Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
28 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
28 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
28 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
28 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Pakistan Lahore Lahore Fort Elephant Path

Lahore Fort Elephant Path

These stairs were built to accommodate royals mounted on elephants.

Lahore, Pakistan

Added By
Tawsam
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
A stairway built for elephants at the Lahore Fort   Bilalabbasi133 via Wikimedia
A stairway built for elephants at the Lahore Fort   Bilalabbasi133 via Wikimedia
The wall of the elephant path   Bilalabbasi133 via Wikimedia
Tourists explore the elephant path   Sulleiman Haider via Wikimedia
  Aown Ali
  Aown Ali
  Aown Ali
  Aown Ali
  Aown Ali
  JR Wetmore / Atlas Obscura User
  Aown Ali
  Aown Ali
  Aown Ali
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Because it would be a shame to leave one’s elephant parked outside the citadel, the magnificent Lahore Fort in Pakistan features an entranceway crafted for an entire pachyderm parade.

As the Mughal Empire expanded across the Indian subcontinent in the 16th century, Lahore became an increasingly important stronghold. Its strategic location was key in tying the expanded Mughal territories to the fortified cities of Kabul, Multan, and Kashmir. The city’s fortress was built under the reign of Emperor Akbar between 1566-1605 and housed several Mughal (and later Sikh) rulers over the following centuries.

The two sections of the fort are divided by usage - an administrative portion and a residential portion. The elephant stairs (or Hathi Paer) are part of the private entrance to the royal quarters, and effectively allowed royalty to ascend all the way to the doorway before dismounting. In order to accommodate the lumbering creatures, the stairs were designed with wide treads, but minimal height (a balking elephant can really dampen the mood of a procession).

Although it's been centuries since a herd of jewel and silk-laden elephants travelled several abreast along this sloping corridor, it was once certainly the most magnificent driveway in the world. 

Related Tags

Fortresses Stairs

Community Contributors

Added By

Tawsam

Edited By

hana, aownali, JR Wetmore

  • hana
  • aownali
  • JR Wetmore

Published

January 21, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahore_Fort
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_elephant
  • http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/pakistan/lahore/lahore-fort_hathipaerstairs.php
  • http://www.lonelyplanet.com/pakistan/punjab/lahore/sights/museums-galleries/lahore-fort
  • https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lahore+Fort/@31.5878602,74.3136577,17.5z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x39191b622e82346f:0x35bdc71e324cb4ec!2sLahore+Fort!8m2!3d31.5879105!4d74.3150646!3m4!1s0x39191b622e82346f:0x35bdc71e324cb4ec!8m2!3d31.5879105!4d74.3150646
Lahore Fort Elephant Path
Fort Rd
Lahore
Pakistan
31.587911, 74.315065
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Badshahi Mosque

Lahore, Pakistan

miles away

Shahi Hammam

Lahore, Pakistan

miles away

Shab Bhar Masjid

Lahore, Pakistan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lahore

Lahore

Pakistan

Places 3

Nearby Places

Badshahi Mosque

Lahore, Pakistan

miles away

Shahi Hammam

Lahore, Pakistan

miles away

Shab Bhar Masjid

Lahore, Pakistan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lahore

Lahore

Pakistan

Places 3

Related Stories and Lists

39 New Places in the Second-Edition Atlas Obscura Book

List

By Dylan Thuras

Related Places

  • Pune, India

    Hissar Fort Stairs

    One of the last few remnants of an ancient fort which once stood in the oldest area of Pune.

  • Istanbul, Turkey

    Theodosian Wall Stone Ladder

    Climb a set of vertiginous stone steps to the top of this impressive ancient edifice.

  • Las Vegas, Nevada

    Caesars Palace Spiral Escalators

    This Las Vegas casino boasts one of only three spiral escalators in the United States—an engineering wonder.

  • Rotterdam, Netherlands

    De Tijdtrap

    A set of parking garage escalators doubling as a historical overview of Rotterdam.

  • Corniche facing east.

    Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates

    Umm Al Quwain Wall

    A 19th-century defensive wall that once protected the settlement from invaders.

  • Seyitgazi, Turkey

    Seyigazi Türbesi

    A hilltop fortress full of tombs, including one for legendary hero Seyyid Battal Gazi.

  • Castellum from above.

    Utrecht, Netherlands

    Castellum Hoge Woerd

    This recreated Roman outpost stands above its buried predecessor.

  • London, England

    Grand Staircase at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel

    As seen in the Spice Girls ‘Wannabe’ music video.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.