Wednesday 13 February 2013

BADSHAHI MASJID (LAHORE)


Camera Used- Nokia N95 



The Badshahi Masjid (Urdu: بادشاھی مسجد), or the 'Emperor's Masjid', was built in 1673 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Lahore, Pakistan. It is one of the city's best known landmarks, and a major tourist attraction epitomising the beauty and grandeur of the Mughal era. Badshahi Masjid was badly damaged and was misused during Sikh Rule. 






During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the masjid was used as a stable for the army's horses.They also would steal the jewels from the masjid, such as marble, rubies, gold, and other valuables. Muslims were not allowed to enter the masjid to worship; they were only given a small place outside the masjid where they could worship. Even when the British took control of India, they would use the masjid for their military practices by using the masjid for gun practices, cannons, etc. 





Even when they sensed Muslim hate for the British, they demolished a large portion of the wall of the masjid so the Muslims could not use it as a kind of "fort" for anti-British reasons. After a while, they finally returned it to the Muslims as a good will gesture even though it was in terrible condition. It was then given to Badshahi Masjid Authority to restore it to its original glory.


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