The province of Punjab enjoys a rich history. It features some of the most fascinating historical attractions in Pakistan. Take the provincial capital of Lahore, for instance, the metropolis houses an entire ancient Walled City, which is surrounded by its bustling old streets. Shahi Qila, Shalimar Gardens and Badshahi Masjid are some of the finest examples of Mughal architecture found within the Walled City of Lahore. While discussing Mughal architecture in Punjab, one can never miss mentioning the name of Hiran Minar, Sheikhupura.
More about Hiran Minar, Sheikhupura
Hiran Minar, also known as The Deer Tower, might be an underrated historical attraction but it surely is one of the best places to visit in Sheikhpura. This beautiful monument is marvellously positioned within a man-made lake. Despite having a height of only 100 feet, the tower is visible from surrounding areas, since there are not any multi-storey buildings nearby.
Let’s take a quick look at some interesting facts about Hiran Minar:
| Constructed by | Mughal Emperor Jahangir |
| Constructed in | 1620 C.E. |
| Memorial of | Jahangir’s Pet Antelope (Mansiraj) |
| Alternate Name | The Deer Tower |
| Height | 100 feet (30 m) |
| Location | Suburbs of Sheikhupura |
| Tourist Attractions | History, Wilderness and Boating |
History of Hiran Minar
The Hiran Minar complex was built in 1620 C.E. on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir as a symbolic landmark in the memory of his beloved pet – an antelope – after its death. It was called Mansiraj (Light of the Mind). The structure was erected in the suburbs of the city of Sheikhupura within the heart of a game reserve, which was used by the Mughals to enjoy the sport of hunting and experience semi-wildness near Lahore, which was an imperial metropolitan area of the time.
Architecture of Hiran Minar
Hiran Minar is a 30 metre (100 feet) tall tower with a massive lake in its surroundings. The architecture of this place boasts wonderful carvings and the sides of the tower are specially inscribed with calligraphy praising the pet antelope of the Emperor Jahangir.
This octagonal two-story complex lies right in the centre of the lake. The rooftop chattri, which is a stone gazebo, is one of the key highlights of this historic structure. The architecture of Hiran Minar, Shekhupura looks quite similar to Shah’s Pavilion (Sher Mandal), which is also a 16th century historical building located in Delhi’s Purana Qila.
How to Get To Hiran Minar, Sheikhupura?
Sheikhupura is conveniently linked with all major cities of Pakistan by rail and by road. The masterpiece of Mughal architecture, Hiran Minar is located at a distance of 3 kilometres from the city centre. Lahore and Gujranwala are the nearest cities from Sheikhupura. So, if you are planning to visit the fascinating historical attractions of Hiran Minar by road from Lahore, then it will hardly take you around 1 hour to get there. Similarly, travelling from Gujranwala to Sheikhupura by car will take you around 1.5 hours. The route of Islamabad-Lahore M2 Motorway is generally the fastest route you can use to get to Hiran Minar, Sheikhupura.
The estimated bus fare from Lahore to Sheikhupura is around PKR 250-300. Similarly, if you have plans to take a train from Lahore to Sheikhpura, then the ticket price starts from around PKR 200.
Things to Do at Hiran Minar
Counted among the best places to visit in Sheikhupura, the historic monument of Hiran Minar has always attracted visitors. Since it is in proximity to many different urban localities of Punjab, it is regularly visited by people living in nearby areas on weekends and public holidays mostly during spring and winter.
This historical tourist attraction in Sheikhpura is flanked by a pool and a baradari, which is an antique building having 12 openings all around it to allow free flow of air. People coming here can closely experience history and nature side by side. The place is surrounded by a few eateries like Spicy Door, Mansiraj Restaurant and Gujjar Hotel, which offer local delicacies to the tourists
Moreover, if you are a fan of boating, then Hiran Minar is a must-visit. As stated above, the place is located in the middle of a massive man-made lake, where now you can undergo the experience of pedal boating by just paying PKR 50 per pedal boat.
In recent years, beautiful lighting arrangements have been made at Hiran Miran to add to the charm of this place at night and facilitate tourists visiting after dark.
Timings and Ticket Price of Hiran Minar
Let’s take a look at the opening hours and ticket price of Hiran Minar.
Friday and Saturday: 8 am till 8 pm
Sunday: 8 am till 12 am
Ticket Price: PKR 20 per person
Finding a Home in Sheikhupura?
On a side note, you can also pick from a wide range of residential properties available for sale in Sheikhupura listed on Zameen.com, if you are planning to move to this historic city in Punjab any time soon.
Now that you have known a lot about Hiran Minar, Sheikhupura, it will be easier for you to plan your visit. However, if you need any additional information about this fascinating tourist spot, feel free to email us your queries at blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, if you have a never-ending love for history, then you might also want to take a look at one of our previous blogs in which we have discussed all the famous forts in Pakistan.
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