A city enclosed within thirteen gates is right here in Lahore, the Old Lahore. Where every gate has a legend of its own, let me take you to an interesting and fascinating gate today which is the Gate of the Ironsmith, Lohari Gate. Reaching the circular road, you will come across a fort like gate, that is the Lohari Gate of Old Lahore where you will see several appealing shops and street vendors selling their items in a traditional style. As you traverse the huge gate, you will see a different world, a world beyond imagination. Before I take you inside this alluring world, let me hold you back on its name ‘Lohari Gate’ and why was it named so. There are many myths associated with this gate of Androon Lahore. Some say it was named after the city of Lahore, while some historians write that it was named Lahori because it faced the Ichhra or the original Hindu Lahore called Ichhra Lahore or Lohawar after a Hindu God. Other historians claim that it was named Lohari because of the blacksmiths and the ironsmiths or the ‘Lohars’ had their smithies in this gate. Some books affirm that Lohari Gate is one of the earliest gates of Lahore as originally there were only five entrances to the Walled City and Lohari Gate was one of them. Historians also record that Lohari area was the original fort built during the rule of Mahmood of Ghazna, and the streets do look like a labyrinth similar to different forts Another standpoint about this gate is that in the 11th century, the city was badly affected by the wars between Mahmood of Ghazna and Raja Jai Pal and it was all burnt. In 1021, the Sultan gave Malik Ayaz the throne of Lahore. It was then that the people started inhabiting this part and thereafter the gate came to be known as ‘Lahori Gate’. This door is also historically significant because Ranjit Singh conspired with its gatekeeper during his siege of the city and it was secretly opened for him to enter and invade Lahore. There is also an interesting argument on the pronunciation, few call it ‘Lahori’ and some say it’s ‘Lohari’, because of these myths. With the passage of time, the Lohari Gate name became popular, leaving all the myths behind. The marble plaque on the gate is strange too, and bears both the names. These 13 gates were built by Mughal emperor Akbar along with a fortified wall but were pulled down during the British Raj. Later, in early 1900s, the gates were rebuilt by the British and thus the Lohari Gate we see now is of a changed shape and structure. It is said that all the gates of the city were identical to the old Roshnai Gate near the Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. While rebuilding the gates, the structures, placement and sizes were changed. That is why the six existing gates of Lahore differ in design and size. Lohari gate is well intact and retains its majesty till date and has rooms inside it just like the Delhi gate. 40 years old illegal occupation inside the rooms of Lohari gate was cleared in 2016 by the Walled City of Lahore Authority. At present, the rooms are being used as offices of Walled City Lahore Authority and a Tourism Information Centre. Out of the ordinary facts here is something new for you about this gate. Some books affirm that it is one of the earliest gates of Lahore as originally there were only five entrances to the Walled City and Lohari Gate was one of them. Historians also record that Lohari area was the original fort built during the rule of Mahmood of Ghazna, and the streets do look like a labyrinth similar to different forts. This seems true to some extent when you observe the streets. The earliest settlement of the Red Light Area was also inside Lohari. Most of the wealthy dancers had built exquisite Havelis there. Chowk Matti was also named after a known dancer named ‘Matti Bai’. With the passage of time, the Red Light area was reallocated to Chowk Jhanda, then Tibbi Gali and eventually the Heera Mandi was established. At some places we still find striking Havelis which were originally the dancing houses owned by different dancers. Muslim Masjid, named after a Muslim scholar Mollana Muhammad Bakhsh Muslim, is at the entrance of this gate and a small street from there leads you to the biggest gem stone market of walled city. Lohari is rich with traditional markets and bazaars. The biggest optical market of Lahore is also located there. Lohari gate, beside the havelis and bazaars, is also famous for the food points. If you are walking inside the Lohari Gate, you will be welcomed by the aroma of enticing food and it seems as if one is walking at a food street. This place can also be developed in a 24/7 food street. Haji Sahib Nahari walay, Sheikh Chatkhara and Sweets, Mehar Bashir Halwae and Hafiz Channay and Jeda Lassi are some of the most famous food spots of the area. Attractions for the tourists inside Lohari Gate are the Neevin Masjid, Chowk Bukhari, Chowk Jhanda, metal workers market, Papar Mandi, Sutar Mandi Bazaar, Lal Haveli Square, Noori Manzil and the Conservation Bethak which is owned by National College of Arts now. The Bukhari Chowk was the courtesan’s square of the yesteryears. People in love with metal décor items must visit this area for shopping. In the narrow winding streets, there are remains of Hindu temples but none of them is functional. This area also has the Kucha Kharasian which housed the millers, who used to grind wheat, grams, corn and rice in hand and bullock mills to make flour. The famous Pakistani singer Mehdi Hasan was born and bred in Lohari Gate area. Some of the interesting buildings there are also the Mandir Nihal Chand, Dharamsala Sanathan and Katra Barkat Ali. The Mosque Imam Din, Masjid Shah Din and the shrine of Pir Mubarik Ali Sahib are also located there. Right in front of this gate is the largest Opticians’ Market of Lahore, the Flower Market and the Anarkali Bazaar. The tomb of Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak, who was the first Muslim ruler of Subcontinent, is also in this Bazaar. This gate has been recently conserved by the Walled City of Lahore Authority and plans for its illumination are underway. Like every place inside the Walled City of Lahore, every nook and corner of Lohari Gate also has the stories and tales of the past. The havelis, jharokas, thin streets and old bricks reflect the imagery of the golden days. I think it’s a must visit place for anyone who wants to experience true Lahore. The writer is a media professional and can be reached at heritagechroniclestq@gmail.com Published in Daily Times, March 2nd 2018.