Badshahi Mosque
| Badshahi Mosque | |
|---|---|
| بادشاہی مسجد | |
A view of the mosque's prayer hall
| |
 
Location in Lahore, Pakistan
| |
| Basic information | |
| Location | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Geographic coordinates | 31°35′17″N 74°18′36″ECoordinates: 31°35′17″N 74°18′36″E |
| Affiliation | Sunni Islam |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Nawab Zain Yar Jang Bahadur |
| Architectural type | Mosque |
| Architectural style | Indo-Islamic, Mughal |
| Completed | 1673 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 56,000 |
| Dome(s) | 3 |
| Minaret(s) | 8 (4 major, 4 minor) |
| Minaret height | 176 ft 4 in (53.75 m) |
| Materials | Red sandstone, marble |
The Badshahi Mosque (Punjabi and Urdu: بادشاہی مسجد, or "Imperial Mosque") is a Mughal era mosque in Lahore, capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab.[1] The mosque is located west of Lahore Fort along the outskirts of the Walled City of Lahore,[2] and is widely considered to be one of Lahore's most iconic landmarks.[3]
Badshahi Mosque was commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671, with construction of the mosque lasting for two years until 1673. 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 and most recent of the grand imperial mosques of the Mughal-era, and is the second-largest mosque in Pakistan.[4] After the fall of the Mughal Empire, the mosque was used as a garrison by the Sikh Empire and the British Empire, but is now one of Pakistan's most iconic sights.
Location[edit]
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 towards 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 on the southern side of the Hazuri Bagh.[5]
Near the entrance of the mosque lies the Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, a poet widely revered in Pakistan as the founder of the Pakistan Movementwhich led to the creation of Pakistan as a homeland for the Muslims of British India.[6] 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.[7]
Comments
Post a Comment