Badshahi Mosque

By Sobia Sarwar

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Prayer being offered at Badshahi Mosque

Badshahi Mosque at night

Situated in the North of Lahore, the Badshahi Mosque is a depiction of majestic excellence, and cultural panache. The denotative meaning of its title is the “King’s Mosque” and it was constructed in the regime of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 17th century. Being the fifth largest mosque in the world and the second largest in the Asian region, it is one of the most exquisite forms of early Muslim architecture.

Even after centuries have passed, Badshahi Mosque remains an epitome of the Mughal era and the traditional Islamic values. It’s indeed a must-see for every tourist who visits Lahore. Due to its commendable style and composition of various forms of arts, it has been an object of study of many artists, scholars and historians.

The features of Badshahi Mosque that still attracts hordes of tourists include the exemplary Islamic calligraphy, fresco and Persian tile sheathing on the walls. The durable and magnificent marble work done in the whole building gives an ethereal essence to the mosque.

From the elevated entrance of the Badshahi Mosque to the intricately embellished façades, the whole red sandstone building tells the story of imperial reign of Muslims in the subcontinent. The four minarets are built in the corners of the main courtyard of the mosque which has the capacity to accommodate over hundred thousand people for prayers. The area of the courtyard is 278,784 sq ft, where the whole Taj Mahal can easily fit in.

The interior of the prayer chambers is engraved with the regal designs. The high ceilings of the mosque were embedded with ornamental stones and jewels.

In the reign if Ranjit Singh in Punjab after the Mughal downfall, the call for prayer was forbidden in the mosque and the place was stripped down of its valuables. Nonetheless, with the advent of British colonial rule, the religious activities were restored at Badshahi Mosque.

As a tourist, you can learn about a significant part of Asian Muslim heritage. You can capture the soul of the whole environment even without photographing moments. It’s indeed a treat for all your senses. Irrespective of the religion, tourists are fascinated by the rich legacy of Muslim architecture and expertise. There is no admission fee for visiting the place. Preserving the sanctity of the place, it’s recommended to all to wear appropriate clothes while visiting this place. Several people prefer to take their shoes off while entering, but there is no compulsion to do so.

In the vicinity of Badshahi Mosque, you can find other significant historical sites like Lahore Fort, Mausoleum of national poet Allama Iqbal and Minaar-e-Pakistan (minaret of independence). Hence, the whole surrounding is an attraction spot for all visitors. All these factors contribute to make Badshahi Mosque one of the most important landmarks in Lahore.


It's advisable to take taxis to reach the northern part of Lahore in extreme climatic conditions and more comfortable journey. However, regular public transport is easily available for everyone who prefers an economical option. You can arrive at the Mosque through local route buses and wagons. Moreover, there's a popular trend of taking vehicles called rickshaws. In the pleasant weather, it's great to see the traditional Lahore by getting a horse-cart locally known as 'Taanga' to the Mosque. Though the place is open for prayers, the common visiting timings for tourists are from 8 am till sunset.




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