Shah Burj

Name of monument: Shah Burj

Location: Northwestern corner of Lahore Fort

Date of Construction:1631-32 AD

Materials of construction and finishes: Bricks, red sandstone, marble, glazed tiles

Brief Description:

Shah Burj (Kings Pavilion) is situated in the northwestern corner of Lahore fort. It comprised a number of buildings located around the courtyard with a large shallow cistern in the middle of it. The project was residence of empress when she visited Lahore. The courtyard is square in plan having beautiful proportion appropriate to imperial residence. The Shish Mahal is located on the north side of the courtyard overlooking the river which used to flow along the northern wall. The Naulakha pavilion lies in the middle of western wall while the southern side has long and narrow galleries or loggias on the entire length of south and east sides. A waterfall (ābshār) on wall in the southern gallery falls in small cistern from where it flows through a channel to the pool. Three other channels, one from each side cross the floor and divide it into four quarters. There is a platform in the middle of pool connected with floor on south side through a causeway. From the cistern the water fall in the basement over another cascade. The foundation of the project was laid by emperor Jahangir but it was completed during the reign of Shah Jahan.