Badshahi Masjid:

Badshahi Mosque (The Imperial mosque of Aurangzeb Alamgir) is situated to the west of the Lahore Fort. It is built on a raised platform, set on arches, and is considerably elevated above the surface of the ground. The handsome and stately gateway to the east, made of red sand-stone and marble, is approached by a magnificent flight of large circular steps, paved with a beautifully variegated stone from Kabul, known as Abri. The mosque has been built in imitation of the mosque of Al Walid in Mecca. Above the arched entrance are many small turrets of red sand-stone and marble, and a tablet of white marble on the outer face of this entrance has the following inscription, in large letters, below the Kalima of the Muslim creed:- 

" The mosque of the victorious and valliant king Muhy-ad-din Muhammed Alamgir. Constructed and completed under the superintendence of the humblest servent of the royal household, Fidai Khan, Koka, in 1084 A.H." 

The inscription shows that the mosque was built in 1673 A.D., for Aurangzeb, by Fidai Khan, the foster-brother of the Emperor, mentioned by Bernier, as the great Moghal's Master of Ordnance. According to Khulasat-ul-Tawarikh, the mosque was built at a cost "exceeding six lakhs of rupees," and the revenues of Multan were assigned for its support. 
 

The facade of the archway measures 66 feet, 10 inches long. The arched entrance opens on a large quadrangle, or court-yard, 530 feet long, north and south and 527 feet long east and west, paved with solid bricks, each seat for prayer being decorated with a narrow black marble border. In the center is a reservoir of water for the abolutions of the faithful. To the west of the square is the mosque itself, the roof of which is surmounted by three superb cupolas, or domes, of white marble, crowned with pinnacles, or spires, of brass, richly guilt and placed upon drums out of which they emerge in a curve, presenting an appearance resembling the form of a balloon. Under the domes of the mosque is the principal hall, with several arched entrances, facing the east; beyond this is another hall with arched entrances; the center arch of red sand-stone, inlaid with ornamented white marble, is in the form of a massive gateway, and is wide and lofty. 
 

Towards the western extremity, in the compartment beneath the central dome, is a handsome niche, or recess, looking towards Mecca. The spot here is expressly set apart for preaching and prayer, and on the pulpit close by was read by the high priest, on every Friday, the litany for the house of Tymur. 
 

Each corner the quadrangle has a minaret of red sand-stone, tall and majestic, towering above every other-object, and seen for many miles. Although simple in their desigh, and plain in their appearance, the towers stand conspicuous for their magnitude, solidity and size, and cannot fail to impress the observer with their clossal and solemn grandeur. The height of each minaret is 143 feet, 6 inches; its circumference outside 67 feet, and inside 8.5 feet. The minarets have lost one storey, and were surmounted with cupolas which were dagerously shaken by an earthquake in 1840, and consequently had to be removed. Access to their summit is gained by a flight of narrow steps of red sand-stone in the interior, and from the top an interesting view of  the Yadgaar-e-Pakistan and the surrounding country is obtained. Upon these towers Sher Singh, during his celebrated siege of the citidil, in January 1841, posted his matchlock men, who, with their fiery weapons, spread destruction in the ranks of the besieged Dogras, the supporters of Maharani Chand Kour, widow of the imbecile Kharak Singh. The bombardment resulted in the defeat of the Rani and the coronation of Sher Singh, Whea Hira Singh, on the murder of Sher Singh and Dhian Singh, besieged the Sindhianwalas, he places zamburahs, or light-guns, used in the moutain warfare of Kashmir, on the summit of the minars which overlook the fort. Hira Singh, as we know, triumphed and became vazir in the place of his father. 
 

The north and south of the quadrangle are overshadowed by rows of fine trees of the Ficus Indica species, and lined with arcaded rooms, orginally intended for the accommodation of the students belonging to the mosque. Similar rooms existed along the eastern boundary of the edifice, but these were demolished by the British authorities. 
 

A distinguished traveller (Lord Connemara) thus describes the effect of the red sand-stone and white marble in the quadrangle of this superb and chaste mosque; "The effect of the red sand-stone and white marble, relieved by nothing but green trees within the square is very simple, and I think very impressive. The wings of the jay supplied the only other bit of colour, and the crescent moon, just visible in the daylight, looked down upon its not unworthy temple." 
 

It is related that the materials of this mosque were originally collected by Dara Shekoh for the construction of a spacious mausoleum over the remains of Mian Mir, his spiritual guide, but before he could accomplish his design, he met his death at the hands of his brother, Aurangzeb, who, on ascending the throne, confiscated the materials, and used them in building the mosque bearing his name. 
 

The mosque was used as a magazine and place for keeping military stores by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, but was restored to the Muslims by the British Government in 1856. 
 

The relics of the Prophet and his successors, in the upper story of the archway are kept, in glass cases, the relics of the Prophet Muhammed and of some of his successors and the leaders of the faith of Islam. They comprise a green turban worn by the Prophet Muhammed, with a cap, round which it was tied; a green coat worn by him; a dawk or wadded counterpane, with white and red stripes, used by him, his white trousers, a slipper of Muhammed; the mark of his foot impressed on a sandal coloured stone, and his white banner, with verses of Kuran embroidered on it. 
 

There are also the first chapter of the Kuran, in the hand-writing of Ali, in Kufi characters, on a white paper; his cap with a turban tied round it, and a Tawiz (Talisman) belonging to him, written on an old paper. 
 

There are the embroidered handkerchiefs of Fatima, daughter of Muhammed, and her embroidered carpet; Surahs Yasin and Wassafat, in Kufi characters, written by Hussein; his handkerchief, sprinkled with blood; a turban worn by Ghaus-ul-Azam, his quilt and his prayer carpet; some red earth from Kerbela; a decayed tooth, believed to be of Awais Karni; a cover of the prophet's tomb, and the covers of the tombs of Hasan, Husein, and Ghaus-al-Azam. 
 

The Muslims pay the highest respect to these relics of the leaders of their faith. They were kept in the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) in the fort, but were subsequently made over to the Muslims and are now kept at this place. 

Photograph: Coutesy of Mark Felten

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