Remembrance Of The Royal Pet
In the 16th Century Emperor Jahangir constructed a mausoleum for his favourite pet, Mansraj, the royal deer
In the 16th and 17th centuries The Mughal Dynasty left many evident and historical marks in the subcontinent that we now call India and Pakistan.
Hunting grounds were considered an integral feature of the Mughal era’s physical environment.
Jahangirpura, now called Sheikhupura, is about 40 kilometers northwest of the city of Lahore in Pakistan. The place where the town is now located, was Emperor Jahangir’s Royal getaway as a Prince when his Father Akbar was on the throne. It was founded by Emperor Jahangir himself when he ruled in the 1600s. The unused forest lands surrounding this town were to be utilized as hunting ground for the royal clan.
Environmentalism may seem like a new term, but the ideology existed even during the Mughals as Jahangir was also an environmentalist of the first order, with inquisitiveness for facts. He preserved a rich zoological garden and an aviary, taken care by a team of specialists under the Emperor’s strict supervision. Regular records were made of each species of animals and birds, along with any information as he desired to obtain.
A Bond Was Broken
During one of the hunting games, Jahangir caught an antelope which was shortly disciplined and named Mansraj. The attachment between the two grew soon. It is said that in one of Jahangir’s hunts, he unintentionally shot an arrow that hit Mansraj. The Emperor was filled with grief on losing the extraordinary bond between him and his beloved pet.
No sooner did the Emperor’s loved deer passed away, the hunting grounds took on a new meaning as the royal decree went on to prohibit any more hunting and declared the place more or less a mausoleum for the deer.
In loving memory of the pet deer, an 8-sided tower was built by the emperor at the bottom of the grave in 1607 and was named Hiran Minar, roughly translated as ‘Tower of the Deer.’
Similar to other architectural features unique to the Mughal dynasty, this tower was also built of bricks as opposed to stones. A rectangular pond In the vicinity of the tower was later on added to glorify the royal remembrance in its entirety and give off a soothing sensation during sunsets. A pathway was especially made to link the barren area with the minaret. At the center of each side, tilted bridges made way into the lake the purpose of which was to give access to the royal animals.
One of the features of the monument which spell bounds tourists is its one of a kind water collection system at the grave. Near the corner of every tank are cubic structures and a water collection system which goes beneath the land and ensures a trivial, ever ready supply for the tank. An additional feature, which makes this site stand out, is its salient location. If one stands on top of Hiran Minar, it can be undoubtedly said that he is standing at a place where the vast landscape of the green province can be viewed that hints at the magnificence of the
Mughal age.
Viewing the landscape straight up north, one can see the small demarcations of lands similar to the ones used for forest vegetation when Mughal dynasty was at its peak. The west view boasts of multitudes of well-irrigated fields which the early twentieth and late nineteenth century saw rising in number. These fields have a resemblance to those used for cultivation in that era.
Keeping The Memory
The current headless state of the monument was caused by the collapse of its canopy, causing its original measured height of 110 feet to shorten. A total of 108 steps on a spiral flight of stairs lead to its pinnacle where the remains of Mansraj are buried. The tombstone was built in the form of an antelope according to Jahangir’s wish and the epitaph carved on it is written by Mullah Mohammed Hussain Kashmiri: “In this beautiful and healthful place, God-thirsty Nuruddin Jahangir captured a deer; in one month the deer left his jungle habits and soon became the king of the Royal Deer.”
A thick forest edges the northern side of the pool, with crisscrossing footpaths meandering their way over the elevated mounds. On the opposite side of the pool a garden, with a cafeteria and some swings and slides await excursionists. In the present time, efforts are being made to get the monument registered with the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, so as to generate funds for its much needed repair and renovation. A lot of people every day visit the place for time off and boating, far away from city’s hustle-bustle; while some just go in the remembrance of the Emperor’s dear Mansraj – the royal pet.