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Chauburji-Lahore


Chauburji-Lahore
Photo Information
Copyright: Pakistan Ek Janoon Ek Ishq (muhammadtariq) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 465 W: 123 N: 709] (3271)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-14
Categories: Architecture
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/300 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-17 2:23
Viewed: 222
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
In the historic city of Lahore, on the road that led southwards to Multan, the Chauburji gateway remains of an extensive garden known to have existed in Mughal times. The establishment of this garden is attributed to Mughal Princess Zeb-un-Nissa, 1646 A.D., which appears in one of the inscriptions on the gateway. The gateway consists of four towers (chau: four, burji: tower) and contains much of the brilliant tile work with which the entire entrance was once covered.
During a severe earthquake in 1843, the north-western minaret collapsed and cracks appeared in the central arch. This has however been restored as much as was reasonably possible and the gateway now looks quite as it might have been during the time of its Mughal patroness. The restoration was carried out by the Department of Archeology in the late in 1960's.

The architecture of Chauburji represents a strong blend of Mughal architecture with ancient Muslim style of building. Its distinguishing features are the minarets which expand from the top, not present anywhere in the sub-continent. Some, however, believe that there were cupolas upon these minarets which collapsed with the passage of time. Arches are of the so-called 'Tudor' style, adapted to Islamic architecture, particularly in Mughal mausoleums and mosques. The red brickwork is typical of the Muslim buildings of the sub-continent; the doorways and windows running through the interior corridors are examples of the living style that characterized the Mughal buildings. However, the main purpose of building Chauburji appears to be strictly monumental. The decrepit building, which has not lost its elegance, stands alone surrounded by hoardings and bustling traffic on the busy Multan Road.
Dr. Ajaz Anwar wrote in an article published in The Pakistan Times in April, 1985: “But the real prototype of Chauburji is the Char Minar of Hyderabad Deccan constructed in 1591 by Muhammad Quli as a triumphal arch at the junction of four roads, leading to the four quarters of the old city. Octagonal minarets were later used along the corners of Jehangir’s tomb itself. This became a motif and was incorporated in the Taj where the minarets flank the corners of the platform... The Char Minar, though it comes closest to Chauburji, has a striking contrast and a sense of negation between the very simple lower portion and the heavily decorated upper portion. In the tomb of Akbar, the white marble and variegated stone give the feeling of having been added later... Chauburji, because of the colour of the brick adorned with glazed tiles having the look of flowering creepers, retains a distinctive unity.
Originally it was gateway to the Garden of Zeb-un-nisa or Zebinda Begum, the accomplished daughter of Aurangzeb. This garden is believed to have been extended from Nawankot in the south to the main city of Lahore towards north. However, no traces of such an expansive garden are now available. A fragmentary inscription on the eastern archway records that the garden was built in A.H. 1056 i.e. 1646 A.D. Although most of the inscriptions have been lost, on the upper-most part of the construction Ayat-ul-Kursi can be seen in Arabic script in blue and worked in porcelain. Others include two couplets written in Persian above the arch: “This garden, in the pattern of the garden of Paradise, has been founded (missing line)... The garden has been bestowed on Mian Bai. By the bounty of Zebinda Begum, the Lady of the Age." It is thus understood that it was commissioned by Sahib-e-Zebinda (one endowed with elegance), Begum-e- Dauran (Lady of Ages) and was bestowed upon Mian Bai Fakhrunnisa (Pride of Women), the favourite female attendant of the princess.(Wikipedia)
I took the picture on 14th August few have few more from changed angles.Will share some time.I have resized,sharpens and added a frame,yes removed power cables and a tree from the right bottom corner through clon tool.
Thanks for attention

milas, chendis, kajari, werdir, sanjibbehera, mesquens1, parasbhalla has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To gunershot: remuhammadtariq 1 08-19 05:32
To isa: remuhammadtariq 1 08-18 20:22
To milas: remuhammadtariq 1 08-18 20:21
To Koala: remuhammadtariq 1 08-18 05:47
To kajari: remuhammadtariq 1 08-18 05:45
To chendis: remuhammadtariq 1 08-18 05:44
To kickback: remuhammadtariq 1 08-17 20:00
To myousaf: remuhammadtariq 1 08-17 19:59
To werdir: remuhammadtariq 1 08-17 19:58
To sanjibbehera: remuhammadtariq 1 08-17 06:56
To John_F_Kennedy: remuhammadtariq 1 08-17 06:01
To parasbhalla: remuhammadtariq 1 08-17 06:00
To mesquens1: remuhammadtariq 1 08-17 05:58
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Critiques [Translate]

Bom dia Muhammad,
That's a very good document and a nice shot.
Great POV, sharpness and lights. Amazing POV.
Cheers,
Raimundo

Salaam Muhammad,

Wonderful capture of the great piece of art, the Chauburji Gateway! The way of presentation is wonderful, though the sky is overexposed but it is part of the life as in order to focus the lovely and marvellous artwork on this historic building, one has to sacrifice other secondary effects. I personally feel, the capture is simply wonderful depicting even minor details of the building too.
Great composition!

Thanks for sharing.

regards,
Paras Bhalla

Well composed shot. Very good details and exposure. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

Hi Muhammad,

a nice view of teh top of the Chauburji.
nice colors. sharp details with good lights. good composition.

Regards,
Sanjib

Hi Muhammad,

Excellent POV in this composition. The architecture is beautiful, with such wonderful colors. There is not much that can be done with the sky here, but it would be nice to have a clear blue sky in the background. As photographers we have to make the best out of what is available to us and you've done that well.

Best regards,
Werner

a nice shot.
Wonderful capture of the great piece of art, sharpness and lights. Amazing

amazing design of this building, great textures and details, very nice,
tfs,
scott

  • Great 
  • Koala Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 391 W: 32 N: 90] (4023)
  • [2009-08-18 1:29]
  • [+]

wow :d very nice architecture
i would love a close up :)
colors are great and very nice pov

Have a nice day my friend!

Alexandra

Hello Tariq
another wonderful presentation of this great architecture.
lovely colours and sharpness.
regards
kajari

Hi Muhammad
impressive architecture with colorful mosaic on it
the only think that's bother me is the sky
maybe you can try an other capture in a sunny and dry day i would like to see the difference
anyway good POV and interesting note
Have a grate day!

Oana

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2743 W: 412 N: 2987] (32975)
  • [2009-08-18 14:12]
  • [+]

merhaba dear Muhammad...
harika detaylar ve rekler...eline sağlık..selamlar

  • Great 
  • isa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 356 W: 57 N: 711] (4147)
  • [2009-08-18 15:59]
  • [+]

Hi Muhammad,
Interesting composition, whit perfectly light and sharp.
Lovely pov and crop.
Have a nice week.

Best Regards.
Isa

Hi Muhammad,
Great architectural mistic beauty...
Good focus and clarity.
I love it.tfs.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

A-O-A
i saw chuburji in real.. but in ur shot they look much better
Tfs

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