Lahore: The Walled-City

The origins of Lahore are shrouded in the mists of time and legend. Tradition says Lahore was settled by Loh. The city was firstly recorded in the 2nd century AD. Lahore was occupied by the Ghaznavids in the early 11th century after their long conflict with the Hindu Shahi dynasty.
Akbar's Lahore walled city would have been built on land left empty by the river, which now flowed further west. The eastern side of the walled areas would be the area between Delhi Gate and Wazir Khan Mosque, east of the Sufi takiye of Syed Ishad Gazruni whose grave shrine is now integrated into the raised podium of the Wazir Khan Mosque. In the west of the city, this land would've been primarily in the Bhati Gate bazaar area. Lahore's natural terrain is flat, evidenced by the canal irrigated agricultural expenses around it.
The first important Mughal development is the garden and baradari of Mirza Kamran , built between 1526-1529. The garden is now lost, though a ruined baradari has survived the ravages of the Ravi. Lahore as a 'city of gardens' appears to have been well established in Jahangir's time. The Dikusha Garden, built by Nur Jahan, where Jahangir was buried in the summer of 1628. Lahore Fort was a place of impressive Mughal royal residences and the center of the polity.

In Jahangir reign, the northern and western walls of the Fort with their palaces andchambers came into existence, while Shah Jahan added Saman Buri palace and glazed-tile mosaics. The Fort appears to have grown as a series of Chahar-baghs; inspired from the Forts of Agra and Delhi.
Aurangzeb has added the Badshahi Mosque , the Hazuri Bagh , & the Alamgiri Gate . Shah Jahan's Shalimar Garden is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The great Havelis of Mughal nobility were monumental enterprises in themselves.
Almost all of these great Havelis havenow disappeared, although some can be made out on satellite imagery by the rectilinear configuration.