27/02/2022
From the times of Muhammad Bin Qasim to the Mughal Empire, the city of Chiniot became known for its art and artisans - the Shahi Masjid being one prime example of its splendor. Unlike the Mahabat Khan mosque in Peshawar or the Wazir Khan mosque in Lahore, the history of Chiniotโs Shahi Masjid is quite vague. It cannot be said for sure who had it built, but the most widely known story involves Hakim Saad Ullah Khan, the Governor (Wazir) of the province during Shah Jahanโs era. This could be plausible, given Shah Jahanโs well-documented love for architectural wonders, visible in monuments like the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. Moreover, the design of this mosque is said to resemble that of the Jamia Masjid in Delhi, and the arches strongly resemble those in the Red Fort. Both of these were not only built during the reign of Shah Jahan, but also under the supervision of the aforementioned Governor. Therefore, for all practical purposes, Saad Ullah Khan is credited with the construction of this mosque. The tale goes that Hakim Saad Ullah Khan was born in destitution in the village of Pataraki near Chiniot. Before shifting to Delhi, he lived for a while near the Wazir Khan Masjid in Lahore. This could also be the reason behind the similarities in the frescoes and side-structures of the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Shahi Masjid. After being appointed the Wazir by Shah Jahan on the basis of his knowledge and wit, Khan had a mosque built in Chiniot since it was an important territory at the time. The construction of the mosque took about nine years from 1646 - 1655 AD, which was due to the Wazirโs ability to get the job done without excessive spending. The mosque was built on a single podium about 15 feet above ground, and was connected to the bazaar in which it was situated via two lanes on the side. An ablution pool is present in the middle of the courtyard, and four minarets dot the corners of the structure. It is said that these minarets were originally built with a special stone called Sang-e-Lazraan (literally translated as trembling stone) and they used to sway slightly with strong winds. This, however, isnโt true anymore as ordinary stone was used during the eventual restoration of the structure. Sang-e-Abadi, a local stone found in the vicinity of Chiniot, was used for the majority of its construction. The main prayer hall, topped by three domes, has four rows of right pillars each, and if their majestic beauty wasnโt enough, the spaces between them have been duly garnished with floral patterns and intricate designs. The mosque continued to exist in all its glory during the Mughal era, but when Punjab fell to the Sikhs, the mosque was converted into a stable by the armies of Ranjit Singh in 1816. Itโs also of political importance as one of the imams of the mosque, Noor Ahmed, was allegedly involved in the War of Independence in 1857, and was subsequently arrested by the British. After the creation of Pakistan, it was handed over to the Auqaaf Department in 1960, and restoration work started soon after. The department exercised immense caution to keep the renovation and restoration as close to the original structure as possible, but some frescoes, especially on the main entrance, seem visibly reconstructed. Today, the mosque is in fairly good condition, and offers a serene respite from the chaos of the busy town in which itโs nestled. It seems simplistic in its overall structure, yet its artwork and geometrical patterns are something to behold.
