Untangling a web from old, old Lahore
History records that Ilm Ud Din had gained much importance in the royal court and in the last days of Jahangir, conspiracies of Noor Jahan had created a gap between Shah Jahan and his father, who imprisoned him, while Wazir Khan was appointed as his physician
The story of Hakeem Ilm Ud Din Ansari goes like this: Jahangir, the Mughal emperor, was much perturbed with the untreatable disease of his beloved wife Noor Jahan. After meeting several physicians he was advised to call Hakeem Sheikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari to his court for her treatment. The disease had caused the emperor and the queen much distress. The physician figured out the cause of disease and cured it by making the queen walk on burning sand. It was actually a cyst under the foot of the queen that had made her uncomfortable since long. Hakeem Ilm Ud Din Ansari was at once raised to the position of officer of the hospitals when the queen recovered fully. Recovery of the queen was celebrated in Lahore where the hakeem was highly praised and the queen presented him with her jewellery.
History records that Ilm Ud Din had gained much importance in the royal court and in the last days of Jahangir, conspiracies of Noor Jahan had created a gap between Shah Jahan and his father, who imprisoned him, while Wazir Khan was appointed as his physician. Asif Khan, the brother of Noor Jahan and father-in-law of Shah Jahan persuaded Wazir Khan to rescue him from the imprisonment and move to Dakkan. The plan was implemented but they were on their way to reach Dakkan when the news of Jahangir’s death arrived, who was on his way to Kashmir. So on the coronation of Shah Jahan the Hakeem was entitled: Nawab Wazir Khan and was later declared the governor of Lahore.
This is how a hakeem of Chiniot entered the royal court and became the governor of Lahore during the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s reign. Hakeem Ilm Ud Din also got the cognomen Wazir Khan, a title bestowed to him by Shah Jahan because Wazir Khan remained on friendly terms with him even when he was a prince.
He rapidly acquired respectable positions, while in the service of the king. First appointed as the superintendent of his camp-court, then superintendent of the royal kitchen (Mir-i Saman), gradually promoted to the rank of commander and then in 1030/1620 appointed the subedar (governor) of Lahore. He chose the site for the construction of the Wazir Khan Mosque, which was a central place of Lahore at that time and thus the foundations were laid in 1634/1045.
I came across interesting facts about Wazir Khan while reading a book written by Mamoona Khan. I found that like many other personalities and monuments there are some controversial accounts related to the date Wazir Khan acquired governorship of Lahore and construction of the Wazir Khan Mosque. Muhammad Latif writes in his book on Lahore that Ali Mardan Khan was appointed viceroy of Lahore and Kashmir in 1631 by Shah Jahan. He also states that Wazir Khan was appointed subedar of Agra when the emperor returned to Lahore after his second visit to Kashmir, which was in 1632. He further added that in 1634 Wazir Khan died in Agra, because of colic disease. These events do not match with the date of construction of the mosque to Wazir Khan. Also the date written on the main gate is 1045 AH that is 1634 AD it is also the year of Wazir Khan’s death ascribed by Muhammad Latif. Moreover, the viceroy of that region at that time, according to this source was Ali Mardan Khan instead of Wazir Khan, which is another controversial issue. If we think it is not possible that during the rule of one governor the mosque is constructed and attributed to someone else. So there must be some misconception.
It is said that a few months before his death when one day he was entering Agra, while crossing Hathipol his horse stumbled and fell down, Wazir Khan was injured and his condition became serious
Mamoona in her book Wazir Khan Mosque Rediscovered writes that another historian, M. Baqir gives somewhat different details about the dates and Wazir Khan. According to him, by 1043/1634 which was the seventh year of Shah Jahan’s imperial position, he decided to come to Lahore. On his way to Lahore the eldest daughter of Dara Shikoh died and Dara himself became ill due to fever. When the imperial physicians failed to cure his ailment, Wazir Khan the then viceroy of Lahore was called in to the court camp on 4th of Shawwal. 1043 AH that is April 3rd, 1634 AD. It is said that he successfully treated the prince who got well. It is also ascribed that Shah Jahan then reached Lahore, being interested in the building work; he took notice of the repair and reconstruction of the royal palaces, entrusting all repair work to the Viceroy Wazir Khan. It seems believable because this account gives strength to Wazir Khan’s governorship of Lahore in 1634, the date inscribed on the mosque.
What Wazir Khan has on his credit is still seen today in Lahore. Being a builder, many outclass buildings in Lahore are built by him. These include mosques, gardens, hammams (baths), caravanserais, bazaars and havelis. A town was also established by him near Gujranwala called Wazirabad after his name. In Lahore, inside the Walled City, he built a Haveli inside Shah ‘Almi Gate, known as Pari Mahal. He built the Shahi Hammam or the Wazir Khan Mosque inside Delhi Gate, the grand Wazir Khan Mosque, another mosque near Taxali. He also erected many buildings in his home town Chiniot such as ponds, wells, caravanserais, hospitals and bazaars. He also provided his native city, where he yearned to go, with a fortified wall. All the buildings built by Wazir Khan were extra ordinarily decorated and remains can still be seen today. His masterpieces included the tile mosaic and fresco work. He had spent much of his income on the building of mosques.
It is said that a few months before his death when one day he was entering Agra, while crossing Hathipol his horse stumbled and fell down, Wazir Khan was injured and his condition became serious. The historians state that he wrote his will to give all his property to the emperor.
Though Wazir Khan is not alive today but his love and passion for building and décor is reflected in the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Hammam. These are two high tourist spots and being conserved as well by the Walled City Lahore Authority.
