Within the Walled City of Lahore are a number of iconic mosques and palaces that claim one’s undivided attention. But beyond the limelight of these monuments to the Mughal empire sit lesser-known spots of historical importance that give their giant neighbors a run for their money when it comes to charm and beauty. One of these overlooked gems is Shahi Hammam, a steam bath built in the 17th century. It is also known as Wazir Khan Hammam, after Wazir Khan, the physician who designed and supervised its construction.
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the construction of Shahi Hammam in 1634. Completed the next year, the hammam consists of 21 interlinked chambers offering access to warm and hot baths. The heat was produced by a furnace and heating system located underneath the chambers. The overall structure of the hammam is unmistakably Turkish, but Persian influence can be observed in the design of the biggest chambers and the decorations on the walls. The size, complexity and decoration of the structure indicates that this was no ordinary hammam.
One unusual characteristic of this hammam is that even if it was built to please the most aristocratic tastes, Shahi Hammam was by all means and purposes a public bath. In fact, it was designed to accommodate both affluent and less affluent patrons, each enjoying access to separate sections of the hammam. With a seminal understanding of infrastructure sustainability, the revenue generated by the hammam was put toward the maintenance of the nearby Wazir Khan Mosque.
The fate of Shahi Hammam waned with the decline of the Moghul Empire, around the 18th century. Once the hammam closed permanently, the building was appropriated by British colonial authorities and used as a school, apothecary, and public office through the subsequent years. Only recently has the historical importance of this hammam been recognized by the local authorities. Major excavation and restoration works were completed in 2015.
