History of Lahore in Timeline

Lahore is the capital and largest city of the Punjab province in Pakistan, and the country's second-largest city overall. With a population exceeding 14 million, it ranks among the world's largest cities. Lahore serves as a significant industrial, educational, and economic center for Pakistan. Historically, it has been the cultural capital of the broader Punjab region and is known as one of Pakistan's most liberal and cosmopolitan cities.

1940: Lahore Resolution

In 1940, under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the All India Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution, demanding the creation of Pakistan as a separate homeland for the Muslims of India.

1941: Lahore Census

The 1941 census revealed Lahore's population composition: 64.5% Muslim and 35% Hindu and Sikh, which became a point of contention regarding the Radcliffe Line.

April 1947: Partition Riots

In April 1947, Lahore experienced severe riots during the Partition, leading to the destruction of 6,000 homes.

August 1947: Mass Exodus

By late August 1947, a significant portion of the Hindu and Sikh populations, approximately 66%, had left Lahore due to increasing violence and uncertainty about the city's fate during the Partition.

August 1947: Awarding Lahore to Pakistan

On August 17, 1947, Lahore was awarded to Pakistan, based on the Muslim majority in the 1941 census, and became the capital of the Punjab province.

1947: Lahore in Pakistan

In 1947, Lahore became part of Pakistan, marking a new era in its history.

1947: Partition of British India

In 1947, Lahore became the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province following the success of the Pakistan Movement and the subsequent partition of British India. The city experienced some of the worst rioting during the Partition period preceding Pakistan's establishment.

1947: Destruction of Shah Alami Bazaar

Shah Alami Bazaar, the former commercial heart of the Walled City was destroyed in the 1947 riots.

1949: Reconstruction of Shah Alami Bazaar

Reconstruction of the Shah Alami Bazaar began in 1949 after it was destroyed in the 1947 riots.

1950: Economic Struggles

By 1950, Lahore's manufacturing sector was struggling, with only 27% of its units operating, highlighting the city's economic challenges following Partition.

1951: Construction of Tomb of Allama Iqbal

In 1951, the Tomb of Allama Iqbal was constructed to honor the philosopher-poet who inspired the Pakistan movement.

1955: Lahore as Capital of West Pakistan

In 1955, Lahore was selected as the capital of all West Pakistan.

1959: Completion of Gaddafi Stadium

In 1959, Gaddafi Stadium, a Test cricket ground in Lahore, was completed.

1965: Indo-Pakistani War

In 1965, Lahore was a target of Indian aggression during the Indo-Pakistani War.

1966: Award of Hilal-i-Istiqlal

In 1966, the Government of Pakistan awarded the Hilal-i-Istiqlal flag to Lahore for its resistance during the Indo-Pakistani War.

1968: Completion of Minar-e-Pakistan

In 1968, Lahore's iconic Minar-e-Pakistan was completed, marking the location where the Pakistan Resolution was passed.

1970: End of single-unit period

In 1970, the single-unit period, during which Lahore served as the capital of all West Pakistan, came to an end.

1971: Radcliffe's claim about Lahore

Kuldip Nayyar claimed that in 1971, Cyril Radcliffe stated that he had originally planned to give Lahore to India, but changed his mind, awarding it to Pakistan due to the latter's need for a major city.

1974: Islamic Summit Conference

In 1974, the second Islamic Summit Conference was held in Lahore.

1981: UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1981, the Lahore Fort and adjoining Shalimar Gardens became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1990: Men's Hockey World Cup Finals

Lahore hosted the finals of the 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup.

1992: Riots After Babri Masjid Destruction

In 1992, riots occurred in Lahore following the destruction of the Babri Masjid in India, targeting non-Muslim monuments.

1996: Cricket World Cup Final

In 1996, the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup final match was held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

1998: Population Growth Rate

The 2017 Census revealed Lahore had an annual population growth rate of 4.07% since 1998.

2002: Compressed natural gas requirement

Since 2002, all auto rickshaws in Lahore have been required to use compressed natural gas as fuel.

June 2003: Record High Temperature

On June 5, 2003, Lahore recorded its highest temperature at 50.4 °C (122.7 °F).

2003: Opening of new passenger terminal

In 2003, Allama Iqbal International Airport opened a new passenger terminal, replacing the old terminal, which then became a VIP and Hajj lounge.

January 2005: First Lahore Marathon

On January 30, 2005, the first Lahore Marathon was held, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank.

January 2006: Second Lahore Marathon

On January 29, 2006, the second Lahore Marathon was held, with over 22,000 participants.

January 2007: Third Lahore Marathon

On January 14, 2007, the third Lahore Marathon was held.

June 2007: High Temperature Recorded

On June 10, 2007, a temperature of 48 °C (118 °F) was recorded in Lahore.

2007: Kite-flying ban reimposed

In 2007, the ban on kite-flying in Lahore, which was temporarily lifted for two days, was immediately reimposed after 11 people were killed due to celebratory gunfire, sharp kite-strings, electrocution, and falls related to the competition.

2008: GDP Estimate

As of 2008, Lahore's GDP by purchasing power parity was estimated at $40 billion.

2009: Walled City Restoration Project

In 2009, the Walled City of Lahore restoration project commenced, with the Punjab government restoring the Royal Trail from Akbari Gate to the Lahore Fort with funding from the World Bank.

May 2010: Inauguration of Lahore Expo Centre

The Lahore Expo Centre was inaugurated on May 22, 2010, as one of the city's biggest projects.

2011: Opening of Lake City golf course

In 2011, Lake City, a 9-hole golf course, opened in nearby Raiwind Road.

2013: Punjab Local Government Act

As per the Punjab Local Government Act of 2013, the Mayor of Lahore is the elected head of the Metropolitan Corporation of Lahore.

2014: Renovation of Walled City

In 2014, the Walled City of Lahore was renovated, increasing its popularity as a tourist destination.

2016: Election of Mayor of Lahore

In 2016, Mubashir Javed of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) was elected mayor of Lahore.

May 2017: Rollout of Metro Trains

On May 16, 2017, CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive rolled out the first of 27 trains for the Orange Line Metro Train in Lahore.

2017: Tribal Demographics

According to the 2017 Pakistani census, Arain Punjabis constituted the largest tribal group in Lahore at 40%, followed by Punjabi-Kashmiris at 30%.

2017: Pashtun Population Estimates

In 2017, some Pashtun nationalist parties argued that the Pashtun population in Lahore was underestimated in the census, claiming numbers between 1 million and 1.5 million.