The Sheesh Mahal (the Palace of Mirrors) is located within the Shah Burj Quadrangle of Lahore Fort. It was constructed under the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631-32. It consists of a large lofty hall with several rooms at the rear. As many as five decorative crafts embellish the building. The chambers were originally decorated with fresco paintings and gilding work but later covered with glass mosaic work done on the walls. There is a spacious courtyard in front of Sheesh Mahal having a shallow water basin with four fountains. Four water channels, one on each side connect the basin with other buildings.

There has been a range of speculation on the exact origin of the decorative and ornamental schema of the Sheesh Mahal. Some nineteenth century and early twentieth century researchers have attributed the origin of the mirror work to the Mughals, while others have pointed to the glaring instances of Mughal period fresco painting covered by Sikh period mirror work. As is well known, even during the Mughal period, layers of wall decorations are to be found in buildings with no interregnal changes. However, the fact remains that the building was the center of Sikh power for the forty years of the reign of Ranjit Singh and for the eighteen years thereafter, and the strong presence of Sikh period interventions can be felt everywhere.

Conservation of the Sheesh Mahal’s mirror-decorated ceiling in the principal loggia has been one of the most technically demanding projects. The team selected a prototype area to conduct a thorough condition survey and diagnosed deterioration in the mirror work, stucco tracery, and gilding. Due to previous structural stiffening during a 2002– 2005 intervention, significant ceiling deformations could not be reversed, but the conservation team focused on stabilizing the base plaster and re-adhering loose mirror and stucco fragments. New mirrors matching the original specifications were procured, and replacement occurred only where original elements were lost. In the courtyard, comprehensive efforts were undertaken to reconfigure the drainage system. These included the development and on-site testing of a prototype stainless steel (SS) catch basin, the fabrication and installation of custom marble gratings, and the evaluation of suitable waterproofing materials to ensure long-term effectiveness and compatibility with the historic fabric.