The Sheesh Mahal (Urdu: شیش محل; "The Palace of Mirrors") is a palace located within the Shah Burj block in northern-western corner of Lahore Fort. It was constructed under the reign of Mughal EmperorShah Jahan in 1631–32, with some additions later under SikhMaharaja Ranjit Singh. The ornate white marblepavilion is inlaid with pietra dura and complex mirror-work of the finest quality. The hall was reserved for personal use by the imperial family and close aides. It is among the 21 monuments that were built by successive Mughal emperors inside Lahore Fort, and forms the "jewel in the Fort’s crown."[1] As part of the larger Lahore Fort Complex, it has been inscribed as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site since 1981.
Sheesh Mahal, or "Palace of Mirrors," takes its name from the reflective glass tiles which embellish the interior.
Sheesh Mahal, in Urdu language, literally means 'Crystal Palace'. However, with its pietra dura decorations[2] and intricate mirror-work inlaid into the white marble walls and ceilings creating gleaming effect,[3] the lavish room has come to be known as 'Palace of Mirrors', and sometimes the 'Hall of Mirrors'. Similar halls are also found in the contemporary palace of the Agra Fort, and show influence on the later additions to Amber Fort.
Historyedit
Close up view of the building's mirror-work
The solid brick foundations of Lahore Fort were laid in 1566 under the reign of Mughal emperorAkbar the Great on the location of an earlier mud-fort. To build the new fort, the Emperor brought experienced artisans after the completion of Fatehpur Sikri.[4] Later, Shah Jahan converted the fort into a pleasure resort and added Diwan-i-Khas, Moti Masjid, Naulakha Pavilion, sleeping chambers, and Sheesh Mahal in to the complex. Sheesh Mahal is located within the Shah Burj (King's Pavilion) block that was actually built by his predecessor Jahangir. The chamber was exclusively used for private council meetings as part of the daily routine of the emperor, whereas the whole block was only accessible to the imperial princes, the vizier, and selected courtiers.[5] The extension work of private quarters by Shah Jahan continued between 1628 and 1634. The distinctive Shah Jahani architecture is reflected in the extensive use of white marble and hierarchical accents of the construction.[6] During the Sikh Empire, Shah Burj became Ranjit Singh's favourite place. He built a harem over the top of Sheesh Mahal.[4]Kangra style frescoes were also added during his reign, and the original entrance to the Sheesh Mahal quadrangle was closed off and the Athdara built in its place. This was also the place where he used to display his prized possession, the Koh-i-Noor.[7]
Designedit
The Sheesh Mahal is elaborately decorated with a myriad of reflective glass tiles.The building's ceiling is also adorned with mirror-work.
The Sheesh Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. It was built in the middle of Jahangir's rule. The façade, consisting of five cusped marble arches supported by coupled columns, opens into the courtyard. The engrailed spandrels and bases are inlaid with precious stones. The pavilion is in the form of a semi-octagon, and consists of apartments roofed with gildedcupolas and intricately decorated with pietra dura and convex glass and mirrormosaic (ayina kari) with thousands of small mirrors. At night they light candles.[8] The decorative features also include stuccotracery (munabat kari) and carved marble screens in geometrical and tendril designs.[9] The roof of the central hall rises up to two storeys. The hall was originally decorated with frescopaintings that were later replaced with glass mosaic in different colours.[1]
Conservationedit
Coloured glass was also used throughout the interior.
The additional constructions carried out during the subsequent Sikh and British rules of Punjab on the top of Sheesh Mahal added to the dead load that made the structure vulnerable to collapse. In 1904–05, the plaster from the ceiling of main veranda fell apart, exposing the decay of internal woodenbeams and the corroding roof. At this stage, the building was listed by the department of archaeology of British India in 1927 and the repair work was carried out. Similar problems arose in 1960s and were resolved through minor repairs.[10] In 1975, Sheesh Mahal was listed as a protected monument under the Antiquities Act by Pakistan's Department of Archaeology whereas in 1981, as part of the larger Lahore Fort Complex, it became inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was not until 2006 that the problems of the ceiling were comprehensively resolved and the structure was restored.[11]
Galleryedit
A view of the Sheesh Mahal's façade
Close-up of Sikh era Kangra murals
The pillars used in the buildings were decorated with floral motifs
Chaudhry, Nazir Ahmed (1998) Lahore: Glimpses of a Glorious Heritage. Sang-e-Meel Publications. ISBN969-35-0944-7
Dogar, Muhammad Aasim (1995) Splendour of Lahore Fort. Ilm Dost Publishers.
Haider, Zulqarnain (1978) Pietra Dura Decorations of Naulakha at Lahore Fort. (Mujallah-e-Taḥqĭq, Kullīyah-e-ʻUlūm-e-Islāmiyah va Adabiyāt-e-Sharqiyah). Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Learning University of the Punjab.
Khan, Ahmed Nabi (1997) Studies in Islamic Archaeology of Pakistan. Sang-e-Meel Publications
Koch, Ebba (1991). Mughal Architecture: An Outline of Its History and Development, 1526–1858. Prestel. ISBN3-7913-1070-4
Koch, Ebba (1997) Mughal Palace Gardens from Babur to Shah Jahan (1526-1648). Muqarnas, Vol. 14, pp. 143–165. JSTOR 1523242
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sheesh Mahal (Lahore Fort).
Sheesh Mahal on Wikimapia
at ArchNet
Asian Historical Architecture: Lahore Fort
January 01, 1970
sheesh, mahal, lahore, fort, sheesh, mahal, urdu, شیش, محل, palace, mirrors, palace, located, within, shah, burj, block, northern, western, corner, lahore, fort, constructed, under, reign, mughal, emperor, shah, jahan, 1631, with, some, additions, later, under. The Sheesh Mahal Urdu شیش محل The Palace of Mirrors is a palace located within the Shah Burj block in northern western corner of Lahore Fort It was constructed under the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 32 with some additions later under Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh The ornate white marble pavilion is inlaid with pietra dura and complex mirror work of the finest quality The hall was reserved for personal use by the imperial family and close aides It is among the 21 monuments that were built by successive Mughal emperors inside Lahore Fort and forms the jewel in the Fort s crown 1 As part of the larger Lahore Fort Complex it has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 Sheesh Mahalشیش محلGeneral informationTypePublic monumentArchitectural styleMughalLocationLahore Punjab PakistanCoordinates31 35 23 N 74 18 47 E 31 589827 N 74 313165 E 31 589827 74 313165Construction started1631Completed1632Design and constructionArchitect s Asif Khan Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Design 4 Conservation 5 Gallery 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 External linksEtymology edit nbsp Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors takes its name from the reflective glass tiles which embellish the interior Sheesh Mahal in Urdu language literally means Crystal Palace However with its pietra dura decorations 2 and intricate mirror work inlaid into the white marble walls and ceilings creating gleaming effect 3 the lavish room has come to be known as Palace of Mirrors and sometimes the Hall of Mirrors Similar halls are also found in the contemporary palace of the Agra Fort and show influence on the later additions to Amber Fort History edit nbsp Close up view of the building s mirror work The solid brick foundations of Lahore Fort were laid in 1566 under the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar the Great on the location of an earlier mud fort To build the new fort the Emperor brought experienced artisans after the completion of Fatehpur Sikri 4 Later Shah Jahan converted the fort into a pleasure resort and added Diwan i Khas Moti Masjid Naulakha Pavilion sleeping chambers and Sheesh Mahal in to the complex Sheesh Mahal is located within the Shah Burj King s Pavilion block that was actually built by his predecessor Jahangir The chamber was exclusively used for private council meetings as part of the daily routine of the emperor whereas the whole block was only accessible to the imperial princes the vizier and selected courtiers 5 The extension work of private quarters by Shah Jahan continued between 1628 and 1634 The distinctive Shah Jahani architecture is reflected in the extensive use of white marble and hierarchical accents of the construction 6 During the Sikh Empire Shah Burj became Ranjit Singh s favourite place He built a harem over the top of Sheesh Mahal 4 Kangra style frescoes were also added during his reign and the original entrance to the Sheesh Mahal quadrangle was closed off and the Athdara built in its place This was also the place where he used to display his prized possession the Koh i Noor 7 Design edit nbsp The Sheesh Mahal is elaborately decorated with a myriad of reflective glass tiles nbsp The building s ceiling is also adorned with mirror work The Sheesh Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan It was built in the middle of Jahangir s rule The facade consisting of five cusped marble arches supported by coupled columns opens into the courtyard The engrailed spandrels and bases are inlaid with precious stones The pavilion is in the form of a semi octagon and consists of apartments roofed with gilded cupolas and intricately decorated with pietra dura and convex glass and mirror mosaic ayina kari with thousands of small mirrors At night they light candles 8 The decorative features also include stucco tracery munabat kari and carved marble screens in geometrical and tendril designs 9 The roof of the central hall rises up to two storeys The hall was originally decorated with fresco paintings that were later replaced with glass mosaic in different colours 1 Conservation edit nbsp Coloured glass was also used throughout the interior The additional constructions carried out during the subsequent Sikh and British rules of Punjab on the top of Sheesh Mahal added to the dead load that made the structure vulnerable to collapse In 1904 05 the plaster from the ceiling of main veranda fell apart exposing the decay of internal wooden beams and the corroding roof At this stage the building was listed by the department of archaeology of British India in 1927 and the repair work was carried out Similar problems arose in 1960s and were resolved through minor repairs 10 In 1975 Sheesh Mahal was listed as a protected monument under the Antiquities Act by Pakistan s Department of Archaeology whereas in 1981 as part of the larger Lahore Fort Complex it became inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site It was not until 2006 that the problems of the ceiling were comprehensively resolved and the structure was restored 11 Gallery edit nbsp A view of the Sheesh Mahal s facade nbsp nbsp Close up of Sikh era Kangra murals nbsp The pillars used in the buildings were decorated with floral motifs nbsp nbsp Sheesh Mahal s ceilings nbsp nbsp Interior panorama view nbsp nbsp Another Sikh era Kangra mural of Hindu deities nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Sheesh Mahal Garden nbsp Inside Sheesh Mahal nbsp nbsp Sheesh Mahal Lahore FortSee also edit nbsp Pakistan portal Badshahi Mosque Shalimar Gardens Walled City of Lahore List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in PakistanNotes edit a b Khan Shehar Bano 2004 Wither heritage Dawn 11 July Retrieved 22 April 2008 Haider 1978 Shish Mahal Lahore British Library Asia Pacific and Africa Collections Retrieved 21 April 2008 a b Chaudhry 1998 Koch 1997 p 151 Koch 1991 p 114 Lal 1876 Lahore Fort Complex Shish Mahal Archived 14 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 21 April 2008 Dogar 1995 Khan 1997 Cultural week opens at Fort Dawn 16 August 2006 Retrieved 22 April 2008References editAsher Catherine E G 1992 Architecture of Mughal India Cambridge University Press ISBN 0 521 26728 5 Chaudhry Nazir Ahmed 1998 Lahore Glimpses of a Glorious Heritage Sang e Meel Publications ISBN 969 35 0944 7 Dogar Muhammad Aasim 1995 Splendour of Lahore Fort Ilm Dost Publishers Haider Zulqarnain 1978 Pietra Dura Decorations of Naulakha at Lahore Fort Mujallah e Taḥqĭq Kulliyah e ʻUlum e Islamiyah va Adabiyat e Sharqiyah Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Learning University of the Punjab Khan Ahmed Nabi 1997 Studies in Islamic Archaeology of Pakistan Sang e Meel Publications Koch Ebba 1991 Mughal Architecture An Outline of Its History and Development 1526 1858 Prestel ISBN 3 7913 1070 4 Koch Ebba 1997 Mughal Palace Gardens from Babur to Shah Jahan 1526 1648 Muqarnas Vol 14 pp 143 165 JSTOR 1523242 Lal Kanhaiya 1876 Rai Bahadur Zafar Nzmah i Ranjit Singh Ranjit Namah Mustafaee Press LahoreExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sheesh Mahal Lahore Fort Sheesh Mahal on Wikimapia Sheesh Mahal at ArchNet Asian Historical Architecture Lahore Fort Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sheesh Mahal Lahore Fort amp oldid 1181138962, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
