Sheikhupura Fort (Qila Virk): Hidden Jewel of the Mughal Era
Sheikhupura Fort Sheikhupura is a hidden jewel of the Mughal era.
It is located about 40 km northwest of Lahore. It was founded by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1607.
Sheikhupura is the sixteenth largest city and district of Pakistan in terms of population and its boundaries are shared by Lahore, Hafizabad, and Qasur districts.
The area was initially called Virk Garh or Fort Virk (Qila Virk) by the local Jat tribe.
When the Mughal emperor Jahangir laid the formal foundation of this city and ordered the construction of a royal fort here, the city was named Jahangirpura after Jahangir, which is mentioned in Jahangir’s autobiography “Tuzak e Jahangiri”.
History of Sheikhupura Fort (Qila Virk)
Jahangir’s mother affectionately called him Sheikho and from this nickname, the present name of the city Sheikhupura was adopted.
Jahangir also had the Haran Minar built near this city in memory of his favorite Haran Mansi Raj.
This forest area was used as a hunting ground for the royal family.
After the end of the Mughal Empire, Sheikhupura came under the control of the Bhatti clan.
