A historic symbol of Pakistan’s heritage and one of the top tourist attractions in Lahore, the Badshahi Mosque is a 17th-century Mughal-era mosque commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir.
Located within the walled city of Lahore, this mosque represents the architectural extravaganza of Emperor Aurangzeb. It is not only a prominent landmark of Lahore but also one of the biggest mosques in Pakistan.
When you first start searching for things to do in Lahore, images of the Badshahi Mosque are among the first images that pop up in your searches. No trip to Lahore is complete without visiting this heritage monument.
This complete guide will tell you everything you need to know about Badshahi Mosque, including its history, architecture, and nearby top attractions.
Location
Badshahi Mosque Lahore sits opposite the Lahore Fort in the northern part of the ancient walled city of Lahore or “Anderoon Lahore — a medieval era old city that still retains its ancient flavors.
The mosque is located a few hundred meters away from the Lahore Fort and the famous Alamgiri Gate facing towards the mosque, which can be seen from its archways. This gate was added to the west of the fort during Badshahi Mosque’s construction.
The Badshahi Mosque’s premises also feature Huzoori Bagh, the tomb of Allama Mohammed Iqbal, Roshanai Gate (one of the six remaining old gates of Lahore), and a small ziarat section that displays Islamic relics, such as the footprint, hair, tooth, and turban of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
Address:
Badshahi Mosque, Fort Rd, Walled City of Lahore,
Lahore, Punjab 54000
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday (8 am – 8 pm)
Don’t forget to check out as well…
History of Badshahi Mosque
Badshahi Mosque is the last Mughal-era mosque constructed during the rule of the sixth Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb Alamgir. Construction began in 1671 under the supervision of Muzaffar Hussain, the foster brother of Emperor Aurangzeb and Governor of Lahore, and was completed in 1673.
This mosque was built to celebrate Emperor Aurangzeb’s impressive military campaigns and was named an imperial mosque. This imperial mosque was built at a cost of 0.6 million rupees and was the biggest mosque in the world at the time of its opening. It remained the world’s largest mosque for over 300 years until the grand Faisal Mosque was completed in 1986.
This mosque is not only an iconic sight of Pakistan but also a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. The red sandstone exterior, tall minarets, and white marble domes are the distinctive features of this mosque.
The triple domes of the mosque can be seen from miles away. Its vast courtyard has the capacity to hold 100,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest mosques in the world.
Considered a symbol of Mughal splendor, Badshahi Mosque fell into decline after the fall of the Mughal Empire. At the end of the 18th century, it was used for military purposes more than a place of worship when Maharaja Ranjit Singh seized control of Lahore. Its vast courtyard was used as a stable for the cavalry horses during his period.
Under British rule, it was used as a military garrison. After the Revolt of 1857, the British demolished Hujras (cells) surrounding the courtyard. However, strong opposition from the Muslims against its use for military purposes compelled the British to establish the Badshahi Mosque Authority to re-establish it as a mosque.
In 1852, Badshahi Mosque was returned to the Muslim community to be used as a place of religious worship. After Pakistan’s independence, extensive repairs were carried out to restore its former glory.
Currently, the masjid is under the control of the Punjab Government.
Architecture of Badshahi Mosque
Badshahi Mosque is a marvel of indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture, and it took its architectural queues from Delhi’s Jama Masjid, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan — father and predecessor of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. However, it is notably larger than Jama Masjid and covers an area of 270,000 square feet.
It features four octagonal tall minarets on each corner topped by a marble canopy, three white marble domes, a spacious prayer hall, four minarets around the prayer hall, huge gateways, and a large courtyard covering most of its area.
The mosque’s main gateway faces east toward Lahore’s Fort Alamgiri Gate, which is adorned with ornate frescoes and carved paneling. The mosque complex sits on a raised platform and can be reached by a stairway that takes you to the expansive courtyard enclosed by single-aisle arcades.
The mosque courtyard has a 2500-square-foot marble fountain in the center. Its triple marble domes, tall minarets, and rectangular main hall come into full view upon entering its spacious courtyard.
The exterior of the mosque is made of carved red sandstone inlaid with carved marble, while paneling with a fresco, ornate calligraphy, and rich embellishment in stucco tracery or Manbatkari in the muqarnas enhance its interiors.
The ceilings and walls of the main hall are decorated with carved plaster. The facade of the iwan of the mosque showcases a fusion of inlaid white marble curved floral motifs and geometric patterns.
How to visit Badshahi Mosque?
Badshahi Mosque is located in the older part of the town, which can be reached by a metro bus, taxi, or auto rickshaw. Booking one of the best hotels in Lahore near the old city gives you easy access to this imperial mosque. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to get there by taxi or auto rickshaw if you stay at Mall Road.
To get there, you can book a ride using ride-sharing apps like Yango, InDrive, or careem. The Flexi ride by careem and Yango cost you less to reach Badshahi Mosque.
Timings:
Badshahi Mosque is open daily for the public between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The best time to visit is early morning, before the crowds arrive. Plus, the lighting is at its best for photography at this time.
It gets busy on Fridays when worshippers gather for the Juma prayer. The mosque is closed to tourists during prayer times.
Dress code:
Wear modest clothes when visiting Badshahi Mosque. Make sure to remove your shoes outside the mosque and dress conservatively by covering your head, shoulders, arms, and legs. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed in.
What is the ticket price for visiting Badshahi Mosque in Lahore?
There is no entrance fee to visit Badshahi Mosque, making it one of the most affordable places to visit in Lahore. However, visitors have to remove their shoes and hand them over to the staff at the entrance gate for a small charge of 20 rupees to store them.
Attractions near Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
Below are some of the places to visit near Badshahi Mosque:
- Lahore Fort
- Minar-e-Pakistan
- Fort Road Food Street
- National History Museum
- Greater Iqbal Park
Why should Badshahi Mosque be on your Lahore itinerary?
The Masjid Abul Zafar Muhy-ud-Din Mohammad Alamgir Badshah Ghazi, commonly known as Badshahi Mosque, is Pakistan’s second-largest mosque and the last great mosque built during the Mughal period.
Its architecture and location symbolize the power and wealth of the Mughal Empire. This mosque is located in the heart of Lahore and adjacent to Lahore Fort, an 11th-century citadel and UNESCO Heritage Site.
Things to Do near Badshahi Mosque
Whether you’re a history buff or a foodie, there are plenty of interesting things to do near Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. For instance, you can savor the authentic Lahori flavors at Fort Road Food Street and admire the craftsmanship of Sheesh Mahal at Lahore Fort.
Both places are located a few hundred meters away from the mosque. Below are some of the best things to do near Badshahi Mosque:
- Eat authentically at Andaaz Restaurant, Fort Road Food Street
- Explore Lahore Fort
- Learn the history at the National History Museum
- Enjoy the dancing water fountain show at Minar-e-Pakistan
- Watch the sunset over Badshahi Mosque at Haveli Restaurant
Best Places to Eat Near Badshahi Mosque
Lahore has many famous food streets, and the most famous one is Fort Road Food Street, located near the Badshahi Mosque. Plus, many food points at the famous Shahi Muhalla are the perfect fix for your appetite and leave your taste buds singing. Here are some of the restaurants and food points that you should try:
- Haveli Restaurant for traditional Pakistani cuisines s
- Arif chatkhara for Tawa chiken
- Phajja Siri Paye for Siri Payee (goat’s hooves)
- Cooco’s Den for Chicken tikka and karahi
- Andaaz Restaurant for Tandoori Jheengay & Chicken Hara Masala
The Bottom line
Badshai Mosque is one of the famous historical places to visit in Lahore to get a glimpse into the grandeur of Mughal architecture. White marble domes, towering minarets, intricate frescoes, and stucco tracery (matabkari) are some of the features that make it such an outstanding structure.
For history buffs and architecture lovers, this iconic 17th-century mosque is a must-see treasure that promises to captivate and inspire.
Now that you know everything about Lahore Badshahi Mosque, why not allocate half a day of your itinerary to visit this historical mosque and also indulge in authentic desi food at a nearby restaurant?
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About Author:
Sondus Ubin
Sondus Ubin is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in travel and food. With nearly 10 years of experience in lifestyle content creation, her toes are dipped in the exciting world of travel and food. In her time working as a travel writer, she has had the opportunity to interact with frequent travelers and travel photographers. All that knowledge she gains and her passion for travel make it possible for her to bring you informative yet fun travel content. Trust her words to help you plan your dream trip. She lives in Lahore, where she explores the city’s most intriguing, interesting, and unusual places and captures the beauty and essence of every place through her lens. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her giving her eyes a much-needed break from screens with a good book, painting landscapes, or trying out new recipes.