Lahore

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Lahore Fort

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baroudeur2004
baroudeur2004
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Editor Pick

Wazir Khan Mosque

  • September 23, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by baroudeur2004 from Liege, Belgium
Wazir Khan Mosque

As soon as I had arrived at Wazir Khan mosque, after having searched for it for forty-five minutes, the sky opened its taps and water started pouring down: the first monsoon rain... Soon after, the courtyard was under several inches of water.

Wazir Khan mosque was built in 1634-35 under the reign of Shah Jahan (the one who built the Taj Mahal). The mosque was completed in about seven years.

The best way to find it is to go around the city walls and enter the old city through Delhi Gate. The entrance of the mosque is about 200 yards on your left in a narrow street.

Entrance is free but do not forget to remove your shoes like in any mosque! The entire mosque is built with small tile-like bricks with a sprinkling of red sand-stone (this material was universally used by the Mughals when stone was unusable or too costly). Even the grills are in terracotta. The outstanding architectural features are its octagonal four corner minarets 107 feet high decorated with mosaic tiles.

Around the mosque, there is a bazaar with 22 shops (the streets were flooded when I tried to visit it). This bazaar formed an integral part of plan of the mosque, which was the first ever provided in a mosque.

The mosque also hosts a madrasa, a Quranic school, next to the prayer rooms. I was able to have a peek at it and I could see children reciting the Quran while moving their chest in a forward and backward movement.

Also, you will probably encounter a crazy street musician who will ask you for a few rupees after playing a song with his flute. Beware: he might get angry if you do not give him anything.

Getting in or out of the mosque is a nightmare during the monsoon, especially just after heavy rains. Most of the narrow streets around the mosque are then flooded with more than 10 inches of water and you will get wet no matter what when you try to find a way to get in or out.

Definitely a funny experience during the monsoon!

From journal Mughals in Lahore

Editor Pick

Badshahi Mosque

  • September 22, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by baroudeur2004 from Liege, Belgium
Badshahi Mosque

Badshahi Mosque is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful mosques I have ever seen. It cannot be compared to Middle-East mosques and it is one of the most stunning examples of Mughal architecture with the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.

Lahore is worth the detour just for this mosque. Built in 1673 by the last famous Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, it is Lahore's main tourist attraction. It is the second largest mosque in Pakistan (after Islamabad's main mosque, Faisal Mosque).

Entrance is free but like in any mosque, you have to remove your shoes at the entrance and leave them in a cloakroom for a small fee (2 rupees).

Do not worry about burning your feet; when it is very hot, there are wet rugs on the floor so that you do not burn the soles of your feet.

The courtyard is huge and it is said that it can welcome up to 100.000 people at once. Walls are in red stone and the three cupolas in white marble. It was recently renovated.

In a small room above the entrance, you can visit a small museum where you can see relics supposedly of Prophet Muhammad and his daughter Fatima. These relics are numerous and their authenticity cannot be verified (capes, prayer mats, a text supposedly written by Muhammad himself – even the calligraphy looks more recent than a 7th Century written text – but there is always a crowd of ecstatic Muslims in front of it.)

Badshahi Mosque attracted the international media attention in 1991 when Lady Di visited it dressed with a miniskirt and insufficiently covered up. The Mosque Director offered her a copy of the Holy Quran which angered Pakistani mullahs. They then sued Lady Di (because she was indecently dressed) and the Director (because he had offered a Quran to a non-Muslim). The judge then ordered the mullahs to leave them alone and not to make him lose his time with such petty things.

If you intend to visit Delhi in India (or have already done so), this mosque will remind you of Jama Masjid (built by Aurangzeb's father, Shah Jahan). Definitely one of the highlights of your stay in Pakistan.

From journal Mughals in Lahore

Editor Pick

Lahore Fort

  • September 22, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by baroudeur2004 from Liege, Belgium
Lahore Fort

Just in front of the Red Mosque of Lahore (Badshahi Mosque), lies Lahore Fort, a magnificent Mughal fortification which has been partially renovated.

There is a double tariff for the visit of the fort. Foreigners have to pay 200 rupees (3 euros) and locals 10 rupees. Several guides will propose their services just outside the fort. There is also a sound and light show on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The origin of Lahore Fort is obscure. Archaeological surveys reveal that habitation existed there long before the advent of Muslims in Lahore. There is evidence that a mud fort existed in the 11th Century.

Destroyed and rebuilt several times between the 12th and 15th century, Lahore Fort was last rebuilt by the Mughal emperor Akbar in about 1566. The Mughal emperors extended and added many parts to the fort. For instance, Akbar's son Jehangir added some Jehangir’s Quadrangles in 1618 then his son Shah Jahan built several buildings, such as Shish Mahal, the Royal Baths, Moti Masjid, etc. Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb added the magnificent Alamgiri gate (the gate by which you enter the fort if you come from Badshahi Mosque) in 1674.

The Mughal period buildings are grouped in four large quadrangles which include 21 edifices. No buildings from the pre-Mughal period now exist. The fort is girdled round by formidable fortifications and strengthened with semi-circular bastions at regular intervals.

Lahore Fort was occupied by the British in 1846 and remained in their possession until 1927. Afterwards, Pakistani authorities have restored the fort as it was before the British invasion.

Wandering in the fort gardens is a real pleasure but your visit might be interrupted several times by young people wanting to shake hands with you and asking the same questions (where are you from? How much do you earn?). Some people will even try to take some pictures of you. It is better to visit the fort when you are up to socialising with locals.

The visit of Lahore Fort is an absolute must if you like Mughal architecture (if you liked Delhi and Agra, then you should not miss Lahore Fort).

From journal Mughals in Lahore

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