The Prominence of Wazir Khan Mosque

By Asif Khan

Lahore is one of Pakistan’s oldest cities and is known for its cultural riches. Several mosques, offices, and archives from the Mughal and imperial centuries have been maintained in the city. The majority of these architectures are still in use today. This includes the Wazir Khan Mosque, the most beautiful mosque of the Mughal era. Even now, it is a prominent place of worship. It is located outside the Delhi gate of Lahore’s walled city, which tourists may approach after walking through the lively bazaar of squabbling sellers’ and customers’ voices.

The elaborate designs gracing the mosque’s walls are a characteristic of Mughal architecture.

Wazir Khan Mosque is among those traditional monuments still functional and one of the most prominent places of worship. Listed on UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, the Wazir Khan Mosque is among the most beautifully decorated buildings built by ruler Mughal Emperor SHAHJAHAN. The delicate and intricate tile work (known as Kashi-Kari) makes this site a treat to watch. Anyone visiting Lahore makes sure to visit this mosque to get a glimpse of Pakistan’s rich and elegant history.

Historical Significance

In the 17th century, Emperor Shahjahan built Wazir Khan Mosque as a symbol of Islamic Culture in Lahore. It was built by Governor “Hakim Sheikh Ilm-Ud-Din Ansari” within the profound neighborhood of the walled city of Lahore. This mosque is among the most significant buildings of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan Era.

It took seven years to complete this intricate and elegant masterpiece of construction. The Mosque holds a special place in history as the emperor used to pray Friday’s congregational prayers in Masjid Wazir Khan although it is located at a distance from Lahore Fort. A particular walking trail made of red bricks was built leading from the fort via Delhi Gate towards Wazir Khan for the King.

Architecture And Design

The period in which this mosque was built is signified as one of the most historical eras regarding cultural innovations and architectural developments. The sophisticated and delicate designs carved on tiles termed Kashi-Kari were the signature style of buildings built in that period.

It was built around the Tomb of Sufi Saint Syed Muhammad Ishaq Gazrooni, commonly known as Miran Badshah among the people. His renowned Tomb is now preserved under the basement in the courtyard of the Mosque. He was a Saint of the 14th century from Iran, yet he lived and then laid to rest in the walled city of Lahore during Turkish – the Tughluq era.

The main structure can be sectioned into three parts:

• Entrance,

• Courtyard, and

• Prayer area.

The mosque’s courtyard also comprises an enormous marketplace with many holy book bindings and amending shops. Also, around the neighborhood you can find calligraphy shops that can paint calligraphic portraits of Quran verses and Sufi sayings. The profit from these shops had been dedicated to the maintenance and development of the mosque.

After passing through the market, you will walk in front of an enormous entrance or rectangular-shaped gate with balconies extending toward the left and right; the wide entrance leads to a covered octagonal area called Calligrapher’s bazaar. The exterior of the arched entrance is decorated with the Quran verses, the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and some couplets from Persian poetry. Above the entrance, the Kalma or Muslim faith declaration had been engraved beautifully.

Visitors can enter the mosque’s prayer area by passing through the beautifully preserved, red-bricked bazaar. Alongside the bazaar, there is a small pool for ablution. Many worshippers use this pool for cleansing before prayers.

Around the courtyard, there are 32 arcades which were dedicated to religious research scholars; these cloisters were famous as “Khanna’s.”

Although the same ruler had built the monuments built in Delhi and Agra, stones were used to construct their walls. Yet, this mosque not only follows those monuments’ architectural footsteps but also incorporates Punjab’s local construction style; that is why you will see walls made of red bricks, which was the traditional material used for building walls of houses, mosques, and mansions.

The central prayer area is the largest hall built on Persian architectural standards. The octagonal Char-Taq, or four arches, serves as pillars for the large dome of the mosque that had been exquisitely designed with murals representing Muslims’ idea of heaven. The frescoes are slightly different from other Mughal-era buildings as the fusion of Islamic and Punjabi culture can be seen within these murals.

The walls, adorned with Quran verses, give you a sense of spirituality, peace, and tranquility. The distinctive floral patterns (Taza-Kari), majestic architecture, calligraphy, geometrical designs, and mosaic tiles give this mosque a glorious and grand status, marking it an unchallenged place on the UNESCO world heritage list.

Conservation Initiatives

Many famous historians and archeologists wrote that the mosque had been neglected; hence they reported about its worn and disrepair condition. Following this, the Government of Punjab (GOP) began conservation and restoration work in 2004.

The GOP maintained its restoration work, and in 2007, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture stepped in. Two years later, in 2009, both parties began an in-depth examination of the mosque as part of a wider initiative to rehabilitate several landmarks around Lahore.

Conservation work concluded in 2015, when the 3D mapping of the mosque was finished by Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

How To Visit Masjid Wazir Khan

The mosque is located on the southern side of Shahi Guzargah, commonly known as “Royal Road” in Lahore. It was called after the road that Mughal nobility used on their journey to the imperial palaces at the Lahore Fort.

The mosque is located around a hundred meters west of the Delhi Gate. The mosque’s Shahi Hammam, commonly referred as Wazir Khan Hammam, is located here. The mosque overlooks the Chitta Gate and Wazir Khan Chowk, a town plaza.

When you pass through Delhi gate, the ornate minarets will be seen from a far distance, and you can easily reach there. The other way is to do an unguided tour which is also very easy as you will find signboards that will lead you to the exact place. Also, you can get help through your phone’s GPS-guided map.

There is no separate fee you need to pay to visit the mosque; all you need to know is the times the mosque is open for visitors.

As you enter Wazir Khan Mosque, you will find a sense of Peace and Spirituality that will give your soul a calm and tranquil fulfillment. Although the outer walls and courtyard need more attention as they have been surrounded by a busy marketplace, damaging the mosque’s grandeur, the history seems to unfold in front of your eyes when you enter the mosque.

Although overly crowded markets and busy streets now surround the mosque, once you enter Wazir Khan Mosque it feels like the door to a peaceful world, and spiritual calmness has opened.

About the Author

Asif Khan is a young writer who has penned down many features related to lifestyle and tourism in various publications. With an eye for creativity and a passion for travel, Khan’s content adds value for the readers.