Shahi Hammam, Lahore

The Shahi Hammam, also known as the Wazir Khan Hammam, is a remarkable Turkish bathhouse situated in Lahore. Its construction dates back to the year 1635 C.E., during the illustrious reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. This architectural marvel was the brainchild of the chief physician to the Mughal Court, the renowned Ilam-ud-din Ansari, famously known as Wazir Khan. The hammam was conceived as a waqf, or endowment, to support the maintenance of the Wazir Khan Mosque, further showcasing the Mughal Empire's grandeur.

Though the Shahi Hammam no longer serves as a functional bathhouse, its historical and cultural significance earned it a meticulous restoration that spanned from 2013 to 2015. UNESCO recognized and honored the restoration project in 2016 with an Award of Merit, celebrating the successful conservation that reinstated the hammam to its former glory.

Commissioned by Ilam-ud-din Ansari, the Governor of Lahore, in conjunction with the creation of the Wazir Khan Mosque, the Shahi Hammam was a testament to Mughal architectural finesse. However, as the Mughal Empire began to wane in the 18th century, the hammam gradually fell into disuse.

Over time, during the British colonial era, the building underwent various transformations. It served as a primary school, a dispensary, a recreational center, and even as an office for the local municipality. To accommodate these changing purposes, shops were incorporated into the northern, western, and southern facades of the building.

During the restoration work carried out until 2015, extensive excavations revealed that significant portions of the hammam had previously been demolished, likely to make way for the reconstruction of the nearby Delhi Gate building in the 1860s. The design of the hammam, following Persian tradition, prioritized natural illumination through multiple openings in the bath's ceiling, which also facilitated ventilation. Many of the hammam's original features, including remarkable Mughal-era frescoes, were diligently preserved. Due to the limited presence of windows on its facade, merchant shops were permitted to operate along the outer walls of the hammam, adding to the multifaceted historical tapestry of this extraordinary site.