Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) at the Shahi Qila, Lahore, Pakistan - April 2008

The Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) is located within the Shah Burj block in north-western corner of Lahore Fort. It was constructed under the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631-32. 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 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 and the Harimandir Sahib

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] This was also the place where he used to display his prized possession, the Koh-i-Noor.[7]

The façade, comprising 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.[8] The decorative features also include stucco tracery (munabat kari) and carved marble screens in geometrical and tendril designs.[9]. Roof of the central hall rises upto two storeys. The hall was originally decorated with fresco paintings that were later replaced with glass mosaic in different colours.[1]

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]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheesh_Mahal

Taken in: Pakistan / Punjab / Lahore (show map)

Taken on: April 21, 2008

Tags:

palace of mirrors

sheesh mahal

lahore

punjab

pakistan

fort

shahi qila

mughal fort’s

mughal fort

fortesses

fortifications

fortresses in pakistan

fortifications in pakistan

UNESCO

UNESCO world heritage site

architecture

architecture in pakistan

history

mughal architecture

south asia

mughal history in pakistan

mughal legacy in pakistan

historical buildings in pakistan

history of pakistan

great mughals

moghuls « less

Sets appears in: • Lahore, Pakistan • Group 1 more » • Lahore Fort, Pakistan - April 2008 • Punjab, Pakistan • Historical Buildings in Pakistan « less

Groups appears in: • Muslim Cultures • Colors of the World more » • Globetrekkers • UK Flickr users • Artistic Photography • Buildings/Architecture • Global Photojournalism • !FlickrSoup for Soul • Asian • Historical places • Flickritis: over 87,000 waiting for a vaccine. • Churches, Chapels, Domes, Mosques, Temples, Shrines and Monaster • city life • BEAUTIFUL PAKISTAN • Beautyfull World • City Centers ♫ /// of the World /// • ! * Urban LIFE in Metropolis //// • ANY PHOTOS ALL THE TIME!!!! • History is All Around Us • Favorites: 10 • CHURCHES & HOUSES OF WORSHIP • The World Through My Eyes ... • BLUELIST - The Best of Lonely Planet • Pakistan Photographers پاکستانی فوٹو گرافرز • Flickrific- Welcome New Members! Invite your friends! • City Pulse • Best of Asia (New rule will be applied after mid of Jan 2010) • "A" Class (comment 2) Pls, Comment immediately. • Fortresses, forts & fortifications of the World (photo guide) • Arabic & Mughal Architecture • World Wide Photographers • Color Photo Award - PREMIER -- Post 1: Award 2 • All Photos X-Press Us (!!TAG!!) _Post 2 /Comment or invite 2 • Beautiful Earth • You Think this is Art • Photography Club Pakistan • Cultures • Beautiful Capture • "Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST! (Post 1 Award 3)" • *SHINING★STAR - Post 1- Give 5 Stars • Flickr Special- Post 1- Give 5 Comments • Cultural Boxes • *Best of Flickr* (Comment 1 / invite 2) PHOTOS ONLY • Colour Art Awards -=Post 1, Award 3=- (Colours ONLY) • All from A to Z (Please Comment on atleast 3 images per Visit) • *THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER (P1/A2) • We travel the World • Historic City Centres (post 1....1) • Dazzling Shots | Post 1 comment 5 | • " Damn Cool Photographers in the WORLD " .♥.♥.♥ • Better Than Good • Golden Mix ( Post 1 - Comment 5.) Comment On Any Five Please!!! • Coloursplosion! (Post 1, Award 1, Invite 1 to Group) • HABLA HISPANA -1, COM 5 en 15 fotos con el Codigo • "Smörgåsbord" (Unlimited Posting - Award 3) • " MASTER CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY " • Dragon Gold Award " The Best Of Flickr " • Muslim Photographs (Post 2- Comment on any 5) • flickr in full color [No Black & White !] • "This Photo Rocks!" (Post 7 - Award 3) • "World Trekker" (Post 7 - Award 3) • "Check Out My New Pics!" (Post 10-Award 3) • 100 + Viewed Best Architecture Photos (add 1, award 1) • "History & Antiquities (Post 5 - Award 3)" • "Los mejores momentos de tu día" • GeoTravel FotoLogues • CONCORDIANS • DDSNET(♥Group for My Friends♥) Post1 Award 2 [9000+] • DIAMOND HEART (Post 1-Comment 3) • Historical and architectural gems • ***SCREAM OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER*** • Flickr Balloon Award (Post 1 & Give 2 Balloons) • Bouncing Ball-Post 1/AWARD 2 • **The Best City Shots**(Post 1 & Comment Any 1) • !Group Tripod (post1~comment4) • ***FLICKRPEDIA*** House of Knowledge/Please comment on 3 • Brilliant Photography! Award 3 , Sweeper is On! • Photo Guestbook • "THE WORLD IN FLICKR" (NEW RULES) • *Mallmix ★ STAR ★ Award* (Post 1 Award 1) • Colour Mania • Bienvenidos todos los recuerdos / All Memories Welcome • Pictures from my friends *no animals* use award code please! • Top Honor of Photographer Paradise"Post 1 / Award 5" • *Ooh! La La pictures [Post 1 - Comment 5 or Invite 3]* • !!Perfect Composition!! • **Super Best Shots on Flickr**/ P.1, A.5 ! NO COMMENT=BAN! • A Real Gem! - Post One ~ Award Three - 10,000+ Members Strong! • Dragonfly Awards * Post1 - Award 3 * *Sweeper Active* • Architectural Beauty ! • Beauty of Life • !*Flickr Award Group*! (GIVE 5 AWARDS) • Dreams Come True (Award on 3) • So,You Want to BE A STAR? ★ POST 1 AWARD 3 • MY CAMERA NEVER LIES (P1+A3)Sweeper Active • A Black Rose - Post 1/Award 3 → NO sales or 2end Life!! • AWESOME ASIA post 1, award 3 (Join Us Please) • !* Sweet Mermaids and Big Sharks ! Post 1 / Award 2 • FOTOPEDIA by Paul Mor (POST1-COMM3 ) • EXPRESS YOURSELF ✲ rules changed: NO 2end LIFE! - • Above All the Rest and Simply the BEST (P.1 A.3) SWEEPER ACTIVE • World Masterpiece Award " Win Pro Account - NEW EASY RULES" • * TRAVEL * (Please COMMENT with the CODE !) • I "Dream" Photography Post 1 Award 3 • ***Flickr Global • Sapphire Awards *POST 1 - AWARD 3* *Sweeper Active* • Gold Heart!(Post2+Comment5)*Sweeper Active* • All Around the World...Post 6 - Comment 3 • Photos beautiful • Flickr Social Club • Super Photographer (Post1 -Award 5) • Obiettivo & Fotocamera • [][][]All Welcome[][][] • * * Nossas Vidas / Nosso Mundo * Our Life / Our World * * • New Gold Seal of Quality- Post 1,comment 3 • Mermaid Awards *Post 1 - Award 3* *Sweeper Active* • ***A Place For Great Photographers*** Administration Approval • Imperial Images * Post 1 - Award 3 * *Sweeper Active* • Moon Goddess Awards * Post 1 - Award 3 * *Sweeper Active* • Cultural Heritage of Pakistan • Amics de la Càmera. • Digital Masterpiece • [][][]Beyond time[][][] • The New Photo Distillery • **** knackig bunt *** VIVID colored • Show Room (Comment 2) • WORLD Photography (Post 1 / Award 1) • [][][]La Mascotte **Gallery**[][][] • GOOD - BETTER - BEST [P1/C2] • Beauty In Our Lives - Post 1 = Comment 1. Quality only! • [][][]Super Group Photographic[][][] • A New Art & Photo Gallery - Post 1/Award 1 • Blink Again - Post 1 - Comment 2 (no 30/60 limit ) • Trans-Eguzkilore. • DD For Defeating Diabetes (Contest Vote) • *Vos photos-Your photos* • Click a Pic [ post 1 - award 5 ] - SWEEPERS RUNNING • ART Selected By ADMINISTRATORS *Public Group (P1 ~ A 3)Level 1 • ALPHA Awards from Sunriserjay's Circle o' FriendsLEVEL1(P1~A4) • [][][] Flickr. DNA [][][] • !* Wonders of the World *Historical Valuables*Invite only P1/A1 • Au goût d'Autrefois • 20,000 Views Unlimited 20000 • Architecture Unlimited • !*Flickr All Stars*! • Colours of Flickr • Art of Exploration • -- IMMAGINI DAL MONDO -- • INDO INDIAN RELICS • ANCIENT WORLD • !*All Around The World*! • All great photos - No 30/60 • Photozone Level 1 ....... Post 1 Award 5 other members • A PAST RECORD • ! What you Want ( 1 Per Day!!! ) « less

Camera: Kodak EasyShare Z710 Zoom, f/2.8, 1/160 sec, 6.3mm, ISO 160 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Kodak EasyShare Z710 Zoom
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.006 sec (1/160)
Focal Length:	6.3mm
ISO:	160
Exposure Bias:	-0.6 EV
Flash:	Auto, Fired
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	High gain up
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Picasa 3.0
Show full info

Stats: 25,098 views / 99 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: