Badshahi

Badshahi is an Urdu term meaning imperial or royal. It is used as a descriptive label in the naming of imperial era monuments built or commissioned by Mughal rulers and other Persianate dynasties in South Asia. The word appears in various architectural and historical names reflecting the status of a structure as a state or ruler’s project.

The best-known use is the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and constructed from 1671 to 1673, it served as a grand congregational mosque for the Mughal capital in the region. Located in the walled city near the Lahore Fort, the mosque is widely regarded as a major example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of Lahore. Its design combines red sandstone with white marble accents, a vast central courtyard, a large prayer hall, four corner minarets, and a prominent main gateway. The ensemble reflects Persianate influences alongside Indian stylistic elements and is noted for its scale, symmetry, and decorative detailing.

Today, the Badshahi Mosque remains an active place of worship and a prominent cultural landmark. It is a major tourist attraction and a focal point for preservation efforts aiming to maintain Mughal-era architectural heritage in Pakistan. The term Badshahi also appears in other historical contexts to denote imperial projects associated with the Mughal era, though the Lahore mosque is the most enduring and widely recognized example.