Hiran Minar
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Quick Facts
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Hiran Minar (Minaret of Antelope) is set in peaceful environs some 43 kilometres northwest from Lahore and 9 kilometres from Sheikhupura. It was constructed by Emperor Jahangir as a monument to Mansraj, one of his pet deer.
History
Nur-ud-din Salim Jahangir (20 September 1569 – 8 November 1627)
The minar itself was built by Emperor Jahangir in 1606 to honor the memory of a pet antelope named "Mansraj" killed by Jahangir during hunting with friends. Sheikhupura then had the status of a royal hunting ground. As per historical accounts,an antelope was caught alive here by Jahangir’s entourage while hunting. When the antelope was brought before the emperor, it showed instant affection, seating down at Jahangir’s feet, as if pleading to be spared and adopted. Jahangir liked the gesture, and naming it "Mansraj", also issued a royal decree banning the shikar (Hunt) of deer at the hunting site. The deer remained with the emperor and enjoyed the royal hospitality.The bereaved emperor ordered a minaret to be built at his grave, hence the name Hiran Minar. The Minar originally measured 110 feet in height, but after sometime, its canopy collapsed, leaving it in its present headless state. The Minar has 108 steps on a spiral staircase lead to its summit, where rest the remains of Mansraj. The cost incurred in those times on the construction of the minaret was Rs150, 000.
The gravestone, as per Jahangir’s instruction was built in the shape of an antelope and the epitaph written by Mullah Mohammed Hussain Kashmiri, "In this beautiful & healthful place, God-thirsty Noor-ud-Din Jahangir captured a deer; in one month the deer left his jungle habits and soon became the king of the Royal Deer."
Later, when Emperor Shahjahan stayed at his father’s favourite hunting site for three days, he ordered the construction of a Barah-dari surrounded by a water pool.The Barah-dari- an octagonal pavilion with fresco paintings adds to its charm. It was constructed in 1620,13 years after the Minar was built by Radat Khan. Later in 1638, Shah Jehan, architect of the famous Taj Mahal made major changes to the structures.
The gravestone, as per Jahangir’s instruction was built in the shape of an antelope and the epitaph written by Mullah Mohammed Hussain Kashmiri, "In this beautiful & healthful place, God-thirsty Noor-ud-Din Jahangir captured a deer; in one month the deer left his jungle habits and soon became the king of the Royal Deer."
Later, when Emperor Shahjahan stayed at his father’s favourite hunting site for three days, he ordered the construction of a Barah-dari surrounded by a water pool.The Barah-dari- an octagonal pavilion with fresco paintings adds to its charm. It was constructed in 1620,13 years after the Minar was built by Radat Khan. Later in 1638, Shah Jehan, architect of the famous Taj Mahal made major changes to the structures.
Architecture
The structure consists of a large, almost-square water tank with an octagonal pavilion in its center, a causeway with its own gateway connects the pavilion with the mainland and a 100-foot (30 m)-high minar, or minaret.
At the center of each side of the tank, a brick ramp slopes down to the water, providing access for royal animals and wild game.Unique features of this particular complex are the antelope's grave and the distinctive water collection system. At each corner of the tank [Approximately 750 by 895 feet (273 m) in size], is a small, square building and a subsurface water collection system which supplied the tank; only one of these water systems is extensively exposed today.
Another special feature of Hiran Minar is its location and environment: the top of the minar is perhaps the best place in the province of Punjab to get a feel for the broader landscape and its relationship to a Mughal site.
Looking north from the top of the minar, one can see a patch of forest which is similar to the scrub forest vegetation of Mughal times, while to the west are extensively-irrigated fields, a product of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but similar in size and appearance to the well-irrigated fields of the Mughal period.
At the center of each side of the tank, a brick ramp slopes down to the water, providing access for royal animals and wild game.Unique features of this particular complex are the antelope's grave and the distinctive water collection system. At each corner of the tank [Approximately 750 by 895 feet (273 m) in size], is a small, square building and a subsurface water collection system which supplied the tank; only one of these water systems is extensively exposed today.
Another special feature of Hiran Minar is its location and environment: the top of the minar is perhaps the best place in the province of Punjab to get a feel for the broader landscape and its relationship to a Mughal site.
Looking north from the top of the minar, one can see a patch of forest which is similar to the scrub forest vegetation of Mughal times, while to the west are extensively-irrigated fields, a product of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but similar in size and appearance to the well-irrigated fields of the Mughal period.
Design
Constructed in brick, the minar (tower) is circular and tapers towards the top, which is flat, with a parapet wall. There are 210 square holes on the outer surface of the minar, arranged at regular intervals i~ 14 rows. A spiral straircase consisting of 108 steps has been provided inside the minar. Alongside the staircase, there are 11 ascending rectangular arched openings provided for air and light The minar is divided into six tiers of different height. The base of each tier has projected moulding and the lowest tier has an arched opening for an entrance.
The entire exterior as well as interior of the minar has lime plaster, apparently with some floral or lineal fresco paintings. The thick lime plaster applied over the surface of the lowest tier has been divided into decorative panels or arched niches and horizontal bands in high relief. Facing the grand minar on the east side is a big tank with a causeway leading to the octagonal baradari (Pavilion) built in the middle. There is a square pavilion at each corner with a gateway to the baradari. The tank is rectangular in shape, each side has a ramp and a parapet wall and is flanked by four staircases of 86teps.
During Mughal days, a channel was cut from the Aik rivulet and connected with the tank at its north-west corner ; in addition, an elaborate system for filling up the tank with rain water from the catchment area was devised. The main gateway to the baradari is a rectangular vestibule with a pointed arch flanked by four other similar but smaller openings, built one upon the other. Inside the vestibule are two platforms. The inner walls have been decorated with recessed niches, while the soffit of the domeshaped ceilings has honeycomb decoration. The two flights of 13 stops constructed at both the corners lead to the roof. The outer and inner surface has been plastered in the usual way and decorated with fresco paintings. A causeway, standing on 21 pointed arched pillars, connects the main baradari with the gateway. A square-shaped projected platform has been provided in the middle of the causeway. In the centre of the tank has been erected an octagonal platform with a low parapet wall on all sides. Over the platform stands the beautiful baradari in the same plan.
The entire exterior as well as interior of the minar has lime plaster, apparently with some floral or lineal fresco paintings. The thick lime plaster applied over the surface of the lowest tier has been divided into decorative panels or arched niches and horizontal bands in high relief. Facing the grand minar on the east side is a big tank with a causeway leading to the octagonal baradari (Pavilion) built in the middle. There is a square pavilion at each corner with a gateway to the baradari. The tank is rectangular in shape, each side has a ramp and a parapet wall and is flanked by four staircases of 86teps.
During Mughal days, a channel was cut from the Aik rivulet and connected with the tank at its north-west corner ; in addition, an elaborate system for filling up the tank with rain water from the catchment area was devised. The main gateway to the baradari is a rectangular vestibule with a pointed arch flanked by four other similar but smaller openings, built one upon the other. Inside the vestibule are two platforms. The inner walls have been decorated with recessed niches, while the soffit of the domeshaped ceilings has honeycomb decoration. The two flights of 13 stops constructed at both the corners lead to the roof. The outer and inner surface has been plastered in the usual way and decorated with fresco paintings. A causeway, standing on 21 pointed arched pillars, connects the main baradari with the gateway. A square-shaped projected platform has been provided in the middle of the causeway. In the centre of the tank has been erected an octagonal platform with a low parapet wall on all sides. Over the platform stands the beautiful baradari in the same plan.