The Badashahi Masjid gateway
Photograph
ca. 1860-1870 (made)
ca. 1860-1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This magnificent gateway leads into the great courtyard of the Badshahi Mosque, which dominates Lahore. The mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangseb (ruled 1658-1707). The marble tablet above the doorway bears a Kalima as well as a Persian inscription recording the date of the mosque’s completion, AH 1084/AD 1674. During the Anglo-Sikh Wars, the mosque was used to store ammunition, but it was given back to the Muslims in 1856. It then became the repository of relics associated with the Prophet Muhammad.
Dr John McCosh took the earliest photograph of the mosque in 1849. Although he captured the soldiers stationed outside, the inadequacy of his photographic equipment probably prevented him from taking a view of the steps. Twenty years later, with more advanced technology and greater experience, Craddock was able to show the grand scale of the scene.
Dr John McCosh took the earliest photograph of the mosque in 1849. Although he captured the soldiers stationed outside, the inadequacy of his photographic equipment probably prevented him from taking a view of the steps. Twenty years later, with more advanced technology and greater experience, Craddock was able to show the grand scale of the scene.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Badashahi Masjid gateway |
| Materials and techniques | Albumen print |
| Brief description | Photograph of the Badshahi Mosque gateway, Lahore. |
| Physical description | This photograph shows the magnificient and imposing gateway to the Badshahi mosque. In the foreground, the steps leading up to it are surrounded by trees. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Dr John McCosh took the earliest photograph of the mosque in 1849, capturing the soldiers stationed outside, although the inadequacy of his photographic equipment probably prevented him from taking a view of the steps. Twenty years later, with the advancement of technology and experience, Craddock was bale to show the grand scale of the scene. |
| Historical context | The mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangseb (r.1658-1707); the marble tablet above the doorway has the Kalima as well as a Persian inscription recording the date of completion of the mosque, AH1084/AD 1674. During the Anglo Sikh Wars it was used to store ammunition but was given back into Muslim hands in 1856, after which it became the repository of relics associated with the Prophet Muhammad. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This magnificent gateway leads into the great courtyard of the Badshahi Mosque, which dominates Lahore. The mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangseb (ruled 1658-1707). The marble tablet above the doorway bears a Kalima as well as a Persian inscription recording the date of the mosque’s completion, AH 1084/AD 1674. During the Anglo-Sikh Wars, the mosque was used to store ammunition, but it was given back to the Muslims in 1856. It then became the repository of relics associated with the Prophet Muhammad. Dr John McCosh took the earliest photograph of the mosque in 1849. Although he captured the soldiers stationed outside, the inadequacy of his photographic equipment probably prevented him from taking a view of the steps. Twenty years later, with more advanced technology and greater experience, Craddock was able to show the grand scale of the scene. |
| Bibliographic reference | Stronge, S. (Ed.) "The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms", V&A, 1999
p. 203, Pl. 233 and p. 240, Cat. 225 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 79865 |
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| Record created | December 23, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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