27 Amazing Badshahi Mosque Facts

Badshahi Mosque is one of the most popular mosques of Pakistan and it is located in Lahore, the second-largest city and former capital.

The mosque was built for Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's son and his successor and was completed in 1671. The mosque was built after demolishing the 11th and 12th-century Badshahi Masjid.

The mosque is considered a good example of Mughal architecture with its intricate floral motifs and red sandstone. It is the second-largest mosque in Pakistan. Built-in the Mughal Empire's heydays, it's a testament to the lavish wealth and artistry that characterize their era.

A great way to take in the view of this magnificent mosque is by visiting a few restaurants along the fort road food street.

Not only is the mosque visible from there, but tourists are also taken to the rooftop of some of the restaurants for a well-deserved photo op. Even more amazing than that, though, is that the lights illuminating this historic treasure can be seen shining brightly into space every night.

This mosque, a part of Lahore's already astounding list of attractions, should make for great Instagram photos and an even better experience for tourists who come here from all across the world!

The Badshahi Masjid is one of the most famous mosques in the world, along with Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, and has existed for over 300 years.

You could spend hours admiring such a beautiful sight, and it's a great place to take pictures. The mosque is a symbol of cultural heritage in Pakistan, and it's a spectacular sight to behold. Apart from being a famous architectural landmark, how much do we know about it? Read more about Badshahi mosque facts here.

Badshahi Mosque Location

The mosque has a unique architectural style, and it is located in Lahore, Pakistan.

• As you walk west of the Lahore Fort, you will find the Badshahi Mosque on the outskirts of the Walled City of Lahore.
• The mosque was once a Mughal Emperor's pavilion for his royal ladies' sunning themselves in parks and small gardens.
• There are two large gates to enter through the southern entrance through which ordinary people enter the grand entrance gate (the Shahi Darwaza); and an imposing double gate built by Raja Jang, governor of Lahore during Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s reign (the Raja Darwaza).
• Lahore serves as a cultural hub for Pakistan, due to its strong art and theater culture. The best way to see Lahore would be by traveling on foot.
• The main attractions in this lavish capital include Minar-e-Pakistan, Shahi Qila, Iqbal’s Tomb, Hazuri Bagh, and Masjid Wazir Khan, one of Asia’s largest mosques built-in 1724 by Muhammad Shah Wazir Khan.
• Aurangzeb stayed here and added the Alamgiri Gate facing Mecca and the space between, establishing a garden which he used as a place of military congregation. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh renamed it ‘Huzoori Bagh’ and made it famous for its beautiful gardens that to this day, remain an attraction for tourists.
• Another interesting aspect of it is that the Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is situated next to the mosque, thereby providing an outstanding example of religious harmony. Maharaja Ranjit Singh made a failed attempt to unite the religions.

History Of Badshahi Mosque

The Badshahi Mosque was designed and constructed during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1671. The emperor charged his foster brother, governor of Lahore, Fida’i Khan Koka, with supervising the construction.

• The Badshahi Masjid was built in the 17th century between 1671 and 1673.
• It was originally built to house a relic. Not many people know that this impressive structure once housed a strand of the Prophet’s hair.
• Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb's father, built the Jama Mosque in Delhi, on which the design of the Badshahi Mosque is based.
• During the Sikh Empire of the early 18th century, this mosque suffered a lot of damage. In 1840, an earthquake ruined the turrets at the tops of the minarets which were then used during the Sikh Civil War as gun emplacements to bombard the nearby Lahore Fort.
• In 1852, a few repairs were made to the Mosque. Extensive restoration work was carried out in the 20th century at a cost of around five million rupees.

Significance Of Badshahi Mosque

It is the largest mosque of the Mughal era and the third largest in Pakistan. It was occupied by the British Empire in 1849 when it served as a garrison for the British during their time of rule over India. Today, it is one of Pakistan's most popular attractions.

• Until 1986, which accounts for more than 300 years, it was considered the largest mosque in the world, as well as being widely considered to be one of the most beautiful. The current mosque is still believed to be one of the largest in the world.
• The mosque architecture blends elements of Indian, Central Asian, Persian, and Islamic architecture.
• Badshahi Masjid is a place of relaxation and meditation. It is well worth a visit, not only as a striking example of the Mughal empire but also to take in its serenity and offer prayer personally by paying your respects at the Mosque.
• Badshahi Mosque has three domes, four major minarets with an average of 30 ft (9.14 m) height, and four minor minarets with heights of 20 ft (6.09 m) each.
• One of Pakistan’s most stunning places of worship, the Badshahi Mosque is often referred to as 'Lahore’s Taj Mahal'.
• The mosque has also become a major spot for Nikah, or the Muslim ceremony that celebrates marriage, and for having wedding photography.
• This amazing structure is one of the last remaining Mughal mosques in the region. It was heavily restored a few years ago and its 17th-century style is still quite prevalent.

Capacity And Architecture Style Of Badshahi Mosque

The architectural features of this mosque are regarded as Indo-Islamic, Mughal, and it is capable of accommodating up to 56,000 people.

• The prayer chamber of the mosque measures more than 22604 sq ft (2100 sq m) while the courtyard occupies almost 279,861 sq ft (26,000 sq m).
• The walls are built with the use of small bricks of clay, fired, and then assembled in layers with lime mortar. There is stone carving and marble lining on almost all walls.
• The main prayer hall is adorned with frescoes, stucco tracery, and marble inlay.
• The Badshahi Mosque, Lahore, was built 19.68 ft (6 m) high so as not to get flooded by the nearby Ravi River. The entrance is approached with 22 stairs and has three sides as it leads you out of the mosque.
• The Royal Mosque has a symmetrical building. Sitting beside the river, building a northern gateway was not possible, hence, there is no southern gateway.
• One of the striking aspects of the mosque's interior is its decorated prayer hall, which is divided by arches into seven sections. Clad in white marble, three out of these four chambers are surmounted by domes.
• The height of four minarets at the corners of the mosque is 177.1 ft (54 m) high.
• The facade of the Taj Mahal is intricately carved out of red sandstone, often embellished with carved marble, and is widely believed to be the best example of Mughal architecture.
• The mosque complex has unique acoustic effects which can only be fully appreciated if one has a guide who can demonstrate them to you.
• It's a beautiful mosque with enough space to accommodate a large number of worshipers at once. The white marble and the Islamic-designed patterns give it a regal and esteemed look. It's worth visiting if you ever get the chance to go to Pakistan.
• It's a wonderful site and gives you an idea of what the world would have looked like back then. There are always people around it so you can always ask for directions or more information about the local area.
• It's a tourist center and you should be sure to experience it along with the Lahore Fort!