An ornately inlaid sunken marble fountain in the Royal apartments at Sheesh Mahal in the Lahore fort. Perfumed water was supposedly piped through a network of sophisticated underground hydraulics during the Mughal times of Shah Jahan.
The Sheesh Mahal, or the Palace of mirrors is a spectacular monument located within the Shah Burj (King’s Pavilion) block in northern-western corner of Lahore Fort originally built by Akbar’s son , the Emperor Jahangir. It was constructed in 1631–32 under the reign of Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal . The ornate pavilion of white marble is inlaid with pietra dura and complex mirror-work of the finest quality, an art known as Ayina-kari ( Glass-art). The hall was reserved for royal use by the imperial family or close aides . The chamber was exclusively used for private council meetings as part of the daily routine of the emperor, whereas the whole block was only accessible to the imperial princes, the vizier and a few selected courtiers.
The facade of Sheesh Mahal consisting of five cusped marble arches supported by coupled columns which opens into the courtyard. The engrailed spandrels and bases were inlaid with precious stones, The semi-octagonal pavilion consists of apartments roofed with gilded cupolas and intricately decorated with pietra dura, convex glass and complex mirror mosaics (ayina kari) with thousands of small mirrors. At night candles were lit for a jaw-dropping effect! .
It is among the 21 monuments that were built by successive Mughal emperors inside Lahore Fort, and forms the “jewel in the Fort’s crown.” As part of the Lahore Fort Complex it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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