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Badshahi Mosque Facts

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Badshahi Mosque(Masjid) in Lahore, Pakistan is one of the best examples of Mughal architecture anywhere in the Indian subcontinent. Begun in 1671 under the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb (the sixth Mughal Emperor) it has had a checkered history but, following a complete restoration between 1939 and 1960, it is now a major tourist attraction as well as a center of Muslim worship and prayer.

Front view image of the Badshahi mosque.
Author: Ali Imran / (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Some facts about Badshahi Mosque:

Northeastern minaret of Badshahi mosque from the inside.
Author / (CC BY-SA 3.0)
  • The construction of Badshahi Masjid started in 1671 and completed in 1673.
  • It was originally built to house a sacred relic, namely a strand of the Holy Prophet’s hair.
  • For more than 300 years (until 1986) it was the largest mosque in the World. It is still believed to be the fifth largest in the World.
  • The design is based on that of the Jama Mosque in Delhi that was built by Aurangzeb’s father, Shah Jahan.
  • The architecture incorporates Indian, Central Asian, Persian and Islamic elements.
  • The main Prayer Hall is more than 2100 square meters in size, and the courtyard occupies nearly 26,000 square meters.
  • The walls were built using small bricks assembled with lime mortar, then faced with red sandstone.
  • The main Prayer Hall is decorated with stucco tracery, frescoes, and inlaid marble.
  • The Mosque was built on a 6-meter high plinth to prevent flooding by the nearby Ravi River. The main entrance (from the east) is therefore approached by a flight of 22 three-sided steps.
  • The Mosque is symmetrical. The closeness of the river meant that it was not possible to build a northern gateway, so there is therefore no southern gateway either.
  • The main Prayer Hall is divided into seven sections by arches. Three of these chambers are surmounted by domes that are clad in white marble.
  • The four minarets at the corners of the Mosque are 54 metres high.
  • Badshahi Mosque suffered damage during the Sikh Empire of the early 18th century. An earthquake in 1840 destroyed the turrets at the tops of the minarets which were then used during the Sikh Civil War as gun emplacements to bombard the nearby Lahore Fort.
  • Repairs to the Mosque began in 1852, but the real restoration work took place in the 20th century, at a cost of around five million rupees.
Badshahi Mosque in the 1880’s
PD-old-100

Badshahi Masjid is a place of peace and tranquillity. It is well worth a visit not only as a wonderful example of Mughal architecture but as somewhere to offer prayer and be quiet for a time.

Facts on the Development of Mughal Architecture

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Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta, Pakistan.
Author: Yasir Dora / (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Mughal Architecture was the specific architectural style that was developed by the Mughal Dynasty from the 16th through the 18th century. This period was the extent of time of their empire in the Indian subcontinent. It was the successful blend, and coming together of Islamic, Persian, and Indian architecture as a whole. These Mughal Emperors were able to create a whole new look in architecture that is still marveled today.

  • The Mughal dynasty came into being in 1526, after Babur of Panipat won a victory. Babur reigned for a period of five years, and it was he, who showed a strong interest in erecting buildings.
  • Babur’s grandson named Akbar was the one responsible for a lot more of the style. This is because, he built vigorously during his reign, and the Mughal architectural style developed a much stronger presence than that of his grandfather Babur.
  • Some of the architectural accomplishments that Akbar made during his reign include a special tomb, that Akbar built for his father Humayun, the Agra Fort, Attock Fort and the fort city of Fatehphur Sikri.
  • After Akbar, his son Jahangir carried on his legacy of construction and had the Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir to be built.
  • Mughal architecture reached its paramount, as well as, greatness during the reign of Shah Jahan. It was Shah Jahan who was responsible for the construction of some the very fine landmarks of the subcontinent. Some of these landmarks include the Jama Masjid Delhi, the Red Fort, and the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore.
  • The famous Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore was also commissioned during his reign.
  • The most famous of all Mughal monuments, the Taj Mahal was also built by Shah Jahan.
  • The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a forever lasting memory, and tribute to, his wife named Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was completed being built in 1648 and its name stands for “teardrop on the cheek of eternity”. Its very long plane of runs through the entire complex. The sarcophagus of Shah Jahan placed off center and this is in the crypt room that lies below the main floor of Taj Mahal.
  • Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangzeb, built the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore.

Mughal Architecture is without a doubt one of the most beautiful of all architectural styles in the world. The Taj Mahal itself is an awesome example of this. Not only does it denote great beauty about itself, but also, shows the great strength of an Empire that ruled for a very long time in India. Mughal Architecture tells us of a time when the reigning monarchs were interested in building up their Empire with great monuments and landmarks to stand the test of time.