Wazir Khan Mosque, Mosque in Old Walled City, Lahore, Pakistan
Wazir Khan Mosque is a house of prayer in the old walled city of Lahore, Pakistan, with courtyards surrounded by two-story arcaded galleries. The outer facade displays floral patterns in blue, yellow and green, while the prayer niche inside is decorated with mirror work and gilded ornaments.
The governor commissioned construction starting in 1634, with work lasting seven years and completed during Shah Jahan's reign. Later restorations focused on preserving original frescoes and tilework that had suffered damage from weather and urban growth.
The name honors Hakim Ilm-ud-Din, who served as Wazir Khan in the Mughal administration and brought Persian building traditions to Punjab. Today, worshippers gather in the prayer hall while craftspeople in the entrance area produce miniature paintings and tiles using the same techniques as centuries ago.
Visitors reach the entrance through a narrow lane from Delhi Gate and should wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees. The best time to visit is between prayer times during the morning when natural light enters the courtyards through arched windows.
An underground water tank beneath the main courtyard once supplied fresh water to the surrounding bathhouses and fountains through a system of hidden channels. The domes create an echo at certain times of day that carries Quranic recitations across the entire prayer hall.
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