Lahore Fort is an unending world when we come to explore it, the bricks and corners of the fort narrate to us the stories of the past glory and upheavals. The marks on the structures of the fort reflect the times bygone and the rules that fort saw. I guess for t of Lahore is the only monument in Pakistan which witnessed the rules of all those who took the seat of Lahore. You start from the postern gate and going to areas like Sheesh Mahal, Picture Wall, Deewan-e-Aam, Kala Burj, Ath Dara, dungeons, royal kitchens, Akbari Gate, Musaman Gate and Alamagiri Gate, you will come across all the Mughal, Sikh and British eras in a row and then the walls surrounding you would surely be heard whispering the tales of the past, love, romance, tyranny, brutalities, ups and downs, slavery and kings and queens. I must say Lahore fort is a never ending world of romance once you step into it. Let me take you to a wonder inside the Fort of Lahore which is the Jahangir’s Quadrangle and is located at the backside of Deewan-e-Aam. If by chance you are there during the spring season you will be amazed by the dancing fountains, the sparkling lush green lawns with gems like flowers. Historic accounts tell us that during Sikh period the Bari Khawabgah area was used as Ranjit Singh’s harem. The haveli of Kharak Singh was added in this quadrangle. We also see the entrance to the Sikh museum which is Princess Bamba’s collection from there The Jahangir’s Quadrangle is a huge ensemble inside the Lahore fort and probably the most popular one and frequented by thousands of visitors every day. The uniqueness of Jahangir’s Quadrangle is that it consists of several majestic and gorgeous structures which are mind blowing and you would want to praise the artisans and labour who built them. These structure are Bari Khawabgah (sleeping chamber), Seh Dari building with three openings), Harem (guest houses), Dalaan (doorways and galleries) and fountain areas. If we get into the history of this place we learn that the construction of this portion ‘Jahangir’s Quadrangle’ began during the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s rule but was completed by Emperor Jahangir in 1617-18 AD at a cost of 700,000 rupees, this must be a handsome amount in those days for sure! Historians also claim that the sand-stone work depicting animal heads are the work of Emperor Akbar which reveal his approach of tolerance for other religions especially Hinduism, because one of his wives was Hindu whom he loved a lot. Now let us come to Jahangir’s Quadrangle structure, on the east and the west, the quadrangle is surrounded by a row of dalans (doorways). The front of ‘dalans’ is built with red sand stone having richly carved columns and elaborate brackets in animal shapes and this is an exceptional model of carved and sculptured stone work. I don’t think it is very commonly seen in any other fort here in Pakistan. Inside the quadrangle there is a huge water tank in the centre where you will see the fountains. These fountains were dead since decades but the Walled City of Lahore Authority restored them and you will find them running during summer and spring. The middle of the tank is occupied by a square marble platform called ‘mahatabi’ containing a shallow basin, with marble fountains. The numerous fountains playing in the tank greatly enliven the atmosphere of the quadrangle. You will see the Haveli of Kharak Singh, Haveli of Maharani Jinda, Seh Dari and Deewan-e-Khaas-o-Aam while standing in the Jahangir’s Quadrangle. This place is rich with monuments. In Seh Dari you will see the fresco work intact and the structure too has been strengthened while it was collapsing at one time. The haveli of Kharak Singh is the Archaeology Archives and Library while the Haveli of Maharani Jinda is the Sikh Museum now. Now let us come to another aspect of the Jahangir’s Quadrangle which is related to the different rules it saw. Historic accounts tell us that during Sikh period the Bari Khawabgah area was used as Ranjit Singh’s harem. The haveli of Kharak Singh was added in this quadrangle. We also see the entrance to the Sikh museum which is Princess Bamba’s collection from there. When the British took over the fort, the garden in Jahangir’s Quadrangle was turned into a badminton court after filling up the tank and fountains and that was the time when the beautiful fountains were damaged. The sleeping chamber of Jahangir was used as an arms store. A hospital and a dispensary were established by the army in Jahangir’s Quadrangle. Each of the adjoining Dalans was converted into single residential unit, for the military officers. The garden was totally destroyed and became non-existent and the area in front of the Dalans originally designed and built as lawns was also converted into Badminton Courts. Both Seh Daris were also damaged and later one was completely destroyed. Somehow, we get to know from the historic accounts that after 1903 the front dalans of Bari Khawabgah were re-roofed and due to some cracks in the arches a verandah was built in the front. Since the place was proposed for conversion into an armoury, some designed wooden doors were also fitted. The subterranean rooms adjoining this Bari Khawabgah were also cleared of dirt and mud to the original floor level in 1914-15 by the Archaeology Department during the British period. During the same time the old foundation of the water tanks, mahatabi and paths along with fountains were also excavated and restored. The fountains, the tank and mahatabi which we now see existing in the centre of Jahangir’s Quadrangle is entirely new work which may better be termed as restoration by the British Archaeology Department. What happened to this place after partition? It is said that some Lahoris led by Makki Brothers used to organise a ‘sound and light show’ only on Independence Day inside Jahangir’s Quadrangle. There were deer and peacocks in the garden and Jahangir’s Quadrangle was also used for the state dinners and the musicians played instrumental music there. Unfortunately the deer, peacock and the glamorous shows disappeared from Jahangir’s Quadrangle with the passage of time and today we see only the structures in this great historic ensemble. The Walled City of Lahore Authority is restoring some parts of the Jahangir’s Quadrangle and western suits are one of those. The lawns have already been improved and several structures are being strengthened. I hope that one day we again see the peacocks, deer and sound and light show so that we also make best use of Lahore Fort, a world heritage site, like the other countries that make the best use of their heritage pieces. Published in Daily Times, November 24th 2018.