Pakistan

Wazir Khans Mosque, Lahore

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The Wazir Khan Mosque is a 17th century mosque in Lahore, built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The architecture is distinguished by the use of minarets at each of its four corners. The mosque is known for its intricate Kashi-Kari tile work, as well as its interiors that are almost entirely decorated with elaborate frescoes. Wazir Khan Mosque is considered the most ornate mosque from the Mughal period.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Wazir Khans Mosque, Lahore (ID: 1278)
Country
Pakistan
Status
On tentative list 1993 Site history
History of Wazir Khans Mosque, Lahore
1993: Added to Tentative List
Added to tentative list
Criteria
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org

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First published: 18/12/13.

Solivagant

Wazir Khans Mosque, Lahore

Wazir Khans Mosque, Lahore (On tentative list)

Wazir Khans Mosque, Lahore by Solivagant

Masjid Wazir Khan is the 2nd Lahori Mosque on Pakistan’s T List. It was constructed in the 1630s during the reign of Shah Jahan around 40 years before the Badshahi. Thus both are examples of “Mughal” architecture - but in almost every other aspect they are significantly different.

Whilst the vast Badshahi sits in isolated splendour opposite the Fort, exuding calmness with its subdued pastel colours, the Wazir Khan mosque is crowded inside the old city and reached from the Delhi Gate through a series of narrow hawker-filled streets. And when you get there it presents a riot of brightly coloured glazed tiles/frescos inside and out. The courtyard is reached via an arcade of shops built into the structure and inside is a space cluttered with tombs and bathing areas – so different from the giant empty space which greets one on entering the Badshahi.

Its justification as a WHS could also be rather different. The Badshahi has only to push against an open door if it wished to go for inscription – UNESCO has made it very clear that they accept its OUV and see it as an essential part of the already inscribed Fort complex if only Pakistan would put together a reasonable case and management plan! However, it is difficult to see Wazir Khan’s mosque gaining inscription either on its own or as an extension to the Fort from which it is separated by a kilometer. It is an essential part of the “Old City” …

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