Oonchi Masjid, the "high mosque", is a small Mughal-era mosque on Hakiman Bazaar just inside Bhati Gate in the Walled City of Lahore, built on a platform about seven feet above the street and reached by a flight of twelve steps. Tradition says it was built by a water carrier in the time of the emperor Akbar, and a niche inside carries Akbar's name, but some historians date it later, to Aurangzeb's reign. Oonchi Masjid Lahore has been rebuilt so often that little original detail survives, so it is best seen as a short stop on a walk through Bhati Gate rather than a destination in itself.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hakiman Bazaar, inside Bhati Gate, Walled City of Lahore |
| Built | Attributed to Akbar's reign (1556 to 1605); possibly later, under Aurangzeb |
| Founder | Traditionally a mashki (water carrier) |
| Platform | About 7 feet high, twelve steps up |
| Plan | Prayer hall with three arched openings and three low domes, small ablution pool |
| Use | Working mosque with a Quran school |
| Entry | Free; often locked outside prayer times |
Why is it called the Oonchi Masjid?
Oonchi means high. The mosque stands on a raised platform, roughly seven feet above the bazaar, so you climb about twelve steps from the street to reach its courtyard. It is the opposite of the Neevin Mosque inside nearby Lohari Gate, whose floor lies about 25 feet below the street. Between them, the two mosques make a neat pair for anyone walking the south-western Walled City.
Old accounts place the Oonchi Masjid on what was once called Lakarhara Street, in the Bhati Gate quarter. The historian Syad Muhammad Latif described it in his 1892 history of Lahore.
Who built the Oonchi Masjid, and when?
There is no foundation inscription giving a year, so the date is uncertain.
The traditional account credits it to a water carrier (mashki) of Akbar's time, whose name has not survived. Supporting this, a decorative inscription (tughra) on an arch of the central hall is said to show that the mosque was built in Akbar's days, and one of the three niches in the western wall bears his full title, "Abul Fateh Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar Badshah Ghazi". The other two niches carry Quranic verses.
Other scholars, reading the same inscriptions differently, argue that it belongs to the reign of Aurangzeb, a century later. We have not found a source that settles the question, so "Mughal-era, possibly from Akbar's reign" is the fairest description.
What does the mosque look like now?
The prayer hall opens to the courtyard through three arches and is roofed by three low, squat domes. In one corner of the courtyard is a small pool for ablutions (wudu). It was originally built of fired brick.
The mosque has been renovated and rebuilt many times, and a 2015 report in Pakistan Today found that it had lost almost all its original features. What you see is a whitewashed, much-repaired neighbourhood mosque. Look instead for the things that have not changed: the height of the platform above the bazaar, the three-arched front, and the inscribed niches in the western wall if you are allowed in.
The same report found the mosque locked outside prayer times, with a madrassa (Quran school) running inside and fruit sellers working outside.
How do I get to the Oonchi Masjid?
Bhati Gate is on the western side of the Walled City, on Circular Road, and it is one of the easiest gates to reach.
- Take a rickshaw or ride-hailing car to Bhati Gate, or walk from Data Darbar, which stands just outside it.
- Walk in through the gate. Hakiman Bazaar starts at the gate and runs into the old city.
- Look for a mosque raised well above the shops on a stepped platform, or ask anyone for "Oonchi Masjid".
Our 13 gates of Lahore guide shows how Bhati Gate fits with Lohari Gate and the rest of the old walls.
What should I know before visiting?
Plan your visit for just before or after one of the daily prayers, when the mosque is likely to be unlocked, and wait until the prayer is over before going in. Remove your shoes, dress modestly, and keep your voice down if a class is going on. Women should cover their heads. Our mosque etiquette guide covers the basics.
There is no ticket and no visitor information on site. The bazaar is crowded and full of motorbikes, so go in the morning, before the lanes fill up.
What else is there inside Bhati Gate?
Bhati Gate is one of the liveliest quarters of the old city, long known for its poets, artists and food. Allama Iqbal lived near the gate between 1901 and 1905. Within a few minutes' walk:
- The Fakir Khana Museum, a family collection of art and objects in an old haveli.
- Data Darbar, the shrine of Ali Hujwiri, just outside the gate.
- The Neevin Mosque, a short walk away inside Lohari Gate.
- Our Walled City of Lahore guide for the bigger sights further in.
Is the Oonchi Masjid worth seeing?
As a five or ten minute stop, yes, especially if you pair it with the Neevin Mosque and see the "high" and "low" mosques on the same walk. On its own it is a modest, heavily rebuilt building that may be locked, so it is not worth a special trip. History-minded walkers will enjoy it most; families looking for a single big sight should head for the Badshahi Mosque or Lahore Fort instead. For more ideas, see our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Oonchi Masjid in Lahore?
On Hakiman Bazaar, just inside Bhati Gate on the western side of the Walled City of Lahore.
Why is it called Oonchi Masjid?
Oonchi means high. The mosque stands on a platform about seven feet above the street, reached by twelve steps.
Who built the Oonchi Masjid?
Tradition credits a water carrier (mashki) of Akbar's time, and a niche inside bears Akbar's name, though some historians date it to Aurangzeb's reign.
Is the Oonchi Masjid open to visitors?
It is a working mosque with a Quran school, and it has been reported locked outside prayer times. Go around a prayer time and ask politely.
What is the difference between Oonchi and Neevin Masjid?
Oonchi Masjid in Bhati Gate is raised above the street, while Neevin Masjid in Lohari Gate is sunk about 25 feet below it. The names mean high and low.
