The video outlines the painstaking steps taken to restore the Shah Burj Gate in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lahore Fort, in Pakistan. The Gate, which forms part of the famous Picture Wall, was constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1041 A.H. (1631-32) under the supervision of architect Abdul Karim Mamur Khan.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) began the restoration of the Shah Burj Gate in June 2019, focusing on consolidating and enhancing the Kashikari work and the iconic Muqarnas located inside the deep-vaulted gateway. After the completion of a detailed documentation of existing conditions, the gate’s entire surface was cleaned. Restoration activities were prioritised to address issues such as structural consolidation, detachment of tile mosaics and loss of glaze. The work was completed in March 2020 by AKTC with the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Walled City of Lahore Authority. At the end of the video, the viewer will see a side by side “before and after” view of the restoration.