Photo Credits: Abdullah Nizamani

Shahjahan Masjid also known as Badshahi Masjid is situated in Thatta, a city which has rich and unique cultural, architectural and political history. The mosque was built in the mid of 17th century by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. It was completed in only 3 years. It is constructed over an area of more than 6000 yards but it neither has fans nor loud speakers yet flow of air is uninterrupted and voice of Qari is heard clearly in every corner of the mosque.

Thatta, where this mosque is situated, is not what it is now. It was once capital city of Sindh, ruled by different dynasties from Mughals to Britian. The city had seaport which was of great strategic and economic importance. It survived as many as seven great fires yet lived. During British Raj, due to its importance in the region, Portuguese threatened to attack it. Now it is just another ignored, downtrodden, poor and mismanaged city of Sindh.