Pakistan’s provinces the read blog on provinces of Pakistan.
Here is the List of Historical Places in Pakistan:
Historical Places | Location | Visiting Hours | Entrance Fee | Opened / Founded |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. The Noor Mahal | Bahawalpur, Punjab | 9AM – 10PM | Free | 1875 |
2. Minar-e-Pakistan | Lahore, Punjab | 24 hours | Free | 1960 |
3. Taxila City | Taxila Tehsil, Rawalpindi District, Punjab, Pakistan | 9AM – 5PM | 50rs locals, 200rs foreigners | ——— |
4. Lahore Fort | H8Q7+56P, Fort Rd, Walled City of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab | 8:30AM – 5PM | 30rs locals, 500rs foreigners | 1674 |
5. Rohtas Fort | Rohtas fort, Dina, Jhelum, Punjab 49400 | 9AM – 5PM | Free | 16th century |
6. Tomb of Jahangir | Shahdara, Lahore, Punjab | 9AM – 7PM | 10rs for Pakistani, 200rs for foreigners | 1627 |
7. Takht-i-Bahi | Mazdoorabad, Takht Bhai, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 9AM – 5PM | Free | 1st century |
8. Mohenjo-Daro | Mohenjo-daro, Larkana, Sindh | 8am – 6pm | No | 26th century |
9. Katas Raj | Kalar Kahar Rd, Katas, Chakwal, Punjab | 9am – 6pm | 2500rs | 6th century |
10. Rani Kot, Sindh | Ranikot fort Wall, Karchat, Jamshoro, Sindh | 9AM – 7PM | 20rs locals, 300rs foreigners | 1812 |
11. Hiran Minar | Hiran Minar Park Road, Sheikhupura, Punjab | 8AM – 8PM | 20 Rs for adults | 17th century |
12. Harappa ruins, Taxila | Sahiwal District, Punjab, Pakistan | 8am – 5:30pm | 20rs locals, 300rs foreigners | ——— |
1. The Noor Mahal
The Noor Mahal, in the city of Bahawalpur, is a picture of elegance and beauty. During the British Raj, it was erected in 1872 by the Nawab of Bahawalpur. A city map and gold money were also buried in the mahal’s foundation.
The inside of the mahal, in addition to the outside, exudes elegance and superb taste. The mahal’s magnificent furnishings was largely imported from England and Italy. The edifice, which cost Rs. 1.2 million to construct, was finished in 1875.
The mahal has a total size of 44,600 square feet (4,140 m2). It includes 32 rooms, 14 of which are in the basement, as well as 6 verandas and 5 domes.
In 1906, Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan the fifth spent Rs. 20,000 to erect a mosque to the palace.
The building was designated as a “protected monument” by Pakistan’s Department of Archeology in September 2001, and it is now available to the public. The mahal also holds many of the Nawab’s personal items, such as his old swords, old money notes and coins, ancient laws from the time, an antique piano that Nawabs used to play, old furniture used by Nawabs, and so on. It also has a lengthy wall with fictitious photos of Nawabs on it. Also read our blog on Universities in Peshawar .
2. Minar-e-Pakistan
In Pakistan, the Minar-e-Pakistan symbolises nationalism and patriotism. It is a national monument in Lahore’s downtown area. The tower was constructed on the spot where the All-India Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, between 1960 and 1968.
The design and architecture of the skyscraper is a great blend of Islamic and contemporary elements. Nasreddin Murat-Khan, a well-known Russian architect, designed it. The monument’s construction began in 1960 and was finished on October 21, 1968, at a total cost of Rs.7,058,000. Apart from historical places you can also visit a blog on motorways and highways of Pakistan.
The minar’s overall height is around 70 metres above the ground, with the tower rising about 62 metres above the ground. The minar’s base turns into large petals. The petals reach a height of 9 metres. The tower’s diameter is approximately 9.75 metres. The wording of the Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali, and English, as well as the text of the Delhi Resolution, which was enacted on April 9, 1946, are engraved o:n the petals.
3. Taxila City
Taxila is an old city in Pakistan, close to Rawalpindi. In Sanskrit, Taxila means “City of Cut Stone.” It’s 32 kilometres (20 miles) north of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, close to the renowned Grand Trunk Road. There are some beautiful sites to see in Islamabad, as well as some haunting ones. Rawalpindi offers a wide range of activities.
The region’s ruins originate from the 6th century BCE Achaemenid Empire, followed by the Mauryan Empire, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Kushan Empire eras. This reflects the region’s historical significance and variety.
In the mid-nineteenth century, renowned archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham uncovered the remains of Taxila. Taxila was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and again in 2006.
4. Lahore Fort
In the walled city of Lahore, the Lahore Fort, also known as the Shahi Qila or Royal Fort, is located. It is a popular tourist destination in Lahore. The fort has a total area of 20 hectares. There are also 21 monuments in the fort that date back to Akbar’s reign.
The fort was extensively altered by successive emperors. The fort was embellished by Shah Jahan with valuable stones and floral motifs. The Alamgiri Gate was constructed to the fort by Aurangzeb. The fort served as the palace of Emperor Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, during the Sikhs’ reign in Lahore.
For its “exceptional repertory” of Mughal monuments, the fort was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
5. Rohtas Fort
Rohtas Fort also known as Qila Rohtas is a fortress located near the city of Jhelum. It was constructed in the 16th century, during the reign of Sher Shah Suri. The fort is said to be one of the largest forts in the subcontinent. Luckily, the fort was never attacked and as a result it is still standing firmly with all its glory.
Rohtas Fort was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997 for being an exceptional example of the Muslim military architecture of Central and South Asia.Rohtas Fort covers an area of 70 hectares, enclosed by 4 kilometers of walls that were bolstered by 68 bastion towers, and 12 gates. The large fort could hold a force of up to 30,000 men.
Near these historical places, there are many good restaurants nearby. If you want to explore more, read our blog on Restaurants In Peshawar, where you can find some excellent restaurants and historical places in the city.
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6. Tomb of Jahangir
Visiting a tomb might not be the foremost consideration when people plan vacations, but Jahangir’s tomb stands apart. It serves as a superb example of outstanding architecture and craftsmanship, situated in Lahore. Jahangir’s Tomb was sculpted to perfection, from glasswork to marble, in order to accurately reflect the splendour and heroism of Jahangir, the Mughal Ruler. Near these historical places , people are running their successful business , If you want to run a business but don’t have a good idea then checkout our blog on business ideas in Pakistan .
Despite the fact that the monarch died in Kashmir, his body was transported to Lahore to be buried. The emperor and his wife loved to spend their time resting and wandering in the garden where the mausoleum was built.
7. Takht-i-Bahi
The Indo-Parthian archaeological site Takht-i-Bahi, also known as the throne of water spring, is located in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. There are numerous things to do in the city, but you should go here since it is one of Gandhara’s most majestic Buddhist relics. You can also visit the famous parks in Peshawar.
The Buddhist monastery was built in the first century CE and was utilized by Buddhists until the seventh century. In 1980, Takht-i-Bahi was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Takht Bahi complex is divided into four sections: The first is the Stupa Court, which consists of a group of stupas in a central courtyard. The monastic chambers, which are made up of individual cells organised around a courtyard, and meeting rooms make up the second part. Also read our blog on Real Estate Companies in Peshawar.
8. Mohenjo-Daro
Mohenjo-daro (/moʊˌhɛndʒoʊ ˈdɑːroʊ/; Sindhi: موئن جو دڙو, meaning ‘Mound of the Dead Men. It was one of the main towns of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation and one of the world’s first significant cities, built circa 2500 BCE, and contemporary with ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Minoan Crete, and Norte Chico civilizations. As the Indus Valley Civilization faded in the 19th century BCE, Mohenjo-daro was abandoned, and the site was not found until the 1920s. Since 1980, significant excavation has been place at the city’s site, which was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mohenjo-daro is located in the Larkana District of Sindh, Pakistan, on the right (west) bank of the lower Indus River. It’s located on a Pleistocene ridge in the Indus river plain, about 28 kilometres (17 miles) from Larkana.
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9. Katas Raj
Old Temples and establishments portray the image of ancient Hindu civilization and culture. Katas Raj temples, famously known as Qilla Katas, are located near 20 Kms from Kallar Kahar. Katas is a complex of various temples which are interconnected within walking distance. Katas Raj temples are situated around 100 kilometers by road from Tilla Jogian Complex – another important Hindu pilgrimage destination.
The complex of the temple is surrounded by a vast pond known as Katas. The pond is considered sacred by Hindus. According to the Hindu folk legends, the pond was created by the tears of Lord Shiva on the dismissal of his beloved wife, Sati. Another tradition states that the famous Hindu deity Lord Krishna has laid the temple’s foundation and established a hand-made shivling. The pond covers the vast area of 2 kanals and 15 marlas. The pond is around 20 feet deep.
Visiting fee: None
Visiting hours: 8 am -6 pm
10. Rani Kot, Sindh:
RaniKot Fort is a historical fort built in the Talpur dynasty. It is located in Jamshoro District, Sindh, and is known as the Great Wall of Sindh. It is believed that Ranikot Fort is the world’s largest fort, with an area of around 32 kilometers. According to historians, the fort was built in 1812. Due to the hot weather in Sindh, winter is considered the best time to visit Ranikot Fort. Many visitors visit the magnificent place for site seeing and hiking.
Visiting fees: 2500
Visiting hours: 9 am – 6 pm
11. Hiran Minar:
Hiran Minar is a magnificent masterpiece of the Mughal era. The beautiful Minar was built in the 17th century and is located in Sheikhupura, northwest of Lahore, Punjab. The literal meaning of Hiran Minar in English in The Deer Tower. The Minar was built in honor of Mughal Emperor Jahangir Pet antelope Mansraj. Sheikhupra Fort is also located near Hiran Minar. Both sites are easily accessible from Lahore via the M2 Motorway.
The structure of the Minar is pretty interesting. It consists of four minars which are around 30 feet in length. The complex also has a huge pool and pavilion, which offer it grace and beauty.
Visiting Hours: 8 am to 8 pm
Visiting Fee: 20 Rs for adults
12. Harappa ruins, Taxila
Harappa is an archaeological site located around 25 km west of Sahiwal – an old city in Punjab. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro are the world-famous archeological sites visited by thousands of people from the country and all over the world.
The ruins of the ancient city date back to the Bronze age. According to an estimate, the city had around 23,500 citizens and occupied 150 hectares of land. The city was established in 2600 BC along the Indus River Valley. The city was known for its modern civilization and lifestyle. They had their urban centers, writing systems, and diversified economic and social system.
Visiting Hours: 8 am to 5: 30pm
Summing Up:
These are some of Pakistan’s most well-known historical sites that you can visit and enjoy a cultural experience in. If you enjoy travelling or learning about history, you should pay these places a visit. If you wish to travel outside of Pakistan, numerous nations allow Pakistani passport holders to enter without a visa. Use the services of any reputable travel agency in Pakistan if you want a stress-free and ideal journey with your loved ones. Also read our blog on Shopping Malls in Islamabad .
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