Art & Architecture of the Shrine of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo, Jhang, Punjab

Abstract

Architecture is the mixture of civilizations. The current study under the title “Art & Architecture of the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo R.A” is based on the architecture of the sufi shrine located in Jhang district. Historically, Jhang has been the site of many great armies of the world coming and ruling, as well as being the place of many Sufis preaching their religion here and their shrines. Hazrat Sultan Bahoo R.A is considered one of the greatest Sufi scholars of the subcontinent, who achieved the highest level of Spirituality and Sufism. Today, Hazrat Sultan Bahoo R.A is considered as a beacon of light for those seeking their spiritual path. Sufis established mosques and monasteries in different areas for the purpose of preaching the religion in which later also built shrines. The mausoleum of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo was built near the site of Garh Maharaja in 1918 AD after two relocations due to floods. As part of a traditional Mughal architectural style, craftsmen of Sindh and Punjab constructed and embellished it with mosaic work (Kashikari), glasswork (sheeshakari), wooden inlays, stone inlay work, perforated lattice work (jaali) and fresco work. As the shrine building deteriorated, it was replaced with ceramic tiles that had been dilapidated, which was unfair to a building that was historically significant. It begins with a detailed description of the history of Jhang district, and it is followed by an extensive biography of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo. As part of its understanding of Sufism and the concept of shrines in Islam, the current study discusses how and in what period domes over graves were made. The current study describes the history of the shrine, its architectural plans, elevations, and photographs of the different artistic plates that were used in the decoration of the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo. The current study also compares the design elements of the shrine of Hujrat Sultan Bahoo with the elements of Mughal architecture to what extent they are similar to each other. Keywords: Sufism, Shrine, Architecture