The Shahi Hammam (Urdu and Punjabi: شاہی حمام; "Royal Baths"), also known as the Wazir Khan Hammam, is a Turkish bath which was built in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1635 C.E. during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. It was built by chief physician to the Mughal Court, Ilam-ud-din Ansari, who was widely known as Wazir Khan.[1][2][3] The baths were built to serve as a waqf, or endowment, for the maintenance of the Wazir Khan Mosque.[4]
Frescoes under the main dome have been preserved and restored.
No longer used as a hammam, the baths were restored between 2013 and 2015 by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Walled City of Lahore Authority, with much of the funding provided by the government of Norway. The restoration project was given an Award of Merit by UNESCO in 2016 for the hammam's successful conservation which returned it to its "former prominence."[5]
The Shahi Hammam is located just within the Walled City of Lahore, steps away from the Delhi Gate. The Shahi Hammam is the last remaining Mughal-era hammam in Lahore.[6]
Backgroundedit
During the Mughal era, Persian-style hammams were introduced although they never achieved the same levels of popularity in the Mughal Empire as they did in Persia.[7]
Historyedit
The Shahi Hammam was built in 1635 by Ilam-ud-din Ansari, Governor of Lahore, as part of an endowment which included the Wazir Khan Mosque. The baths fell into disuse by the 18th century during the decline and fall of the Mughal Empire. From the early British period onwards the building was used for different purposes - as a primary school, dispensary, and recreational centre as well as an office for the local municipality. Additionally, shops were built into the building’s northern, western and southern façades.[8]
Excavations as part of restoration works completed in 2015 revealed that substantial parts of the building had previously been demolished, likely to make way for the reconstruction of Delhi Gate building in the 1860s.[9]
Layoutedit
Some walls were adorned with Mughal-era frescoes which still remain intact.
The hammam consisted of three parts: the jama khana (dressing area), nim garm (warm baths), and garm (hot baths).[10] The baths were gender segregated, and contained a reception chamber as well as a small prayer room.[11]
Architectureedit
In keeping with Persian tradition, the baths were illuminated by sunlight which filtered through several openings in the bath's ceiling which also aided ventilation. Most of the hammam's interior was preserved intact, and several Mughal era frescoes have been preserved. As the façade had few windows, merchant shops were permitted to operate along the hammam's outer walls.[12]
Conservationedit
The hammam was recently renovated.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), with funding from the government of Norway, began restoration works at the baths to conserve the space, restore the original layout of the building, and to uncover and preserve Mughal-era frescoes which decorated the building's walls.[13] Works were completed in 2015, and are the improvements are said to have changed the surroundings "dramatically."[14]
In 2016, UNESCO awarded the Shahi Hamam restoration project an Award of Merit for its "high degree of technical proficiency" and "for returning the ornate Shahi Hammam to its former prominence."[15]
Excavations have unearthed a water heating structure, drainage systems, and under-floor remains of its hypocausts.[16]
Galleryedit
The baths' exterior has been restored
The baths feature frescoes depicting winged angels
The baths' cold chamber is elaborately decorated with frescoes
Side chambers are used as an auditorium
Elevated walkways have been constructed to avoid damage to the restored site
^Shelomo Dov Goitein. Studies in Islamic History and Institutions BRILL, 2010 ISBN9004179313 p 170
^"Masjid Vazir K̲h̲ān". Archnet. Retrieved 25 August 2016. The mosque was founded by Hakim Ilmud Din Ansari, a distinguished physician from Chiniot who received the Ministerial title of 'Wazir Khan' under the reign of Shah Jahan, and was later promoted to the position of Viceroy of Punjab.
^"History and Background in Conservation of the Wazir Khan Mosque Lahore: Preliminary Report on Condition and Risk Assessment". Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme. Aga Khan Cultural Services - Pakistan. 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2016. The spectacular monumental ensemble of the Wazir Khan Mosque in the Walled City of Lahore was built in 1634 during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Its endowment then comprised the congregational mosque, an elaborate forecourt, a serai, a hammam, a bazaar, and a special bazaar for calligraphers and bookbinders.
^"Lahore's Mughal-era Shahi Hammam wins UNESCO award". Express Tribune. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
^"Shahi Hammam Bathhouse". Asian Historical Architecture. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
^"Shahi Hammam Bathhouse". Asian Historical Architecture. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
^"Ilmuddin Wazir-built Shahi Hammam restored in Lahore". Business Recorder. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
^"Wazir Khan Hammam Conservation". Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
^Chaudhry, Nazir Ahmad (1 January 1999). Lahore Fort: A Witness to History. Sang-e-Meel Publications.
^"Shahi Hammam Bathhouse". Asian Historical Architecture. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
^"Shahi Hammam Bathhouse". Asian Historical Architecture. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
^Muzaffar, Zareen (8 February 2016). "The Walled City of Lahore: Protecting Heritage and History". The Diplomat. Retrieved 25 August 2016. The Walled City of Lahore program was put into effect in partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. AKTC supports the Walled City Authority in all technical matters in terms of restoration and conservation work being carried out. Other donors include the World Bank, Royal Norwegian Government, USAID, and the German Embassy.
^Peter, Ellis (13 November 2015). Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia: Managing Spatial Transformation for Prosperity and Livability. World Bank Publications. ISBN9781464806636.
^"Lahore's Mughal-era Shahi Hammam wins UNESCO award". Express Tribune. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
^"Wazir Khan Hammam Conservation". Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
Further readingedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shahi Hammam.
Khan, Ahmad Nabi. Islamic Architecture of Pakistan: An Analytical Exposition. Islamabad: National Hijra Council, 1990.
Koch, Ebba. Mughal Architecture New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Michell, George (editor). Architecture of the Islamic World: Its history and Social Meaning London: Thames and Hudson, 1978.
Muhammad Wali Ulla Khan. Lahore and its Important Monuments Karachi: Anjuman Press, 1973.
Mumtaz, Kamil Khan. Architecture in Pakistan. Singapore: Concept Media Pte Ltd, 1985.
Rajput, A. B. Architecture in Pakistan Karachi: Pakistan Publications, 1963.
January 01, 1970
shahi, hammam, urdu, punjabi, شاہی, حمام, royal, baths, also, known, wazir, khan, hammam, turkish, bath, which, built, lahore, pakistan, 1635, during, reign, emperor, shah, jahan, built, chief, physician, mughal, court, ilam, ansari, widely, known, wazir, khan. The Shahi Hammam Urdu and Punjabi شاہی حمام Royal Baths also known as the Wazir Khan Hammam is a Turkish bath which was built in Lahore Pakistan in 1635 C E during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan It was built by chief physician to the Mughal Court Ilam ud din Ansari who was widely known as Wazir Khan 1 2 3 The baths were built to serve as a waqf or endowment for the maintenance of the Wazir Khan Mosque 4 Shahi Hammam شاہی حمامThe central chamber of the Shahi HammamGeneral informationLocationLahore Punjab PakistanAddressDelhi GateCoordinates31 34 56 N 74 19 34 E 31 582096 N 74 325974 E 31 582096 74 325974Opened1635 1635 Renovated2015ManagementWalled City of Lahore AuthorityOther informationFacilitiesFormerly steam bath hot room cold room Frescoes under the main dome have been preserved and restored No longer used as a hammam the baths were restored between 2013 and 2015 by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Walled City of Lahore Authority with much of the funding provided by the government of Norway The restoration project was given an Award of Merit by UNESCO in 2016 for the hammam s successful conservation which returned it to its former prominence 5 Contents 1 Location 2 Background 3 History 4 Layout 4 1 Architecture 5 Conservation 6 Gallery 7 References 8 Further readingLocation editThe Shahi Hammam is located just within the Walled City of Lahore steps away from the Delhi Gate The Shahi Hammam is the last remaining Mughal era hammam in Lahore 6 Background editDuring the Mughal era Persian style hammams were introduced although they never achieved the same levels of popularity in the Mughal Empire as they did in Persia 7 History editThe Shahi Hammam was built in 1635 by Ilam ud din Ansari Governor of Lahore as part of an endowment which included the Wazir Khan Mosque The baths fell into disuse by the 18th century during the decline and fall of the Mughal Empire From the early British period onwards the building was used for different purposes as a primary school dispensary and recreational centre as well as an office for the local municipality Additionally shops were built into the building s northern western and southern facades 8 Excavations as part of restoration works completed in 2015 revealed that substantial parts of the building had previously been demolished likely to make way for the reconstruction of Delhi Gate building in the 1860s 9 Layout edit nbsp Some walls were adorned with Mughal era frescoes which still remain intact The hammam consisted of three parts the jama khana dressing area nim garm warm baths and garm hot baths 10 The baths were gender segregated and contained a reception chamber as well as a small prayer room 11 Architecture edit In keeping with Persian tradition the baths were illuminated by sunlight which filtered through several openings in the bath s ceiling which also aided ventilation Most of the hammam s interior was preserved intact and several Mughal era frescoes have been preserved As the facade had few windows merchant shops were permitted to operate along the hammam s outer walls 12 Conservation edit nbsp The hammam was recently renovated The Aga Khan Trust for Culture AKTC with funding from the government of Norway began restoration works at the baths to conserve the space restore the original layout of the building and to uncover and preserve Mughal era frescoes which decorated the building s walls 13 Works were completed in 2015 and are the improvements are said to have changed the surroundings dramatically 14 In 2016 UNESCO awarded the Shahi Hamam restoration project an Award of Merit for its high degree of technical proficiency and for returning the ornate Shahi Hammam to its former prominence 15 Excavations have unearthed a water heating structure drainage systems and under floor remains of its hypocausts 16 Gallery edit nbsp The baths exterior has been restored nbsp The baths feature frescoes depicting winged angels nbsp The baths cold chamber is elaborately decorated with frescoes nbsp Side chambers are used as an auditorium nbsp Elevated walkways have been constructed to avoid damage to the restored site nbsp The bath s lower levels have been exposed nbsp The baths feature new informational displays nbsp Examples of the baths frescoes nbsp Examples of the baths frescoes nbsp Examples of the baths frescoes nbsp The baths feature a cafe nbsp Hypocausts nbsp The steam bath features more reserved embellishments nbsp Dome and exhaust vents in the roof of the Shahi Hammam nbsp The central dome of the cold chamber features geometric frescoes nbsp The central dome of the cold chamber features geometric frescoes nbsp nbsp Some excavated portions are now covered by protective glass for visitors to stand on nbsp Side chambers also feature geometric ceiling designsReferences edit Asher p 225 Shelomo Dov Goitein Studies in Islamic History and Institutions BRILL 2010 ISBN 9004179313 p 170 Masjid Vazir K h an Archnet Retrieved 25 August 2016 The mosque was founded by Hakim Ilmud Din Ansari a distinguished physician from Chiniot who received the Ministerial title of Wazir Khan under the reign of Shah Jahan and was later promoted to the position of Viceroy of Punjab History and Background in Conservation of the Wazir Khan Mosque Lahore Preliminary Report on Condition and Risk Assessment Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan 2012 Retrieved 25 August 2016 The spectacular monumental ensemble of the Wazir Khan Mosque in the Walled City of Lahore was built in 1634 during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan Its endowment then comprised the congregational mosque an elaborate forecourt a serai a hammam a bazaar and a special bazaar for calligraphers and bookbinders Lahore s Mughal era Shahi Hammam wins UNESCO award Express Tribune 4 September 2016 Retrieved 22 December 2016 Shahi Hammam Bathhouse Asian Historical Architecture Retrieved 27 August 2016 Shahi Hammam Bathhouse Asian Historical Architecture Retrieved 27 August 2016 Ilmuddin Wazir built Shahi Hammam restored in Lahore Business Recorder 19 June 2015 Retrieved 27 August 2016 Wazir Khan Hammam Conservation Aga Khan Trust for Culture Retrieved 27 August 2016 Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad 1 January 1999 Lahore Fort A Witness to History Sang e Meel Publications Shahi Hammam Bathhouse Asian Historical Architecture Retrieved 27 August 2016 Shahi Hammam Bathhouse Asian Historical Architecture Retrieved 27 August 2016 Muzaffar Zareen 8 February 2016 The Walled City of Lahore Protecting Heritage and History The Diplomat Retrieved 25 August 2016 The Walled City of Lahore program was put into effect in partnership with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture AKTC supports the Walled City Authority in all technical matters in terms of restoration and conservation work being carried out Other donors include the World Bank Royal Norwegian Government USAID and the German Embassy Peter Ellis 13 November 2015 Leveraging Urbanization in South Asia Managing Spatial Transformation for Prosperity and Livability World Bank Publications ISBN 9781464806636 Lahore s Mughal era Shahi Hammam wins UNESCO award Express Tribune 4 September 2016 Retrieved 22 December 2016 Wazir Khan Hammam Conservation Aga Khan Trust for Culture Retrieved 27 August 2016 Further reading edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shahi Hammam Khan Ahmad Nabi Islamic Architecture of Pakistan An Analytical Exposition Islamabad National Hijra Council 1990 Koch Ebba Mughal Architecture New Delhi Oxford University Press 2002 Michell George editor Architecture of the Islamic World Its history and Social Meaning London Thames and Hudson 1978 Muhammad Wali Ulla Khan Lahore and its Important Monuments Karachi Anjuman Press 1973 Mumtaz Kamil Khan Architecture in Pakistan Singapore Concept Media Pte Ltd 1985 Rajput A B Architecture in Pakistan Karachi Pakistan Publications 1963 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Shahi Hammam amp oldid 1187836068, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
