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.
The BalTiT ForT
 The BalTiT ForT
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. Traditional
woodwork and carvings can be found on the fort walls. Part of the fort
was renovated by the British, due to which colonial influence can also
be witnessed. 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.
MausoleuM oF shah rukn-e-
alaM
 MausoleuM oF shah rukn-e-
alaM
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.
lahore ForT
 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.
Wazir khan mosque
 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 exquisite feature of the
mosque are the Persian style muqarnas vaulting on the interior.
shah Jahan mosque
 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.
DeraWar Fort
 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.
noor mahal
 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.
d.j. SiNdh govt. ScieNce
college
 d.j. SiNdh govt. ScieNce
college
The Diwan Dayaram Jethamal Sindh Government Science College in
Karachi was built during the Italian Renaissance style in 1893.
Designed by James Strachan, with a portico, a stone tower which rises
to a height of 121 feet, topped by a dome and crowned with a lantern,
the tower is flanked by two equally impressive but smaller domes. At
the time of construction, the building’s mosaic tiles were imported
from Belgium and the cast iron handrail used for the staircase was
brought in from Glasgow.
MauSoleuM of jahaNgir
 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.
Mohatta Palace
 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.
Shah faiSal moSque
 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.
PakiStan monument
 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 Gilgit-
Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The monument’s design reflects the culture and civilization of the
country with expertly carved depictions and murals of the Pakistan
Movement on the interior walls of the petals. 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.