You are looking at Pakistan’s most “emblematic” building.
At the time of its astonishingly swift construction, Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque (“Badshahi Masjid”, to locals) was the world’s largest mosque/masjid.
Construction began in 1671.
It opened two years later.
342 years on, the Mughal Empire’s final large-scale architectural marvel still inspires awe.
Its main building – pictured above – is the key visual presence on every Pakistan 500 rupee banknote.
i took the photo at 3.50 pm on 12 May 2024.
Its highly elaborate and huge building houses the main prayer hall, which can accommodate 10,000 worshippers.
However, this monumental structure occupies only a small portion of the complex.
Larger by far is the Masjid’s vast courtyard, from which I took the photo.
The courtyard has room for another 100,000 people!
The next few chapters will reveal much more…