Hiran Minar (Urdu: ہرن مینار‎; or "The Deer Tower") is an early 16th-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 beloved antelope named Mansraj. The Emperor is remembered for his fondness of nature, and his complex embodies the Mughal relationship between humans, pets, and hunting.

History

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 wild-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 "Lord of All Animal Beings". 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.

Mughal-Library