Pakistan is the place where the courses of history have left their imprints. Starting from the pre-historic times till 1947 history has filled the lap of this land with countless gifts and architecture is one of those gifts which make it more valuable and worth- seeing. These are the samples of the architecture in Pakistan:
Minar-e-Pakistan, an amalgamation of Mughal and the modern architecture is a commemoration of the Pakistan Resolution on March 23, 1940. It symbolizes the establishment of Pakistan as the first official declaration to be a separate nation and to attain a separate homeland for Indian Muslims was made on this site. Besides having an historical importance and symbolical meaning, the Minar-e-Pakistan presents one of the finest examples of architecture of Pakistan. A mixture of stone, concrete and marble, the Minar is 72 meters high with 162 spirals steps. Fine glass pieces increase its beauty. The four platforms represent the Pakistan Movement in a sequence.
Faisal Mosque is another marvelous masterpiece of architecture in the post- independence phase of our history Designed by Vedat Dalokay, the Turkish architect it is located in the foot of the Margalla Hills. Being the biggest mosque of Pakistan it accommodates 100,000 devotees at the same time. The late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia bore the total cost of this great mosque. Pure white marble augments the majesty of the mosque in the foothill. Being in the capital of Pakistan, the meticulously built magnificent mosque symbolizes the hope and belief of the natives and attracts the visitors from and across the country.
MCB Tower in Karachi is located on the I. I. Chundrigar Road, near Habib Bank Plaza. It is the largest building of Pakistan and the true picture of the modern architecture..
Habib Bank Plaza in Karachi, now ranks second after MCB Tower Karachi. It was completed in 2005 and stayed highest for four decades in the history of Pakistan .It serves as the headquarters of Habib Bank Pakistan.
50 story tower of the Union Bank will be the new highest building which will be completed soon in this year and will be attributed as the tallest building of Pakistan. These skyscrapers are beautiful masterpieces of Pakistani architecture and the top notch skills and efforts of the minds and hands behind them.
Looking back to the corridors of history, this land entails the remains of the architectural monuments of Buddhism. Takht-e- Bahi is the fine example to quote here which is located in the North West province of Pakistan. Stupas and the other remnants show the Greek influence on Buddhism facilitating the opinion that Greeks also influenced the architecture of this land. A particularly beautiful example of Buddhist architecture is the ruins of the Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi in the northwest province.
Mughal architecture
Mughal dynasty is the biggest donor of architecture as they patronized it with their heart and soul. The monuments built by them are the real wonders. The fusion of Islamic and Persian architecture designed the Badshahi Mosque(1674), Fortress of Lahore(16th century and 17th century), Alamgiri Gate, Wazir Khan Mosque (1634-35), Shahjahan Mosque of Thatta, Shalamar Bagh ,Tomb of Jahangir, and Shahdara Complex. Mughals followed some local impact and built tombs of Chaukhandi which are the masterpieces of eastern architecture. Elegant craft of marble blended with glass and mosaic presents the royal and rich thinking of the Mughals. Wide and spacious rooms, courts and orchards represent the broad-mindedness of the kings.
Looking at the glorious past and the splendid work, the question comes into minds what will happen in the age next to us? Will this magnificent series of our identity come to an end? What have we contributed to this rich cultural heritage? Who will bring the past back? Who will reinvent the wheel? Who will toe the line? Will merely the laudation of the past grandeur be our fate? What are we leaving for our next epochs? Will our footprints be removed by the wind of time? What is the identity we are succeeding?
