Badshahi Mosque stands in the Walled City of Lahore, on Fort Road, directly across from Lahore Fort. Emperor Aurangzeb had it built in the 1670s, and its red sandstone walls, white marble inlay and large domes still define the city's skyline. The courtyard is vast and open to worshippers and visitors alike. Inside you can look at the calligraphy, the carved sandstone and the hand-painted details. Come in the last light of the day, when the stone turns amber, and plan to pair the visit with the fort next door.
Built under Aurangzeb
Badshahi Mosque, the Royal Mosque, was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir, the sixth Mughal emperor. Construction began in 1671 and the mosque was finished within the following few years. Sources give slightly different completion dates between 1673 and 1674.
It stands at the western end of the Walled City, west of Lahore Fort. A dedicated gate on the fort side, the Alamgiri Gate, once connected the two. The ground between the gate and the mosque served as a parade ground, where Aurangzeb inspected his forces. For well over three centuries the mosque was counted among the largest in the world, and its size made it visible from far outside the city.
Sandstone, marble and calligraphy
The structure is built of red sandstone, the material typical of Mughal building, set off by white marble inlay and marble domes. Walk through the courtyard first. It is wide and open, and the symmetry of the sandstone buildings around it is easiest to see from the middle.
Then look closer. The walls and ceilings carry calligraphy, carved patterns and hand-painted decoration, and some wall paintings depict scenes from Islamic history. The minarets are reported to rise more than 53 meters. The sandstone foundations and walls are part of what has kept the building standing for more than 350 years.
The mosque is still a working place of prayer. Friday prayers draw large crowds, and a women's prayer section is available.
Garrison and restoration
Under Sikh rule and then British rule, the mosque was used by troops as a garrison. The damage this caused was repaired in a restoration in 1939, funded by Sikandar Hayat Khan. He is buried in the garden next to the mosque. The building was returned to Muslim use afterwards.
Conservation work in the area continues. The Punjab Government has asked the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which has worked on other monuments in the Walled City, to take on further sites, and Badshahi Mosque is among those named.
Planning the visit
The mosque is open daily into the evening, and after dark the domes and minarets are lit. That makes a late visit possible after a day at the fort. A common plan is to see the mosque in the morning and spend the rest of the day at Lahore Fort and Wazir Khan Mosque.
The old bazaars are a few minutes away on foot. Several restaurants nearby, including Cuckoo's Den, Haveli and Andaz, have views of the mosque.
Facilities on site include restrooms, a nursing room, free parking, a wheelchair accessible entrance and accessible parking. Expect the courtyard to be busiest on Fridays and weekends.
FAQ
Who built Badshahi Mosque and when?
Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir had it built. Work began in 1671 and finished in the 1670s. Sources differ by a year on the exact completion date.
When is the best time to visit Badshahi Mosque?
Just before sunset, when the red sandstone changes colour. A weekday is quieter, since Friday, Saturday and Sunday are crowded.
Is Badshahi Mosque close to Lahore Fort?
Yes. It stands directly across from the fort's main gateway, so the two are easy to visit together.
What happens with shoes at Badshahi Mosque?
Shoes are left outside. A keeping service with baskets charges Rs. 450 per basket whatever the number of pairs. You can carry your shoes in a bag instead.
Is Badshahi Mosque wheelchair accessible?
It has a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom and parking lot.
