| Hiran Minar, a peaceful structure in Sheikhupura, | | | | serenity, created by nature and protected by |
| 40 km on Lahore-Sargodha road. It beckons the | | | | man. In the pond, the monsoon rain water was |
| history of royal interest and longing to give their | | | | collected, which served as a cooling system to |
| emotions, an expression through unyielding | | | | this building also, a mark of distinction the Mughals |
| boulders and vaults. Hiran means Dear while the | | | | followed in all of their architectural |
| word Minar is derived from Monara (a mound to | | | | accomplishments. The concept of using water as |
| burn fire, Nar) which ultimately became Minaret in | | | | a source of getting atmospheric pleasure was |
| English. | | | | common in the Mughal Emperors, as Islam has |
| The land of south Asia is rich in tradition and | | | | given a concept of life where water is vital for |
| culture of diverse origins that came to this part of | | | | existence of living beings. |
| the world owing to different dynasties which ruled | | | | The concept of paradise is even not complete |
| over this soil for centuries. The story goes back | | | | without the gushing waters from sacred |
| to the Aryans, when they crushed the peace | | | | fountains, which were always there in Mughal |
| loving inhabitants of Indus Valley Civilization and | | | | architectural tradition. |
| forced them towards the extreme southern | | | | A brick ramp at each of the four corners slopes |
| parts. | | | | down to the water, which seems an access for |
| The sumptuousness of this land and the | | | | the royal animals to the pond that covers an area |
| prosperous economic condition of its people | | | | of approximately 750 by 895 ft. |
| invited many invaders afterwards to explore the | | | | The minaret itself was built in 1606 AD which has |
| Sindhu or Hindu land, attributed mainly to the River | | | | lost its upper most part due to the cruelty of |
| Sindh. The last of this series of invaders were the | | | | time that never spared anything. |
| Britishers, who marched into subcontinent on | | | | The unique feature of this building is the grave of |
| diplomatic grounds, under the flag of East India | | | | the deer Mansraj, a very rare example of love |
| Company which was preceded by the great | | | | towards a pet, a gesture of love towards wildlife |
| Mughals. | | | | in a time when western world was even not |
| The Mughals are known for their love for beauty | | | | aware of such intentions. |
| and nature. Architecture was their passion which | | | | The Baradari or the central octagonal pavilion is |
| introduced a whole new vast and open style to | | | | standing in the water tank, a wonderful example |
| already existing indigenous mode which was close | | | | of architectural expertise as the whole structure |
| and narrow through quadrilateral plan ornate with, | | | | was made water proof which stood so, for |
| arch, dome and minaret based architecture | | | | centuries. Even after 400 years, the Mughal |
| combined with ponds full of fresh water. | | | | buildings, due to Lime Mortar, a unique element of |
| The Mughals were infatuated with gardens, forts, | | | | their architecture, proved to be the best water |
| mosques and mausoleums, wherever they lived, | | | | resistant structures. This technique was |
| they erected a structure in any of the above | | | | discovered by the Romans in 4th century BC. |
| form. | | | | The Mughals adopted this technique of Lime |
| Hiran Minar is a different construction from all of | | | | Mortar as the primary technology which they |
| them and a unique one within its theme and | | | | used from ordinary Havelis to the world wonder; |
| concept as the tall minaret along with a pond, | | | | Taj Mahal. |
| centered with a Baradari (an octagonal pavilion) | | | | As history reveals, Emperor Jahangir was fond of |
| was constructed in the memory of a departed | | | | hunting and animals, he even commissioned an |
| Deer named Mnsraj by the emperor Jahangir. | | | | animal album with essential physiological and |
| Architecturally, the structure of Hiran Minar | | | | anatomical details. Mansur the renowned painter |
| consists of a large, almost square water pond | | | | sketched the images with minute details of |
| with an octagonal pavilion in the center. A | | | | important animals and flowers. This shows the |
| causeway connects this pavilion with the main land | | | | keen interest; Jahangir had got for animals and |
| where the 100 ft high Minaret is standing tall as an | | | | wild life. It is also said that during his hunt games, |
| emblem of Mughals' glory. This minaret could be | | | | the emperor used to come back with the prey, |
| said as the best place to see the Punjab in times | | | | and kept the record regarding its weight, color, |
| when there was no such high place. The green | | | | breed, specie and other features. |
| forests towards the north remind us the scrub | | | | All these events strengthened the view that the |
| forest vegetation of Mughal times while the | | | | emperor could build a mausoleum for a deer or |
| irrigated fields in the west of this building, add to | | | | antelope that he loved so much. |
| the scenic beauty of this area, although the | | | | There might be legends and stories of love and |
| irrigation system was introduced very late in the | | | | memories that might compel someone to erect a |
| 19th century, but it helped the already fertile | | | | structure to memorize the departed soul. But |
| planes to articulate fertility in an organized manner | | | | Hiran Minar is a unique example of its own kind, |
| which was present in Mughal era due to well | | | | may well be the only one--- a mausoleum for a |
| irrigation system. | | | | departed deer. |
| The structures of this place evoke a blend of | | | | |