Architecture of Pakistan through the ages

The architecture of Pakistan reflects the cultural diversity and contrast the country has experienced through the ages. Since time immemorial, the land comprising Pakistan has been the gateway for conquerors, the cradle of civilizations, the area where epic battles have been fought and heroic struggles waged. The rich past is depicted in the

wide range of architectural buildings which utilize a unique blend of artistic inspiration, design, materials, craftsmanship and construction.

The Baltit Fort

The Baltit FortBaltit Fort is located in the Hunza Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, the history of Baltit Fort dates back to the 14th and 15th century. The fort got its prominence when it became the Prime Seat of Power in Hunza and was the formal residence of Mir of Hunza and remained officially inhabited until 1945. The style of the fort is inspired by the Ladakhi/Buddhist Tibetan style of construction. Standing on a stone platform, the fort is made of wood, stone and mud plaster. Traditional woodwork and carvings can be found on the fort walls. Part of the fort was renovated by the British, due to which colonial influence can also be witnessed. Baltit Fort is one of the most impressive surviving architectural monuments from the 14th century. Its magnificence dominates a strong presence despite many rebuilds and alterations over the centuries.

Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-alam

Mausoleum of shah Rukn-e-alam

Built between 1320 and 1324, the mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan is an unmatched pre-Moghul masterpiece. This ‘Glory of Multan’ is made entirely with red bricks, beams of Shisham wood and elaborately ornamented with glazed tiles, string courses and battlements. The mausoleum also features a large white dome set against red bricks and artistically crafted and carved Shisham wood pillars. The brick work is complemented with blue and white tile work. The mausoleum is of great architectural and historical value as the dome is said to be the second largest in the world.

Lahore fort

Lahore fortThe Lahore Fort, also known as the Shahi Qila bears testament to the glorious achievements of two great Moghul emperors, Aurangzeb and Akbar. Some of the famous sites inside the fort include Sheesh Mahal decorated with small pieces of plain and colored glass that gives Sheesh Mahal its reflective qualities, Alamgiri Gate, Maseeti Gate, Naulakha Pavilion and Moti Masjid. The walls of the fort are decorated with intricate Persian Kashi tiles. Another monumental architectural masterpiece adjacent to the fort, is the Maharaja Ranjeet Singh’s Samadhi, the building which exemplifies Sikh Architecture with its gilded and fluted domes and cupolas and an ornate Balustrade round the top.

Wazir khan mosque

Wazir khan mosqueThe Wazir Khan Mosque was constructed during the flourishing Mughal Era of Shah Jahan. Located near the Delhi Gate in the inner city of Lahore, the mosque is constructed with carved bricks decorated with glazed mosaic tiles and features some of the finest examples of Qashani tile work. The domed interior is decorated with artwork featuring flora and Islamic calligraphy. Another exquisite feature of the mosque are the Persian style muqarnas vaulting on the interior.

Shah Jahan mosque

Shah Jahan mosqueThe Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta was a gift of Shah Jahan to the people of Sindh for their hospitality and is a unique masterpiece of Mughal courtyard architecture. The ninety-three domes of the mosque are its most distinguishing feature. Designed with acoustics in mind, prayer calls in one corner of the mosque can be heard at the other end. The dome’s interiors are decorated exquisitely by a mosaic of radiating blue and white tiles of floral and geometric patterns carved aesthetically and placed with superb craftsmanship.

Derawar Fort

Derawar fortIn the midst of the Cholistan Desert, about 100 kilometers from Bahawalpur, lies the grand Derawar Fort. Also termed as the gateway of Cholistan, the fort which was built originally by Rajput Rai Bhatti and rebuilt under the supervision of Nawab of Bahawalpur in 1733 A.D., has an enduring presence even today. The forty bastions of Derawar are visible for many miles in the Cholistan Desert. The adjoining Abbasi Mosque was modeled after the Red Fort of Delhi and is an example of expert marble work. Another architectural attraction nearby is the ancestral graveyard of the Nawabs of Bahawalpur. The tombs’ exquisite detailing and gold ornaments, skillfully crafted carvings on the walls and exquisite marble work are a treat for the eyes.

Noor Mahal

Noor MahalNoor Mahal is one of the hidden gems of Bahawalpur. Built in 1872, in true Italian chateau style on neoclassical lines, most of the materials and furniture were imported from England and Italy. Noor Mahal features Corinthian and Islamic styles of architecture. The grand Darbar Hall features a vaulted ceiling inspired by the Roman style of Architecture. The Islamic style is evident in the five domes, whereas the angular elliptical shapes are a stroke of subcontinent style. Nawab Muhammad Behawal Khan, the fifth nawab added a mosque to the palace in 1906. Its design is based on the mosque of Atchison College.

d.j. Sindh govt. science college

d.j. Sindh govt. science collegeThe Diwan Dayaram Jethamal Sindh Government Science College in Karachi was built during the Italian Renaissance style in 1893. Designed by James Strachan, with a portico, a stone tower which rises to a height of 121 feet, topped by a dome and crowned with a lantern, the tower is flanked by two equally impressive but smaller domes. At the time of construction, the building’s mosaic tiles were imported from Belgium and the cast iron handrail used for the staircase was brought in from Glasgow.

Mausoleum of Jahangir

Mausoleum of JahangirBuilt by Shah Jahan for his father, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who ruled from 1605 to 1627, the mausoleum of Jahangir is situated in an attractive walled garden near Lahore. The interior is embellished with frescoes, pietra dura inlay and marble. The corridor around the mausoleum is adorned with mosaic, representing flowers and Quranic verses. Islamic and Persian architectural influence is evident in the mahrab and baradari style of the mausoleum.

Mohatta Palace

Mohatta PalaceBuilt by Shivratan Chandratan Mohatta as his summer home in 1927, the Mohatta Palace in Karachi has a trimmed façade with blue and stained glass windows, elaborate domes, and exquisite railings. The palace interior is solely made up of Teak wood with a polished staircase and long corridors. The pink stones from Jodhpur and the yellow stones from Gizri are reminiscent of the Rajasthani inspired palaces. The interior is decorated with floral designs and intricate wood carvings.

Shah faisal mosque

Shah faisal mosqueLocated at the foot of the beautiful Margalla Hills, the Shah Faisal Mosque adds to the beauty of the picturesque Islamabad landscape. The mosque was designed by Turkish architect, Vedat Dalokay and completed in 1986. Built in a true Turkish tradition with thin minarets and a domeless structure, the mosque’s unusual design is a departure from the long history of South Asian Islamic architecture, fusing contemporary lines with the more traditional look of an Arab Bedouin’s tent, with its large triangular prayer hall and four minarets. The interior is covered in white marble and decorated with calligraphy by the famous artist, Sadequain.

Pakistan monument

Pakistan monumentThe monument, located in Islamabad, at the Western Viewpoint of the beautiful Shakarparian Hills is a symbol of national unity. The blooming flower shape of the monument represents Pakistan’s progress as a rapidly developing country. The four main petals represent the four provinces of Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa, Punjab and Sindh. While the three smaller petals represent the three territories of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The monument’s design reflects the culture and civilization of the country with expertly carved depictions and murals of the Pakistan Movement on the interior walls of the petals. A metallic crescent surrounding the star is inscribed with sayings of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the verses of the great poet, Allama Iqbal.