Restoration project reveals hidden Mughal architecture once used for royal privacy
A centuries-old secret has been rediscovered beneath the Lahore Fort. The long-forgotten Khilwat Khana chambers, hidden beneath the fort’s Khilwat Khana and Shah Burj Quadrangle, have been meticulously restored under a major conservation initiative led by the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan.
The restoration, undertaken as part of the Heritage and Urban Regeneration: Tourism Development at Lahore Fort and its Buffer Zone project, was executed in collaboration with the Walled City of Lahore Authority, with financial support from the Agence Française de Développement and the Government of Punjab.
The underground chambers, once used for royal privacy and palatial operations, comprise an intricate network of rooms, staircases and corridors. Over the centuries, these underground spaces fell into neglect and disrepair, buried under layers of time and history.
Now, thanks to scientific restoration and traditional craftsmanship, they have been resurrected as one of the fort’s most fascinating and least explored attractions.
Conservation work focused on structural strengthening, drainage and ventilation improvements, and safe visitor access, while preserving authentic Mughal architecture. Experts describe the project as a heritage preservation model that combines ancient construction methods with modern conservation techniques to ensure long-term stability and public participation.
Known locally as Teh Khanay, the chambers span three levels and cover almost 816 square metres. Historical records suggest that the lower levels were once used to store perishable goods and royal documents. Some accounts also indicate that a section functioned as a holding area for prisoners during later periods of the fort’s history.
According to officials from the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCS-P), the chambers will soon be opened to the public through guided tours, offering visitors a rare insight into Mughal life. The space has been enhanced with soft lighting, interpretive displays and ambient sounds designed to provide an immersive experience while maintaining the sanctity of the heritage site.
“This conservation effort has turned the unknown into the known,” said Wajahat Ali, AKCS-P Director of Conservation and Design. “Through structural repairs, we have redistributed the load from the monuments above, consolidating and strengthening the northern section of the fort. We have also rectified water damage caused by later interventions during the Sikh and British eras.”
Ali noted that the project’s impact goes beyond architectural renaissance: it has also revitalized traditional craftsmanship by involving local artisans at every stage of the process. “We see it as a heritage that comes back to life,” he added.
The restoration of Khilwat Khana represents not only a technical achievement but a reconnection with Lahore’s layered past. It reveals an overlooked dimension of Lahore Fort: a site where architectural mastery, history and culture converge.
The Lahore Fort, or Shahi Qila, dating back to the 11th century, is one of the most magnificent Mughal monuments in South Asia. Rebuilt by Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) and later expanded by Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the fort houses iconic landmarks such as the Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas and the Naulakha Pavilion. Despite subsequent modifications during Sikh and British rule, its Mughal essence has endured over time.
