ART AND DESIGN OF MOSQUES IN PAKISTAN

Table of Contents

1 History of Islam in Pakistan

1.1 Partition of Indo-Pak Subcontinent

2 Famous Mosques in Pakistan

2.1 Badshahi Moque, Lahore.

2.1.1 Entrance

2.1.2 Minarets

2.1.3 Courtyard

2.1.4 Aiwan

2.2 Faisal Mosque, Islamabad.

2.2.1 Prayer/Main Hall

2.2.2 Minarets

2.2.3 Courtyard

2.2.4 Fountain

2.2.5 Reflection Pools

2.2.6 Ablution Area

2.2.7 Chandelier Area

2.2.8 Islamic University

2.3 Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore.

2.4 Masjid-e-Aqsa, Rabwah.

2.5 Jamia Mosque, Thatta.

2.6 Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta.

2.7 Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta.

3 Conclusions

4 Bibliography
1 History of Islam in Pakistan

1.1 Partition of Indo-Pak Subcontinent

August 15, 1947 was a very momentous day in favor of Hindus, Muslims and many
other religions, that was the day of separation between Muslim and Hindus by the
British. India won its independence from regal regulation, ending nearly 200 years of
British rule. There were many different actions before the final decision of partition took
place. British gained full control over Indo-Pak Subcontinent at some stage in 18th and
19th century. Muslims and Hindus started disliking British government when they were
not given chance to work on higher positions in various jobs, army and government
sector. Hindus claimed equal opportunity and freedom from colonial rule, when Indian
National Congress was formed by Jawaharlal Nehru in 19th century.
In order to disagree with the professed threat of the educated Hindus, the British wanted
to make the Muslims their associates. The British fear the likely oppose from the
Muslims as Muslims ruled the indo-pak subcontinent for more than 300 years under the
Mughal Empire. To win Muslims to be on their side, the British supported and assisted
them in their needs. They instilled the idea that the Muslims were a separate political
body and gave the Muslims separate electorate in local government all over Indo-Pak
subcontinent by the beginning of the 1900s.

The Muslim leaders who were guided by Qaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah thought
that the Hindus were beginning to dictate decision-making in the Indo-Pak subcontinent
by ruling Indian Congress. To protect Islamic heritage, Muslims felt that they should
have their own state, therefore in 1940, All-India Muslim League affirmed its desire for a
separate state. After the Muslims statement, Hindus started feeling irritated being a
minority in a majority Muslim State and the relationship between Muslims and Hindus
started getting worse.

The Muslim League called for "Direct Action" day on 16th of August 1946, in its demand
for a separate state called Pakistan. The Direct Action day was witnessed by thousands
of Muslims and Hindus fighting in various areas. Kalkatta became the scene of the
cruelest violence which was known as the ‘Great Kalkatta Killings'. More than five
thousand people died, around two thousand people were badly injured and hundred
thousand residents were left on the streets. On this upset happening Quid-e-Azam
stated:
"If not a divided India, then a destroyed India", Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
The violence further spread to the rural areas of Punjab and the Ganges Valley. Later
on, the British and Indian leaders, Nehru and Valla Bhai Patel came into decision that
partition was the only solution of this clash. The last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten
Powel was given full authority by the British leaders to negotiate any agreement he
could make to help come to some sort of conclusion. Mountbatten realised that the only
way for the British to withdraw was to shift power to two governments. With this in mind,
he stressed and finally convinced congress to accept the concept of a divided Indo-Pak
subcontinent. He made the declaration of the partition and stated the borders, which
would divide Indo-Pak Subcontinent into two. His decided to create two separate wings
in the areas where the Muslims were the most in population, in northwest subcontinent
and in eastern Bengol which together would form Pakistan, two Muslim states.
Therefore on 14th of August 1947, a new Islamic Republic of Pakistan was formed, a
separate Muslim state from the majority Hindus in the subcontinent. The next day which
was 15th of August 1947, Hindus won their freedom from colonial rule.

Thus, August 14, 1947 saw the birth of the new Islamic Republic of Pakistan- a Muslim
nation separate from the predominantly Hindu India. At midnight the next day (on Aug.
15, 1947) India won its freedom from colonial rule. Pakistan consisted of two regions,
West Pakistan which was on the Indus River plain and East Pakistan which is now
known as Bangladesh.
The first Prime Minister of India, Nehru stated in his speech on 15th August 1947:

"A moment comes which comes but rarely in history, when we step from the old to the
new, when a age ends, and when the soul of a nation long suppressed, finds utterance."
Nehru.

For Indians, the partition was the logical outcome of Britain's policies of dividing and
ruling. For Pakistanis it was their founding moment. It was the outcome of the struggle
of Muslims to have their separate identity recognized by both the British and the Indian
nationalist movement. For the British, the partition was a necessity because they could
no longer afford the cost of maintaining colonial rule. It was unquestionably a very
significant event for many.
This was the beginning of the story when British started preparing to quite their rule in
the Indo-Pak Subcontinent.

People who had been living together for centuries devoted senseless act of cruelty
between each other. It was a dreadful incident as a million Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs
were killed in the conflict. Over 12 million people were enforced to leave India and
Pakistan. If a Muslim, Hindu or Sikh was found on the wrong side, they were driven out
from their homes. The journey was lengthy and torture, many people were forced to
leave their belongings such as properties, business and vice versa, about seventy five
thousand of women were raped.

Just after the partition, the two nations lost their most active leaders such as
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and Gandhi. As British left the boundries issues
The two countries lost many of their most dynamic leaders, such as Gandhi, Jinnah and
Allama Iqbal, soon after the partition. In 1971, Pakistan had to face the separation from
Bangladesh. Even the imposition of an official boundary has not stopped conflict
between them. A war between India and Pakistan continues to this day. Boundary
issues, left unresolved by the British, have caused two wars and continuing conflict
between the two countries. Over the past fifty years, India and Pakistan have been in a
state of constant hostility, fighting three wars in 1947-48, 1963 and 1971. In the last
decade, they have fought over the possession of Kashmir and the drawing of
boundaries in the high Himalayas.
The boundary issuewas left unsolved due to which war between Pakistan and India
continued. Continuous conflicts between the two countries resulted in three wars in
1947-48, 1963 and 1971. In the last decade, India and Pakistan have been fighting for
the control on Kashmir and the boundry lines of Himalayas.

2.1 Badshahi Mosque.

One of the largest mosque in Pakistan is Faisal mosque, which is one of its own kind. It
has no parallel in magnificence and classiness. The main hall of the mosque is
decorated with a beautiful marble slab, containing a message in Persian, the translation
of which is as under:
"The mosque of the victorious and valiant King Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Alamgir,
constructed and completed under the superintendence of the humblest servant of the
royal household, Fidai Khan Koka, in 1084 A.H."
From the above message, it is clear that this mosque was built for emperor Auranzaib
Alamgeer by Fidai Khan.
So it is clear that this unique piece of architecture was built in 1673 A.D. for emperor
Aurangzeb Alamgir by Fidai Khan, the foster brother of the Emperor. The design of the
Badshahi mosque is bound by convention, it is a building of very strong and determined
character. It’s minarets are one of the most outstanding One of the most outstanding
features. The mosque consists of more minarets then a normal mosque, having one
minaret at each corner of the mosque area and other smaller ones at each angle of the
sanctuary, thus collectively eight in all. It is the most unique architecture in Lahore. its
huge domes and minarets can be seen from a great distance. Beside it’s great
architecture, the Badshahi mosque is one of the largest mosques of the world.
It is a known fact that the Mughal Architecture is the most luxurious manifestation of the
building art of the Muslims as a whole. This architecture style has been known as the
blending of elegance and harmony. During the last stage of this great architectural
approach, the Badshahi mosque was the last. While this great architecture style was in
its final phase, the Badshahi mosque was the last achievement of the great Mughals of
that era.

2.1.1 Entrance
The mosque is constructed on a raised platform which is linked to the main entrance by
about twenty two steps and is raised from the three side, rising from three sides and
finishing where the red sandstone platform starts. The red sandstone platform is about
sixty-five by thirty five feet in measurement. It is a double storey constructed entrance
which is the Mughal’s traditional style. It is in the traditional Mughal style with a elegant
three centered central tomb with great height, richly bejeweled with carved and framed
paneling on all its front.
The upper level of the entrance is converted to a small museum.museum has exhibits
relics of various important Islamic leaders including Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be
Upon Him).
The amazing symmetry of the three giant white marble domes capping many arches of
the mosque is a marvel of harmony in masonry. Its red sandstone minarets form a
startling contrast against the white domes and the blue sky. Its vast courtyard,
characteristic of Mughal architecture, is bounded on all corners by four towering
minarets of red sandstone with white marble cupolas. These minarets have three
storeys excluding their solid plinth about 20 feet high which is sometimes confused by
many as an independent storey.

2.1.2 Minarets
The red sandstone made high minarets with white marble domes creates an amazing
contrast against the blue sky. Each minaret is 176 feet high above the mosque platform.
The top pavilion is rested on eight octagonal pillars of 32 feet in height. The inside of the
minarets is hollow which is composed of about 200 steps which takes to the top pavilion
offering pleasing bird’s eye view of the Lahore city. The original top pavilion were
The total height of these minarets is 176 feet above their plinth. The top pavilion carried
over 8 octagonal columns is alone 32 feet high. The minarets are octagonal from
outside but circular and hollow inside. The centre is occupied by a vertical shaft round
which run 204 steps to ascend to the top pavilion which offers beautiful bird's eye views
of the city. The strength of these minarets can be judged from the fact that their outside
circumference is 67 feet and inside is 8 1/2 feet only. Due to the earthquake in 1840A.D.
the original top pavilion was lost, which was later reconstructed.

2.1.3 Courtyard
Main entrance leads to a 2,76,310 square feet courtyard which is almost square. The
center of this courtyard is a water reservoir used for ablution but is not used for this
purpose now. The boundary of the water reservoir is a marble made net with a fountain
in the center. This gigantic courtyard is separated into upper and lower parts (which is
walled Fina). The upper part can be further into three divisions. The central division of
the mosque and two sides which are lowered by a single ste. The courtyard is bordered
by beautiful walkway which used to be ‘Madrasa’ (Arabic translation of scool) in Mughal
era. The east region of the walkway was demolished by the British in 1856 which later
on was reconstructed as a long ablution area.

2.1.4 Aiwan
Aiwan is the prayer chamber of the mosque which is located in the centre of the west
side of the vast courtyard. It cover an area of about 23,300 square feet. Aiwan is
approximately three feet higher than the courtyard linked to sang-e-abri. It is steps by
three feet and approach by a flight of sang-e-abri steps. Though aiwan is a area but is
well proportioned and striking.
The mosque was very much broken in Sikh period as they used it as a military store
house. Also in British period, the hujras and arcades were used as the residential
housing for army. Later on British started to sell its sandstone blocks which was strongly
disliked by the Muslims. In 1856 A.D, the Muslims rebuilt the mosque and extensive
repairs were done by Pakistani government to bring back the beauty of the Badshahi
mosque.

2.2 Faisal Mosque

Faisal Mosque, which is located in the capital city of Pakistan in Islamabad started
developing after a careful consideration on Shara-e-Islamabad near the base of
Marghala Hills. King Faisal from Saudi Arabia had a visit in Pakistan in 1966, when he
liked the concept of this mosque. His majesty the late King Faisal genially offered to
bear the expenses of this grand mosque project. This grand mosque was named Faisal
Mosque after King Faisal’s visit to Pakistan, later on, the highway which connects other
cities to the mosque was named as Faisal Avenue.
An international contest for the mosque architecture was organized to select a noble
design. This contest was carried out among quality architects around the Muslim world.
After very careful consideration on the outcome of this competition, the selected design
was made by Vedat Dalokay, one of the leading architects in Turkey. His design was
further adjusted to be the befitted design. M/S National Construction Limited was
awarded the Faisal Mosque Project, all the construction work was assigned to the
Pakistani workers and engineers and however, the foundation stone block was put
down by His Majesty late King Khalid of Saudi Arabia in October 1976.

2.2.1 Prayer/Main Hall

There are four main components of the Faisal Mosque. The four girders, double slab
roof, qibla wall and golden crest.The girders are composed of two legs which meets at a
height, the load of the girders support the double slab roof by of cross and hinged
beams. The qibla wall is superbly decorated center of attraction. Multi-glazed tiles from
Turkey are used to enhance the decoration of the inside mosque forming message of
Kaiima-e-Tauheed. A huge elegantly designed golden crescent has been fixed on the
roof of the prayer hail.

2.2.2 Minarets
Gold plated crescents are fixed on top of each minaret, each minaret is about 285 feet
high, located on each corner of the mosque. Stairs and elevators are provided in each
minaret which takes the visitors and tourists to the Visitors Gallery. The gallery is
located on a height of 190 feet above the ground level. From the gallery, a panoramic
view of the capital city Islamabad can be viewed.

2.2.3 Courtyard
The open courtyard has the facility to accommodate about 40,000 people; it is nicely
tiled with imported durable granite stones from Italy. A beautiful geometric pattern
identical to the mosque can be seen from the courtyard which can accommodate
20,000 more people beside the courtyard.

2.2.5 Reflection Pools

One reflection pool is located in the north side of the main hall. The pool is near the
qibla wall consisting sequence of small fountains. The foundation clad is constructed
with blue colored tiles creating fresh atmosphere. The water level of this reflective pool
can be adjusted which is designed in such a way that it can control the ventilation of
fresh air according to the need.

2.2.6 Ablution Area

The ablution region has the capacity of 200 ablution units. These units are constructed
with white colored marble with fountains in the center. Bold Turkish patterned multi
glazed tiles from Turkey are used for the walls.

2.2.7 Chandelier Area

Chandelier is located in the Prayer Hall weighing about 7.5 tons. The structure of the
chandelier is designed with aluminum tubes which are anodized in gold color. It’s outer
ring contain about thousand electric bulbs for lighting at night.

2.2.8 Islamic University

Some region of ground and first floor is occupied by Islamic University. The university is
also linked with the Islamic Research Institute where hundreds of local and international
students study. This university is equipped with printing press, library, conference room
and a nice cafeteria.

2.3 Wazir Khan Mosque.

Wazir Khan Mosque located in Lahore, was built by hakeem Illum-ud-Din in 1643. He
was awarded the name of “Wazir Khan” during Shahjahan era while governing Punjab.
Wazir Khan Mosque is famous because of its grace, beauty and the decorative
structures made by delicate tiles, calligraphy, floral patterns and octagonal minarets.
Persian style floral pattern have been used on different parts of the mosques, such as
arches, walls and domes to enhance the beauty. Cypress as a decorative design was
introduced for the very first time in the mosque. This mosque is a uniqueexample of
Mughal era. This kind of art and decoration is called Variegated Glazed Tile and Mosaic
works. Wazir Khan mosque was the end of Mughal architecture.

2.4 Mohabbat Khan Mosque.

Mohabbat Khan Mosque is situated in Peshawar NWFP, built in 1670’s and developed
in 17th century. The Orthodox designed mosque was named after Mughal Governer of
Peshawar, Nawab Mohabbat Khan. The Prayer hall consists of 3 low fluted domes
which are painted in geometric and floral colorful patterns. The west side of the mosque
consists of prayer hall with two high minarets.
2.5 Jamia Mosque, Thatta.
The Shah Jahan Mosque was built in the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is
located in Thatta, Sindh province, Pakistan. It is included in the UNESCO World
Heritage and has been conserved since its entry.
In the town of Thatta (100 km / 60 miles from Karachi) itself, there is legendary
Shahjahani Mosque with its striking architecture. This mosque was built in 1647 during
the reign of Mughal King Shah Jahan, also known as the builder King. The mosque is
built with red bricks and blue coloured glaze tiles most likely imported from another
Sindh's town of Hala. The mosque has overall 100 domes and for this reason is the
world’s largest mosque. Acoustics have been kept in consideration while building the
mosque .( A person speaking inside one end of the dome can be heard at the other
end.)

2.6 Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta.

Thatta is a historical and important city of the Sind Province of Pakistan. Mogul emperor
Shah Jahan in 1647 A.D. built this mosque as a gesture of gratitude to the people of
Thatta, as they sheltered him during his youth after his father; Emperor Jahangir
banished him from Delhi. Thatta (Thatto in local language) is a historical and important
city of the Sind Province of Pakistan. The city lies some 100 kilometers east of the
Karachi metropolis on the National Highway. The River Indus and the Arabian Sea
coast is to it’s west, Thatta was once an important and thriving city and a centre of the
newly thriving religion of Islam. From the 14th century four Muslim dynasties ruled Sind
from Thatta, but in 1739 the capital was moved elsewhere and with it Thatta declined.
Thatta has a very rich heritage of Muslim architecture during the era of the 16th and
17th century. Although Thatta is known for its history which dates back to some 2000
years, it is also known for the Shah Jahan Mosque - a masterpiece of Mughal
construction. This mosque was built by Mir Abdullah on the orders of Mogul emperor
Shah Jahan in 1647 A.D.
Architecturally unique, Shah Jehan mosque is the first mosque in this region to be
constructed according to the principles of Mughal courtyard architecture. As per some
Persian inscriptions, the foundation of the mosque was laid in 1644 and mosque was
completed in 1647. The floor was paved with stone in 1657.The mosque is a wonderful
model of crafty tile work. Its 93 domes and 33 arches with varying sizes add to their
architectural beauty. The domes have been exquisitely laid in a mosaic of radiating blue
and white tiles. Its blue tiles and mosaic work are enthralling. Red brick is utilized as
compared to the more commonly seen pink sandstone and marble associated with
Mughal buildings. The main entrance of the mosque has a central domed chamber. The
mosque has an open central courtyard of about 15,900 square feet. Arcades of red
brick arches highlighted with bands of white surround the courtyard. The main entrance
is in the eastern portion and the secondary entrances are contained in the north and
south portion. The prayer hall has three bays on either side of the central meh-rab
chamber. Each bay is covered by a low dome, which adds up to 93 domes. The
proportion of the aisle to the low domes enables an acoustic range that in effect allows
the prayers read in front of the mihrab to be heard in all parts of the mosque. The
mosque is spread over an area of 51,850 square feet.
Unlike other mosques, Shah Jahan Mosque has no minarets. Instead of the typical
three domes, there is only one main dome in the prayer hall. The ablution pond is not
located in the center of the courtyard. Instead, it is in a square courtyard located within
the eastern portion of the mosque. The ablution courtyard used to be accessed from an
arched opening in the domed entrance chamber but now is accessible only from the
aisle of the eastern part. The mosque is combination of Turkish and local artwork, which
is profusely used on tile work in the ceiling decoration of semi domed and domed
chambers; in addition to the fillings of interlaced arches.
It would not be wrong to call this mosque as the mosque of domes and arches as one
can see a sequence of lined arches while standing in any one corner. Each arch has a
small atop with beautiful mosaic and tile work. In fact no Mogul period mosque is like
the Shah Jahan mosque at Thatta, as the moghul architects digressed from their typical
architectural style and designed a completely special mosque from those built in Lahore
and Delhi in the same period. Thus, making the mosque unique from the rest and worth
visiting and admiring.

2.7 Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta.

Architecturally only one of its kinds, this Jami mosque is distinct in its layout as well as
in its materials. It is the first mosque in this region to be constructed according to the
principles of Mughal courtyard architecture. Atypical of mosques, this building is
elongated along the east-west rather than the usual north-south axis. Red bricks are
utilized rather than the pink sandstone and marble more commonly associated with
Mughal buildings. Most likely, the choice to use these bricks was made for convenience
of cost and availability, since Thatta does not have much stone. The surfaces are
decorated with glazed tiles.
The mosque was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a gesture of
gratitude to the people of Thatta for sheltering him during his youth after his father
Emperor Jahangir banished him from Delhi. Several Persian inscriptions on site date
the foundation of the mosque to 1644 and its completion to 1647. The floor was paved
with stone in 1657. Repair work was done during the seventies by the Endowment
(Awqaf) Department added a garden to the eastern side.
The detached entrance built for the new garden is defined by a triple arched structure
that imitates the Mughal style of arches contained within rectangular frames, with the
central portion being projecting higher than the others, built on axis with the main
entrance to the mosque. The new garden is an imitation of the four-quadrant chahar
bagh style, through which one walks to reach the mosque.
The massive main entrance capped with a central domed chamber is approached
through a rectangular porch. The mosque is organized along an open central courtyard
that measures 164' x 97'. Arcades of red brick arches highlighted with bands of white
surround the courtyard presenting a striking image. The main entrance is in the eastern
portion and the secondary entrances are contained in the north and south portion. On
the west side is the prayer hall housing the mihrab. The prayer hall is three bays deep
on either side of the central mihrab chamber; the other three sides are only two bays
deep on either side of the entrance iwans. Each bay is covered by a low dome, which
adds up to 93 domes. The proportion of the aisle to the low domes enables an acoustic
range allowing the prayers read in front of the mihrab to be heard in all parts of the
mosque. The whole mosque measures 305' x 170'.
Other equally interesting modifications and experiments with Mughal style are also in
evidence; for example, there is no minaret. Instead of the typical three bulging domes,
there is only one main dome in the prayer hall. The dome does not require a strong
visual position, as it is completely concealed behind a tall semi-domed entrance
(pistaq). The use of high pistaqs during the Takhan period of Thatta has been recorded
and is also typical of the Timurid architecture. The concept of a domed iwan has been
developed and has been used to define the secondary entrances.
The ablution pond is not located in the center of the courtyard. Instead, a square
courtyard is located within the eastern portion of the mosque. The ablution courtyard
was formerly accessible from an arched opening in the domed entrance chamber, but
now it is only accessible from the eastern aisle.
The Shah Jahan mosque represents the height of tile decoration in the Sindh. The
influence of mosaic on tile work is seen in the ceiling decoration of semi-domed and
domed chambers, as well as in the fillings of interlaced arches and in the panels at
squinch level. The soft glazed tile paneling has been in use since the Tarkhan period.
Various shapes of tiles - square, rectangular and hexagonal - were manufactured and
assembled to complete a design in a given panel. The tilework is not related to the
imperial Mughal style, but to the Timurid School. Various shades of blue on white, and
some yellow or purple background produce a very comforting effect in the hot climate of
Thatta.
The glittering star motif predominates, replacing the rosettes of other buildings in the
Makli hills. These stars come together to make a floral pattern and when arranged in
circles around a central round motif (usually representative of a sunflower), they actually
represent a starry sky with all the stars moving round the sun. This new concept reveals
Mughal influence in the types of of geometric lines that encircle these stars to make
different patterns. An important Thatta landmark, this mosque has been restored and
renovated. A conscious attempt has been made in the process of tile restoration to
sustain the original style. This mosque remains a prime example of an imperial
architectural form regionalized via the use of brick and Sindh tile work.

3 Conclusions
4 Bibliography