Lahore (/ləˈhɔːr/ lə-HOR; Punjabi: لہور [lɔː˩˥ɾ]; Urdu: لاہور [laːˈɦɔːɾ] ) is the capital and largest city of the Pakistani province of Punjab. It is the second largest city in Pakistan, after Karachi, and 26th largest in the world, with a population of over 13 million.[9] Located in central-eastern Punjab, along the River Ravi, it is the largest Punjabi-speaking city in the world. Lahore is one of Pakistan's major industrial, educational and economic hubs.[12][13] It has been the historic capital and cultural centre of the wider Punjab region,[16][17][18] and is one of Pakistan's most socially liberal,[19] progressive,[20] and cosmopolitan cities.[21]
Lahore's origin dates back to antiquity. The city has been inhabited for around two millennia, although it rose to prominence in the late 10th century with the establishment of the Walled City, its fortified interior.[22] Lahore served as the capital of several states and empires during the medieval era, including the Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavid Empire and Delhi Sultanate. It succeeded Multan as the primary cultural centre of Punjab in the late-medieval era, reaching the height of its splendor under the Mughal Empire between the late 16th and early 18th centuries and also serving as its capital city between 1586 and 1598. During this period, it was one of the largest cities in the world.[23]
The city was captured and looted by the forces of the Persian Afsharid ruler Nader Shah in 1739. Although Mughal authority was briefly re-established, it fell into a period of decline with nominal control of the Nawab of Punjab; while raids and military invasions by the Durrani Afghans and Marathas into Punjab intensified. After the official end of Mughal rule and Afghan–Maratha War, Lahore transitioned from imperial rule to local governance under a Punjabi triumvirate, while territories in the rest of Punjab were being heavily contested among the Afghans and local Punjabi states from 1748 onwards. The city was captured by the Sukerchakia Misl, based in Gujranwala, under Ranjit Singh in July 1799, which initiated the process of Afghan retreat from Punjab and a Punjabi unification. In 1801, Ranjit Singh was crowned the Maharaja of Punjab, thus Lahore became the capital of a unified Punjab under the Sikh Empire, regaining some of its lost grandeur.[24]
In the aftermath of the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Punjab was annexed by the East India Company in 1849 and Lahore became the capital of British Punjab.[25] Lahore was central to the independence movements of both India and Pakistan, with the city being the site of both the Declaration of Indian Independence and the resolution calling for the establishment of Pakistan. It experienced some of the worst rioting during the partition period, preceding Pakistan's independence.[26] Following the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, Lahore served as the capital of West Punjab from 1947 to 1955, and of West Pakistan from 1955 to 1970.
Primarily inhabited by ethnic Punjabis, Lahore exerts a strong cultural and political influence over Pakistan.[27] A UNESCO City of Literature and major centre for Pakistan's publishing industry, Lahore remains the foremost center of Pakistan's literary scene. The city is also a major centre of education sector,[28] with some of Pakistan's leading universities based in the city.[29] Lahore is home to Pakistan's Punjabi film industry, and is a major centre of Qawwali music.[30] The city also hosts much of Pakistan's tourist industry,[30][31] with major attractions including the Walled City, the famous Badshahi and Wazir Khan mosques, as well as several Sikh and Sufi shrines. Lahore is also home to the Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.[31]
Lahore is the historic center of the Punjab region of the northwestern portion of the Indian subcontinent
Lahore, perhaps Pakistan's most liberal city...
"We now want to dress like the people of Punjab," said Abid Ibrahim, 19, referring to the eastern province that includes Lahore, often referred to as Pakistan's most progressive city.
Lahore is one of Pakistan's most liberal and wealthy cities. It is Mr Sharif's political powerbase and has seen relatively few terror attacks in recent years.
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