Pakistani architecture

Tomb of Shah Yousuf Gardezi, Multan

The arrival of Islam in today's Pakistan - first in Sindh - during the 8th century CE meant a sudden end of Buddhist architecture. However, a smooth transition to predominantly pictureless Islamic architecture occurred.[12]

Chaukhandi Tombs are intricately carved

The earliest example of a mosque from the days of infancy of Islam in South Asia is the Mihrablose mosque of Banbhore, from the year 727, the first Muslim place of worship in South Asia. Under the Delhi Sultan, the Persian-centralasiatic style ascended over Arab influences. The most important characteristic of this style is the Iwan, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. Further characteristics are wide prayer halls, round domes with mosaics and geometrical samples and the use of painted tiles. The most important of the few completely discovered buildings of Islamic architecture is the tomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam (built 1320 to 1324) in Multan.[13]

Jam Nizamuddin II's tomb features a jharoka that displays Gujarati influences

The Makli Necropolis at Thatta, which includes tombs of various rulers, noblemen and Sufi saints of Sindh was built between the 14th and 18th centuries. It showcases a wide variety of architecture, including Indo-Islamic, Persian, Hindu and Rajput and Gujarati influences.[14] The Chaukhandi Tombs near Karachi are similar in style.[15]

Other examples include the Rohtas Fort built by Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century,[12] and the Tombs of the Talpur Mirs.

Mughal architecture emerged in the medieval period during the reign of the Mughal Empire in the 15th to 17th centuries. Mughal buildings have a uniform pattern of structure and character, including large bulbous domes, slender minarets at the corners, massive halls, large vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation, usually surrounded by gardens on all four sides.

The buildings are usually constructed out of red sandstone and white marble, and make use of decorative work such as pachin kari and jali-latticed screens.

The earliest example in Pakistan is the Lahore Fort, which had existed at least since the 11th century but was completely rebuilt by various Mughal Emperors like Akbar and Jahangir (1556–1627) .[16] The Tomb of Anarkali, Hiran Minar and Begum Shahi Mosque also date back to this period.

The Tomb of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor, was completed in 1637 during the reign of his son and successor Shah Jahan. The Emperor had forbidden the construction of a dome over his tomb, and thus the roof is simple and free of any embellishments. It stands amidst a garden which also houses the Tomb of Nur Jahan, Tomb of Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai, one of the most well-preserved caravanserais in Pakistan.[17]

Mughal architecture reached its zenith in the 17th century during the reign of Shah Jahan.[18][16] During this time, several additions were made to the Lahore Fort. Other masterpieces of this time include the Wazir Khan Mosque, Dai Anga Mosque, Tomb of Dai Anga, Shalimar Gardens and Shahi Hammam in Lahore.[19][20] The Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta reflects a heavy Persian influence.[21]

The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore was built during the reign of Aurangzeb in 1673. It is made out of red sandstone with three marble domes, very similar to the Jama Masjid of Delhi. It remains one of the largest mosques in the world.[22]

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  Naulakha pavilion (1633) in the Lahore Fort[16]
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  Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort[16]
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  The Wazir Khan Mosque[20]
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  Shalimar Gardens, Lahore[16]
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  Akbari Sarai[17]
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  Badshahi Mosque[22]

A Sindhi monument at Chaukhandi

Architecture of province of Sindh is greatly influenced from its neighbouring regions of Gujarat and Punjab, as well as broader Indo-Islamic architecture. The necropolis at Makli gives a good example of Sindhi architecture. Its architecture of the largest monuments synthesizes Muslim, Hindu, Persian, Mughal, and Gujarati influences,[23] in the style of Lower Sindh that became known as the Chaukhandi style, named after the Chaukhandi tombs near Karachi. The Chaukhandi style came to incorporate slabs of sandstone that were carefully carved by stonemasons into intricate and elaborate designs.[24]

Ranikot Fort in Sindh

By the 15th century, decorated rosettes and circular patterns began to be incorporated into the tombs. More complex patterns and Arabic calligraphy with biographical information of the interred body then emerged. Larger monuments dating from later periods included corridors and some designs inspired by cosmology.[24] Pyramidal structures from the 16th century feature the use of minarets topped with floral motifs in a style unique to tombs dating from the Turkic Trakhan dynasty. Structures from the 17th century at the Leilo Sheikh part of the cemetery feature large tombs that resemble Jain temples from afar,[24] with prominent influence from the nearby region of Gujarat.

Several of the larger tombs feature carvings of animals, warriors, and weaponry – a practice uncommon to Muslim funerary monuments. Later tombs at the site are sometimes made entirely of brick, with only a sandstone slab.[25] The largest structures in the most archetypal Chaukhandi style feature domed yellow sandstone canopies that were plastered white with wooden doorways, in a style that reflects Central Asian and Persian influences. The size of the dome denoted the prominence of the buried individual, with undersides embellished with carved floral patterns.[24] The underside of some canopies feature lotus flowers, a symbol commonly associated with Hinduism.[26]

They also feature extensive blue tile-work typical of Sindh.[24] The use of funerary pavilions eventually expanded beyond lower Sindh, and influenced funerary architecture in neighbouring Gujarat.[27] The Chaukhandi tombs are embellished with geometrical designs and motifs, including figural representations such as mounted horsemen, hunting scenes, arms, and jewelry.

Apart from tombs, Ranikot Fort and Kot Diji Fort are also a good example of Sindhi architecture.

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  Kot Diji Fort in Sindh
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  Interior of one of the Talpur tombs
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  Canopy tomb of Daya Khan Rahu
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  View of Tomb of Jam Mubarak Khan
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  The Shah Jahan mosque's main dome has tiles arranged in a stellate pattern to represent the night sky
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  Makli Necropolis features several monumental tombs dating from the 14th to 18th centuries

Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam Multan

A distinct Multani style of architecture began taking root in the 14th century with the establishment of funerary monuments,[28] and is characterized by large brick walls reinforced by wooden anchors, with inward sloping roofs.[28] Funerary architecture is also reflected in the city's residential quarters, which borrow architectural and decorative elements from Multan's mausolea.[28]

In spite of being in Punjab, the architecture of city of Multan is more influenced by the architecture of the neighbouring province of Sindh. It is usually expressed in the form of mausoleums of Sufi saints.

Derawer fort in Cholistan, an example of Rajput architecture

The Rajput architecture makes an extensive use of Jalis, Chatris and Jharokhas. All these features also have influenced Mughal architecture. The forts of Derawar and Umerkot were built by Rajput clans during the medieval era, and are examples of early Rajput architecture.

The Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, commemorates the site where Guru Nanak is believed to have been born. It was rebuilt by the Pakistani Government

Sikh architecture is a style of architecture that was developed under Sikh Empire during 18th and 19th century in the Punjab region. Named after Sikhism, a religion native to Punjab, Sikh Architecture is heavily influenced by Mughal architecture and Islamic styles. The onion dome, frescoes, in-lay work, and multi-foil arches, are Mughal influences, more specially from Shah Jahan's period, whereas chattris, oriel windows, bracket supported eaves at the string-course, and ornamented friezes are derived from elements of Rajput architecture.

One of the most well known examples of Sikh architecture is the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh, built in 1839. The building has gilded fluted domes and cupolas, and an ornate balustrade around the upper portion of the building. The dome is decorated with Naga (serpent) hood designs - the product of Hindu craftsmen that worked on the project.[29] The wooden panels on the ceiling are decorated with stained glass work, while the walls are richly decorated with floral designs. The ceilings are decorated with glass mosaic work.

Gurdwara Dera Sahib and Gurdwara Panja Sahib are other prominent examples.

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  Darbar Sahib, gurdwara commemorating Guru Nanak, in Kartarpur, Pakistan
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  Golden dome of Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore
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  Samadhi of Ranjit Singh in Lahore, an example of Sikh architecture in Pakistan

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  Moti Masjid located within the Lahore Fort
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  Tomb of Jahangir
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  Mahabat Khan Mosque, Peshawar
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  Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta
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  Oonchi Mosque in Lahore
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  A Mughal era monument - Chauburji in Lahore

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  Mohatta Palace in Karachi
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  Sadiq Dane High School, Bahawalpur
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  Patiala Block of King Edward Medical University, Lahore
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  Noor Mahal, Bahawalpur
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  Karachi Chamber of Commerce Building
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  Darbar Mahal, Bahawalpur
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  Multan Clock Tower, Multan
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  National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi
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  Frere Hall, Karachi

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  Minar-e-Pakistan at Lahore
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  Faisal Mosque in Islamabad
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  Teen Talwar, Karachi
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  Pakistan Monument, Islamabad