{ "interaction_id": "389f9ba7-846f-4276-a466-e83f7dfd4879", "search_results": [ { "page_name": "Badshahi Mosque - Wikipedia", "page_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badshahi_Mosque", "page_snippet": "From then onwards, piecemeal repairs were carried out under the supervision of the Badshahi Mosque Authority. The building was officially handed back to the Muslim community by John Lawrence, who was the Viceroy of India. The building was then re-established as a mosque.The Badshahi Mosque (Punjabi, Urdu: \u0628\u0627\u062f\u0634\u0627\u06c1\u06cc \u0645\u0633\u062c\u062f) is an iconic Mughal-era congregational mosque in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The mosque is located opposite of Lahore Fort in the outskirts of the Walled City and is widely considered to be one of Lahore's most iconic landmarks. The Badshahi Mosque was built between 1671 and 1673 and by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The mosque is an important example of Mughal architecture, with an exterior that is decorated with carved red sandstone with marble inlay. It remains the largest mosque of the Mughal-era, and is the third-largest mosque in Pakistan. In 1799, during the rule of Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire, the mosque's courtyard was used as a stable and its hujras (cells) as soldiers quarters. When the British Empire took control of Lahore in 1846 it was used as a garrison until 1852. Subsequently, the Badshahi Mosque Authority was established to oversee its restoration as a place of worship. It is now one of Pakistan's most iconic sights. In one of these bombardments, the fort's Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) was destroyed, but was subsequently rebuilt in the British era. During this time, Henri de La Rouche, a French cavalry officer employed in the army of Sher Singh, also used a tunnel connecting the Badshahi mosque to the Lahore fort to temporarily store gunpowder.", "page_result": "\n\n\n\nBadshahi Mosque - Wikipedia\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJump to content\n
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Badshahi Mosque

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Coordinates: 31\u00b035\u203217\u2033N 74\u00b018\u203234\u2033E / 31.58806\u00b0N 74.30944\u00b0E / 31.58806; 74.30944
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17th-century Mughal-era mosque in Lahore, Pakistan
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Badshahi Mosque
\u0628\u0627\u062f\u0634\u0627\u06c1\u06cc \u0645\u0633\u062c\u062f
Religion
AffiliationIslam
DistrictLahore
ProvincePunjab
Year consecrated1670
Location
LocationLahore, Punjab, Pakistan
\"Badshahi
\"Badshahi
Shown within Lahore
Show map of Lahore
\"Badshahi
\"Badshahi
Badshahi Mosque (Punjab, Pakistan)
Show map of Punjab, Pakistan
\"Badshahi
\"Badshahi
Badshahi Mosque (Pakistan)
Show map of Pakistan
Geographic coordinates31\u00b035\u203217\u2033N 74\u00b018\u203234\u2033E / 31.58806\u00b0N 74.30944\u00b0E / 31.58806; 74.30944
Architecture
TypeCongregational mosque
StyleIndo-Islamic, Mughal
FounderAurangzeb Alamgir
Completed1673 (Mughal Empire)
Specifications
Capacity100,000
Dome(s)3
Minaret(s)8 (4 major, 4 minor)
Minaret height226 ft 4.5 in (68.999 m)
MaterialsRed sandstone, marble
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The Badshahi Mosque (Punjabi, Urdu: \u0628\u0627\u062f\u0634\u0627\u06c1\u06cc \u0645\u0633\u062c\u062f) is an iconic Mughal-era congregational mosque in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.[1][2] The mosque is located opposite of Lahore Fort in the outskirts of the Walled City and is widely considered to be one of Lahore's most iconic landmarks.[3]\n

The Badshahi Mosque was built between 1671 and 1673 and by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The mosque is an important example of Mughal architecture, with an exterior that is decorated with carved red sandstone with marble inlay. It remains the largest mosque of the Mughal-era, and is the third-largest mosque in Pakistan.[4] In 1799, during the rule of Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire, the mosque's courtyard was used as a stable and its hujras (cells) as soldiers quarters. When the British Empire took control of Lahore in 1846 it was used as a garrison until 1852. Subsequently, the Badshahi Mosque Authority was established to oversee its restoration as a place of worship. It is now one of Pakistan's most iconic sights.[1]\n

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History[edit]

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The sixth Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, chose Lahore as the site for his new mosque. Aurangzeb, unlike the previous emperors, was not a major patron of art and architecture and instead focused, during much of his reign, on various military conquests which added to the Mughal realm.[5] The mosque was built to commemorate Aurangzeb's military campaigns in southern India, in particular against the Maratha Emperor Shivaji.[4] As a symbol of the mosque's importance, it was built directly across from the Lahore Fort and its Alamgiri Gate, which was concurrently built by Aurangzeb during construction of the mosque.[6]\n

The mosque was commissioned in 1671, with construction overseen by the Emperor's foster brother, and Governor of Lahore, Muzaffar Hussein - also known by the name Fidai Khan Koka.[7] After only two years of construction, the mosque was opened in 1673.[6]\n

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Sikh era[edit]

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Badshahi Mosque fell into disrepair during Sikh rule; the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh (white edifice on right) was built next to the mosque.
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On 7 July 1799, the Sikh army of Ranjit Singh took control of Lahore.[8] After the capture of the city, Maharaja Ranjit Singh used its vast courtyard as a stable for his army horses, and its 80 Hujras (small study rooms surrounding the courtyard) as quarters for his soldiers and as magazines for military stores.[9] In 1818, he built a marble edifice in the Hazuri Bagh facing the mosque, known as the Hazuri Bagh Baradari,[10] which he used as his official royal court of audience.[11] Marble slabs for the baradari may have been plundered by the Sikhs from other monuments in Lahore.[12] In 1839, after his death, construction of a samadhi in his memory was begun by his son and successor, Kharak Singh, at a site adjacent to the mosque.\n

During the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1841, Ranjit Singh's son, Sher Singh, used the mosque's large minarets for placement of zamburahs or light guns which were used to bombard the supporters of Chand Kaur, who had taken refuge in the besieged Lahore Fort. In one of these bombardments, the fort's Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) was destroyed, but was subsequently rebuilt in the British era. During this time, Henri de La Rouche, a French cavalry officer employed in the army of Sher Singh,[13] also used a tunnel connecting the Badshahi mosque to the Lahore fort to temporarily store gunpowder.[14]\n

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British Rule[edit]

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In 1849, the British seized control of Lahore from the Sikh Empire. During the British Raj, the mosque and the adjoining fort continued to be used as a military garrison. The 80 cells built into the walls surrounding its vast courtyard were demolished by the British after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, so as to prevent them from being used for anti-British activities. The cells were replaced by open arcades known as dalans.[15]\n

Because of increasing Muslim resentment against the use of the mosque as a military garrison, by the help of Khan Bahadur Nawab Barkat Ali Khan the British set up the Badshahi Mosque Authority in 1852 to oversee the restoration and to re-establish it as a place of religious worship. From then onwards, piecemeal repairs were carried out under the supervision of the Badshahi Mosque Authority. The building was officially handed back to the Muslim community by John Lawrence, who was the Viceroy of India.[16] The building was then re-established as a mosque.\n

In April 1919, after the Amritsar Massacre, a mixed Sikh, Hindu and Muslim crowd of an estimated 25,000-35,000 gathered in the mosque's courtyard in protest. A speech by Gandhi was read at the event by Khalifa Shuja-ud-Din, who would later become Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab.[17][18]\n

Extensive repairs commenced from 1939 onwards, when Sikandar Hayat Khan began raising funds for this purpose.[19] Renovation was supervised by the architect Nawab Alam Yar Jung Bahadur.[1] As Khan was largely credited for extensive restorations to the mosque, he was buried adjacent to the mosque in the Hazuri Bagh.\n

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Post-independence[edit]

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The mosque is very busy during the Islamic festivals of Eid and Ramadan.
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Restoration works begun in 1939 continued after the Independence of Pakistan, and were completed in 1960 at a total cost of 4.8 million Rupees.[1]\n

On the occasion of the 2nd Islamic Summit held at Lahore on 22 February 1974, thirty-nine heads of Muslim states offered their Friday prayers in the Badshahi Mosque, including, among others, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Muammar Gaddafi, Yasser Arafat, and Sabah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah of Kuwait. \nIn 1993, the Badshahi Mosque was included in a tentative list as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[20] In 2000, the marble inlay in the main prayer hall was repaired. In 2008, replacement work on the red sandstone tiles on the mosque's large courtyard was initiated, using red sandstone imported from the original Mughal source near Jaipur, in the Indian state of Rajasthan.[21][22]\n

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Architecture[edit]

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Top row: the domes. Bottom row: the elaborate internal decoration.
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As a gateway to the west, and Persia in particular, Lahore had a strong regional style which was heavily influenced by Persian architectural styles. Earlier mosques, such as the Wazir Khan Mosque, were adorned in intricate kashi kari, or Kashan style tile work,[4] from which the Badshahi Mosque would depart. Aurangzeb chose an architectural plan similar to that of Shah Jahan's choice for the Jama Masjid in Delhi, though he built the Badshahi mosque on a much larger scale.[citation needed] Both mosques feature red sandstone with white marble inlay, which is a departure from typical mosque design in Lahore, in which decoration is done by means of intricate tile work.[23]\n

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Entryway of the complex[edit]

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Entrance to the mosque complex is via a two-storey edifice built of red sandstone which is beautifully and elaborately decorated with framed and carved paneling on ea of its facades.[20] The edifice features a muqarna, an architectural feature from the Middle East that was first introduced into Mughal architecture with construction of the nearby and ornate Wazir Khan Mosque.\n

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Various views of the mosque's monumental entrance arches, built on the orders of Akbar out of red sandstone
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The mosque's full name \"Masjid Abul Zafar Muhy-ud-Din Mohammad Alamgir Badshah Ghazi\" is written in inlaid marble above the vaulted entrance.[24] The mosque's gateway faces east towards the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort, which was also commissioned by Aurangzeb. The massive entrance and mosque are situated on a plinth, which is ascended by a flight of 22 steps at the mosque's main gate which.[25] The gateway itself contains several chambers which are not accessible to the public.\n

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Courtyard[edit]

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After passing through the massive gate, an expansive sandstone paved courtyard spreads over an area of 276,000 square feet, and which can accommodate 100,000 worshipers when functioning as an Idgah.[25] The courtyard is enclosed by single-aisled arcades.\n

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Prayer hall[edit]

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Main Prayer hall of Badshahi Mosque during night
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The main edifice at the site was also built from red sandstone, and is decorated with white marble inlay.[20] The prayer chamber has a central arched niche with five niches flanking it which are about one third the size of the central niche. The mosque has three marble domes, the largest of which is located in the centre of the mosque, and which is flanked by two smaller domes.[24]\n

Both the interior and exterior of the mosque are decorated with elaborate white marble carved with a floral design common to Mughal art. The carvings at Badshahi mosque are considered to be uniquely fine and unsurpassed works of Mughal architecture.[20] The chambers on each side of the main chamber contains rooms which were used for religious instruction. The mosque can accommodate 10,000 worshippers in the prayer hall.[26]\n

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Minarets[edit]

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At each of the four corners of the mosque, there are octagonal, three-storey minarets made of red sandstone that are 196 ft (60 m) tall, with an outer circumference of 67 feet and the inner circumference is eight and half feet. Each minaret is topped by a marble canopy. The main building of the mosque also features an additional four smaller minarets at each corner of the building.[20]\n

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Location[edit]

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Various views of the Badshahi mosque. Clockwise from top: the mosque standing across the Hazuri Bagh from Lahore Fort; an internal view of the mosque; an evening silhouette; the tomb of Allama Iqbal, located north of the mosque's gateway; a panoramic view of the mosque; and a view of the mosque from the Alamgiri Gate.
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The mosque is located adjacent to the Walled City of Lahore, Pakistan. The entrance to the mosque lies on the western side of the rectangular Hazuri Bagh, and faces the famous Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort, which is located on the eastern side of the Hazuri Bagh. The mosque is also located next to the Roshnai Gate, one of the original thirteen gates of Lahore, which is located to the southern side of the Hazuri Bagh.[27]\n

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Badshahi Mosque as seen from Lahore Fort
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Near the entrance of the mosque lies the Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, a poet widely revered in Pakistan as the founder of the Pakistan Movement which led to the creation of Pakistan as a homeland for the Muslims of British India.[26] Also located near the mosque's entrance is the tomb of Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, who is credited for playing a major role in preservation and restoration of the mosque.[28]\n

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References[edit]

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  1. ^ a b c d \"Badshahi Mosque (built 1672–74)\". Asian Historical Architecture website. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    2. \n
  2. ^ Haroon Khalid (26 August 2016). \"Lahore's iconic mosque stood witness to two historic moments where tolerance gave way to brutality\". Scroll.in website. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    3. \n
  3. ^ \"Holiday tourism: Hundreds throng Lahore Fort, Badshahi Masjid\". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 9 October 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    4. \n
  4. ^ a b c Meri, Joseph (31 October 2005). Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. p. 91. ISBN 9780415966917.\n
    5. \n
  5. ^ \"Badshahi Mosque, Lahore (architectural details of the structure given)\". Architecture Courses website. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    6. \n
  6. ^ a b \"Badshahi Mosque\". Visit Lahore website. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    7. \n
  7. ^ Meri, p.91\n
    8. \n
  8. ^ \"Welcome to the Sikh Encyclopedia\". Thesikhencyclopedia.com. 14 April 2012. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.\n
    9. \n
  9. ^ Chida-Razvi, Mehreen (20 September 2020). The Friday Mosque in the City: Liminality, Ritual, and Politics. Intellect Books. pp. 91\u201394. ISBN 978-1-78938-304-1. In addition to the masjid's use as a site for military storage, stables for the cavalry horses, and barracks for soldiers, parts of it were also used as storage for powder magazines\n
    10. \n
  10. ^ Tikekar, p. 74\n
    11. \n
  11. ^ Khullar, K. K. (1980). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Hem Publishers. p. 7.\n
    12. \n
  12. ^ Marshall, Sir John Hubert (1906). Archaeological Survey of India. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing.\n
    13. \n
  13. ^ \"De La Roche, Henri Francois Stanislaus\". allaboutsikhs.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2014.\n
    14. \n
  14. ^ Grey, C. (1993). European Adventures of Northern India. Asian Educational Services. p. 343. ISBN 978-81-206-0853-5.\n
    15. \n
  15. ^ Development of mosque Architecture in Pakistan by Ahmad Nabi Khan, p.114\n
    16. \n
  16. ^ Amin, Agha Humayun. \"Political and Military Situation from 1839 to 1857\". Defence Journal website. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    17. \n
  17. ^ Lloyd, Nick (30 September 2011). The Amritsar Massacre: The Untold Story of One Fateful Day. I.B.Tauris.\n
    18. \n
  18. ^ Note: Reports on the Punjab Disturbances April 1919 gives a figure of 25,000\n
    19. \n
  19. ^ Omer Tarin, Sir Sikandar Hyat Khan and the Renovation of the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore: An Historical Survey, in Pakistan Historical Digest Vol 2, No 4, Lahore, 1995, pp. 21-29\n
    20. \n
  20. ^ a b c d e UNESCO World Heritage Centre. \"Badshahi Mosque, Lahore – UNESCO World Heritage Centre\". UNESCO.org website. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    21. \n
  21. ^ \"Badshahi Mosque Re-flooring\". Archpresspk.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2014.\n
    22. \n
  22. ^ \"Badshahi Mosque\". Atlas Obscura website. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    23. \n
  23. ^ \"Badshahi Masjid, Lahore, Pakistan\". ArchNet website. Retrieved 1 January 2021.\n
    24. \n
  24. ^ a b Meri, p.92\n
    25. \n
  25. ^ a b Tikekar, p.73\n
    26. \n
  26. ^ a b Waheed Ud Din, p.15\n
    27. \n
  27. ^ Waheed ud Din, p.14\n
    28. \n
  28. ^ IH Malik Sikandar Hayat Khan: A Biography Islamabad: NIHCR, 1984. p 127\n
    29. \n
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Notes[edit]

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Further reading[edit]

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  • Chugtai, M.A., Badshahi Mosque, Lahore: Lahore, 1972.
    • \n
  • Gascoigne, Bamber, The Great Mughals, New York: Harper & Row, 1971.
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  • Koch, Ebba, Mughal Architecture, Munich: Prestel-Verlag, 1992.
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See also[edit]

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External links[edit]

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Retrieved from \"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Badshahi_Mosque&oldid=1209551272\"
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\n\n\n\n", "page_last_modified": " Tue, 27 Feb 2024 22:54:11 GMT" }, { "page_name": "Badshahi Mosque \u2013 Lahore, Pakistan - Atlas Obscura", "page_url": "https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/badshahi-mosque", "page_snippet": "A 17th-century mosque that was used for war more than worship.Discover Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan: A 17th-century mosque that was used for war more than worship. For 313 years, the Badshahi Mosque was the largest in the world. With capacity for 100,000 worshippers on its grounds, it dwarfed the Taj Mahal, a structure that could fit inside the massive courtyard. Although the mosque seems like a tremendous religious structure, its history has almost seen more use as a military base. For the first 70 years after its construction in 1673, the mosque was known simply for its great size, and was visible from almost 10 miles away. The crown jewel of Lahore, the Badshahi Mosque was a symbol of power in the Mughal Empire. Cursed by its size and location, when the region was cast into civil war and overtaken by Sikhs, the mosque began a new history of exploitation for military purposes. After 1947, when Pakistan became an independent Muslim state, the mosque was returned to its original purpose, and extensive repairs were undertaken. Repairs have happened continuously through 2008, and the Badshahi Mosque is now almost restored to its original 17th century condition.", "page_result": "\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Badshahi Mosque \u2013 Lahore, Pakistan\n - Atlas Obscura\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Badshahi Mosque

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Lahore, Pakistan
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A 17th-century mosque that was used for war more than worship. 

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\nBadshahi Mosque Romero Maia / CC BY-SA 4.0\n
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\nBadshahi Mosque Romero Maia / CC BY-SA 4.0\n
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\nsunset view from the restaurant Haveli raheelrasool (Atlas Obscura User)\n
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For 313 years, the Badshahi Mosque was the largest in the world. With capacity for 100,000 worshippers on its grounds, it dwarfed the Taj Mahal, a structure that could fit inside the massive courtyard. Although the mosque seems like a tremendous religious structure, its history has almost seen more use as a military base.

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For the first 70 years after its construction in 1673, the mosque was known simply for its great size, and was visible from almost 10 miles away. The crown jewel of Lahore, the Badshahi Mosque was a symbol of power in the Mughal Empire. Cursed by its size and location, when the region was cast into civil war and overtaken by Sikhs, the mosque began a new history of exploitation for military purposes.

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At the turn of the century, Sikhs were in control of Lahore, and began using the mosque as a stable for horses and other military units. 50 years later during the Sikh Civil War, guns were mounted on the 170 foot high minarets to bombard a group that had taken refuge in the nearby Lahore Fort. Throughout British rule, the mosque continued to be used for military storage, and was in a bad state of preservation.

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After 1947, when Pakistan became an independent Muslim state, the mosque was returned to its original purpose, and extensive repairs were undertaken. Repairs have happened continuously through 2008, and the Badshahi Mosque is now almost restored to its original 17th century condition.

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Nearby
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Lahore Fort Elephant Path
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0.29 miles
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Tomb of Ali Mardan Khan
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Wagah Flag Ceremony
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15.52 miles
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Lahore, Pakistan
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\nLahore Fort Elephant Path \n

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\nThese stairs were built to accommodate royals mounted on elephants.\n
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B\u0101dsh\u0101h\u012b Mosque

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mosque, Lahore, Pakistan
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Also known as: Imperial Mosque
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Learn about this topic in these articles:

landmark of Lahore

  • \"Lahore,
    In Lahore

    Other historic landmarks include the B\u0101dsh\u0101h\u012b (Imperial) Mosque, built by Aurangzeb and still one of the largest mosques in the world; the 14-foot- (4.3-metre-) long Zamzama, or Zam-Zammah, a cannon that is immortalized (along with other details of the city) in Rudyard Kipling\u2019s novel Kim (1901); Ranjit Singh\u2019s buildings and\u2026\n

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\n\n\n\n", "page_last_modified": "" }, { "page_name": "Architectural Wonder: The Badshahi Mosque", "page_url": "https://www.ameradnan.com/blog/architectural-wonder-the-badshahi-mosque/", "page_snippet": "The construction of the Badshahi Mosque started under the thriving benefaction of the sixth Mughal Emperor, His Highness Aurengzeb Alamgir.Amidst tall buildings and beautiful gardens, there stands in the heart of Lahore the great: Mesmerizing Badshahi Mosque, hailing cultural history of Mughals in South-Asia. Tourists from around the globe gather offering homage to the grandeur of Mughal era. Like the character of its benefactor, the mosque is gigantic and majestic in its appearance. It was completed and opened for visitors in 1673. ... As gate way to the west, and Persia, Lahore and Badshahi Mosque in particular holds a strong strategic and geographic position; that is why Aurengzeb made this magnificent strong-hold to maximize its strategic value. Skyline of the mosque inlaid with marble and red stone lining enhances the beauty and splendor. Clad with marbles four out of eight esteemed minarets, approximately 14 feet tall can be seen from a far distance. The main building of the mosque also features additional four minarets in its each corner which gives extra topping of beauty to the Mosque. The main view of the mosque craved with red-stones is breathtaking; entering through the main gate leads you to another time and space where you experience the might of Mughals. Expansive sandstone paved courtyard of 276,000 square feet. The northern wall of the mosque had been laid close to Ravi to enhance its beauty to maximum. The mosque is architectural wonder of Greek, Islamic and Indian culture.", "page_result": "\n\n\n\n \n Architectural Wonder: The Badshahi Mosque\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n \n \n
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Architectural Wonder: The Badshahi Mosque
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The historical city of Lahore has seen many dynasties and ages but the color of this great city never fades away. Even in this century, the beauty of the holy relic speaks for itself. Lahore preserves rich and magnificent architectural heritage of Mughal era that attracts and enchants the tourists from across the globe.

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Amidst tall buildings and beautiful gardens, there stands in the heart of Lahore the great: Mesmerizing Badshahi Mosque, hailing cultural history of Mughals in South-Asia. Tourists from around the globe gather offering homage to the grandeur of Mughal era.

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The construction of the Badshahi Mosque started under the thriving benefaction of the sixth Mughal Emperor, His Highness Aurengzeb Alamgir. Like the character of its benefactor, the mosque is gigantic and majestic in its appearance. It was completed and opened for visitors in 1673.

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Design & Architecture

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As gate way to the west, and Persia, Lahore and Badshahi Mosque in particular holds a strong strategic and geographic position; that is why Aurengzeb made this magnificent strong-hold to maximize its strategic value.

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Gigantic Gateway & Courtyard

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The main view of the mosque craved with red-stones is breathtaking; entering through the main gate leads you to another time and space where you experience the might of Mughals. Expansive sandstone paved courtyard of 276,000 square feet. The northern wall of the mosque had been laid close to Ravi to enhance its beauty to maximum. The mosque is architectural wonder of Greek, Islamic and Indian culture.

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Prayer Hall

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Festooned with stucco tracery and fresco work, the main prayer hall of the mosque comprises of seven marvelously carved arches which can accommodate more than 95,000 worshipers. External side of the mosque is bedecked with the stone carving with marble hatch on red sandstone. The prayer chamber arches have been carried by enormous heavy piers.

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The mosque has three domes, the bigger one is located in the center of the mosque which is fringed by other two smaller domes. In the eastern side of ceiling lies the compartment with curved border at the cornice level. Apart from domes there are quite a few numbers of chambers in Mosque where in the time of Mughals people gather to hold religious talks and sermons.

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Minarets

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Skyline of the mosque inlaid with marble and red stone lining enhances the beauty and splendor. Clad with marbles four out of eight esteemed minarets, approximately 14 feet tall can be seen from a far distance. The main building of the mosque also features additional four minarets in its each corner which gives extra topping of beauty to the Mosque.

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If we have a look at the mosque construction in Pakistan, majority of mosques in the country are a reflection of this magnificent landmark. Due to its historical value the government of Pakistan included this mosque in a tentative list of\u00ac\u2020UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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ARCHIVES

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n", "page_last_modified": "" }, { "page_name": "Badshahi Mosque - New World Encyclopedia", "page_url": "https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Badshahi_Mosque", "page_snippet": "The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, completed in 1673, had been designed and constructed as the compliment to Lahore Fort. Lahore Fort had been rebuilt over a century earlier, in 1566, by Mughal emperor Akbar. The symbolism of building the aesthetically pleasing Badshahi Mosque across from the ...The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, completed in 1673, had been designed and constructed as the compliment to Lahore Fort. Lahore Fort had been rebuilt over a century earlier, in 1566, by Mughal emperor Akbar. The symbolism of building the aesthetically pleasing Badshahi Mosque across from the formidable Lahore Fort gave the combined impression of beauty and grace with strength and power. The symbolism of building the aesthetically pleasing Badshahi Mosque across from the formidable Lahore Fort gave the combined impression of beauty and grace with strength and power. That combination captures the gist of Mughal architecture. The Mughals introduced to Indian architecture that has come to symbolize the beauty and mystique of Indian civilization. The size of Badshahi Mosque is difficult to comprehend. It may have been the largest building in the world during the seventeenth century. Fifty-five-thousand worshipers could gather together for prayers in the mosque. That is the equivalent to many sports stadiums. It may have been the largest building in the world during the seventeenth century. Fifty-five-thousand worshipers could gather together for prayers in the mosque. That is the equivalent to many sports stadiums. The Badshahi Mosque displays the immense power and spirituality of Islam, like Hagia Sophia in Constantinople during the sixth to fifteenth centuries did for Eastern Orthodox Christianity.", "page_result": "\n\n\n\nBadshahi Mosque - New World Encyclopedia\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Badshahi Mosque

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From New World Encyclopedia
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Previous (Badrinath temple)
Next (Baekdu Mountain)
View from Minto Park
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The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb built the Badshahi Mosque (Urdu: \u0628\u0627\u062f\u0634\u0627\u06be\u06cc \u0645\u0633\u062c\u062f), or the 'Emperor's Mosque', in 1673 in Lahore, Pakistan. The mosque displays an excellent example of Mughal era architecture. The second largest mosque in Pakistan, after the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, the sanctuary accommodates over 55,000 worshipers. Jama Masjid in Delhi, India, closely resembles the architecture and design of the Badshahi Masjid. Badshahi Masjid is one of the locations where Qari' Abdul Basit recited the Qur'an.\n

The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, completed in 1673, had been designed and constructed as the compliment to Lahore Fort. Lahore Fort had been rebuilt over a century earlier, in 1566, by Mughal emperor Akbar. The symbolism of building the aesthetically pleasing Badshahi Mosque across from the formidable Lahore Fort gave the combined impression of beauty and grace with strength and power. That combination captures the gist of Mughal architecture. The Mughals introduced to Indian architecture that has come to symbolize the beauty and mystique of Indian civilization. Since Pakistan split from India in 1947, Pakistan has uplifted the Badshahi Mosque and Fort Lahore as symbols of the nation.\n

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The size of Badshahi Mosque is difficult to comprehend. It may have been the largest building in the world during the seventeenth century. Fifty-five-thousand worshipers could gather together for prayers in the mosque. That is the equivalent to many sports stadiums. The Badshahi Mosque displays the immense power and spirituality of Islam, like Hagia Sophia in Constantinople during the sixth to fifteenth centuries did for Eastern Orthodox Christianity.\n

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History

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Badshahi Masjid at night
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Built under the patronage of the sixth Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb Alamgir, the mosque came to completion in 1673. Aurangzeb's foster brother Muzaffar Hussain (also known as Fidaie Khan Koka), governor of Lahore 1671 to 1675, supervised the building. He also served as Master of Ordnance to the emperor. The construction of the mosque took about two years from May 1671 to April 1673. Built opposite the Lahore Fort, a position that illustrated its importance in the Mughal Empire, Badshahi Mosque took an honored place in the empire. In conjunction with the building of Badshahi, the Emperor had a new gate built at the fort named Alamgiri Gate.\n

Badshahi Mosque had badly damaged and misused during Sikh Rule. When the Sikhs ruled Lahore, they used the mosque for horse stables for the many horses, camels, and other animals that they used. They also would steal the jewels from the mosque, such as marble, rubies, gold, and other valuables. Sikhs forbade Muslims from entering the mosque to worship, the government granting only a small place outside the mosque where they could worship.\n

Even when the British took control of India, they used the mosque for military training including rifle and cannon fire range. Sensing Muslim hate for them, the British demolished a large portion of the wall of the mosque, rendering the mosque unusable as a rallying place for anti-British planning. The British later returned the mosque to Muslims as a good will gesture, even though the structure had become dilapidated from misuse and neglect. The Badshahi Mosque Authority restored the holy place to its original glory.\n

The Badshahi Mosque Authority supervised only piecemeal repairs beginning in 1852. The Authority carried out extensive repairs from 1939 to 1960, costing 4.8 million rupees. Those repairs brought the mosque back to its original shape and condition. The architect Nawab Zen Yar Jang Bahadur prepared the blueprint for the repairs. On the occasion of the second Islamic Summit held at Lahore on February 22, 1974, thirty-nine heads of Muslim states offered their Friday prayers in the Badshahi Masjid, led by Maulana Abdul Qadir Azad, the 'Khatib' of the mosque. In 2000, Saleem Anjum Qureshi supervised the repair work of marble inlay in the main vault. Recently a small museum, containing relics of Muhammad, his cousin Hazrat Ali Razi allah Anho, and his daughter, Hazrat Fatima ZahraHazi allah anha, had been added to the mosque complex.\n

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Design Characteristics

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In an effort to mirror the character of its founder, architects designed the mosque to exude boldness, vastness and majesty. The mosque had been largest in the world at the time of its building. The interior has rich embellishment in stucco tracery (Manbatkari) and panelling with a fresco touch, all in bold relief, as well as marble inlay. Stone carving, as well as marble inlay on red sandstone, specially of loti form motifs in bold relief, decorates the exterior. Embellishments on the mosque display Indo-Greek, Central Asian and Indian architectural influence in technique and motifs.\n

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Layout of the mosque
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Beautiful ornamental merlons, inlaid with marble lining, add grace to the perimeter of the mosque and beautify the skyline. In various architectural features, such as the vast square courtyard, the side aisles (dalans), the four corner minars, the projecting central transept of the prayer chamber, and the grand entrance gate, the history of development of mosque architecture of the Muslim world over the thousand years prior to its construction in 1673 culminates.\n

The north enclosure wall of the mosque had been laid close to the Ravi River bank, denying the building of a majestic gateway on that side. To ensure the symmetry of the gate, no majestic gate could be built on the south side, too. Thus a four aiwan plan, like the earlier Delhi Jamia Masjid, had to be abandoned. The walls had been built with small kiln-burnt bricks laid in kankar, lime mortar (a kind of hydraulic lime) but have a veneer of red sandstone. The steps leading to the prayer chamber and its plinth have been constructed with variegated marble.\n

The prayer chamber, exceptionally deep, divides into seven compartments by rich engraved arches carried on enormously heavy piers. Out of the seven compartments, three double domes finished in marble have artistically superb curvature, while the rest have curvilinear domes with a central rib in their interior and flat roof above. In the eastern front aisle, the ceiling of the compartment runs flat (Qalamdani) with a curved border (ghalatan) at the cornice level.\n

The original floor of the courtyard had been laid with small kiln-burnt bricks set in the Mussalah pattern. The present red sandstone flooring had been laid during the last extensive repairs from 1939 to 1960). Similarly, the original floor of the prayer chamber had been constructed using cut and dressed bricks with marble and Sang-i-Abri lining, forming Mussalah. During the most recent repairs, they had been replaced by marble Mussalah.\n

Only two inscriptions have been etched into the mosque:\n

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  • one on the gateway
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  • the other of Kalimah in the prayer chamber under the main high vault.
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Measurements

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  • Courtyard: 528'-8\" x 528'-4\" (Area: 278,784 ft2), divided into two levels: the upper and the lower. In the latter, funeral prayers can also be offered.
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  • Prayer Chamber: 275'-8\" x 83'-7\" x 50'-6\" high, with its main vault 37'-3\" x 59'-4\" high but with the meplons 74'-6.\" (Area: 22,825 ft2)
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  • Corner Minars: 67' in circumference, 176'-4\" high are in four stages and have a contained staircase with 204 steps.
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  • Central Dome: Diameter 65' at bottom (at bulging 70'-6\"); height 49'; pinnacle 24 ft and neck 15 ft high.
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  • Side Domes: Diameter 51'-6\" (at bulging 54'-2\"); height 32 ft; pinnacle 19 ft; neck 9'-6\" high.
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  • Gateway: 66'-7\" x 62'-10\" x 65 high including domelets; vault 21'-6\" x 32'-6\" high. Its three sided approach steps are 22 in number.
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  • Side aisles (Dalans): 80 in number. Height above floor 23'-9\"; plinth 2'-7.\"
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  • Central Tank: 50' x 50' x 3' deep (Area: 2,500 ft2)
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Gallery

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    Gateway to Masjid\n

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    Hazuri Bagh Baradari in foreground\n

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    All architectural elements in harmony\n

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    Beautifully embellished main archway\n

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    View towards north-west\n

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    Cusped arch frames a minaret\n

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    Pietra dura trellis' in mihrab\n

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    Inlay detail\n

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    White marble inlay in red sandstone\n

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    Minar-e-Pakistan richly framed by an aisle arch\n

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    Samadhi of Ranjit Singh behind a minaret\n

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    Iqbal's mausoleum adjacent to gateway\n

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See also

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  • Lahore Fort
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  • Islamic architecture
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  • Timeline of Islamic history
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  • Islamic art
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  • List of mosques
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References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

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  • Chaghtai, Muhammad Abdulla. 1972. The Badshahi Masjid (built by Aurangzeb in 1084/1674): history and architecture. Lahore: Kitab Khana-i-Nauras. OCLC 69381784.
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  • Khan, Ahmad Nabi. 1991. Development of mosque architecture in Pakistan. Islamabad, Pakistan: Lok Virsa Pub. House. ISBN 9789694680088.
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  • Nadiem, Ihsan H. 1998. Historic mosques of Lahore. Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications. ISBN 9789693509403.
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  • Wigg, David. 1994. Of mosaics and mosques: a look at the campaign to preserve cultural heritage. World Bank development essays, 3. Washington, D.C.: World Bank. ISBN 9780821327326
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External links

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All links retrieved August 26, 2023.\n

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\"Red      Mughal Empire (1526 - 1857)     \"Taj\n
Emperors:\nBabur - Humayun - Akbar - Jahangir - Shah Jahan - Aurangzeb - Lesser Mughals\n
Events:\nFirst battle of Panipat - Second battle of Panipat - Third battle of Panipat\n
Architecture:\nHumayun's Tomb - Agra Fort - Badshahi Mosque - Lahore Fort - Red Fort - Taj Mahal - Shalimar Gardens - Pearl Mosque - Bibi Ka Maqbara - See also\n
Adversaries:\nIbrahim Lodhi - Sher Shah Suri - Hemu - Shivaji - Guru Gobind Singh\n
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