Hiran Minar

This article is about Hiran Minar at Sheikhupura, Pakistan. For Hiran Minar at Fatehpur Sikri (near Agra), India, see Fatehpur Sikri.

Hiran Minar
ہرن مینار
Hiran Minar complex
Map
31°44′35″N 73°57′18.7″E / 31.74306°N 73.955194°E / 31.74306; 73.955194
LocationSheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan
Beginning date1607
Completion date1620[1][2]
Website[1]

Hiran Minar (Urdu: ہرن مینار; or "The Deer Tower") is an early 17th-century Mughal era complex in Sheikhupura, in the Pakistani province of Punjab. It was built at the site of a game reserve in honor of Mughal Emperor Jahangir's beloved antelope, Mansraj.[3] The emperor is remembered for his fondness of nature,[4] and his complex embodies the Mughal relationship between humans, pets and hunting.[5][1]

Emperor Jahangir's unique tribute to his beloved companion began the tradition of the burial of animals for several centuries on.[6]

The architectural prototype of the Hiran Minar has been connected to another monument also named the Hiran Minar of Fatzhpur Aikri measures 21 meters in height, the tower's plan is octagonal at its base, then transitions over to being circular at the height of 3.91 meters and topped with a chhairi.[7]

The landmark was proclaimed secure by the under the Ancient Monuments Reservation Act,1904 (Antiquities Act,1975) in 1916. The Hiran Minar and Tank Sheikhupura are likewise engraved on the Provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage.[8]

  1. ^ a b Hiran Minar and Tank, Sheikhupura - description on UNESCO website Published 14 December 1993, Retrieved 1 May 2020
  2. ^ Occasional Papers. The Gallery. 1947. p. 12. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  3. ^ Rai Farhatullah (2018). "Hiran Minar". academia.edu website. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. ^ Lari, Yasmeen (2003). Lahore: Illustrated City Guide. Heritage Foundation Pakistan. ISBN 9789698655013.
  5. ^ Brown, Rebecca (2015). A Companion to Asian Art and Architecture. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9781119019534. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  6. ^ Toussia Cohen, Itamar (2022). "A Love That Lasts Beyond the Grave". Anthropology of the Middle East. 17 (2).
  7. ^ Nasim, Samina (April–June 2022). "Architectural Ornamentation of Shigar Fort Complex Skardu Baltistan: Heritage of Pakistan". Architectural Ornamentation of Shigar Fort Complex Skardu Baltistan. 59 (2).
  8. ^ khaskheli, zhang, rabia, weiping (July 2021). "analysis of historical built baradaris (Pavillions) architecture in pakistan". 12 (7). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)