Wazir Khan (Lahore)

Wazir Khan was born in a Punjabi{{Cite book |last=Wheeler |first=Sir Mortimer |author-link=Mortimer Wheeler |url= |title=The Cultural Heritage of Pakistan |date=1955 |publisher=Oxford University Press |editor-last=Ikram |editor-first=Sheikh Muhamad |editor-link=S. M. Ikram |pages=28 |language=en |chapter=Chapter II: The Archaeology Of Pakistan |oclc=574940275 |editor-last2=Spear |editor-first2=Thomas George Percival |editor-link2=Percival Spear |quote= Chief amongst them is perhaps the mosque of Wazir Khan, built in A.D. 1634 by one of Shah Jahan’s Punjabi ministers.}}{{Cite book |last=Aryan |first=K. C. |author-link=K. C. Aryan |url= |title=The Cultural Heritage of Punjab, 3000 B.C. to 1947 A.D. |date=1983 |publisher=New Delhi: Rekha |isbn=978-81-900002-9-1 |pages=64 |language=en |chapter=Golden Temple |quote=The mosque of Wazir Khan in the city of Lahore is a monument of great dignity and elegance. It is in Iranian-Mughal style, though founded by a Punjabi.}} family hailing from the city of Chiniot in the Lahore Subah.{{Cite book |last1=Talbot |first1=Ian |url= |title=Colonial Lahore: A History of the City and Beyond |last2=Kamran |first2=Tahir |author-link2= Tahir Kamran|date=15 February 2022 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-765594-8 |language=en|page=30| quote= Wazir Khan Mosque inside Delhi Gate was built by the Punjab governor Wazir Khan in 1631. His family originated from Chiniot in the Jhang district and he had risen to the top of the Mughal service class.}} During his prime, he showcased prowess in the field of medicine, garnering recognition under the patronage of Shah Jahan. His adeptness in medical practice, coupled with a discerning comprehension of the temperament of the Prince, led to his appointment as Superintendent of the Camp Court, a position he earned graciously. Notable for his judicious resolutions of conflicts and unwavering integrity, he secured a notable standing in the Prince's regard. His contributions during the campaign against the Rana, notably as the Divan-i-Buyutat, were invaluable, earning him significant promotion within the ranks. During the Prince's stay at Junair, Wazir Khan ascended to the prestigious position of the Divan, marking a significant elevation in his status. At that juncture, only Mahabat Khan held a higher rank among the Prince's retinue.{{Cite book |last=Awrangābādī |first=Shāhnavāz Khān |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xfG1AAAAIAAJ&q=maasir+ul+umara+vol+2 |title=The Maāt̲h̲ir-ul-umarā |date=1979 |publisher=Janaki Prakashan |edition=2nd |volume=2 |location=Patna |pages=981–983 |language=en |translator-last=Prashad |translator-first=Baini |oclc=81120535}} He was later given a command of 7000.{{cite book |author=Latif, Syad Muhammad |author-link=Syad Muhammad Latif |title=Lahore: Its History, Architectural Remains and Antiquities |date=1892 |publisher=Lahore: New Imperial Press |pages=51–58 |oclc=28302540}} He remained Chief Qadi at Lahore for some time.

From 1628 to 1631 he served as the governor of Agra after which he was appointed as the governor of Lahore. He held this post until approximately 1640/1641, when he was reappointed as governor of Agra, but died of colic after only ten months.

According to Sikh texts and tradition Wazir Khan was a supporter of the Sikh community and even a Sikh himself. Sikh tradition says he had been an admirer of Guru Arjan because of the prayer Sukhmani Sahib which is said to have given him relief. After which he had become a Sikh.{{Cite book |last=Macauliffe |first=Max |author-link=Max Macauliffe |title=The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors |publisher=Creative Media Partners |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-015-87511-1 |volume=4 |pages=11, 26, 96 |language=English |orig-date=1909}} Thus when Guru Arjan was to be executed by the Mughal Emperor he did everything he could to save the Guru, but it was in vain. During the time of Guru Hargobind Wazir Khan kept his support of the Guru. When the Guru was arrested by the emperor Shah Jahan, Wazir Khan begged for the Guru's release. After the first battle between the Sikh and the Mughals Khan convinced Shah Jahan that there wasn't value in taking further action against the Guru. He said, "Sire, the Guru is not a rebel and hath no design on thine empire. He hath ever been the support of the state... Is it not a mircale that with not fully seven hundred men he destroyed an army of seven thousand." Hearing this the emperor was convinced to take no further action against the Guru.

File:Central dome and fresco painting of Wazir Khan Hammam.jpg|Central dome of the Wazir Khan Hammam

File:Garden of Wazir Khan, Agra artist, c. 1830, Agra Scroll.png|Garden of Wazir Khan, Agra artist, c. 1830

File:Weeks Edwin Lord An Open-Air Restaurant Lahore.jpg|Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore

In Lahore, he undertook extensive construction projects, including the establishment of baths, markets, and various other edifices. In Chiniot, he erected a formidable brick fort alongside other notable structures, generously gifting them to the local populace. His benevolent actions extended to infrastructure development, as he constructed roads, streets, shops, mosques, rest-houses, a school, a hospital, and wells for public use, alleviating the burdens of everyday life for the citizens. Regrettably, he never had the chance to revisit his cherished birthplace, a longing that remained unfulfilled throughout his life. Described as a man of quiet demeanor and steadfast temperament, he led a modest existence, eschewing extravagance in both personal and domestic matters. His frugality extended to household expenses and attire, reflecting his humility and dedication to serving his people.

Wazir Khan was praised by his near contemporary poet Mita Chenabi in his Tuḥfat al-Panjāb for the building of Wazir Khan Mosque and the city of Wazirabad. Alimuddin Wazir Khan was also responsible for the construction of the Shahi Hammam in Lahore, also known as the Wazir Khan Hammam.{{Cite journal |last=Cooper |first=Ilay |date=1993-01-01 |title=Sikhs, Saints and Shadows of Angels: some Mughal Murals in Buildings along the North Wall of Lahore Fort |url= |journal=South Asian Studies |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=11–28 |doi=10.1080/02666030.1993.9628457 |issn=0266-6030}} Wazir Khan was also one of the nobles to build a Haveli (mansion) as well as a garden in the city of Agra, where he was twice governor.{{cite book |editor1=André Raymond |editor-link=André Raymond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nY2DqJNPmioC&dq=wazir+khan&pg=PA585 |title=The City in the Islamic World |editor2=Attilio Petruccioli |editor3=Renata Holod |editor-link3=Renata Holod |editor4=Salma Khadra Jayyusi |editor-link4=Salma Khadra Jayyusi |last=Koch |first=Ebba |author-link=Ebba Koch |date=2008 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-9004162402 |volume=2 |page= |pages=573, 585 |chapter=Mughal Agra: A Riverfront Garden City}} It is known as the Bagh-i-Wazir Khan. He built another garden in Lahore, known as Nakhlia-i-Wazir Khan, in 1634. Although the garden does not exist any longer, its baradari survived and today serves as the reading room of the Punjab Public Library.{{Cite book |last=Lari |first=Yasmeen |author-link=Yasmeen Lari |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Lahore/skNuAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=Lahore: Illustrated City Guide |date=2003 |publisher=Heritage Foundation Pakistan |isbn=978-969-8655-01-3 |pages=6–25 |language=en}}

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Category:People from Chiniot District

Category:People from Lahore

Category:Subahdars of Lahore

Category:1641 deaths

Category:17th-century Mughal Empire people

Category:1560s births