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[Audio] Wazir khan mosque The Mosque was built by Hakim Ilamuddin Ansari. He was a Mughal Court's head physician,and also he was the wazir (minister/governor) appointed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for the region of Punjab; he became widely known as Wazir Khan.He commissioned a number of other monuments in Lahore. He owned a large quantity of land near the Delhi Gate. He commissioned the mosque to be built to enclose the site of the tomb of a 14th century sufi saint, Syed Muhammad Ishaq Gazruni or as he's more commonly known, Miran Badshah, who migrated from Iran in the 13th Century and lived in Lahore during the time of the Turkish- Muslim Tughlaq dynasty. The construction began in 1634 and was completed over the course of seven years. The mosque also became the primary mosque in Lahore for congregational Friday prayers, replacing the earlier Maryam Zamani Mosque. Location The mosque stands on the southern side of Lahore's Shahi Guzargah, also known as "Royal Road". It is named so because it was the usual route used by Mughal nobles on their way to the royal mansions at the Lahore Fort. The mosque is a few hundred metres west of the Delhi Gate. Here the mosque's Shahi Hammam, also known as Wazir Khan Hammam, can be found. The Chitta Gate and Wazir Khan Chowk, a town square, are also visible from the mosque. Architecture of Wazir khan mosque The Wazir Khan mosque is rectangular, measuring 86.17 x 50.44m (282.7 x 165.4 feet), with the four imposing minarets (minars) defining the corners of the main courtyard. iwan: iwan (main entrance) Timurid-style iwan, which is a rectangular structure and serves as a gate. Balconies extend left and right from the iwan, which is inscribed with quatrains ('Rubai') in Persian. It is said that the calligrapher of these quatrains was Muhammad Ali, The iwan leads to a covered octagonal chamber in the mosque's "Calligrapher's Bazaar," which is located in the centre of the mosque. The octagonal chamber is located in the heart of the first 'charsu' bazaar, or four-axis bazaar, of South Asia. The Calligrapher's Bazaar is aligned on two of the four axes, while the other two are linked in a straight line from the mosque's entry gate to the centre of the main prayer hall..

[Audio] Courtyard The courtyard. It measures 160 by 130 feet, with high arched galleries enclosing the brick-paved courtyard. This was a common feature of imperial Persian mosques in Iran. A 35 square foot pool in the mosque's courtyard is used for ablution. The tomb of the 14th-century Sufi saint Syed Muhammad Ishaq Gazruni, also known as Miran Badshah, is in an underground crypt in the courtyard. Further, The courtyard is surrounded on four sides by 32 study cloisters used by religious scholars, which are colloquially known as 'khannas'. The mosque's four 107-foot-tall minarets are positioned at the courtyard's four corners. In the centre of the courtyard the Ablution tank. Prayer Hall The prayer hall lies at the far end of the courtyard and measures approximately 130 feet by 42 feet. Moreover, The hall is a single-aisle divided into five sections and has a North-South orientation. As per the tradition, the central section has a dome measuring 31 feet in height and 23 feet in diameter. Furthermore, The other four sections of the prayer hall have smaller domes on top of them. These are 21 feet tall and 19 feet in diameter and are built in a style that closely resembles the architecture of the early Lodhi dynasty. The left and rightmost sections of the prayer hall have staircases that lead to the roof. The interior of Prayer hall is decorated with Persian and Arabic calligraphy. Smaller sections of the calligraphy come together to form a unique mosaic design. Dome: The central dome of the mosque is a remarkable architectural feature. It is a bulbous dome, commonly found in Mughal architecture, and is adorned with glazed tile work. The dome's.

[Audio] exterior reflects the changing hues of the sky, creating a dynamic visual impact. The use of geometric patterns and calligraphy on the dome's surface adds to its aesthetic appeal. Well-known khattats (master calligraphers) rendered verses from the Holy Quran and Persian poetry in elegant Nastaliq, Naskh scripts and Tughra forms within intricate geometric and floral outlines and forms. Calligrapher's Bazaar: An important feature of the entrance area of the mosque is a Calligrapher's Bazaar which crosses the axis of the entrance at a right angle, and is marked at this crossing with a large verandah (dewhri) with a dome atop. Interior Decoration: The interior of the Wazir Khan Mosque is a visual spectacle, with walls adorned with vibrant frescoes and tile work. The frescoes depict a variety of motifs, including floral designs, arabesques, and scenes from religious narratives. Persian-style calligraphy, known for its flowing and artistic script, is integrated into the overall design, conveying verses from the Quran and other religious inscriptions. Kashi-Kari: The mosque's distinctive tile work, known as kashi-kari, is a defining feature of its architecture. Kashi-kari involves the use of glazed ceramic tiles to create intricate patterns and designs. The tiles are arranged in geometric shapes, arabesques, and calligraphic scripts, producing a mesmerizing effect. The vibrant colors and meticulous craftsmanship of kashi-kari contribute to the mosque's aesthetic richness. Conservation Efforts: John Lockwood Kipling, the father of Rudyard Kipling, wrote about the splendour and decorative elements of the Wazir Khan Mosque in the 1880s. However, by the year 1903, scholars like Fred Henry Andrews were reporting that the mosque had fallen into disrepair..

[Audio] In 1993, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) added the mosque to its tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Following this, in the year 2004, the Government of Punjab (GOP) started conservation and restoration efforts. The GOP continued its efforts of restoration and, in 2007, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture joined in the efforts. Two years later, in 2009, both parties started an in-depth survey of the mosque that became a part of a larger effort to restore different sites across Lahore. Conclusion: the Wazir Khan Mosque stands as a testament to the artistic and architectural brilliance of the Mughal era. Its intricate design, vibrant tile work, and historical significance make it a cultural landmark. The mosque's ability to blend various influences into a cohesive and visually stunning masterpiece exemplifies the richness of Mughal architecture. As it continues to endure the passage of time, the Wazir Khan Mosque remains a living testament to the legacy of the Mughal Empire..