In the Mughal city of Lahore, the historic Wazir Khan mosque has a special place for its ornate design, extensive artwork and embellishments.
After careful work, the U.S. Consulate in the city and the Aga Khan Cultural Service have, helped restore the Wazir Khan mosque chowk to its original form.
The intersection in the walled city of Lahore faced erosion of its original aura and form. The US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation aided the important work in an example of cultural diplomacy and interfaith respect.
The place was dug 2.5 meters to separate the existing street level and the original ground level of the forecourt of the Chowk through archaeological excavations.
U.S. Consul General Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau, performed the opening of the newly restored chowk of Wazir Khan mosque. The project has been completed at a cost $1.19 million (Rs 120 million).
Photo: CM Punjab official Twitter
“Sites like the Wazir Khan Mosque Chowk in Lahore’s historic old city are a testament to the city’s rich and multilayered history,” said Consul General Kennedy Trudeau.
The restoration took place from October 2015 to May 2017.
The Chowk will now return to its original function as a public space in a boost to tourism and economic growth of the surrounding communities.
Consul General Lahore Elizabeth Trudeau
Photo: CG Lahore Twitter
The seventeenth century masterpiece of Mughal architecture had been almost deprived of its original shape as encroachers turned into a parking lot.
The dome topped rooms called ‘Hujras on the eastern side of the Wazir Khan mosque had been made shops.
As part of the project, the Dina Nath Well, a public well located in the northeast section of the square, was also conserved.
The mosque was build during the time of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan along with nearby Shahi Hammam baths.
Unfortunately,the US get more negative publicity.