Lahore

Lahore's origins remain shrouded in legend and historical ambiguity, with its earliest known references dating back to the 10th century. Arab geographers and historians, including Hudadul Alam and Al-Beruni, mentioned Lahore as a significant city under Multan's administration or as Mandayakur, though its early history lacks clear records. The city's name is believed to derive from Loharchand, a governor who established it as his capital in the 12th century, shifting from Loharpur to Lahore over time. While Muslim historians occasionally referenced Lahore, Persian historian Baihaqi solidified its recognition as a city in the 11th century, noting its fort as Mandayakur. Despite these fragmented accounts, Lahore's evolution as a cultural and administrative hub emerges from a patchwork of historical narratives.

(Ed.). (2016). Lahore. Towns and Cities of Medieval India, 314–329. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315276755-19