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Pakistani architecture is thearchitecture styles of theIndus Valley region throughout its ancient, medieval and modern periods.[1] The major architectural styles popular in the past wereTemple,Indo-Islamic,Mughal andIndo-Saracenic architecture, all of which have many regional varieties. In the mid-3rd millennium BC, the land that is nowPakistan witnessed the rise of theIndus Civilization—South Asia’s first greaturban culture—marked by advanced city planning and enduring architectural marvels,[2] some of which survive to this day. This was followed by theGandhara style ofBuddhist architecture that borrowed elements fromAncient Greece. These remnants are visible in the Gandhara capital ofTaxila.[3]
Indo-Islamic architecture emerged during the medieval period, which combinedIndian andPersianaite elements. The Mughal Empire ruled between the 16th and 18th centuries, and saw the rise ofMughal architecture, most prevalent inLahore.
During theBritish Colonial period, European styles such as theBaroque,Gothic andNeoclassical became prevalent. The British, like the Mughals, built elaborate buildings to project their power. TheIndo-Saracenic style, a fusion of British and Indo-Islamic elements also developed. After Independence, modern architectural styles like theInternational style became popular.
Archaeologists excavated numerousBronze Age cities, among them areMohenjo Daro,Harrappa andKot Diji from the 3rd millennium BCE. They have a uniform, appropriate structure with broad roads as well as well thought outsanitary and drainage facilities. The majority of the discovered brick constructions are public buildings such as bath houses and workshops.Wood andloam served as construction materials. Large scale temples, such as those found in other ancient cities are missing. With the collapse of theIndus Valley civilization the architecture also suffered considerable damage.[4]
Little is known about this civilization, often called Harappan, partly because it disappeared about 1700 BC for reasons unknown, its language remains undeciphered, its existence was revealed only in the 1920s, and excavations have been limited. Surviving evidences indicate a sophisticated civilization. Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (the "City of the Dead") had populations of some 35,000, they were laid out according to a grid system. Inhabitants lived in windowless baked brick houses built around a central courtyard. These cities also had a citadel, where the public and religious buildings were located, large pools for ritual bathing, granaries for the storage of food, and a complex system of covered drains and sewers. The latter rivaled the engineering skill of the Romans some 2,000 years later.
During classical antiquity, a specialGandharan architecture evolved in the ancient region ofGandhara with the rise ofBuddhism.[2] In addition, thePersian andGreek influence led to the development of theGreco-Buddhist style, starting from the 1st century AD. The high point of this era was reached with the culmination of theGandhara style.
Important remnants of Buddhist construction are stupas and other buildings with clearly recognizable Greek statues and style elements like support columns which, beside ruins from other epochs, are found in the Gandhara capitalTaxila[7] in the extreme north of thePunjab. A particularly beautiful example of Buddhist architecture is the ruins of the Buddhist monasteryTakht-i-Bahi in thenorthwest province.[8]
During Pre Islamic era in Pakistan, there was a prominent population of Hindus, especially in provinces in Punjab and Sindh. The important temples built during that era include:
TheShri Katas Raj Temples (Punjabi,Urdu:شری کٹاس راج مندر) also known asQila Katas (قلعہ کٹاس),[9] is a complex of severalHindu temples connected to one another by walkways.[9] The temple complex surrounds a pond namedKatas which is regarded as sacred by Hindus.[10] The complex is located in thePotohar Plateau region ofPakistan'sPunjab province.
TheAmb Temples (Urdu:امب مندر) are part of aHindu temple complex located at the western edge of theSalt Range inPakistan'sPunjab province. The temple complex was built in the 7th to 9th centuries CE during the reign of theHindu Shahi empire.[11] The main temple is roughly 15 to 20 metres tall, and has three stories, with stairwells leading to inner ambulatories.
TheShri Varun Dev Mandir andSharada Peeth are other examples ofHindu temple architecture in Pakistan.
TheNagarparkar Jain Temples (Urdu:نگرپارکر جین مندر) are located in the region aroundNagarparkar, inPakistan's southernSindh province. The site consists of a collection ofJain temples. They were built inMāru-Gurjara style in 12th century AD to the 15th century - a period when Jain architectural expression was at its zenith.[12] The temples were inscribed on the tentative list forUNESCO World Heritage status in 2016 as theNagarparkar Cultural Landscape.[12]
The arrival ofIslam in today's Pakistan - first inSindh - during the 8th century CE meant a sudden end of Buddhist architecture. However, a smooth transition to predominantly picturelessIslamic architecture occurred.[13]
The earliest example of a mosque from the days of infancy ofIslam inSouth 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 theIwan, 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 ofIslamic architecture is thetomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam (built 1320 to 1324) inMultan.[14]
TheMakli Necropolis atThatta, which includes tombs of various rulers, noblemen and Sufi saints ofSindh was built between the 14th and 18th centuries. It showcases a wide variety of architecture, includingIndo-Islamic,Persian,Hindu andRajput and Gujarati influences.[15] TheChaukhandi Tombs nearKarachi are similar in style.[16]
Other examples include theRohtas Fort built bySher Shah Suri in the 16th century,[13] and theTombs of the Talpur Mirs.
Mughal architecture emerged in the medieval period during the reign of theMughal 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 bygardens on all four sides.
The buildings are usually constructed out of red sandstone and white marble, and make use of decorative work such aspachin kari andjali-latticed screens.
The earliest example in Pakistan is theLahore Fort, which had existed at least since the 11th century but was completely rebuilt by various Mughal Emperors like Akbar and Jahangir (1556–1627) .[17] TheTomb of Anarkali,Hiran Minar andBegum Shahi Mosque also date back to this period.
TheTomb of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor, was completed in 1637 during the reign of his son and successorShah 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 theTomb of Nur Jahan,Tomb of Asif Khan andAkbari Sarai, one of the most well-preservedcaravanserais in Pakistan.[18]
Mughal architecture reached its zenith in the 17th century during the reign ofShah Jahan.[19][17] During this time, several additions were made to the Lahore Fort. Other masterpieces of this time include theWazir Khan Mosque,Dai Anga Mosque,Tomb of Dai Anga,Shalimar Gardens andShahi Hammam inLahore.[20][21] TheShah Jahan Mosque inThatta reflects a heavyPersian influence.[22]
TheBadshahi Mosque inLahore was built during the reign ofAurangzeb in 1673. It is made out of red sandstone with three marble domes, very similar to theJama Masjid of Delhi. It remains one of thelargest mosques in the world.[23]
![Naulakha pavilion (1633) in the Lahore Fort[17]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aNaulakha_Pavilion_near_Sheesh_Mahal_in_Lahore_Fort.jpg)
![Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort[17]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aLahore_Fort_view_from_Baradari.jpg)
![The Wazir Khan Mosque[21]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aMasjid_Wazeer_Khan%2c_Lahore.jpg)
![Shalimar Gardens, Lahore[17]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aBeautiful_pavilion_of_Faiz_Baksh_terrace.jpg)
![Akbari Sarai[18]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aMain_Entrance_of_Akbari_Sarai.jpg)
![Badshahi Mosque[23]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aBadshahi_Mosque%2c_Lahore_I.jpg)
Architecture of province ofSindh is greatly influenced from its neighbouring regions ofGujarat andPunjab, as well as broaderIndo-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,[24] in the style of Lower Sindh that became known as theChaukhandi style, named after theChaukhandi tombs nearKarachi. TheChaukhandi style came to incorporate slabs of sandstone that were carefully carved by stonemasons into intricate and elaborate designs.[25]
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.[25] Pyramidal structures from the 16th century feature the use of minarets topped with floral motifs in a style unique to tombs dating from the TurkicTrakhan dynasty. Structures from the 17th century at theLeilo Sheikh part of the cemetery feature large tombs that resembleJain temples from afar,[25] with prominent influence from the nearby region ofGujarat.
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.[26] The largest structures in the most archetypalChaukhandi 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.[25] The underside of some canopies featurelotus flowers, a symbol commonly associated with Hinduism.[27]
They also feature extensive blue tile-work typical of Sindh.[25] The use of funerary pavilions eventually expanded beyond lower Sindh, and influenced funerary architecture in neighbouring Gujarat.[28] 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 andKot Diji Fort are also a good example of Sindhi architecture.
A distinct Multani style of architecture began taking root in the 14th century with the establishment of funerary monuments,[29] and is characterized by large brick walls reinforced by wooden anchors, with inward sloping roofs.[29] Funerary architecture is also reflected in the city's residential quarters, which borrow architectural and decorative elements from Multan's mausolea.[29]
In spite of being inPunjab, the architecture of city ofMultan is more influenced by the architecture of the neighbouring province ofSindh. It is usually expressed in the form of mausoleums of Sufi saints.
TheRajput architecture makes an extensive use ofJalis,Chatris andJharokhas. All these features also have influencedMughal architecture. The forts ofDerawar andUmerkot were built byRajput clans during the medieval era, and are examples of early Rajput architecture.
Sikh architecture is a style of architecture that was developed underSikh Empire during 18th and 19th century in the Punjab region. Named afterSikhism, a religion native to Punjab, Sikh Architecture is heavily influenced byMughal architecture and Islamic styles. The onion dome, frescoes, in-lay work, and multi-foil arches, are Mughal influences, more specially fromShah Jahan's period, whereaschattris, 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 theSamadhi of Ranjit Singh, built in 1839. The building has gilded fluted domes andcupolas, and an ornatebalustrade 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.[30] 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 andGurdwara Panja Sahib are other prominent examples.
During theBritish Raj, European architectural styles such asbaroque,gothic andneoclassical became more predominant. TheFrere Hall,St. Patrick's Cathedral andMereweather Clock Tower inKarachi, and neoclassicalMontgomery Hall inLahore are some examples.
A new style of architecture known asIndo-Saracenic revival style developed, from a mixture of European and Indo-Islamic components. Among the more prominent works are seen in the cities ofKarachi (Mohatta Palace,Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building), inPeshawar (Islamia College University) andLahore (Lahore Museum,University of the Punjab andKing Edward Medical University).
After Independence, the architecture of Pakistan is a blend of historic Islamic and variousmodern styles.
This reflects itself, particularly in modern structures. In addition, buildings of monumental importance such as theMinar-e-Pakistan in Lahore or the mausoleum established with white marble known asMazar-e-Quaid for the founder of the state expressed the self-confidence of the nascent state.
The city ofIslamabad was designed by Greek architectConstantinos Apostolou Doxiadis and completed in 1966. TheFaisal Mosque in Islamabad, one of thelargest mosques in the world, is one of the best examples of modern Islamic architecture. It was designed byVedat Dalokay and constructed between 1976 and 1986.
In 1980 theHeritage Foundation Pakistan was founded to help conserve the traditional Architecture of Pakistan. Focused mainly on conserving traditional Sindhi architecture, the foundation is also the push behind the emergence of an contemporary architectural tradition that utilizes vernacular Sindhi building techniques in concert with new building techniques. It can be seen as the starting point of the Neo-vernacular movement in Pakistan, or at least the Sindh region.[31] Designs byYasmeen Lari, such as the Malki Zero Carbon Cultural Centre[32] and Green Karavan Ghar[33] are examples. The logic behind the movement includes that this way of building is both participatory, with locals being able to participate in the physical construction, and also better suited for the environment, being better resistant against floods and earthquakes.[34]
TheNational Monument in Islamabad, built in 2007 is in the shape of a blooming flower. The four main petals of the monument represent the four provinces ofBalochistan,Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,Punjab, andSindh, while the three smaller petals represent the three territories ofGilgit-Baltistan,Azad Kashmir and theTribal Areas.[a]
Skyscrapers built in theinternational style are becoming more prevalent in the cities.
There are currently six sites in Pakistan listed under theUNESCOWorld Heritage:
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