Maryam Zamani Mosque

Name of Monument: Maryam Zamani Mosque

Location: Lahore

Material of Construction and finishes: Bricks, lime, fresco paintings

Date of Construction: 1611-14

The mosque was built in 1025 AH during the reign of Jahangir in the honor of his mother. Architecturally it is one of the earliest Jami mosques of Lahore where four centered arches and domes ornamented with interlace ribbing were used. The architectural design represents the transition between Lodi and Mughal style. The mosque covers an area of 135 feet by 127 feet with a courtyard 127 feet by 82 feet. The courtyard was originally enclosed by cloisters consisting of rows of cells on the north and south, some portions of which still exists. On the east along the gate is a 17-foot-wide platform, on which stands an enclosure consisting of an octagonal domed tomb and some other modern graves. There is an ablution tank in the center of the courtyard. There are two staircases on the either extreme end of the prayer hall on the northeast southeast that leads to the roof. Similar staircases in the corner of the courtyard led to the roof of the cells. Only traces are left now. Internally, the prayer chamber of the mosque is an oblong structure measuring internally 130.5 feet from north to south and 34 feet from east to west. It is divided into five bays by means of arches supported by massive masonry jambs which support overhead high domes.

The interior of the mosque is extremely rich in fresco decoration. The paintings are unrivalled for their delicacy, perfection and execution. The variety of geometric and floral designs along with inscriptions in a subtle colour scheme is for the first time seen in any Jahangir period buildings. The surface has been divided into various panels of different shapes and dimensions according to the space available, and all the soffits, niches, squinch arches, soffit of the domes, and apex are covered with these decorations. The muqarnas in these squinch arches are decorated with small flower twigs, while the arched panels have bold interwoven floral patterns. Some of the borders of the panels have geometric schemes of decoration. Mostly six pointed stars have been used in the siffit of the arches. The patterns have primarily been created by slightly incised carving in white lines. The interior of the dome has been divided into honeycombed geometric patterns, filled with delicate floral tracery.