Pakistani architecture

Pakistani architecture is intertwined with the architecture of the broader Indian subcontinent. The major architectural styles popular in the past were Temple, Indo-Islamic, Mughal and Indo-Saracenic architecture, all of which have many regional varieties. With the beginning of the Indus civilization around the middle of the 3rd millennium BC,Guisepi, R.A. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120610205538/http://history-world.org/indus_valley.htm The Indus Valley And The Genesis Of South Asian Civilization]}}. Retrieved on February 6, 2008 for the first time in the area which encompasses today's Pakistan an advanced urban culture developed with large structural facilities, some of which survive to this day. This was followed by the Gandhara style of Buddhist architecture that borrowed elements from Ancient Greece. These remnants are visible in the Gandhara capital of Taxila.Meister, M.W. (1997). Gandhara-Nagara Temples of the Salt Range and the Indus. Kala, the Journal of Indian Art History Congress. Vol 4 (1997-98), pp. 45-52.

Indo-Islamic architecture emerged during the medieval period, which combined Indian and Persianaite elements. The Mughal Empire ruled between the 16th and 18th centuries, and saw the rise of Mughal architecture, most prevalent in Lahore.

During the British Colonial period, European styles such as the Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassical became prevalent. The British, like the Mughals, built elaborate buildings to project their power. The Indo-Saracenic style, a fusion of British and Indo-Islamic elements also developed. After Independence, modern architectural styles like the International style became popular.

Harappan architecture

Archaeologists excavated numerous Bronze Age cities, among them are Mohenjo Daro, Harrappa and Kot Diji from the 3rd millennium BCE. They have a uniform, appropriate structure with broad roads as well as well thought out sanitary and drainage facilities. The majority of the discovered brick constructions are public buildings such as bath houses and workshops. Wood and loam served as construction materials. Large scale temples, such as those found in other ancient cities are missing. With the collapse of the Indus Valley civilization the architecture also suffered considerable damage.Meister, M.W. (1996). [http://130.91.80.97:591/PDFs/38-3/Temples.pdf Temples Along the Indus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527134429/http://130.91.80.97:591/PDFs/38-3/Temples.pdf |date=2006-05-27 }}. Expedition, the Magazine of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Vol 38, Issue 3. pp. 41-54

File:Great bath view Mohenjodaro.JPG towards the Great Bath.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/138/|title=Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1878/|title=Archaeological Site of Harappa|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}]]

Little is known about this civilization, often called Harappan, partly because it disappeared about 1700 BC for reasons unknown, its language remains undeciphered, its existence was revealed only in the 1920s, and excavations have been limited. Surviving evidences indicate a sophisticated civilization. Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (the "City of the Dead") had populations of some 35,000, they were laid out according to a grid system. Inhabitants lived in windowless baked brick houses built around a central courtyard. These cities also had a citadel, where the public and religious buildings were located, large pools for ritual bathing, granaries for the storage of food, and a complex system of covered drains and sewers. The latter rivaled the engineering skill of the Romans some 2,000 years later.

Gandharan architecture

During classical antiquity, a special Gandharan architecture evolved in the ancient region of Gandhara with the rise of Buddhism. In addition, the Persian and Greek influence led to the development of the Greco-Buddhist style, starting from the 1st century AD. The high point of this era was reached with the culmination of the Gandhara style.

Important remnants of Buddhist construction are stupas and other buildings with clearly recognizable Greek statues and style elements like support columns which, beside ruins from other epochs, are found in the Gandhara capital Taxila{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/139/|title=Taxila|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}} in the extreme north of the Punjab. A particularly beautiful example of Buddhist architecture is the ruins of the Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi in the northwest province.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/140/|title=Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}

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Hindu Temple Architecture

{{further|Hindu and Buddhist architectural heritage of Pakistan}}

During Pre Islamic era in Pakistan, there was a prominent population of Hindus, especially in provinces in Punjab and Sindh. The important temples built during that era include:

The Shri Katas Raj Temples (Punjabi, {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|شری کٹاس راج مندر}}}}) also known as Qila Katas ({{nq|قلعہ کٹاس}}),{{cite magazine |last1=Khalid |first1=Laiba |title=Katas Raj Temples |magazine=Explore Rural India |date=January 2015 |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=55–57 |url=http://itrhd.com/pdfs/ERIM-jan15.pdf |publisher=The Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development |access-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430192343/http://itrhd.com/pdfs/ERIM-jan15.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2016 |url-status=dead}} is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas which is regarded as sacred by Hindus.{{cite book|last1=Sah|first1=Krishna Kumar|title=Deva Bhumi: The Abode of the Gods in India|date=2016|publisher=BookBaby|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M6pWDQAAQBAJ|page=79|access-date=15 September 2017|isbn=9780990631491}} The complex is located in the Potohar Plateau region of Pakistan's Punjab province.

The Amb Temples ({{langx|ur|{{nq|امب مندر}}}}) are part of a Hindu temple complex located at the western edge of the Salt Range in Pakistan's Punjab province. The temple complex was built in the 7th to 9th centuries CE during the reign of the Hindu Shahi empire.{{cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Attock District, 1930, Part 1|date=1932|publisher=Sang-e-Meel Publications|isbn=9789693514131 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gfdtAAAAMAAJ&q=amb+temple|access-date=21 September 2017}} The main temple is roughly 15 to 20 metres tall, and has three stories, with stairwells leading to inner ambulatories.

The Shri Varun Dev Mandir and Sharada Peeth are other examples of Hindu temple architecture in Pakistan.

File:Hindu Temple near Budhist Stupa at Katas Raj Temple.JPG|Temples at Katas Raj display characteristics of Kashmiri Hindu temples

File:Katas Raj Temples 2.JPG|Katas Raj Temples (4th century) in Pakistan

File:AMB Temples, three temples inside fort big temple side view.jpg|One of the Amb Temples constructed between the 7th and 9th centuries

Jain architecture

The Nagarparkar Jain Temples ({{langx|ur|{{nq|نگرپارکر جین مندر}}}}) are located in the region around Nagarparkar, in Pakistan's southern Sindh province. The site consists of a collection of Jain temples. They were built in Māru-Gurjara style in 12th century AD to the 15th century - a period when Jain architectural expression was at its zenith.{{cite web|title=Tentative Lists|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6111/|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=16 September 2017}} The temples were inscribed on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2016 as the Nagarparkar Cultural Landscape.

File:Virawah Jain Temple.jpg|Viravah temple, one of Jain temples at Nagarparkar

File:Gori temple, ceiling.jpg|Frescoes at Gori temple of the Nagarparkar Jain Temples

File:Jain_Temple_Nagarparkar_by_smn121-15.JPG|One of ancient Jain temples at Nagarparkar

Indo-Islamic architecture

=Early Era (8th century to 16th century)=

File:Tomb of Shah Yousuf Gardezi Multan.jpg|alt=|left]]

The arrival of Islam in today's Pakistan - first in Sindh - during the 8th century CE meant a sudden end of Buddhist architecture. However, a smooth transition to predominantly pictureless Islamic architecture occurred.

File:Ancient artwork detailed exquisite stone carving chaukhandi sindh.jpg

The earliest example of a mosque from the days of infancy of Islam in South Asia is the Mihrablose mosque of Banbhore, from the year 727, the first Muslim place of worship in South Asia. Under the Delhi Sultan, the Persian-centralasiatic style ascended over Arab influences. The most important characteristic of this style is the Iwan, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. Further characteristics are wide prayer halls, round domes with mosaics and geometrical samples and the use of painted tiles. The most important of the few completely discovered buildings of Islamic architecture is the tomb of the Shah Rukn-i-Alam (built 1320 to 1324) in Multan.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1884/|title=Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303153849/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1884/|archive-date=2018-03-03|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-14}}

File:Tomb of Sultan Jam Nizamuddin.jpg's tomb features a jharoka that displays Gujarati influences]]

The Makli Necropolis at Thatta, which includes tombs of various rulers, noblemen and Sufi saints of Sindh was built between the 14th and 18th centuries. It showcases a wide variety of architecture, including Indo-Islamic, Persian, Hindu and Rajput and Gujarati influences.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/143/|title=Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201140848/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/143/|archive-date=2018-02-01|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-14}} The Chaukhandi Tombs near Karachi are similar in style.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1287/|title=Chaukhandi Tombs, Karachi|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}

Other examples include the Rohtas Fort built by Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century,{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/586/|title=Rohtas Fort|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}} and the Tombs of the Talpur Mirs.

= Mughal Architecture (16th–18th centuries CE) =

Mughal architecture emerged in the medieval period during the reign of the Mughal Empire in the 15th to 17th centuries. Mughal buildings have a uniform pattern of structure and character, including large bulbous domes, slender minarets at the corners, massive halls, large vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation, usually surrounded by gardens on all four sides.

The buildings are usually constructed out of red sandstone and white marble, and make use of decorative work such as pachin kari and jali-latticed screens.

The earliest example in Pakistan is the Lahore Fort, which had existed at least since the 11th century but was completely rebuilt by various Mughal Emperors like Akbar and Jahangir (1556–1627) . The Tomb of Anarkali, Hiran Minar and Begum Shahi Mosque also date back to this period.

The Tomb of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor, was completed in 1637 during the reign of his son and successor Shah Jahan. The Emperor had forbidden the construction of a dome over his tomb, and thus the roof is simple and free of any embellishments. It stands amidst a garden which also houses the Tomb of Nur Jahan, Tomb of Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai, one of the most well-preserved caravanserais in Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1279/|title=Tombs of Jahangir, Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai, Lahore|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201181826/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1279/|archive-date=2018-02-01|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-14}}

Mughal architecture reached its zenith in the 17th century during the reign of Shah Jahan.Simon Ross Valentine. [https://books.google.com/books?id=MdRth02Q6nAC&dq=wazir+khan+mosque+mughal+architecture&pg=PA63 'Islam and the Ahmadiyya Jama'at: History, Belief, Practice] Hurst Publishers, 2008 {{ISBN|1850659168}} p 63{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/171/|title=Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106082134/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/171/|archive-date=2018-11-06|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-14}} During this time, several additions were made to the Lahore Fort. Other masterpieces of this time include the Wazir Khan Mosque, Dai Anga Mosque, Tomb of Dai Anga, Shalimar Gardens and Shahi Hammam in Lahore.{{Cite web|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/YALCRbBD4YTAJA|title=Wazir Khan Mosque - Google Arts & Culture|website=Google Cultural Institute|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1278/|title=Wazir Khan's Mosque, Lahore|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802011130/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1278/|archive-date=2018-08-02|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-14}} The Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta reflects a heavy Persian influence.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1286/|title=Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003131103/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1286/|archive-date=2018-10-03|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-14}}

The Badshahi Mosque in Lahore was built during the reign of Aurangzeb in 1673. It is made out of red sandstone with three marble domes, very similar to the Jama Masjid of Delhi. It remains one of the largest mosques in the world.{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1277/|title=Badshahi Mosque, Lahore|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}

File:Naulakha Pavilion near Sheesh Mahal in Lahore Fort.jpg|Naulakha pavilion (1633) in the Lahore Fort

File:Lahore_Fort_view_from_Baradari.jpg|Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort

File:Masjid Wazeer Khan, Lahore.jpg|The Wazir Khan Mosque

File:Beautiful pavilion of Faiz Baksh terrace.jpg|Shalimar Gardens, Lahore

File:Main Entrance of Akbari Sarai.jpg|Akbari Sarai

File:Badshahi Mosque, Lahore I.jpg|Badshahi Mosque

Regional architecture

=Architecture of Sindh=

File:Sindh monument at chaukhandi pakistan.jpg

Architecture of province of Sindh is greatly influenced from its neighbouring regions of Gujarat and Punjab, as well as broader Indo-Islamic architecture. The necropolis at Makli gives a good example of Sindhi architecture. Its architecture of the largest monuments synthesizes Muslim, Hindu, Persian, Mughal, and Gujarati influences,{{cite web|title=Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/143|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=17 July 2017}} in the style of Lower Sindh that became known as the Chaukhandi style, named after the Chaukhandi tombs near Karachi. The Chaukhandi style came to incorporate slabs of sandstone that were carefully carved by stonemasons into intricate and elaborate designs.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GQTABKAGaVgC&q=Makli&pg=PA93|title=Culture and Customs of Pakistan|last1=Malik|first1=Iftikhar|date=2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0313331268|access-date=17 July 2017}}

File:Ranikot Fort - The Great Wall of Sindh.jpg

By the 15th century, decorated rosettes and circular patterns began to be incorporated into the tombs. More complex patterns and Arabic calligraphy with biographical information of the interred body then emerged. Larger monuments dating from later periods included corridors and some designs inspired by cosmology. Pyramidal structures from the 16th century feature the use of minarets topped with floral motifs in a style unique to tombs dating from the Turkic Trakhan dynasty. Structures from the 17th century at the Leilo Sheikh part of the cemetery feature large tombs that resemble Jain temples from afar, with prominent influence from the nearby region of Gujarat.

Several of the larger tombs feature carvings of animals, warriors, and weaponry – a practice uncommon to Muslim funerary monuments. Later tombs at the site are sometimes made entirely of brick, with only a sandstone slab.{{cite web|title=Makli Hill|url=https://archnet.org/sites/1751|website=ArchNet|publisher=Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)|access-date=17 July 2017}} The largest structures in the most archetypal Chaukhandi style feature domed yellow sandstone canopies that were plastered white with wooden doorways, in a style that reflects Central Asian and Persian influences. The size of the dome denoted the prominence of the buried individual, with undersides embellished with carved floral patterns. The underside of some canopies feature lotus flowers, a symbol commonly associated with Hinduism.{{cite news|last1=Qureshi|first1=Urooj|title=In Pakistan, imposing tombs that few have seen|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20140730-in-pakistan-imposing-tombs-that-few-have-seen|access-date=17 July 2017|publisher=BBC Travel|date=8 August 2014}}

They also feature extensive blue tile-work typical of Sindh. The use of funerary pavilions eventually expanded beyond lower Sindh, and influenced funerary architecture in neighbouring Gujarat.{{cite book|last1=Hasan|first1=Shaikh Khurshid|title=The Islamic Architectural Heritage of Pakistan: Funerary Memorial Architecture|date=2001|publisher=Royal Book Company|isbn=978-9694072623|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lPLVAAAAMAAJ&q=Makli|access-date=17 July 2017}} The Chaukhandi tombs are embellished with geometrical designs and motifs, including figural representations such as mounted horsemen, hunting scenes, arms, and jewelry.

Apart from tombs, Ranikot Fort and Kot Diji Fort are also a good example of Sindhi architecture.

File:Kot Diji Fort by smn121-2.JPG|Kot Diji Fort in Sindh

File:PK Hyderabad asv2020-02 img12 Talpur Tombs.jpg|Interior of one of the Talpur tombs

File:Canopy tomb of Daya Khan Rahu.jpg|Canopy tomb of Daya Khan Rahu

File:Jam Mubarak Khan .jpg|View of Tomb of Jam Mubarak Khan

File:PK Thatta asv2020-02 img08 Shah Jahan Mosque.jpg|The Shah Jahan mosque's main dome has tiles arranged in a stellate pattern to represent the night sky

File:PK Thatta asv2020-02 img20 Makli Necropolis.jpg|Makli Necropolis features several monumental tombs dating from the 14th to 18th centuries

==Architecture of Multan==

File:Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam 2014-07-31.jpg

A distinct Multani style of architecture began taking root in the 14th century with the establishment of funerary monuments, and is characterized by large brick walls reinforced by wooden anchors, with inward sloping roofs. Funerary architecture is also reflected in the city's residential quarters, which borrow architectural and decorative elements from Multan's mausolea.{{cite book|last1=Bignami|first1=Daniele Fabrizio|last2=Del Bo|first2=Adalberto|title=Sustainable Social, Economic and Environmental Revitalization in Multan City: A Multidisciplinary Italian–Pakistani Project|date=2014|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9783319021171}}

In spite of being in Punjab, the architecture of city of Multan is more influenced by the architecture of the neighbouring province of Sindh. It is usually expressed in the form of mausoleums of Sufi saints.

= Rajput architecture =

File:Derawar Fort, Bahawalpur I.jpg]]

The Rajput architecture makes an extensive use of Jalis, Chatris and Jharokhas. All these features also have influenced Mughal architecture. The forts of Derawar and Umerkot were built by Rajput clans during the medieval era, and are examples of early Rajput architecture.

= Sikh architecture =

File:Gurdwara Janam Asthan LRMEXPORT 36764050687651220200504 032135197.jpg in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, commemorates the site where Guru Nanak is believed to have been born. It was rebuilt by the Pakistani Government]]

Sikh architecture is a style of architecture that was developed under Sikh Empire during 18th and 19th century in the Punjab region. Named after Sikhism, a religion native to Punjab, Sikh Architecture is heavily influenced by Mughal architecture and Islamic styles. The onion dome, frescoes, in-lay work, and multi-foil arches, are Mughal influences, more specially from Shah Jahan's period, whereas chattris, oriel windows, bracket supported eaves at the string-course, and ornamented friezes are derived from elements of Rajput architecture.

One of the most well known examples of Sikh architecture is the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh, built in 1839. The building has gilded fluted domes and cupolas, and an ornate balustrade around the upper portion of the building. The dome is decorated with Naga (serpent) hood designs - the product of Hindu craftsmen that worked on the project.[http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/01/16/features/samadhi-of-ranjit-singh-a-sight-of-religious-harmony/ Samadhi of Ranjit Singh – a sight of religious harmony, Pakistan Today. JANUARY 16, 2016, NADEEM DAR] The wooden panels on the ceiling are decorated with stained glass work, while the walls are richly decorated with floral designs. The ceilings are decorated with glass mosaic work.

Gurdwara Dera Sahib and Gurdwara Panja Sahib are other prominent examples.

File:Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur 04.jpg|Darbar Sahib, gurdwara commemorating Guru Nanak, in Kartarpur, Pakistan

File:Gurdwara Dera Sahib and Samadhi of Ranjit Singh.jpg|Golden dome of Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore

File:"Samadhi of Ranjit Singh at Sunrise.".jpg|Samadhi of Ranjit Singh in Lahore, an example of Sikh architecture in Pakistan

Indo-Saracenic architecture

{{main|Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture}}During the British Raj, European architectural styles such as baroque, gothic and neoclassical became more predominant. The Frere Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Mereweather Clock Tower in Karachi, and neoclassical Montgomery Hall in Lahore are some examples.

A new style of architecture known as Indo-Saracenic revival style developed, from a mixture of European and Indo-Islamic components. Among the more prominent works are seen in the cities of Karachi (Mohatta Palace, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building), in Peshawar (Islamia College University) and Lahore (Lahore Museum, University of the Punjab and King Edward Medical University).

File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img74 KMC Building.jpg|Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building, Karachi

File:Punjab university Art & Design Dept.jpg|University of the Punjab, Lahore

File:Lahore Museum, Lahore.jpg|The present building of the Lahore Museum was designed by Sir Ganga Ram and completed in 1894

Post-Independence

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After Independence, the architecture of Pakistan is a blend of historic Islamic and various modern styles.

This reflects itself, particularly in modern structures. In addition, buildings of monumental importance such as the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore or the mausoleum established with white marble known as Mazar-e-Quaid for the founder of the state expressed the self-confidence of the nascent state.

The city of Islamabad was designed by Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis and completed in 1966. The Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, one of the largest mosques in the world, is one of the best examples of modern Islamic architecture. It was designed by Vedat Dalokay and constructed between 1976 and 1986.

In 1980 the Heritage Foundation Pakistan was founded to help conserve the traditional Architecture of Pakistan. Focused mainly on conserving traditional Sindhi architecture, the foundation is also the push behind the emergence of an contemporary architectural tradition that utilizes vernacular Sindhi building techniques in concert with new building techniques. It can be seen as the starting point of the Neo-vernacular movement in Pakistan, or at least the Sindh region.{{cite book|url=https://repository.tudelft.nl/record/uuid:944b1b92-8878-4c33-86a7-d9bdbb48b590 |last=Tichelaar |first=Deniz |title=Deferred Development |date=January 2022 |page=29}} Designs by Yasmeen Lari, such as the Malki Zero Carbon Cultural Centre{{cite web|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2021/11/05/zero-carbon-cultural-centre-prefabricated-bamboo-makli/ |date=November 5, 2021 |first=Lizzie |last=Crook |title=Prefabricated bamboo community centre in Pakistan built by local people }} and Green Karavan Ghar{{Cite web |url=https://www.heritagefoundationpak.org/Object/3359/The-Green-Karavan-Ghar-initiative-has-been-extended-to-the-province-of-Sindh-Construction-of-55-unit |last=Lari |first=Yasmeen |title=The Green Karavan Ghar initiative has been extended to the province of Sindh. Construction of 55 units is underway in the village of Darya Khan Shaikh, District Khairpur. The first 25 houses are… |date=2011 }} are examples. The logic behind the movement includes that this way of building is both participatory, with locals being able to participate in the physical construction, and also better suited for the environment, being better resistant against floods and earthquakes.{{sfn|Tichelaar|2022|p=30}}

The National Monument in Islamabad, built in 2007 is in the shape of a blooming flower. The four main petals of the monument represent the four provinces of Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, while the three smaller petals represent the three territories of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and the Tribal Areas.{{efn|Tribal Areas were merged into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.}}

Skyscrapers built in the international style are becoming more prevalent in the cities.

World Heritage Sites

There are currently six sites in Pakistan listed under the UNESCO World Heritage:

Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro
Buddhist Ruins at Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol
Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens (Lahore)
Historic Monuments of Thatta
Rohtas Fort
Taxila

Gallery

=Mughal=

File:Moti Masjid lahore fort.jpg| Moti Masjid located within the Lahore Fort

File:Jahangir's Tomb.jpg|Tomb of Jahangir

File:Masjid Muhabat Khan.jpg|Mahabat Khan Mosque, Peshawar

File:Shahjahan Mosque.jpg|Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta

File:Unchi Masjid 2 (WCLA).jpg|Oonchi Mosque in Lahore

File:Chauburji under the sky.jpg|A Mughal era monument - Chauburji in Lahore

=Indo-Saracenic=

File:PK Karachi asv2020-02 img17 Mohatta Palace.jpg|Mohatta Palace in Karachi

File:Sadiq Garh High School.jpg|Sadiq Dane High School, Bahawalpur

File:King Edward Medical University.jpg|Patiala Block of King Edward Medical University, Lahore

File:Front Elevation of Noor Mahal.jpg|Noor Mahal, Bahawalpur

File:Karachi Chamber of Commerce.jpg|Karachi Chamber of Commerce Building

File:DARBAR MAHAL BAHAWAL PUR.jpg|Darbar Mahal, Bahawalpur

File:Clock Tower - Ghanta Ghar, Multan - Multan Pakistan.jpg|Multan Clock Tower, Multan

File:Hindu Gymkhana Karachi.jpeg|National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi

File:Frere-Hall-Karachi-Shamail.jpg|Frere Hall, Karachi

=Post-Independence=

File:Minar e Pakistan.jpg|Minar-e-Pakistan at Lahore

File:Ali Mujtaba WLM2018 FAISAL MOSQUE 13.jpg|Faisal Mosque in Islamabad

File:Adnan Asim's Karachi City. 3 Talwar ( Swords ) Clifton, Karachi.jpg|Teen Talwar, Karachi

File:Monument, Islamabad.JPG|Pakistan Monument, Islamabad

References

= Notes =

= Citations =

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20110501200505/http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/multimedia/series/AEMicrosites/gift-of-the-indus-pakistan.aspx ARTSEDGE Pakistan: The Gift of the Indus]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080608095736/http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/arth/meister/pakistan.html Pakistan's Salt Range Temples - A photographic review of Professor Michael W. Meister of the University of Pennsylvania.]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20061027232320/http://pakistaniat.com/2006/10/10/pakistan-architecture-history/ Architecture in Pakistan: A Historical Overview]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20121028054649/http://travel.webshots.com/album/92393459ZFBgtG Islamic Architecture Pakistan]
[http://www.caareviews.org/reviews/8 Modernity and Tradition: Contemporary Architecture in Pakistan]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20191101014318/https://pakistaniat.com/2006/11/07/bahawalpur-architecture/comment-page-2/ The Architectural Heritage of Bahawalpur]

Category:Arts in Pakistan

Category:Science and technology in Pakistan