Sheesh Mahal

The north-west corner of Lahore Fort contains one of the unique and most profusely decorated mirror palace called as Shish Mahal. It was built by Asif Khan for Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631-32 AD.

The palace consists of a spacious and lofty hall in front and several rooms behind on either side. In back wall, the rear chamber houses a large marble screen, tastefully carved out in tendril designs. The main decorative features of the palace are (i) the convex mirror mosaic work with stucco tracery (ii) gild work (iii) pietra-dura work, especially in the spandrels of the arches and on the bases of the double columns, the openings carrying superb cusped arches and (iv) the marble jaalis (screens) of extraordinary perfection, skillfully carved in geometrical and tendril designs.

There are traces indicating that the chambers were originally decorated with gilding and fresco paintings. The floor of the spacious courtyard in front of the hall is paved with stone slabs in variegated marble, such as Sang-e-Badal, Sang-e-Abri, Sang-e-Khattu, etc. In the center of the courtyard, there is a shallow water basin; circular in shape and a marble platform occupying its center. Four jet fountains are displayed in the basin. Four water channels, paved with sang-e-abri are running in the middle of all the four sides.

Sheesh Mahal Attic Roof

The Sheesh Mahal Attic Roof was conserved and its waterproofing was also done which was previously in a dilapidated condition. This project was done by Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) in collaboration with Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) with the funding of Royal Norwegian Embassy.

The Sheesh Mahal was constructed under the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631-32, and the Attic Rooms adjacent to Sheesh Mahal main area were in state of disrepair and needed immediate conservation. Through this conservation project, all decayed wooden elements of the 6,335 sq. ft. roof with the structural consolidation and conservation of decorative elements along with water rerouting was completed in January 2021.