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While Lahore Fort is celebrated for its grand architectural marvels, such as the Sheesh Mahal and the Diwan-i-Khas, far less is known about the mysteries hidden beneath the surface. Conservation efforts have traditionally focused on the striking monuments above the ground. The subterranean chambers and basements that support them have often been overlooked.
In her publication, Architecture of Mughal India, historian Professor Catherine Asher notes that basements played a vital role in strengthening building foundations and enhancing their capacity to bear weight. The underground basements located below the Fort’s Khilwat Khana and Shah Burj Quadrangle have long been a subject of speculation. The subterranean complex features three levels of connected underground chambers, their interior evoking a haunting atmosphere. These chambers include interlinked rooms, labyrinthine passages and stairs lined with weathered, ancient bricks.
Besides strengthening the foundations of the Fort, the chambers served as a protective shield against the roaring currents of the nearby River Ravi. The spaces were also known to store essential records as well as perishable goods like fruits and vegetables. Additionally, it is believed that the spaces once housed prisoners, most likely on the lowest level, where a row of enclosed chambers evokes vivid images of captives confined within.
The origins of the Khilwat Khana chambers remain shrouded in mystery. Some findings credited their construction to Emperor Akbar. Other accounts point to the reigns of Jahangir or Shah Jahan. Various reasons contribute to the confusion. For one thing, the varying brick sizes suggest alterations made to the structure over different periods. Another factor is the aesthetic of the outer wall of the chambers — the Picture Wall — which is not in line with Akbar’s known aesthetics and could have been conceived by subsequent emperors.
The historic chambers were inaugurated recently to mark the completion of a major phase of their conservation, a collaborative effort by local and international entities. The intervention was an integral component of the Heritage and Urban Regeneration: Tourism Development in Lahore Fort and its Buffer Zone (HURL) project led by Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCS-P) in partnership with the Walled City of Lahore Authority. Its implementation was supported by the Government of Punjab and funded by the Agence Française de Développement.
The conservation of the chambers under the programme began in 2023 with the groundwork of safety checks, structural evaluations and detailed documentation. The project has since unfolded in three carefully planned phases. First came the extensive surveys, condition assessments and archaeological research that pieced together the chambers’ story. This was followed by preservation and stabilisation, addressing drainage issues, water seepage, cracks and surface deterioration, while retaining the historic layers added over centuries.
The final presentation-centred phase primed the site for welcoming visitors through safe, guided access that reveals its hidden history. Lights were installed strategically in the dungeons to illuminate the interior, highlighting the contours of its restored ancient remains. An audio system was installed to simulate the sounds that once echoed in the dungeons — of hushed conversations between prisoners and the splashing water of the Ravi — for immersing visitors in a surreal atmosphere akin to going back in time.
“All conservation procedures respected the historical accumulation of the chambers,” says Amber Shahid, the site’s lead architect. “We sought to do more than justpreserve the chambers; we let their history speak through each layer. Every element was retained for its historical significance, allowing the narrative of the chambers to unfold naturally.”
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At the official opening ceremony of the chambers, the Ambassador of France to Pakistan Nicolas Galey, drew parallels between conservation efforts in his own country and in Egypt, where he had previously served as an ambassador. He observed that in nations with rich histories, the restoration of historic monuments is an ongoing process, with discoveries continually coming to light.
Marc-Antoine Leclercq, the AFD country director in Pakistan, emphasised the economic value of heritage conservation. “Conservation creates a positive economic cycle by linking preservation with tourism, culture and history,” he noted.
Ambassador Galey stressed the importance of skills development in the context of conservation efforts: “I would like to congratulate the people who started as beginners and improved their skills and acquired new competencies. This is part of their efforts,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Aitizaz Ali, a project engineer who supervised the conservation of the subterranean chambers, said that the work had been a valuable learning experience for him. “The reconstruction of the chambers’ roof — a flat dome — was a first for me,” he said. “Its form differs from conventional dome designs. This demanded complex technical solutions and fine craftsmanship.”
Guided by a veteran materials expert, Ali was able to transfer this knowledge to the labourers under his supervision.
Inside the structure, the labourers faced the daunting challenge of operating in a confined space. They gradually mastered the demands of the environment and honed their skills. Ultimately, the true stakeholders in the preservation and restoration of historic sites are the citizens, who carry the historical legacy of the land they inhabit and connect with it tangibly by visiting its monuments. Some of them also play a part in their conservation, employing the indigenous knowledge of methods that have been passed on to them across generations.
Speaking of the initiative to conserve the Khilwat Khana chambers, Ambassador Galey called it a “project of the people.” He said, “It’s not just a project for experts, historians, archaeologists and architects; it’s truly a project for and of the city and its people. Historical monuments belong to everybody.”
By December 2025, the Khilwat Khana basements will be opened for the Lahore Fort’s first underground tour, offering visitors an insight into recent conservation efforts and a visceral experience of the site’s fascinating architectural and historical past.
Syed Abbas Hussain is a communications specialist and development sector professional with a background in journalism, theatre, music and documentary production