Badshahi Mosque Lahore Symbol of Islamic Architecture

History of Badshahi Mosque Pakistan

Badshahi mosque was constructed by the mughal ruler Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1673 in Lahore . This fabulous piece of architecture is an excellent example of Mughals Era architecture and has also become recognition for Lahore . After Faisal Mosque Pakistan ( Islamabad ) it is 2nd biggest mosque in Pakistan where almost sixty thousands people can offer their prayer together. The architecture style of its building resembles with Jamia Mosque of Delhi which was constructed by Aurangzeb’s father Shahjahan in 1648.




India ’s sixth Mughal King was more religious among all other mughal rulers. He constructed this mosque under supervision of his step brother Muzaffar Hussain. It took almost two years from 1671 to 1673 for completion of mosque. After completion of this mosque Aurganzeb added one door to his royal fort which is called as Alamgiri Door.

With the pessage of time mosque was damaged. In 1850, its renovation was strated but it remained incomplete. However later on in 1939 its renovation was again started and finally completed in 1960 which cost around 48 lacs after which mosque came into its actual condition.

22nd February 1974 , during 2nd Islamic Summit Conference more than 39 presidents of Islamic countries offered their Jumma Prayer in this mosque.

Architecture of Badshahi Mosque
Like the character of its builder, the mosque is gigantic and majestic in its appearance. The internal side of the building has rich decorative work in stucco tracery (Manbatkari) and panelling with a fresco touch, all in bold relief, as well as marble inlay.
The external side of the building is decorated with stone carving with marble inlay on red sandstone, especially of loti form motifs in bold relief. The embellishment has Indo-Greek, Central Asian and Indian architectural influence both in technique and motifs.

In many of its construction style like the big square courtyard, the side aisles (dalans), the four corner minarets, the projecting central transept of the prayer chamber and the grand entrance gate, is summed up the history of development of mosque architecture of the Muslim world over the thousand years prior to its construction in 1673.
The walls of its building were built with small kiln-burnt bricks, lime mortar (a kind of hydraulic lime) but have a veneer of red sandstone. The steps leading towards the prayer area are in spotted marble. The prayer area consists of seven portions by engraved curvature carried on very heavy dock. These seven portions have also, three double domes with marble curvature, and remaining have curvilinear domes along with a central beam in their interior and flat roof above.
There are two inscriptions in the mosque; one is near to entrance and another of Kalimah in the prayer area under the main high vault.

Dimension of Badshahi Mosque

Courtyard: 528 ft 8 in x 528 ft 4 in

Prayer Area: 275 ft 8 in x 83 ft 7 in x 50 ft 6 in .39 m

4 Corner Minarets: 176 ft 4 in high and 67 ft in circumference

Central Dome: Diameter 65 ft at bottom height 49 ft ; pinnacle 24 ft; neck 15 ft high.

2 Side Domes: Diameter 51 ft 6 in height 32 ft; pinnacle 19 ft; neck 9 ft 6 in high.

Gateway: 66 ft 7 in x 62 ft 10 in x 65 ft high

Side Aisles (Dalans): 80 in number. Height above floor 23 ft 9 in; plinth 2 ft 7 in

Central Tank: 50 ft x 50 ft x 3 ft deep