Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum — Attraction in Lahore City Tehsil

100 yards outside the East or Masti (Masjidi) Gate of Lahore fort stands the oldest dated mosque in the city, founded, as an inscription on the north entrance records, by Maryam Zamani, mother of the emperor Jahangir, in A.D. 1614. Architecturally Maryam Zamani Mosque is of severe and early design; the five arches of the prayer chamber have simple four-centred heads, the central arch under the usual tall framing-arch, which is also four-centred and has a half-dome ornamented with interlaced ribbing. The building has three flat domes, and at each corner of its facade are square towers carrying small cupolas on octagonal drums, whilst two equivalent turrets with cupolas rise from the roof at the back corners. Internally, the central dome has interlaced ribbing or tracery and honeycombed squinches, whilst the side-domes have interlaced pendentives.

The building of Maryam Zamani Mosque would be of little note but for the paintings with which the walls of the interior are covered. These paintings are, however, unrivalled in Pakistan, and perhaps in India, for their delicacy and lively variety, and for their harmonious golden tone which is due only in part to age. The panels include flowerpots, cypresses, palms and other trees, and a miscellany of flower-designs, partly framed in elaborate geometrical patterns. Compared with the relatively coarse and indifferent brushwork on Lahore monuments of the second quarter of the century, these are of outstanding beauty and distinction. Maryam Zamani Mosque would appear that the liberal use of mosaic tile work under Janhangir’s successor, Shahjahan, induced or at least coincided with decay in the quality of wall-painting, but at the date of the present mosque the rival technique had scarcely yet...

Begum Shahi Mosque, officially The Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum, is an early 17th-century mosque situated in the Walled City of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The mosque was built between 1611 and 1614 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir in honor of his mother. It is one of Lahore's earliest surviving examples of a Mughal-era mosque and influenced the construction of the larger Wazir Khan Mosque a few decades later. The mosque has been encroached upon by several shops, and views of the mosque from the Akbari Gate of the Lahore Fort have been obstructed by illegally constructed tire shops. In July 2016, the Walled City of Lahore Authority announced that the shops would be removed, and the mosque would also be conserved and restored.BackgroundThe mosque was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir in honor of his mother, Begum Mariyam Zamani, who was also known as 'Maharani Jodha Bai'. Mariyam Zamani was also a wife of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar.LocationThe mosque is located inside the old Masti Gate in the Walled City of Lahore.HistoryConstruction began in 1611 and lasted until 1614. The Mosque of Mariyam Zamani was temporarily turned into a gunpowder factory by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, for which it was then known as Barudkhana Wali Masjid ("Gunpowder Mosque"). In 1850 the mosque was returned to the Muslims of Lahore who was able to contribute to...

The mosque built in 1614 by Maryam Zamani, also known as Jodha Bhai, Hindu wife of Akbar and mother of Jahangir, stands as a historical testament near the eastern gate of Lahore Fort. This architectural marvel served both fort residents and city dwellers alike. Its design is noted for blending Pathan and Mughal architectural styles, marking a transitional phase.

Over time, the mosque has faced significant encroachment from all sides except the west. Originally adorned with three inscriptions, only one remains legible today, reflecting its gradual decline. The mosque was once richly adorned with frescos, distinct from those found in other monuments, but sadly, these artworks are now in a state of severe disrepair.

Despite its current condition, Maryam Zamani Mosque remains a poignant symbol of cultural fusion and historical continuity in Lahore. It preserves the architectural legacy of its time, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship and stylistic evolution from the Pathans to the Mughals. As a spiritual and communal hub, it continues to resonate with the echoes of its storied past, inviting contemplation of the rich heritage of the Mughal era...