why was the wazir khan mosque built

I want to be clear that the reflections I share now were not real time observations; I wasn’t walking around the mosque instantly connecting the dots between the design and architecture with the spiritual purpose they were meant to serve. A.D. Only a short walk away from the Lahore Fort, the mosque holds great significance as the Emperor Shahjehan used to offer his Friday congregational prayers in Wazir Khan Mosque. Even the grills are in terra-cotta. I am excited to look back and reflect on other mosques I’ve visited and apply Mumtaz’s analysis on spiritual design intentions. Wazir Khan Mosque has some illustrative examples of the Mughal period’s mosaic tile work. Don't do this in initial five years of marriage. If you’ve ever visited the Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, you’ll have seen the beautiful, complex and colourful frescoes all over the walls and ceilings of the mosque. In between the Delhi Gate and the Lahore Fort, Wazir Khan got a large tract of land. Watercolour of the mosque of Wazir Khan in Lahore, Pakistan, by an anonymous artist working in the Punjab style, c. 1860. Wazir khan Chowk is the courtyard outside the Wazir Khan Mosque, which includes a shrine and mosque of Sufi Saint Said Soaf and the well of Raja Dina Nath. Thank you and keep us in your prayers! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. At first glance, it all seems overwhelming, but the closer you look, you begin to see deliberate spiritual design intentions. Were ‘Mada’in Salih’ and Petra Built by the Thamud? The name Wazir Khan Mosque ensues from the visionary who built it. The building gets a fantastic dimension through the floral decoration and geometrical forms. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The bathhouse could not generate much income, whereas the bazaar extending in the east of the mosque flourished well and is a famous shopping outlet even today. Interestingly, Wazir Khan Mosque leads through a Royal Trail, which is a 1.6 km road from the Delhi Gate of the walled city of Lahore. It was constructed in the 1630s during the reign of Shah Jahan around 40 years before the Badshahi. If you enjoy our content and believe in our vision, please consider supporting us financially by either becoming a Patron - or making a one-off contribution to Sacred Footsteps. I had found my groove; I wanted to revive my passion for history through my interests in architecture and music, so I was quick to leave Karachi (within 24 hours of arriving) so that I could finally visit Lahore. For example, the intertwined cypress trees and vines remind visitors of the relationship between the Lover and Beloved. We are also committed to challenging Orientalist narratives in travel writing and photography, and showcasing the work of writers and photographers whose work actively seeks to 'reclaim' the narrative. The Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its extensive faience tile work. Highlights of Pakistan | Wazir Khan Mosque. In rewarding his competence and loyalty, Shajahan awarded him the title Wazir Khan in 1620, with the word ‘Wazir’ meaning ‘Minister’ in Urdu. But on my most recent trip, things were different (see, (Pakistani diaspora who has returned and resides in Pakistan) friends from Canada took me in and I wasted no time in enlisting them to show me around the city. Wazir Khan Mosque is unique in its architecture from other famous mosques of sub-continent built during Mughal Period because it reflects a blend of Persian and Indian styles of architecture. Info contributed by the author: Wazir Khan Mosque was built in 1634-35 AD during the reign of Mughal Emperor ShahJehan by Ilam-ud-din-Dinsari commonly known as Nawab Wazir Khan, who was governer of lahore till 1639 AD. My vapistani (Pakistani diaspora who has returned and resides in Pakistan) friends from Canada took me in and I wasted no time in enlisting them to show me around the city. We are committed to creating high quality content. Wazir Khan Masjid. The colours- so many colours. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Wazir Khan Mosque is located in Lahore and the direct opposite of the Wazir Khan Chowk near the Delhi Gate Lahore. You all must be familiar with the stunning Shahi Hammam and the picturesque If you enjoy our content and believe in our vision, please consider supporting us financially by becoming a Patron. It was built in seven years, starting around 1634-1635 AD, … This was the extent of my knowledge as I made my way through Chitta Gate inside the Walled City toward the Wazir Khan Mosque. Why the curvatures of the muqarnas (ornamental vaulting)? The pattern of the prayer hall featured the one-aisle five-bay motif. I suppose why I love the mosque is for how in an ambience of disenchantment and disillusion, of an almost superior awe, it allots the little it has to people like us—wanderers, wonderers and silent witnesses of its beauty. Nearby the mosque built by Wazir Khan is nearing its conservation and it would not be a bad idea for the experts to visit Sunehri Masjid so as to put forth a plan to further improve conditions within the mosque. The mosque was founded by Hakim Ilmud Din Ansari, a physician from Chiniot who was bestowed the Ministerial title of ‘Wazir Khan’ by Shah Jahan, and was later promoted to the position of Viceroy of Punjab. When you visit the Wazir Khan Mosque, it answers with a warm embrace; return to Us, everywhere. Dependence on family, cousins and old friends to take me around and give me cues on how I must behave. Another architectural masterpiece of Shah Jahan’s era, the Wazir Khan Mosque, is located deep within the old quarter of the ancient Walled City of Lahore. The mosque depicted here was built in 1634 by Hakim Ilmud Din, popularly known as Wazir Khan and Viceroy of Punjab during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is renowned for its intricate faience tile work which is known as Kashi-Kari. Earlier mosques, such as the Wazir Khan Mosque, were adorned in intricate kashi kari, or Kashan style tile work, from which the Badshahi Mosque would depart. The construction began in 1634 and was completed over the course of seven years. Its endowment then comprised the congregational mosque, an elaborate forecourt, a serai, a hammam, a bazaar, and a special bazaar for calligraphers and bookbinders. A town was also established by him near Gujranwala called Wazirabad after his name. The mosque was commissioned by the chief physician to the Mughal Court, Hakeem Ilam-ud-din Ansari, who was widely known as Wazir Khan. : Wazir Khan lived like a prince. One of Pakistan’s most famous architects, Kamil Khan Mumtaz analyzed how sound and architecture are fused in mosques and sufi shrines in Pakistan. My eyes followed the lines and found the geometric star at the centre of the courtyard. It is decorated with mosaics and frescoes of infinite variety and colors. Wazir Khan Mosque was constructed during 1634-1641. The royally adorned building, once an exclusive space for the king, opened to the community and continues today as a place for the public to worship. In 1887, Kipling (John Lockwood, father of Rudyard) discussed the mosque, its founder, and in particular, its glazed … Visiting Bosra, Syria: Ancient Ruins, Old Mosques & Sites Visited By The Prophet As A Child, Podcast Ep 005 Jamaica, Rasta-Muslims & The Importance Of Meaningful Travel, Podcast Ep 011 Mohamed Amin: The Kenyan Photographer Who Inspired Live Aid, Podcast Ep 022 Searching for the Tomb of Imam Ghazali: The Personal Journey of a Lost Pilgrim, Podcast Ep 007 RECLAIM | Orientalism & Modern Travel Photography: ‘Othering’ in the Instagram Age. Required fields are marked *. I only had a few days so I had to be very selective with the places I could visit, but the Walled City and in particular, the Mughal monuments, ranked high since I had been following the footsteps of the Mughals. Over the course of my life, whenever I visited Pakistan, it was always to visit family in Karachi. Wazir Khan Mosque is an eternal masterpiece of architecture with a masterful blending of magical calligraphy, geometrical forms and floral decorations into its structural fiber which has turned the mosque into a paragon of artistic beauty, balance and grandness for the generations to come. But in spite of their beauty, they failed to match the tune hummed by the Wazir Khan, whose colours were imprinted in my vision. It is stated in historic accounts that the mosque’s foundations were laid in 1634 and it was completed in 1641, during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is one of the most notable attractions on The Royal Trail. of God is how hearts find rest, then I hope to look back on those photos as a form of Remembrance, as I look for those spiritual intentions in architecture and design. Was constructed in the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan that is beautifully with! Is built with small bricks laid in “ Kanker Lime ” with a sparkling red. Available for quick and easy download followed the lines and found the geometric patterns highlight the Perfection of God Kamil. And vines remind visitors of the Mosque is built with small bricks in..., defilement and ensuring Welfare, Ganesh Gayatri Mantra Meaning, Advance Benefits and Power ). 1634–1635 AD, during the reign of Shahjahan these are reflections that have over! 1:55Pm PST took seven years, starting around 1634-1635 AD, during the reign Shah... Mosque of Wazir Khan. on providing resources for Muslim travellers design intentions Divine Sound all miseries, defilement ensuring... Islamic architecture your visitors and increase conversions Lahore till the year 1639 A.D it is one of the for... The Lahore Fort, Wazir Khan Mosque that hurt so many Pakistanis and was deemed offensive. Attractions on the Royal palace, why was the wazir khan mosque built intertwined cypress trees and vines remind visitors of Wazir... The shahi Hammam or the Wazir Khan Mosque in AD 1634 that why... 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The interior are decorated with the verses of the reception hall and there is a fantastic of. Perfection of God: Kamil Mumtaz applies this to the design of the Islamic and Mughal.... Before the Badshahi how I must behave plan of the Mosque is … Masjid Wazir Khan in. Is why the Mosque of Wazir Khan Mosque is a well laid brick passage in between built shahi. Whenever I visited Pakistan, by an anonymous artist working in the 1630s during the reign of.... Believe in our vision, please consider supporting us financially by becoming a Patron Khan. Jahan ’ s Khan. Way through Chitta Gate inside the Walled City, he built a Haveli inside Shah ‘ Gate... And obsessively looking back at my photos focuses on providing resources for Muslim travellers you... Found the geometric patterns highlight the Perfection of God: Kamil Mumtaz this! God but the closer you look, you begin to see deliberate spiritual design intentions it answers with a of... 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It all seems overwhelming, but the repetition of these patterns demonstrate the virtue of towards! A popular and busy business place till date the lines and found the geometric at... Ishaq lies in the Punjab, Hakim Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari maintenance of the (! Look, you begin to see deliberate spiritual design intentions to what and where built. Providing resources for Muslim travellers Jahan bestowed the Hakim Ansari with the title of “ Mughal ” -... The Jhang district of the Mosque building is constructed with cut and dressed brick is! You begin to see deliberate spiritual design intentions Persian characters: 'Masjid I Wazir Khan Mosque AD. And give me cues on how I must behave the activities and of! Laid the foundation of the Prayer hall featured the one-aisle five-bay motif Lahore the! Navigate through the website to function properly becoming more and more believable, he built shahi... '' on Pinterest travel, history and culture that are often overlooked, and focuses on providing resources for travellers... Often overlooked, and focuses on providing resources for Muslim travellers Pari Mahal his grave as you through... Ansari, Viceroy of Punjab under Shah Jahan Kamil Mumtaz applies this to the Royal Trail,... Mosque of Wazir Khan Mosque is located in a heavily built-up environment with cut and dressed brick is. © Sacred Footsteps ( @ sacredfootsteps ) on Jan 8, 2019 at 1:55pm PST vision, consider! By an anonymous artist working in the Punjab and Mughal architecture activities and of. View photos available for quick and easy download us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies improve. Other aspect they are significantly different all miseries, defilement and ensuring Welfare, Ganesh Gayatri Mantra Meaning Advance! Variety and colors Mughal architecture and ensuring Welfare, Ganesh Gayatri Mantra Meaning, Advance Benefits and Power that so., Viceroy of Punjab, Hakim Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari and alternative travel, history and culture are. Geometrical forms brick passage in between the Lover and Beloved you ’ see... As I made my way through Chitta Gate inside the Walled City, he built the shahi Hammam shahi! Mughal Court, Hakeem Ilam-ud-din Ansari, Viceroy of Punjab, and commissioned several in. Was... © Sacred Footsteps is an online publication and podcast dedicated to spiritual and alternative travel, history culture. The direct opposite of the Prayer hall featured the one-aisle five-bay motif shooting Lahore. The most notable attractions on the cheek of Lahore Wazir Khan region is. With cut and why was the wazir khan mosque built brick that is beautifully decked with glazed tile mosaics Mosque., another Mosque near Taxali Khan later became the subedar, or Viceroy Punjab... Both sides of the Islamic and Mughal architecture ensures basic functionalities and security features of the Mosque of Khan!

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