Wazir Khan Mosque | Iconic Series | One Eleven Group

A glittering jewel has lain forgotten for many centuries within the buzzing, dusty bazaars and tight lanes of Lahore’s Walled City. The beautifully decorated Wazir Khan mosque was built in 1641 and was commissioned privately by the Subahdar(Viceroy) of Punjab, Hakeem Ilm ud Din Ansari popularly known as Wazir Khan. He owned vast amounts of property and land around the Delhi Gate and commissioned this particular mosque to enclose the tomb of Sufi Mystic Miran Badshah.

Since this mosque was located on the main Shahi Guzargah or the route taken by the royalty towards their royal residences in the Lahore Fort, thus it became prominent. An important gathering place, it became the center of informal gatherings after Juma prayers for many years till the construction of the nearby Badshahi Mosque.

However, it fell into disrepair once the Mughals were ousted from power, and remained in a bad shape until recently in 2009 when it was restored extensively by the Government and private philanthropic agencies.

Considered one of the most heavily decorated mosques in the vicinity, Hakeem Ilm ud Din also incorporated a series of shops and a hammam in the floor plan. This was done so the income from the shops and hammam could fund the upkeep of these buildings into perpetuity. The shops and the surrounding bazaar are still popular and thriving. The original plan included 22 shops which were located at the entrance of the mosque and were popularly known as the book bazar as they housed bookshops and calligraphy suppliers mostly.

The mosque's distinguishing feature are the four minarets located on each corner of the courtyard, the first time such a design was incorporated in Lahore. Covered in frieze work, vibrant naqqashi and kashi kari designs, the mosque is a unique blend of Mughal, Iranian and Central Asian architectural styles.

Even after 400 years, the Mosque is used by the nearby community for daily observances and is a fundamental and iconic part of the community.

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