Original Source: https://ahgroup-pk.com/blog/historical-places-in-pakistan/

“The history of all previous societies has been the history of class struggles”

Pakistan is located on the northwestern side of the South Asian subcontinent. The soil of this place has been a place of attraction for many tourists since ages. It’s a profound blend of landscapes, like forests, deserts, and plateaus extending from the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea. According to Britannica, Pakistan has ranked 33rd for having a total area of 881,889 km2 (340,509 sq mi) with a total of 97.14% lands, 2.86% water, 1046 km (650 mi) coastline, and four borders associated with Afghanistan to the northwest and north, Iran to the west, China to the northeast, and India to the east and southeast.

Pakistan is a country that is ruled by a lot of empires including Alexander the Great, the Seleucid, Maurya, Kushan, the Hindu Shahi, the Umayyad Caliphate in southern regions, the Ghaznavids, the Mughals, the Delhi Sultanate, the Durrani Empire, and the Sikh Empires. Every empire has its history and places (forts, mosques, roads, gardens) that were built by the “king” of that time. For example, Badshahi Mosque, Taj Mahal, and Hiran Minar were built during the Mughal Empire. Similarly, the Rohtas fort was built by Sher Shah Suri during the Suri Empire.

What is the most historical place in Pakistan?
Here we compline the list of some of the most historical places in Pakistan Rohtas Fort, Hiran Minar Sheikhupura, Noor Mahal, Bahawalpur, Mohenjo Daro, Sindh and Wazir Khan Mosque there are more in the list below.

After the division of the subcontinent in 1947, some of the historical places were allotted to the northwestern side of the South Asian region, which is Pakistan. These facts, historical places, and geography of Pakistan are the reasons that make our country a paradise for people who love to explore the world and its history.

The rich history oozes out of all the historical buildings from across the country, depicting tales of war, love, peace, bravery, and strength. Ranging from breathtaking beautiful deserts of Pakistan, lush green plains, breath-taking archaic landscapes, attractive hill stations, majestic mountain ranges, beautiful lakes, famous dams, and historical mosques, Pakistan has it all.

Tourism in Pakistan

Pakistan is geographically and ethnically diverse, consisting of a large number of historical and cultural heritage sites. For the past few years, the tourism industry has been gaining popularity because of the incumbent government of Pakistan, as they have declared a judgment to end No Objection Certificates for foreign tourists seeking to visit certain parts of the country. A famous magazine CN Traveler has also published an article in which Pakistan was top-ranked to be the best holiday destination to visit in 2021 as well as in an article of “The Independent” Pakistan is also declared as the second-highest potential adventure destination.

In this blog, we are going to talk about the historical places in Pakistan. Below we have mentioned some of the famous historical places of Pakistan that are playing a massive role in boosting tourism. 

List of 10 Best Historical Places in Pakistan:

1. Rohtas Fort

Rohtas fort also known as “Qila Rohtas” is a military-constructed fort, dating back to the 16th-century, located at Jhelum in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It was constructed by Raja Todar Mal during the reign of Sher Shah Suri. The fort is famous among people because of its stunning large walls and many monumental gateways. It is the first fort in Punjab that was marked by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997. The fort is spread in a total area of 70 hectares, surrounded by 4-kilometer-long walls that were supported by 68 bastion towers and 12 gates. It is known as the toughest fort in Pakistan because it can hold a maximum force of 30,000 men. The Qila Rohtas is considered to be the largest fort in south Asia.

If you are a person that loves to discover history, you shouldn’t miss this aesthetic and one of the best historical places in Punjab, Pakistan called Qila Rohtas.

2. Hiran Minar

Hiran Minar also known as “The Deer Tower” is a complex located in Sheikhupura, Punjab province of Pakistan that was built in the 17th-century during the presence of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The Tower lies 40 kilometers from the city of foodies, “Lahore”. The design of the complex is just beautiful as it comprises 4 minarets/towers that are 30 feet high. It was built in a scrub forest to experience nature and wilderness. It is known as one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan because of its massive pool and pavilion view that gives it a stunning look and grace. Sheikhupura Fort is also a historical place that is situated 6.9 km away from this complex. 

3. Katas Raj Temples

Katas Raj, also known as “Qila Katas” is a complex of multiple Hindu temples that are joined with each other by walkways. The most attractive thing about this complex is the pond which is called Katas – regarded as sacred by Hindus. It’s situated near Kallar Kahar with an altitude of 2,000 feet. It’s about 100 kilometers from another famous historical place, “The Tilla Jogian complex” – a Hindu pilgrimage destination. A lot of rumors are famous about this Qila and the pond. As a lot of people said, the pond was created by the tears of the Lord of Hindus “Shiva” that he shed to his late wife – Sati (Dakshayani). The temple explains the story of the Shiva that is why this complex has a part in the famous Hindu epic poem known as Mahābhārata.

4. Mohenjo Daro

If we talk about an archaeological site in Pakistan, Mohenjo Daro takes the first place. The word Mohenjo Daro means “Mound of the Dead Men”. It is located in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It was built in 2500 BCE and was abandoned in the 19th century BCE as one of the oldest settlements of the Indus Valley. Mohenjo Daro was also one of the earliest major cities in the world. It is located in the center of the Indus River and the Ghaggar-Hakra River. It was rediscovered in 1920, and UNESCO declined Mohenjo Daro as a World Heritage Site in 1980. Because of material decay, salt action, precipitation infiltration, and poor sewerage, the site is deteriorating continuously. 

5. Takht-i-Bahi

Takht-i-Bahi is a Buddhist monastery that was found in the 1st century CE and is commonly known as the “throne of water spring”. In Persian, Takht means ‘throne’ and Bahi means ‘spring’ or ‘water’. It’s an Indo-Parthian archaeological site located in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Buddhists used Takht-i-Bahi as their religious place from the 1st to the 7th century. Later on, in 1980 it was also considered to be a World Heritage Site. The best thing about this complex is that it has four different sections. The first is Stupa Court which consists of clusters of stupas situated at the central courtyard. The second section consists of monastic chambers, assembly halls, and a dining area. Then comes the temple complex which consists of Stupas, the same as the Stupa Court. The last one is the tantric monastic complex, which contains small, dark cages with low opening gates. There are a lot more places to visit in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, but you should visit this place if you love to explore history.

6. Lahore Fort

If we talk about the beautiful landmarks of Pakistan, Lahore fort should be top of the list. A piece of history with a touch of the Mughal Empire rates it as one of the top historical places in Pakistan. Its located in the middle of Lahore city and covers an area of more than 20 hectares. With 21 notable monuments, the fort will take you to the back history of the Mughal era. It was built in the 11th century, and later on, Mughal and Sikh empires rebuilt it in the 17th century. It’s a marvelous masterpiece splendid in Indo-Islamic and Mughal architectural styles that describe Islamic and Hindu themes.

By the locals of the city, it is famous as Shahi Qila and Royal Fort. The fort was also utilized as the royal residencia of Ranjit Singh – founder of the Sikh Empire, after the downfall of the Mughal era. In 1981, UNESCO declared Lahore fort as one of the World Heritage sites. The best part is the northern edge of the fort is next to Minar-e-Pakistan and Iqbal Park. Many empires have ruled this one of the stunning Pakistan historical places. At the initial stages, the fort was made of mud only. Then it was destroyed by the Mongols during their attack on Lahore in 1241. Then it was rebuilt by the Sultan Balban of Delhi Sultanate in 1267. Unfortunately, again it was destroyed by the forces of Timur in 1398. The history of Pakistan says this cycle of damage and rebuilding lasted till 1526. So, if you are a history lover and love to explore old empires, then the Lahore Fort is one of the best historical places in Pakistan for you.

7. Taxila City

Taxila City, also known as City of Cut Stone or Takas Rock, is one of the old lost cities of Pakistan. It is situated about 46.3 km from Islamabad – the capital of Pakistan. It’s a piece of history of old India, located at the central crossroads of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. The beginnings of the city go back to 600 BCE. Some ruins found in Taxila City date back to the times of the Achaemenid Empires, Mauryan Empires, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Kushan Empires. In addition, the University of Taxila is one of the oldest universities in the world. It has switched hands many times in history and is controlled by many empires. The famous archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham discovered the destruction of the Taxila city in the core of the 19th century. Later on, UNESCO declared Taxila City as a World Heritage site in 1980. To discover the ruins of 600 BCE, you must visit one of the historical places of Pakistan.

8. Kot Diji Fort

Kot Diji Fort, another name of the history of Sindh, is a Talpur era fort that dates back to the time of 1795 C.E. It’s situated on the top of a hill – Rohri Hills above the town of Kot Diji in Khairpur District, Sindh. It is 188 km from the Thar Desert. The fort settled on a 110-foot tall mountain and up beyond the city. The most impressive thing about this fort is it has more than 30-foot tall in the upper portion. It has three strategic towers, and each of them is 50. ft tall. The fort also holds a water reservoir, prison, cells for safety personnel, a courtroom, a royal residence, and a munition area. It was built in 1785-1795 by Mir Sohrab Khan Talpur – founder of the Kingdom in northern Sindh. Kot Diji Fort will not be wrong to say the fort took ten years to build. It gives magnificent views of surroundings that dominate the whole area encircling it. We must suggest you visit this fort to explore the ancient history of Pakistan.

9. Ranikot Fort

The sprawling Ranikot Fort is located at Jamshoro District, in Sindh. We are sure you must hear of the Great Wall of Sindh. It’s the alternative name of Ranikot Fort as it was supposed to be the world’s largest fort. It was built during the rule of Sasanian, Scythians, or the Parthian Empire. The ancient complex contains three nearly miniature forts identified as Meeri Kot, Shergah, and Mohan Kot. It has four different entry and exit gates with a zigzag structure. These gates are known as Mohan Gate, Sann Gate, Shah-Pere Gate, and Amri Gate. In 1993 the fort was declared one of the World heritage sites. From the last few years, it has gained much popularity and has become one of the tourist attraction spots. From the top of the fortified walls, you will get a mesmerizing and breathtaking view that probably gives fresh air. 

10. Wazir Khan Mosque

Lahore is packed with mind boggling pieces of history and it can easily have its own list. However, concerning this one, the lovely Wazir Khan Mosque is an absolute mention. The mosque took its architectural lines from that from the Begum Shahi, and however the similarities are obvious, the Wazir Khan is eminently bigger and more colorful.

The mosque was dispatched by Emperor Shah Jahan and stood finished by the year 1641. Unbelievably multifaceted buon frescoes and elaborate tile work cover pretty much every square inch of it-you could truly go through hours appreciating everything! The Wazir Khan Mosque can be tracked down two or three hundred meters in the wake of entering through the Delhi Gate in Lahore’s Walled City.

11. The Noor Mahal

The Noor Mahal, one of the monuments in Pakistan 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,famous historical places in Pakistan, in addition to the outside, exudes elegance and superb taste. The mahal’s magnificent furnishings were 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. 

12. Harappa

Harappa is a Punjabi archaeological site located around 24 kilometres (15 miles) west of Sahiwal. The place takes its name from a settlement on the Ravi Bank’s bank. It is one of Pakistan’s most beautiful destinations. Harappa’s modern settlement is less than a kilometre (0.62 mile) from the historic site.

The ruins contain artefacts from the Bronze Age. According to estimates, the city has a population of 23,500 people and covers 150 hectares (370 acres). An extensive collection of artifacts and items from ruins of ancient Harappa cities are placed in Harappa museum. The museum is one of the oldest and famous museums in Pakistan.

The Harappan Civilization has its origins in cultures such as Mehrgarh, which date back to around 6000 BC. In 2600 BC, Harappa and Mohenjo Daro were founded in the Indus River Valley.

13. Saidpur Village

This is unquestionably a must-see attraction, historical place in Islamabad. The settlement dates from the Mughal era and has relics of many civilizations. It is located in the foothills of the Margalla hills. Saidpur village is a heritage site, but what makes it unique is that it exhibits a perfect combination of traditional culture and modern living. Restaurants and cafés that have been properly incorporated into the hamlet while maintaining its originality and history may be found here.

Final note:

So, this was the list of historical places in Pakistan that are being most visited by the locals and tourists.