Masjid Wazir Khan: Interesting Facts, History & Location Of The Mosque

The Wazir Khan Mosque (also known as Masjid Wazir Khan) is a 17th-century mosque located in the Walled City of Lahore. In this article, we’ll discuss its location, architecture, history, and some interesting facts about this historical masjid.

Wazir Khan Mosque History

The Wazir Khan Mosque is named after Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari, Viceroy of Punjab under Shah Jahan.

Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari, Viceroy of Punjab under Shah Jahan, built the Wazir Khan mosque in 1634. Ansari came from modest origins in the Punjabi town of Chiniot, in the Jhang district. 

He studied medicine under Hakim Dawi and was appointed as the personal physician of Prince Kuram, the future Shah Jehan, by the Mughal court. 

In 1620, the young prince was so impressed with Ansari’s abilities that he bestowed the title Wazir Khan on him. Wazir is an Urdu title that means “Minister.”

Wazir Khan Mosque Built By

The mosque was built by Shah Jahan to contain the tomb of Miran Badshah.

Masjid Wazir Khan was built by Emperor Shah Jahan to contain the tomb of Syed Muhammad Ishaq, famously known as Miran Badshah, a famous Sufi saint whose tomb is currently located in the mosque’s courtyard. 

Wazir Khan Mosque Architecture

The mosque took over seven years to complete.

The construction of the mosque took over seven years, which is reasonable considering how magnificent it is.

It has 4 minarets and 5 domes in total. The highest minaret is 100 feet tall.

The architecture of the Wazir Khan Mosque is the finest example of Qashani tile work.

On the interior and exterior walls of the mosque, there are some of the finest examples of Qashani tile work, Taza Kari (fresco) painting, stone, and chuna (lime plaster) ornamentation. 

“The beautiful building is in itself a school of design,” British historian Lockwood Kipling remarked of it, describing it as “a mole on the cheek of Lahore.”

The use of minarets at each of the mosque’s four corners is a unique architectural element that was used for the first time in Lahore. 

The prayer hall is built in the one-aisle, a five-bay theme that was initially established in Lahore a generation earlier at the Maryam Zamani Mosque and eventually found full expression in Emperor Aurangzeb’s Badshahi Mosque a half-century later. 

A large portion of the mosque is made of cut and polished bricks with glazed tile mosaics.

Masjid Wazir Khan has been featured in the film “Khuda Ke Liye”

With its majestic architecture and rich faience tile work, this mosque is an architectural masterpiece that mesmerizes visitors. It has been featured in a scene of the film “Khuda Ke Liye.”

Wazir Khan Mosque Address/ Location & Significance

Masjid Wazir Khan is located at Shahi Guzargah, Dabbi Bazar, Chota Mufti Baqar in Walled City of Lahore!

The Punjab Archaeology Department has designated the mosque as a Protected Heritage Monument. The site was included on the tentative list for consideration of world heritage site status by UNESCO in 1993.

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Samra Batool

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