Jahangir’s Quadrangle

Jahangir’s Quadrangle is among the first quadrangles laid out during Akbar’s rule and stay in Lahore and as such carries enormous significance. The construction of the Quadrangle was started by the Emperor Akbar, and completed by his son Jahangir in 1617-18. It is flanked by a row of dalans (Porticoes) on its east and west. The frontage of dalans is in red sand stone, with splendidly carved columns and elaborated brackets in animal figures. There is a large “Chahar Bagh” style garden in the quadrangle having a spacious tank with a square marble platform called ”Mahtabi” in the middle. There are numerous fountains in the tank.

The main building of the court stands in the middle of the north side of the quadrangle. It was Jahangir’s own sleeping chamber, and is known as “Bari Khawabgah”. The frontage of the building is the British Period reconstruction. Presently, the entire building serves as a museum called Mughal gallery.

On the southern side of the quadrangle is Daulat khana Khas-o-Aam.

On southeastern side of the Jahangir’s quadrangle, Haveli Maharaja Kharak Singh son of Ranjit Singh was built over the Mughal period structures.

During the British rule when fort was occupied by them, the damage was caused to building not only due to the construction of several additional structures within the quadrangle but also abutting of various chambers palaces particularly the Eastern and Western dalans. The buildings here were converted into barracks during the British Raj.