Pakistani architecture

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  Viravah temple, one of Jain temples at Nagarparkar
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  Frescoes at Gori temple of the Nagarparkar Jain Temples
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  One of ancient Jain temples at Nagarparkar

Indo-Islamic architecture

Early Era (8th century to 16th century)

The arrival of Islam in today's Pakistan - first in Sindh - during the 8th century CE meant a sudden end of Buddhist architecture. However, a smooth transition to predominantly pictureless Islamic architecture occurred.^[12]

The earliest example of a mosque from the days of infancy of Islam in South Asia is the Mihrablose mosque of Banbhore, from the year 727, the first Muslim place of worship in South Asia. Under the Delhi Sultan, the Persian-centralasiatic style ascended over Arab influences. The most important characteristic of this style is the Iwan, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. Further characteristics are wide prayer halls, round domes with mosaics and geometrical samples and the use of painted tiles. The most important of the few completely discovered buildings of Islamic architecture is the tomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam (built 1320 to 1324) in Multan.^[13]

The

Other examples include the Rohtas Fort built by Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century,^[12] and the Tombs of the Talpur Mirs.

Mughal Architecture (16th–18th centuries CE)

Mughal architecture emerged in the medieval period during the reign of the Mughal Empire in the 15th to 17th centuries. Mughal buildings have a uniform pattern of structure and character, including large bulbous domes, slender minarets at the corners, massive halls, large vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation, usually surrounded by gardens on all four sides.

The buildings are usually constructed out of red sandstone and white marble, and make use of decorative work such as pachin kari and jali-latticed screens.

The earliest example in Pakistan is the Lahore Fort, which had existed at least since the 11th century but was completely rebuilt by various Mughal Emperors like Akbar and Jahangir (1556–1627) .^[16] The Tomb of Anarkali, Hiran Minar and Begum Shahi Mosque also date back to this period.

The Tomb of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor, was completed in 1637 during the reign of his son and successor Shah Jahan. The Emperor had forbidden the construction of a dome over his tomb, and thus the roof is simple and free of any embellishments. It stands amidst a garden which also houses the Tomb of Nur Jahan, Tomb of Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai, one of the most well-preserved caravanserais in Pakistan.^[17]

Mughal architecture reached its zenith in the 17th century during the reign of Shah Jahan.^[18][16] During this time, several additions were made to the Lahore Fort. Other masterpieces of this time include the Wazir Khan Mosque, Dai Anga Mosque, Tomb of Dai Anga, Shalimar Gardens and Shahi Hammam in Lahore.^[19][20] The Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta reflects a heavy Persian influence.^[21]

The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore was built during the reign of Aurangzeb in 1673. It is made out of red sandstone with three marble domes, very similar to the Jama Masjid of Delhi. It remains one of the largest mosques in the world.^[22]

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  Naulakha pavilion (1633) in the Lahore Fort^[16]
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  Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort^[16]
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  The Wazir Khan Mosque^[20]
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  Shalimar Gardens, Lahore^[16]
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  Akbari Sarai^[17]
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  Badshahi Mosque^[22]

Regional architecture

Architecture of Sindh

Architecture of province of Sindh is greatly influenced from its neighbouring regions of Gujarat and Punjab, as well as broader Indo-Islamic architecture. The necropolis at Makli gives a good example of Sindhi architecture. Its architecture of the largest monuments synthesizes Muslim, Hindu, Persian, Mughal, and Gujarati influences,^[23] in the style of Lower Sindh that became known as the Chaukhandi style, named after the Chaukhandi tombs near Karachi. The Chaukhandi style came to incorporate slabs of sandstone that were carefully carved by stonemasons into intricate and elaborate designs.^[24]

By the 15th century, decorated rosettes and circular patterns began to be incorporated into the tombs. More complex patterns and Arabic calligraphy with biographical information of the interred body then emerged. Larger monuments dating from later periods included corridors and some designs inspired by cosmology.

They also feature extensive blue tile-work typical of Sindh.[24] The use of funerary pavilions eventually expanded beyond lower Sindh, and influenced funerary architecture in neighbouring Gujarat.^[27] The Chaukhandi tombs are embellished with geometrical designs and motifs, including figural representations such as mounted horsemen, hunting scenes, arms, and jewelry.

Apart from tombs, Ranikot Fort and Kot Diji Fort are also a good example of Sindhi architecture.

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  Kot Diji Fort in Sindh
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  Interior of one of the Talpur tombs
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  Canopy tomb of Daya Khan Rahu
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  View of Tomb of Jam Mubarak Khan
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  The Shah Jahan mosque's main dome has tiles arranged in a

  stellate

  pattern to represent the night sky
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  Makli Necropolis features several monumental tombs dating from the 14th to 18th centuries

Architecture of Multan

A distinct Multani style of architecture began taking root in the 14th century with the establishment of funerary monuments,^[28] and is characterized by large brick walls reinforced by wooden anchors, with inward sloping roofs.^[28] Funerary architecture is also reflected in the city's residential quarters, which borrow architectural and decorative elements from Multan's mausolea.^[28]

In spite of being in Punjab, the architecture of city of Multan is more influenced by the architecture of the neighbouring province of Sindh. It is usually expressed in the form of mausoleums of Sufi saints.

Rajput architecture

The

One of the most well known examples of Sikh architecture is the

Gurdwara Dera Sahib and Gurdwara Panja Sahib are other prominent examples.

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  Darbar Sahib, gurdwara commemorating Guru Nanak, in Kartarpur, Pakistan
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  Golden dome of Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore
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  Samadhi of Ranjit Singh in Lahore, an example of Sikh architecture in Pakistan

Indo-Saracenic architecture

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  Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building, Karachi
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  University of the Punjab, Lahore
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  The present building of the

  Sir Ganga Ram

  and completed in 1894

Post-Independence