Lahore, the capital of the province of Punjab, and the second most populous city in Pakistan, is also known as the “Gardens of the Mughals” or “City of Gardens” due to its Mughal heritage when it served as a vital part of the Mughal Empire (1524 to 1752). This once fortified city has a concentration of monuments and buildings that reflect cultural diversity in architecture, and despite a dynamic and tumultuous past spanning several centuries, has retained much of its historic urban form.

The Walled City of Lahore is famous for several historic monuments, including the Lahore Fort – a World Heritage site – as well as the Badshahi and Wazir Khan Mosques. Close to 2,000 buildings within the Walled City display a range of architectural features that mark Lahore’s centuries-old cultural landscape. A majority of these buildings and the mohallas (local neighborhoods) in which they are situated form a unique heritage footprint.

The congregational Mosque of Wazir Khan was built in 1634-35 CE (AH 1044-45), by Hakim ‘Ilm ud Din Ansari, famously known as Wazir Khan, the governor of Punjab during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. Constructed over a period of seven years,Wazir Khan Mosque stands apart in the sheer scale of its decorative features, which display the sublime artistic skill of the period and the diversity of its cultural influences. The complex includes the Mosque itself, the introductory space of the Chowk Wazir Khan, and a double row of shops integrated in the entrance system meant specifically for calligraphers and bookbinders. It also includes additional shops on the eastern and northern façade built into the body of the monument, a caravanserai, a public bathhouse (the Shahi Hammam), open land and two wells all bequeathed to the Mosque by Wazir Khan for its upkeep and maintenance.

In 2009, Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCS-P) carried out a comprehensive documentation, condition and risk assessment of the mosque, followed by a technical report published in 2012. Work on the rehabilitation of the urban square by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) began in October 2015.

The Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan in partnership with Walled City of Lahore Authority, began the conservation of the Wazir Khan Mosque`s North façade in September 2015. The project took place in three phases.

The fi rst phase focused on the acquisition and removal of encroachments, execution of rainwater drainage system, construction of RCC retaining wall and structural consolidation of building fabric. This phase was completed in June 2016.

The second phase of the project, which commenced in July 2016 was completed in August 2017 included the conservation of cut & dressed brick masonry, arches, brick tile fl ooring and woodwork. Both phase 1 and 2 were funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Government of Punjab.

The third phase of the project included conservation of all decorative surfaces, glazed tile mosaic, fresco, stucco, glazed lime plaster and brick masonry. This third phase was funded by Government of Punjab and was completed in December 2021.