SHAH BURJ GATE
This magnificent Shah Burj Gate was built by Shah Jahan in 1631-32 A.D., which was the private entrance of the Mughals and also exclusively by the Royalty. It leads to Shah burj (Shish Mahal), the Haram portion of the Fort. The inscription over this gate records the completion of Shah Burj in the 4th regal year of Shah Jahan i.e., (1631-32 A.D.), under the supervision of Abdul Karim, who is mentioned as Ma’mur Khan in the inscription over Makteeb Khana.
The two-lined inscription is painted over the gateway and according to its content, symbolizes the “Divine Throne” and would be superior everything in height, elegance, and purity.
The outer archway, the extrados is entirely covered in fine Kashikari (tile mosaic work) from the top cornice till the sandstone base. The surface of the gate is divided into recessed panels, of which the spandrel panel has lost most of it tile work from the top right and is now covered with plaster.
The Shah Burj Gate, which is the part of the world’s largest picture wall in Lahore fort, became the main entrance to the fort after the closure of entrance through the Alamgiri Gate which is inside the Huzoori Bagh.
This Gate, despite being the entrance of Lahore fort was neglected. It had dilapidated with the passage of time. The structure and the wooden doors of the gate were getting derelict.
In 2019 the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) in partnership with the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCS-P) took up the initiative of restoring this gate. The wooden gate in the arches of the Shah Burj Gate which is almost 30 feet in height had become rotten and was stuck in the soil due to which it could not be moved from its place. WCLA repaired the wooden gate and now it is possible to open and close it with ease. A room adjacent to the gate, which was filled with silt and wreckage was also cleaned up and restored.
Restoration of the façade of Shah Burj Gate had started in June 2019 with an aim to complete the missing tile work and the iconic Muqarnas inside the dome that is often called “stalactite vaulting” based on the evidence. To carry out the work, foremost task was complete and comprehensive documentation of the existing conditions. Based on the documentation restoration strategy was derived. Restoration work was completed in March 2020.
The restoration work of Shah Burj Gate has been completed by Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan with generous funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Walled City of Lahore Authority, and the Aga Khan trust for Culture.