MARYAM ZAMANI MOSQUE, LAHORE: A LITTLE PEARL IN TREASURE OF MUGHUL ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

As compared to earlier Muslim architecture in India, Mughul architecture has been more delicate, graceful and luminous. These characteristics aroused the interest of the Muslim and non-Muslim architects around the world in the buildings of the Mughul era. For the Mughuls, architecture and its principles, was not confined to just a particular type of building, as they introduced to India a number of gardens, tombs, mosques and forts etc.  This paper studies one of the mosques of Mughul era belonging to Jahangir’s period which was named after his mother Maryam Zamani. The mosque presented specific features which became a precedent for many mosques constructed afterwards. The composition of arches, provision of bulbous domes, cupolas decorated with calligraphy and fresco paintings, etc. gifted South Asia  marvel pieces of Mughul architecture. The exemplary principles of symmetry, balance and proportion imbue a complete ideology and meaning in Islamic architecture. This marvelous and meaningful symbol of mosque architecture is still a source of attraction and learning for architects, craftsmen and general tourists visiting  the Walled City of Lahore. The paper is a humble effort to carry an appraisal study and put on record all the beautiful features of Maryam Zamani Mosque of the Mughul era.