by: Waseem khan

1. Architecture of Pakistan
Presented by:
Waseem Khan
(2020B8017110003)
Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2. 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.

4. Baltit 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. 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.

6. 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.

8. LAHORE
FORT
The 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.

10. WAZIR KHAN
MOSQUE
The 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 wonderful feature of
the mosque are the Persian style muqarnas vaulting on the interior.

12. SHAH JAHAN
MOSQUE
The 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.

14. DERAWAR
FORT
In 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.

16. NOOR
MAHAL
Noor 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.

18. MAUSOLEUM
OF JAHANGIR
Built 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.

20. MOHATTA
PALACE
Built 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.

22. SHAH
FAISAL
MOSQUE
Located 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.

24. PAKISTAN
MONUMENT
The 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 GilgitBaltistan,
Azad Kashmir and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
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.