Wonders of the Mughal era: In memory of a royal deer

One of the most popular picnic spots around Lahore is the Hiran Minar built in the memory of Emperor Jahangir's deer

One of the most popular picnic spots around Lahore is the Hiran Minar which is located in Sheikhupura district around 40 kilometres in the north-west of Emperor Jahangir’s mausoleum.

Hiran Minar is yet another masterpiece of mughal architecture. Unique in design, pattern and setting, the monument adds a glorious chapter to the mughals, their love for building edifices of great strength and grandeur of noble simplicity and elegance.



After the death of Jahangir’s darling deer Mans Raj, the hunting ground was changed into a protected sanctuary and hunting was prohibited. In the memory of his favourite antelope, the king also constructed an octagonal tower in 1607 at the foot of the grave of the deer. In 1620, a square lake like pond and Baradari was added to the monument. A causeway with its own gateway connects the pavilion with the mainland and minaret. At the centre of each side of the tank, a brick ramp slopes down to the water that used to provide access for royal animals and wild game. Later, Jahangir gifted the entire area to Sikandar Moin.

From the 130 feet high tower one can have a panoramic view of the area which was once a fertile jungle across the River Ravi, and it was the favourite hunting ground of Jahangir.

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Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2017.