Shah Rukn-e-Alam's Tomb (Multan), Jahangir's Tomb (Lahore), jam Nizam-ud-Din's Tomb (Makli), Aibak's Tomb (Lahore), Lahore Fort, Ruhtas Fort (Distt. Jhelum) Alamgiri Masjid (Lahore) Shahjahani Masjid (Thatta), Masjid Mahabat Khan (Peshawar) and Shalimar Gardens (Lahore) are the most significant of the buildings put during the Muslim period in the area which is now Pakistan. Faisal Masjid Islamabad and Alhamra of Lahore are beautiful additions made to the exquisite Muslim tradition of architecture, after independence.
Architecture
Following are the distinctive architectural features almost common in all the Muslim monuments of South Asia:
i. Openness, which symbolizes Muslim broadmindedness, tolerance and enlightenment.
ii. Balance and coherence, which is the basic principle of the Islamic way of life.
iii. Use of arch, minaret and dome, and also of the double dome, which is expressive of Muslim aesthetic sense.
iv. Use of vertical lines instead of horizontal lines which gives the building an air of loftiness, drive and upward motion.
Fine Arts
Aesthetes from all over the world and the critics of arts in all departments of fine arts are attracted to experience and discover the boundless depth and beauty of Pakistani Culture, a brief overview of which has been attempted in the following lines:
i. Excavations at Harappa and Moenjodaro have revealed that the people of this land Ahad achieved a level of advancement in the fields of architect and urban planning. They built houses, swimming pools, public baths and market places. These buildings were airy and bright and were provided with excellent drainage system. In the words of Sahibzada Abdur Rasul:
- "The onlooker is deeply impressed by the urban lay out and organization of Moenjodaro and Taxila, buildings of the khanqahs, and gardens laid out in the Muslim period, palaces, mausoleums, and masjids, decorated with exquisite floral motifs. Lions of Moenjodaro and Sirkap, monasteries of Takht Bhai and Julian, fortresses of Attock and Ruhtas, palaces and gardens of Lahore, Badshahi Mosques of Thatta and Lahore, Mausoleums of Shah Rukn-e-Alam (RA) (Multan) Jam Nizam-ud-Din (Makli) and Jahangir (Lahore) are the excellent masterpieces of our architectural skills."
ii. People of Harappa, Moenjodaro and Gandhara had attained excellence in the art of melting metals and making of ornaments and seals, and carving out sculptures. During the Muslim period the craftsmen attained excellence in the art of making glazed tiles printed with floral and geometrical designs.
iii. Pakistan has a very rich tradition in different styles of painting. Starting from the anonymous painters of the murals at But Kara (Sawat) the tradition enriched itself through the ages; especially notable are miniature paintings of the Mughal period and later the masterpieces of Abdur Rahman Chughtai and Ustad Alla Buksh in the twentieth century AD.
iv. Wood carving and engraving, making glazed and painted earthen ware, engraving and inlay work on brass, copper and alloy utensils and the art of making delicate ornaments, are the specialties Pakistanis excel in, and are appreciated throughout the civilized world.
v. Our calligraphists have demonstrated great promise by keeping abreast with the spirt of the modern age and evolving newer modes of expression. Prominent among these are Abdul Majeed Parveen Raqam, Hafiz Yousuf Sadidi, Sayyid Anwar Hussain Nafees Raqam, Khurshid Alam Gohar Raqam, Sadiqain and Aslam Kamal.
vi. Tradition of making festive as well as beautiful informal male and female dresses has been kept alive by the Pakistani craftsmen. Woolen Patti (or Pattu) of Gilgit and Sawat, shawls and gown of Kashmir, Phulkari of the Punjab and the KPK, Chapa or the block printed bed sheets of Bahawalpur, Khairpur and Multan, Ajrak and Bandhnu of Sindh are the products liked by the people not only in Pakistan but also outside.
vii. Our area has a centuries old tradition of making hand-knotted carpets. Lahore is the oldest centre of carpet making, carpets made here are exported and appreciated throughout the world. Special varieties of carpets are done in Kashmir, the KPK, Balochistan and Sindh. These include Namdas and Ghalichas.
viii. Apart from Eids and religious festivals, Melas are celebrated on the birth anniversaries of the Sufi saints, and on special seasonal and harvesting occasions. Festivals are more popular in rural areas; they reflect our rural culture and provide recreation to the people who otherwise have not much of it.
ix. Wrestling, Kabbaddi, Malakhra, Volleyball and Football are the most favorite sports in our villages. Hockey is our national sport. Pakistan has produced some of the world's finest sportsmen in the fields of Hockey, Cricket, Squash and mountaineering.
