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Hiran Minar (Urdu: ہرن مینار; or "The Deer Tower") is an early 16th-century Mughal era complex in Sheikhupura, in the Pakistani province of Punjab. It was built at the site of a game reserve in honour of Mughal Emperor Jahangir's beloved antelope, Mansraj.The emperor is remembered for his fondness of nature, and his complex embodies the Mughal relationship between humans, pets and hunting. Emperor Jahangir's unique tribute to his beloved companion began the tradition of the burial of animals for several centuries on.

The architectural protoype 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.

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 is likewise engraved on Provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage.

Location

The Hiran Minar is located in the city of Sheikhupura, about 40 kilometres northwest of Lahore, near the Sheikhupura Fort, which also dates from the early 17th century. Both sites are accessible from Lahore via the M2 Motorway, which connects Lahore to the Islamabad.

History

Hiran Minar was built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in a hunting reserve used by the Mughal royals. The reserve was built in a scrub forest, and allowed Mughal emperors to experience a sense of semi-wilderness near the imperial city of Lahore. The wild-reserve was used as a park where visitors could enjoy the sport of hunting.

The minaret itself was built in 1606 C.E. as a monument to Emperor Jahangir's beloved pet antelope, Mansraj ("lord of all animal beings"). The practice of building such tomb-markers over the skulls of game animals is an ancient Persian custom.

Emperor Jahangir like all Mughal rulers loved to hunt animals like antelope . Oddly enough Jahangir also had a special bond with an antelope who he called Mansraj. Tragedy striked during one of his hunting exibitions with some friends and he regretfully ended the life of his beloved companion. Heartbroken by the lost, Jahangir constructed this 100ft tall Hiran Minar to honor his pet antelope.

The minaret and tank were accompanied by a larger pavilion, built during the reign of Shah Jahan.

Layout

The complex consists of a Jahangir-era minaret next to a larger Shah Jahan-era complex.

Minaret

The Jahangir-era minaret stands 30 metres tall, and was built in 1606 C.E. as a tomb marker for the emperor's pet antelope, Minsraj. The sides of the minar are inscribed with a eulogy to the antelope. The tower itself is circular and tapers at the top, which is flat, with a parapet wall. There are a total of 210 square holes on the outer surface of the minar, arranged at regular intervals (total of 14 rows). A spiral staircase with 108 steps lines the inside of the minar (tower). Beside the staircase, there are 11 ascending rectangular arched openings provided for air and light. The minar is divided into six tiers of different heights. The base of each tier has projected molding and the lowest tire has an arched opening for an entrance. The exterior and interior of the tower has lime plaster, with some floral or lineal fresco paintings. The thick lime plaster applied over the surface of the lowest tier has been divided into decorative panels or arched niches and horizontal bands in high relief.

Pool

A massive rectangular water-tank pool measuring 229 metres by 273 metres lies at the heart of the complex. At the center of each side of the tank, a brick ramp slopes down to the water, providing access for wild game that were sought by hunters.

Pavilion

Facing the grand minar on the east side is a big tank with a causeway leading to the octagonal Pavilion built in the middle There is a square pavilion at each corner with a gateway to the baradari. The tank is rectangular in shape, each side has a ramp and a parapet wall and is flanked by four staircases of 8 6 steps. During Mughal days, a channel was cut from the Aik rivulet and connected with the tank at its north-west corner ; in addition, an elaborate system for filling up the tank with rain water from the catchment area was devised. The main gateway to the baradari is a rectangular vestibule with a pointed arch flanked by four other similar but smaller openings, built one upon the other. Inside the vestibule are two platforms. The inner walls have beendecorated with recessed niches, while the soffit of the dome shaped ceilings has honeycomb decoration. The two flights of 13 stops constructed at both the corners lead to the roof. The outer and inner surface has been plastered in the usual way and decorated with fresco paintings.

An octagonal pavilion built during the reign of Shah Jahan is at the centre of the pool. It is two-storeyed, and topped by a rooftop chhatri that served as a stone gazebo. Its architecture is similar to the Sher Mandal at Delhi's Purana Qila built by Emperor Humayun.

The pavilion was surrounded not only by the water tank, but also semi-wilderness, and was thus likely used for recreational purposes.

Causeway

A causeway, standing on 21 pointed arched pillars, connects the main baradari with the gateway.A square-shaped projected platform has been provided in the middle of the causeway.In the centre of the tank has been erected an octagonal platform with a low parapet wall on allsides. Over the platform stands the beautiful baradari in the same plan, The baradari wasconstructed under the orders of the Emperor Jahangir in 1620 A.D. for use as a royal residence.