History of Wazir Khan Mosque

Wazir Khan Mosque

About

In the 17^th century, a Mosque was built in Lahore city known as Wazir Khan Mosque. This mosque was constructed during the region of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan together with much other building near to Shahi Hammam. In 1634  C.E, the Establishment of Wazir Khan mosque was started and in the year 1641, the construction of this beautiful Mosque was completed. This Mosque was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. This is the most decorated Mosque of Mughal Era. This Mosque was famous for its complicated tile work. This type of tile work is known as Kashi-Kari.Under the supervision of e Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Government of Punjab, this mosque is renovated in 2009.

Location

This mosque was situated in the most popular city of Lahore known as Walled city of Lahore. This beautiful mosque is present in the e south site of Lahore’s Shahi Guzargah. This mosque is also known as Royal Road. This mosque was used by Mughal Nobles to approach their Residences at Lahore Fort. Wazir Khan Mosque was situated in the west of about 260 meters away from the Delhi gate. Mosque shahi Hamam was located near this gate.

Background

In 1634, a mosque was built by Sheikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari. He was the Governor of Punjab during Shah Jahan Period. Ansari belongs to the Chiniot region that was located in Jhang, Punjab. Sheikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari studied medicine. After that, he was recruiting by Mughal Court as A Physician of Prince Khurram. The prince Khuram was the shah Jahan of the future. The prince was impressed by the Ansari Abilities that he awarded him with the honor of Wazir Khan in the year 1620. Wazir Khan Purchase a large area near Delhi gate. Ansari constructed is a mosque and now known as the Wazir Khan mosque. The tomb of Syed Muhammad Khan Ishaq was situated in this mosque. He was the Badshah of Miran. The interior of this mosque was decorated with frescoes (Painting made with watercolors on wet Plaster). The exterior of this mosque was embellished with Persian style Kashi-Kari tile work. Wazir Khan Mosque is the first example of a four-axis Bazar in South Asia that was built in this mosque. Out of Four axis’s, two axis’s was used as mosque enter way while the other two axes were occupied by Calligrapher.

Roof Of Mosque

Architect

Wazir Khan Mosque is famous for its decorative elements which draw from the tradition of several regions. This mosque is decorated with Kashi-Kari's work. Many other monuments are also decorated with Kashi-Kari work during the period of Shah Jahan, but none of this building can match the beauty of the Wazir Khan Mosque. The outside of this mosque was decorated with Persian style Kashi Kari's work on Bricks. The front face of the Mosque that faces the main courtyard is decorated with Persian Design and color that reflect the 17th-century Persian style. lajvard (cobalt blue), firozi (cerulean), white, green, orange, yellow, and purple included in Persian style color. The front face of the mosque that faces the Wazir Khan Chowk was decorated with the tile work and Calligraphy. On the entrance of the main prayer hall, Quran's surah Al-Baqara verses were written on the Iwan by calligraphist Haji Yousaf Kashmiri.

Layout

We entered in the Wazir Khan mosque through a large Timurid-style Iwan over a roadway which faces the Wazir Khan Mosque. We entered into the mosque through a small roadway which leads the chamber which is situated in the center of the mosque "Calligrapher's Bazaar. This roadway and chamber lead to the main courtyard of this mosque. The total area of this courtyard is 160 feet by130 feet. A pool is present in the courtyard of this mosque. The main prayer hall is present in the center of this mosque. The total length of this prayer hall is 130 feet and the width is 42 feet.