| Sheesh Mahal | |
|---|---|
شیش محل | |
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 Interactive map of the Sheesh Mahal area | |
| General information | |
| Type | Public monument |
| Architectural style | Mughal |
| Location | Lahore,PunjabPakistan |
| Coordinates | 31°35′23″N74°18′47″E / 31.589827°N 74.313165°E /31.589827; 74.313165 |
| Construction started | 1631 |
| Completed | 1632; 394 years ago (1632) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Asif Khan |
TheSheesh Mahal (Urdu:شیش محل; "The Palace of Mirrors") is a palace located within the Shah Burj block at the north-western corner ofLahore Fort. It was constructed under the reign ofMughal EmperorShah Jahan in 1631–32, with later additions made underSikhMaharaja Ranjit Singh. The ornatewhite marblepavilion is inlaid withpietra dura and intricate mirror work of the finest quality. The hall was reserved for personal use of theimperial family and their closeaides. 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 aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site since 1981.
Sheesh Mahal, inUrdu language, literally means 'Crystal Palace'. However, with itspietra 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 theAgra Fort, and show influence on the later additions toAmber Fort.
The solidbrick foundations of Lahore Fort were laid in 1566 under the reign ofMughal emperorAkbar the Great on the location of an earlier mud-fort. To build the new fort, the Emperor brought experienced artisans after the completion ofFatehpur Sikri.[4] Later, Shah Jahan converted the fort into a pleasure resort and addedDiwan-i-Khas,Moti Masjid,Naulakha Pavilion, sleeping chambers, and Sheesh Mahal in to the complex. Sheesh Mahal is located within theShah Burj (King's Pavilion) block that was actually built by his predecessorJahangir. 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 imperialprinces, thevizier, and selectedcourtiers.[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 theSikh Empire,Shah Burj becameRanjit Singh's favourite place. He built aharem 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 theAthdara built in its place. This was also the place where he used to display his prized possession, theKoh-i-Noor.[7]
The Sheesh Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. It was built in the middle of Jahangir's rule. Thefaçade, consisting of five cusped marblearches supported by coupledcolumns, opens into thecourtyard. The engrailedspandrels and bases are inlaid withprecious stones. The pavilion is in the form of a semi-octagon, and consists of apartments roofed withgildedcupolas and intricately decorated withpietra dura andconvex glass andmirrormosaic (ayina kari) with thousands of small mirrors. At night they light candles.[8] The decorative features also includestuccotracery (munabat kari) and carvedmarble screens ingeometrical andtendril designs.[9] The roof of the central hall rises up to two storeys. The hall was originally decorated withfrescopaintings that were later replaced with glassmosaic in different colours.[1]
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The additional constructions carried out during the subsequentSikh andBritish rules ofPunjab on the top of Sheesh Mahal added to thedead load that made the structure vulnerable to collapse. In 1904–05, the plaster from the ceiling of mainveranda fell apart, exposing the decay of internalwoodenbeams and thecorroding roof. At this stage, the building was listed by the department of archaeology ofBritish 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 ofArchaeology whereas in 1981, as part of the larger Lahore Fort Complex, it became inscribed as aUNESCO World Heritage Site. It was not until 2006 that the problems of the ceiling were comprehensively resolved and the structure was restored.[11]
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