What Lies Behind The Cultural And Architectural Glory Of The Wazir Khan Mosque?

What Lies Behind The Cultural And Architectural Glory Of The Wazir Khan Mosque?
Pakistan is famously rich in history and culture, especially when we talk about monuments and historical places. Landmarks and shrines are safeguarded, and they are protected in their unique shape. Vacationers and locals come to explore the history from everywhere around the world.

There are already perhaps too many films and documentaries shot on these places, which have left a significant impact on popular imagination. The Wazir Khan Mosque is considered one of the most decorated mosques from the Mughal era. It stands tall near the Delhi gate of the walled city of Lahore – in the very heart of old Lahore where you can hear the horns and beeps of cars. The mosque has been undergoing a broad rebuilding starting around 2009, under the auspices of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Government of Punjab, with contributions from the legislatures of Germany, Norway and the United States.

Construction dates back to the Mughal empire under the reign of Emperor Shah Jehan and it took even years to complete. Intricate aspects of the construction consist of the calligraphy of verses from the Holy Quran designed beautifully with the fine delicate frescos covering the tiles with kashi-kari work – which was not common at that time.

The entire mosque is developed with block and tiles and in the courtyard which opens from a passage there are 22 shops situated in the ground, which was once known as the Calligraphers’ Bazaar. The main prayer area opens into the ablution pool which people still make use of. Back in the days, people used to have congregational prayers for Friday at Wazir Khan Mosque. Today, the mosque is located at an ideal part of the busy city – where tourists and locals come from far places to shop and visit the mosque.

Strolling the roads of the Walled City of Lahore, one can't possibly overlook the aesthetically satisfying Wazir Khan Mosque, which is find directly at the passage of Delhi Gate, encompassed by the primary bazaar where you can get everything from garments, natural products, shoes and khussas, spices and much more.

In some ways, it is a scene that has not changed drastically in centuries!