Shahi Hammam

The Shahi Hammam is located just within the Walled City of Lahore, steps away from the Delhi Gate. The Shahi Hammam is the last remaining Mughal-era hammam in Lahore.^[6]

During the Mughal era, Persian-style hammams were introduced although they never achieved the same levels of popularity in the Mughal Empire as they did in Persia.^[7]

The Shahi Hammam was built in 1635 by Ilam-ud-din Ansari, Governor of Lahore, as part of an endowment which included the Wazir Khan Mosque. The baths fell into disuse by the 18th century during the decline and fall of the Mughal Empire. From the early British period onwards the building was used for different purposes - as a primary school, dispensary, and recreational centre as well as an office for the local municipality. Additionally, shops were built into the building’s northern, western and southern façades.^[8]

Excavations as part of restoration works completed in 2015 revealed that substantial parts of the building had previously been demolished, likely to make way for the reconstruction of Delhi Gate building in the 1860s.^[9]

The hammam consisted of three parts: the jama khana (dressing area), nim garm (warm baths), and garm (hot baths).^[10] The baths were gender segregated, and contained a reception chamber as well as a small prayer room.^[11]

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), with funding from the government of Norway, began restoration works at the baths to conserve the space, restore the original layout of the building, and to uncover and preserve Mughal-era frescoes which decorated the building's walls.^[13] Works were completed in 2015, and are the improvements are said to have changed the surroundings "dramatically."^[14]

In 2016, UNESCO awarded the Shahi Hamam restoration project an Award of Merit for its "high degree of technical proficiency" and "for returning the ornate Shahi Hammam to its former prominence."^[15]

Excavations have unearthed a water heating structure, drainage systems, and under-floor remains of its hypocausts.^[16]

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  The baths' exterior has been restored
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  The baths feature frescoes depicting winged angels
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  The baths' cold chamber is elaborately decorated with frescoes
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  Side chambers are used as an auditorium
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  Elevated walkways have been constructed to avoid damage to the restored site
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  The bath's lower levels have been exposed
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  The baths feature new informational displays
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  Examples of the baths' frescoes
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  Examples of the baths' frescoes
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  Examples of the baths' frescoes
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  The baths feature a cafe
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  Hypocausts
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  The steam bath features more reserved embellishments
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  Dome and exhaust vents in the roof of the Shahi Hammam
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  The central dome of the cold chamber features geometric frescoes
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  The central dome of the cold chamber features geometric frescoes
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  Some excavated portions are now covered by protective glass for visitors to stand on.
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  Side chambers also feature geometric ceiling designs