Steeped in history and blended in culture, historical sites in Pakistan reflect the tradition and way of life of the era gone by. There are a number of historical sites in Pakistan that make an excellent tour. The most interesting of them all are the Harappa and Mohenjodra. Harappa is the major centre of the Indus Valley Civilization that was discovered in the 1920s. Mohenjodra, discovered in 1922 on the west bank of the river Indus is one of the earliest and most developed civilizations of ancient world.
There are other historical places of tourist importance in Pakistan. Some of them are Taxila, Kot Diji, Rohtas Fort and Uch Sharif. All these places are in one or the other way have great historical significance. Historical places in Pakistan are of special interest to archaeologists and history students.
Come and discover the historical sites in Pakistan. Travel back in time as you tour the archaeological sites of Harappa and Mohenjodra. Tour the various monuments that tell a tale of the medieval era or pass through the colonial buildings that the British built. 
Colonial Heritage
There are a number of beautiful buildings that Lahore has inherited from the British during their rule. Punjab University (Old Campus), built in 1882, is the oldest university of Pakistan. Lahore High Court, built in 1874 is the oldest superior court in Pakistan and the General Post Office, built in 1892 is one of the oldest buildings erected during the British Rule. Zamzama (Kim’s Gun) was cast in wax-technique in bronze in 1757. Government College, established in 1864, is the oldest higher education institution in Pakistan. Aitchison College established in 1886 stands over 186 acres.
Lahore Fort
The massive walls of Lahore Fort, built by Akbar in the 1560s, tower over the old city of Lahore, and the huge rectangle they define, 380 by 330 meters (1,250 by 1,080 feet), is filled with buildings from a variety of periods. A complete tour of the fort takes about two hours. The entrance to the fort is through Alamgiri Gate the inscription outside the Fort tells that Jehangir built it in 1618.
Shalimar Gardens
Three miles east of Lahore are the famous Shalimar Gardens laid out by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan in 1642 AD. The Gardens are spread out in typical Mughal style and are surrounded by high walls with watch towers at the four corners. Originally, the gardens were spread over seven ascending terraces, but only three remain now, which cover an area of about 42 acres.
Shish Mahal
Shish Mahal, or Palace of Mirrors, which stands on the fort s north side, is by far
the most splendid. It consists of a row of high domed rooms, the roofs of which are decked out with hundreds of thousands of tiny mirrors in the fashion of the traditional Punjabi craft of Shishgari (designs made from mirror fragments). A firebrand lit inside any part of the Palace of Mirrors throws back a million reflections that dizzy the eye and seem like a galaxy of far-off stars turning in an ink-blue firmament.
Allama Iqbal's Tomb
Outside the Badshahi Mosque, near its steps, lays the Tomb of Allama Iqbal, the poet-philosopher of the East. The mausoleum is a blend of Afghan and Moorish styles of architecture and is constructed entirely of red sandstone, which was quarried and brought from Rajasthan.
Jehangir's Tomb
The tomb of the fourth great Mughal Emperor, Jehangir, lays three miles northwest of Lahore across the River Ravi. It has a majestic structure made of red sandstone and marble. The outer entrance to the tomb opens out into a courtyard, which was used as a caravan Serai during Mughal times. An entrance to the right leads into a Mughal garden with exact geometrical pattern balancing each side. The marble tomb is approached from four corridors leading from the garden.
Qutub-ud-Din Aibak
He was appointed Governor of India in 1191 AD by Muhammad Ghauri. He stablished the Slave Dynasty on the death of Muhammad Ghauri in 1206 when he assumed independence of his reign and was followed by nine other slave kings. He was a patron of the building art and is known to have erected some monumental stone buildings in Delhi and elsewhere. A very avid player of polo, he died in Lahore in 1210 AD while playing the game. His tomb can be visited in Anarkali Bazaar.
Multan Fort
Multan Fort was built on a detached, rather high mound of earth separated from the city by the bed of an old branch of River Ravi. There is no Fort now as the British Garrison, which was stationed there for a long time, destroyed it but the entire site is known as the Fort. Nobody knows when Multan Fort came into being but it was there and it was admired and desired by kings and emperors throughout centuries.
Noor Jehan's Tomb
The Empress Nur Jehan, Light of the World , was the only empress whose name appeared on the coins of the Mughal Empire. She was buried in 1845 AD at Shahdara (Lahore) outside Jehangir s mausoleum across the railway line.
Taxila Museum
A museum comprising various sections with rich archaeological finds of Taxila, arranged in chronological order and properly labeled, has been established close to the site. It is one of the best and well-maintained site museums of Pakistan. Summer timings of the museum are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with two hours break. Winter timings are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., without break. The museum remains closed on the first Monday of every month and on Muslim religious holidays. Entry ticket costs Rs.4 per person for museum and Rs.4 per person for archaeological sites. PTDC has a Tourist Information Centre and a Motel with 7 rooms and restaurant facility, just opposite the Museum. There is a Youth Hostel nearby, offering accommodation for members of International Youth Hostels Federation (IYHF).
Taxila Salt Range
The Salt Range runs from Jhelum city on the G.T. Road and west to Mianwali and Kalabagh along the Indus River. There are many places of historical and archaeological interest in the Salt Range. Salt Range seems to have formed part of a powerful Hindu Kingdom of Kashmir in 10th century AD. Most of the forts and temples concentrated in and around the Salt Range date from that period. Mahmud of Ghazni, in the early eleventh century and Mughal Emperor Babur in the 16th century visited the area after their invasion of the sub-continent. The Janjua tribe, the most important in the central parts of the Range, were then converted to Islam.
Lal Suhanra National Park
This park is ideal for recreation, education or research but shooting is forbidden. This park, 36 Km to the east of Bahawalpur, is a combination of a natural lake and forest on 77,480 acres of land and spread over on both sides of the Bahawal canal. It has watch-towers, catching ground, tourist huts, rest houses, camping grounds and treks for the visitors and lovers of nature.
Derawar Fort
Derawar Fort is located 48 Km from Dera Nawab Sahib. It is still in a good condition. The rampart walls are intact and still guarded by the personal guards of the Amir of Bahawalpur. The tombs of the ex-rulers of Bahawalpur and their families are located in this fort. The tombs have nice glazed blue tile work. Prior permission of the senior Amir of Bahawalpur is required to enter the fort.
Shrines of Channan Pir
The Shrine of Channan Pir is located 45 Km from Derawar Fort. Channan Pir was a disciple of Makhdoom Jahanian Jahangasht. The annual Urs is held at the beginning of March. A colourful fair known as 'Mela Channan Pir' is held here. Devotees gather on the night of full moon to offer "Fateha" at the tomb of the saint.
