( Lahore ), the principal city of the Pand̲j̲āb [q.v.], situated on the left bank of the Rāwī about 700 feet above sea level, at lat. 31° 35′ N. and long. 74° 20′ E. Its strategic location in the ¶ fertile alluvial region of the upper Indus plain has guaranteed it an important rôle in Indian history, very often as a frontier stronghold and more recently as the capital of the Sikh [q.v.] empire. Since 1947 it has been included in the republic of Pākistān, of which it is the second largest city.
1. History. Popular etymology connects the foundation of Lāhawr with the mythical Lava (Lōh), …