Badshahi Mosque, Lahore - Iconic Symbol of the Mughal Empire
The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan is an iconic symbol of the Mughal Empire and is the largest mosque in the country. It was built by Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1671 and is renowned for its beautiful architecture.
Badshahi Mosque History
Badshahi Mosque is a Mughal-era mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, built by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1673. It took decades to complete, with multiple architects contributing to its design. The mosque is renowned for its impressive architecture and grandeur, making it a major tourist attraction in the city.
Mughal emperor- Aurangzeb selected Lahore to build his new imperial mosque. They constructed the mosque as a memorial to commemorate the military campaigns that Aurangzeb led in southern India, namely against the Maratha king Shivaji.
They built it exactly across from the Lahore Fort and its Alamgiri Gate, both of which were constructed concurrently by Aurangzeb during the construction of the mosque.
Badshahi Mosque Architecture
The Badshahi Mosque is a stunning example of Mughal architecture. It was commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671, and built by his brother-in-law, Muzaffar Hussain (Fida’i Khan Koka).
The Badshahi Mosque was built between 1670 and 1678 and is an impressive structure. Its walls are 42 feet thick at the base and taper to 25 feet thick at the top, and it took eight years to build. The mosque is an iconic example of grand Mughal architecture, and serves as an important reminder of the power of the Mughal empire.
The corridor around the open quadrangle is wide, with cloisters on each side holding arched recesses pointing in the direction of Mecca. These recesses provide a place for Muslims to offer their prayers.
There are four minarets and no dome inside—only an imperial crown atop each minaret symbolising there is only one God as far as Islam is concerned.Inside, it has 22 domes besides three larger ones at its main entrance.
The mosque's strategic placement near the Lahore Fort was deliberate, as it was intended to be a symbol of imperial power and grandeur. Its facing direction towards the west demonstrated the extent of its emphasis on the importance of the imperial vision.
The Alamgiri gate is a specialised entrance that was constructed as part of the fort and is located opposite the mosque.
The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb used the area that would eventually become known as Aurangzeb garden to inspect his troops and courtiers.
The Hazuri Bagh surrounding the mosque is on a lower ground level than the mosque itself, due to its construction on a six-meter-high plinth; this was done in order to avoid flooding from nearby rivers.
Visit Timings
The Badshahi Mosque is open every day of the week except Fridays. It opens at 8 AM and closes at 5 PM. Fajr prayers begin at 4:30 AM, followed by Zuhr at 12:30 PM, Asr at 1:30 PM, Maghrib at 2:30 PM, and Isha at 4:30 PM. Five daily prayers are held at these respective times.
The Jummah Masjid courtyard offers a special Namaz (prayer) every Friday called Jummah Salaah. Additionally, two shifts of night prayers are offered each day, with the first shift being Qadha Zoharain from 10 pm to 11 pm and the second shift being Tahajjud Salaah or Shab-e-Qadr Salah from 2 am to 3 am.
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How to Reach?
The Badshahi Mosque is located near the historic Walled City of Lahore and is easily seen from the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort. Standing south of Hazuri Bagh, and beside one of the original thirteen gates of Lahore - Roshnai Gate - the mosque provides visitors with a remarkable view of the city's rich past and culture.
The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore is a historically important landmark, containing the famous Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, the architect of the Pakistan Movement. The tomb of Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, who was instrumental to the restoration of the mosque, is also nearby. It has become a deeply respected pilgrimage site among devout Muslims and is a symbol of national pride for Pakistanis everywhere.
Badshahi Mosque is strongly recommended for people who are engrossed in archaeology and history as this place has a lot to tell. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip by clicking on the following button and fill the form.
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