On way to restoration
Built in 1663 on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, for his beloved wife Arjumand Banu Begum also known as Mumtaz Mahal, this structure was designed as his summer resting house and completed at a cost of nine lac rupees then
Naulakha Pavilion, named so for the mystical number nine and for the nine lac rupees it took to build it, is one of the twenty-one buildings inside the Lahore Fort and recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The pavilion is rectangular in shape, situated in the west of Sheesh Mahal, and is prominent because of its centrally arched and extraordinarily curved roof. This unique feature is symbolic of Shajahani architecture. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan added many structures to Lahore Fort but the most he liked and adored was the Naulakha Pavilion.
As you approach the Sheesh Mahal the building this pavilion is on your left, which grabs your attention at once. This pavilion is one of the different structures that you find in Lahore Fort. It is a small white marble building that reflects a mixture of contemporary traditions (at the time of its construction) of sloping-roof from Bengal, and Baldachin from Europe. This demonstrates the imperial as well as religious image of the subject. Some researchers and historians say that the original roof was probably gilded (coated with gold). The golden roof remained intact till the Mughal rule lasted in Lahore. The following years brought damage and deterioration to the building.
The most distinguishing feature of Naulakha Pavilion is the tiny and intricate marble and stone inlay work found inside it. Agate, jade, goldstone, lapis lazuli and other precious stones are all meticulously worked into the marble in the forms of delicate floral and geometric designs. In one of the niches, a tiny floral pattern measuring only two and a quarter by one and three quarter inches contains 102 pieces of inlaid gems. This sort of artistic and difficult work is hard to find in the latest buildings. This work also shows the taste of the artisans and builders. Its windows, screened with exquisite marble screens (jali) to allow the cool breezes in, overlook the walls of the Fort and the city streets beyond. Historians tell us that the ‘jali’, was once covered with a silver lining in the exquisite and delicate ‘parchin kari’ ornamentation, which is even today considered among the finest in the world. Lahore was even then known for this art. The feeling of breeze blowing through the holes of the jali is a fascination for the tourists visiting Lahore Fort. One can imagine the peace and tranquility of the place in past when the pavilion was at the peak of its majesty.
Built in 1663 on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, for his beloved wife Arjumand Banu Begum also known as Mumtaz Mahal, this structure was designed as his summer resting house and completed at a cost of nine lac rupees then. The pavilion was made for the Empress but she passed away before residing in it and finally Shah Jahan ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal, where she was later reburied. It is also said that the shape of Naulakha was inspired by the empress’s crown. Many experts are of the opinion that it was designed by Ustad Ahmed Lahauri, the man who designed the Taj Mahal. Historians write that the Naulakha design is also attributed to an Italian by the name of Geronimo Veroneo, a famous jeweler from Italy who many ascribe as also being involved in the Taj Mahal design. Emperor Shah Jehan loved beautiful structures and added many in Lahore. As unique and impressive monument of Mughal architecture, the building became a source of inspiration to Rudyard Kipling during his early days in Lahore and he titled one of his novels as The Naulakha.
Historians write that after the death of Emperor Shah Jahan the pavilion was used by Emperor Aurangzeb for his prayers as this pavilion faces towards Mecca. Later in the Afghan rule much damage was made to the pavilion as the semi precious stones and gems were pulled out. During the Sikh period the gilded roof and the gems were again damaged. As the British came, the space was occupied by soldiers of the East India Company. The first soldiers are known to have stolen a lot of semi-precious stones, with some even scrapping out some gold left in the crevices in the rooftop.
After 1947 the pavilion was damaged by wall chalking and weathering. The original Pakistani one-rupee banknote had a motif of it, but was then replaced by the tomb of the poet Iqbal. In 1981 the Lahore Fort was declared a heritage site by UNESCO. Presently, the walled city of Lahore authority is working on the preservation and conservation of the Sheesh Mahal and Naulakha Pavilion. The team is documenting the structures and soon the conservation works will commence. For the tourist attractions people have been dressed as soldiers and courtiers of Mughal Era with whom the tourists love to take pictures. I hope the heritage we love is saved and conserved with the finest techniques.
Historians write that after the death of Emperor Shah Jahan the pavilion was used by Emperor Aurangzeb for his prayers as this pavilion faces towards Mecca. Later in the Afghan rule much damage was made to the pavilion as the semi precious stones and gems were pulled out
