Call one of our experts to discuss your next holiday with Vertical Explorers +92 (0)31 555 444 34
Hiran Minar is an early 17th-century Mughal era complex located in Sheikhupura, in the Pakistani province of Punjab.
The complex was built at the site of a game reserve in honour of Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s pet antelope. The Emperor is remembered for his fondness of nature and his complex embodies the Mughal relationship between humans, pets, and hunting.
The Hiran Minar complex is located in the city of Sheikhupura, about 40 kilometres northwest of Lahore. The complex is located near the Sheikhupura Fort, which also dates from the early 17th century. Both sites are accessible from Lahore via the M2 Motorway, which connects Lahore to the Islamabad.
Hiran Minar was built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in a hunting reserve used by the Mughal royals. The reserve was built in a scrub forest, and allowed Mughal emperors to experience a sense of semi-wilderness near the imperial city of Lahore. The game-reserve was used as a park where visitors could enjoy the sport of hunting.
The minaret itself was built in 1606 C.E. as a monument to Emperor Jahangir’s beloved pet antelope, Mansiraj, or “Light of the Mind”,who had been trained to lure wild animals to the tank in order to be hunted. The practice of building such tomb-markers over the skulls of game animals is an ancient Persian custom.
The minaret and tank were soon accompanied by a larger pavilion, built during the reign of Shah Jahan.
The complex consists of a Jahangir-era minaret situated next to a larger Shah Jahan-era complex.
Minaret
The Jahangir-era minaret stands 30 metres tall, and was built in 1606 C.E. as a tomb marker for the emperor’s pet antelope, Minraj. The sides of the minar are inscribed with a eulogy to the pet antelope.
Pool
A massive rectangular water-tank pool measuring 229 metres by 273 metres lies at the heart of the complex. At the center of each side of the tank, a brick ramp slopes down to the water, providing access for wild game that were sought by hunters.
Pavilion
An octagonal pavilion built during the reign of Shah Jahan is at the centre of the pool. The pavilion is two-storeyed, and is topped by a rooftop chhatri that served as a stone gazebo. The pavilion’s architecture is similar to the Sher Mandal at Delhi’s Purana Qila, built by Emperor Humayun.
The pavilion was surrounded not only by the water tank, but also semi-wilderness. The pavilion was thus likely used for recreational purposes.
Causeway
A causeway spans the pool to connect the minaret with the pavilion along an axis which passes through a gateway.
Hydraulics
Unique features of this particular complex are the antelope’s grave and the distinctive water collection system. At each corner of the tank (approximately 750 by 895 feet (273 m) in size), is a small, square building and a subsurface water collection system which supplied the water tank; only one of these water systems is only extensively exposed today.
Click on Map to open
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Our expert locally based guides are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Our trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
We are 100% locals & created our tours by building meaningful relationships with local communities, directly benefiting the people and places we visit.
Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Pack those bags and don't break a sweat because we guarantee every single one of our departures. As long as it's safe, you're going!
No matter the Travel types, our tours balance well-planned itineraries with the flexibility to do your own thing and make the experience your own.
We ensure a hassle-free and safe experience with reliable local support. We provide you with a travel concierge dedicated to helping you 24/7 during your trip.
