Pakistan is a nation with a diverse culture that is renowned for its natural beauty, customs, religion, and, of course, historical places. Everything from vast mountain ranges, and magnificent deserts, to lush, green plains may be found in Pakistan. In Pakistan, those who enjoy visiting historical places will find heaven. The country was controlled by several empires. Several well-known individuals also traversed the country while on their travels.
We include the most important historical sites in Pakistan in this post, especially if you have a passion for the past.
List of Historical Places in Pakistan
- Hiran Minar
- Mohenjo Daro
- Minar-e-Pakistan
- The Noor Mahal
- Taxila City
- Katas Raj Temples
- Harappa
- Takht-i-Bahi
- Lahore Fort
- Rohtas Fort
1. Hiran Minar
Hiran Minar is a complex from the early Mughal era that was finished in the 17th century and is situated in Sheikhupura. The Deer Tower is another name for it. Emperor Jahangir erected the compound in memory of his beloved antelope, Mansraj.
Sheikhupura, a city northwest of Lahore, is where you can find the Hiran Minar. The Sheikhupura Fort, which likewise originates from the early 17th century, is another well-known historical site close to the Hiran Minar. The M2 Motorway connects Lahore to both locations.
A fascinating aspect of the complex is its structure. It has four, thirty-foot-tall minarets in all. Also, the complex contains a sizable pool and a pavilion, which add to its beauty and grace. Summer swimming is possible at Karachi’s fantastic pools.
2. Mohenjo Daro
In the Sindh province, there is an archaeological site called Mohenjo Daro. Mohenjo Daro is also known as the “Mound of the Dead Men.”
It is believed that Mohenjo Daro, one of the largest and oldest towns in the Indus Valley, was founded in approximately 2500 BC. Around the 19th century BCE, the city was abandoned for unidentified causes. Since the city was founded in 1920, significant excavations have been carried out nearby.
In 1980, the city received the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Mohenjo-Daro is situated in the Larkana District of Sindh, Pakistan, west of the Indus River. One of the greatest sites to visit is there.
3. Minar-e-Pakistan
In Pakistan, nationalism and patriotism are represented by the Minar-e-Pakistan. It is a national monument that may be found in the heart of Lahore. On the spot where the All-India Muslim League adopted the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, the tower was constructed between 1960 and 1968.
The tower is a stunning fusion of Islamic and contemporary architecture. Nasreddin Murat-Khan, a well-known architect of Russian descent, created it. The monument’s construction began in 1960, and at an estimated cost of Rs 7,058,000, it was finished on October 21st, 1968.
The Minar is approximately 70 meters tall overall, with the tower rising 62 meters from the base. The miner’s base changes into large petals. Nine meters high are the petals. The tower has a diameter of approximately 9.75 meters. The text of the Lahore Resolution, which was adopted on April 9, 1946, is inscribed on the petals in Urdu, Bengali, and English, as well as the text of the Delhi Resolution. In addition, the 13 Gates of Lahore are included among the best historical sites in Pakistan.
4. The Noor Mahal
Noor Mahal, which can be seen in Bahawalpur, is a picture of beauty and grace. The Nawab of Bahawalpur has constructed in 1872 while the British Raj was in power. Gold coins and a city map were also interred in the mahal’s foundation.
The inside of the mahal, in addition to the façade, exudes elegance and fine taste. A large portion of the mahal’s exquisite furnishings was imported from England and Italy. The building’s construction cost 1.2 million rupees and was finished in 1875.
The Mahal has a space of about 44,600 square feet (4,140 m2). It includes six verandas, five domes, and 32 rooms, including 14 in the basement.
In 1906, Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan the Fifth spent Rs 20,000 constructing a mosque as an addition to the palace.
The structure was designated a “protected monument” by the Department of Archeology of the Pakistani government in September 2001, and it is now accessible to the general public. A large collection of Nawab’s personal effects are also kept in the mahal, including his old swords, old banknotes, and coins, ancient laws from that era, an ancient piano used by the Nawab, old furnishings used by the Nawab, and so on. It also has a large wall with fictitious images of Nawabs on it.
5. Taxila City
A historic city called Taxila is close to Rawalpindi. Sanskrit translation of Taxila is “The City of Carved Stone.” It is situated close to the renowned Grand Trunk Road, 32 kilometers (20 km) northwest of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Both magnificent and eerie locations may be found in Islamabad. You may engage in a variety of activities in Rawalpindi.
Some of the region’s ruins were left behind by the Achaemenid Empire, which ruled from the sixth century BCE until the Mauryan Empire, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Kushan Empires. This reflects the diversity and historical importance of the area.
Around the middle of the 19th century, Taxila’s remains were unearthed by renowned archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham. Taxila was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, and The Guardian newspaper named it Pakistan’s best tourism destination in 2006.
Read More About the Best Places to visit in Pakistan’s Northern Areas in 2023
6. Katas Raj Temples
This area is for you if you want to see temples and historic Hindu buildings. The Katas Raj Temples are also well-known. Katas is a collection of many temples that are connected by walkways.
It is situated at a height of 2,000 feet and is close to Kallar Kahar. The Tilla Jogian complex, another significant Hindu pilgrimage site, is about 100 kilometers away by a vehicle.
Hindus revere the sacred Katas Pond, which is located around the compound. Both the Choa Saidanshah town and the M2 Motorway are close to temples. Folklore holds that the pond within the compound was formed by the tears that Lord Shiva wept in remembrance of his deceased wife, Sati.
Another myth claims that the Hindu god Krishna built the temple’s foundation and installed a hand-made shilling there. The pond has a maximum depth of 20 feet and a surface area of two canals and fifteen marlas.
7. Harappa
Around 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of Sahiwal in Punjab is another historical site called Harappa. A settlement along the Ravi Bank’s bank is whence the location acquired its name. It is among Pakistan’s top tourist destinations. Little than 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) separates the modern settlement of Harappa from the historic location.
Bronze Age artifacts may be found among the remains. The city occupies around 150 hectares and has 23,500 citizens, according to one estimate (370 acres).
The oldest traces of the Harappan Civilization may be found in 6000 BC cultures like Mehrgarh. Mohenjo Daro and Harappa were founded in the Indus River Valley around 2600 BC.
The Harappan culture was extremely advanced. They had their form of writing, metropolitan areas, and varied social and economic structure. Ancient Mesopotamia and the Harappans engaged in trading. The main commerce items were agricultural goods and cotton textiles. See the 3-star and 4-star hotels in Pakistan if you’re looking for lodging while visiting.
8. Takht-i-Bahi
The Indo-Parthian archaeological site Takht-i-Bahi sometimes referred to as the throne of water spring, is located in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. While the city offers a variety of activities, you should visit this site since it is among the most remarkable Buddhist artifacts in the whole Gandhara area.
Founded in the first century CE, the Buddhist monastery was inhabited by Buddhists until the seventh century CE. In 1980, Takht-i-Bahi was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Takht Bahi complex is divided into four main regions. The first is the Stupa Court, which is a collection of stupas in the middle of a courtyard. Monastic chambers, which are made up of individual cells organized around a courtyard, assembly rooms, and an eating area, make up the second section. Next, there is a complex of temples that resembles the Stupa Court and is made up of stupas. Finally, there is a Tantra monastery complex that has a collection of tiny, dimly lit chambers with small apertures that may have been utilized for particular varieties of Tantric meditation.
9. Lahore Fort
In the walled city of Lahore, there is a fort called the Lahore Fort, sometimes called the Shahi Qila or Royal Fort. It is one of Lahore’s tourist destinations. The fort is situated on a plot of twenty hectares. Moreover, the fort is home to 21 monuments from Akbar’s time.
The fort was altered by following emperors as well. King Jahan embellished the fort with priceless marble and floral patterns. The impressive Alamgiri Gate was constructed for the fort by Aurangzeb. Emperor Ranjit Singh, the creator of the Sikh Empire, lived at the fort while the Sikhs were in control of Lahore.
The fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for having an “outstanding repertory” of Mughal structures. Also, it is well-known for the Sheesh Mahal, which is found in the Shah Burj Building.
10. Rohtas Fort
A structure called Rohtas Fort, often referred to as Qila Rohtas, is situated close to the city of Jhelum. Under Sher Shah Suri’s rule in the 16th century, it was built. One of the biggest forts on the subcontinent is claimed to be the fort. Fortunately, the fort was never assaulted, thus it is still standing strong and in all its splendor.
In 1997, UNESCO classified Rohtas Fort as a World Heritage Site in recognition of its outstanding representation of Muslim military architecture in Central and South Asia. The 70-acre Rohtas Fort is surrounded by 4 kilometers of walls, which were strengthened by 68 bastion towers and 12 gates. Up to 30,000 troops might be accommodated in the sizable fort.
This fort is a must-see if you enjoy looking at historic towers and buildings. And if you’re looking for a break from the grind of the city, head to one of Pakistan’s well-known hill stations.
These are some of the most well-known historical locations in Pakistan. You need to visit these places if you enjoy traveling or have an interest in history. Numerous nations allow Pakistani passport holders to enter without a visa if they wish to travel outside of Pakistan.
