Neela Gumbad

Neela Gumbad, Anarkali, Lahore

Neela Gumbad, situated on Mall Road in Lahore, is a shrine dedicated to the Sufi saint Sheikh Abdul Razzak Maki. The shrine is located near King Edward Medical College, behind the Anarkali Bazaar. The name "Neela Gumbad," meaning "Blue Dome," is derived from the striking blue color of its dome, which has also given its name to the surrounding locality.
According to historical accounts and oral tradition, Saint Abdul Razzak Maki hailed from Ghazni, present-day Afghanistan, and arrived in Lahore during the reign of Emperor Hamayun. Some sources also mention that he came from Makkah and was associated with the town of Sabzwar. Upon his arrival, he became a disciple of Meeran Muhammad Shah Mauj Darya and began his spiritual practice in Lahore. His spiritual influence grew significantly, attracting numerous followers and devotees.
The saint passed away in the year 1084 Hijri (1673 AD), during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. Following his death, his disciples constructed a mausoleum at the site of his burial. An adjoining mosque was also built along with a garden surrounding the complex. The mosque, situated to the north of the shrine, became known as the Neela Gumbad Masjid. It includes a wide courtyard, three domes, three arches, and designated space for ablution.
During the Sikh era, the garden was destroyed, although the mosque and shrine structures remained intact. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ordered the conversion of the shrine and mosque into an arms and ammunition depot. A separate adjoining facility was also built for the manufacture and casting of weapons. The mosque was further repurposed as artillery quarters during this period.
Under British colonial rule, Anarkali served as a cantonment for the British military. The mosque at Neela Gumbad was used as a mess hall for British soldiers. Eventually, the cantonment was relocated to Mian Mir.

After the British cantonment was moved, Munshi Najam Uddin submitted an application to the government requesting authority to take charge of the shrine. Upon receiving approval, he undertook significant repair and renovation work at his own expense. The mosque resumed its function as a place of worship, and it later came to be known as Najam Uddin’s Mosque. The mosque retained its architectural form with three domes, three arches, and a spacious courtyard. At that time, the mosque's imam was Maulvi Noor Ahmed.
In 1856, the shrine and mosque were officially restored to the Muslim community. Since then, the site has been under the management of the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department of the Government of Punjab. A plaque installed at the site indicates that the shrine underwent repairs and renovation in 1984 at a cost of Rs. 381,530, as directed by the Auqaf Department.
At present, access to Neela Gumbad is somewhat limited due to commercial encroachments. The shrine is surrounded by shops on all sides, leaving only a single accessible entrance. A cycle market now occupies much of the frontage, forming the bulk of the surrounding commercial activity.

In 2025, the Government of Punjab announced the creation of the “Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival” (LAHR), with the objective of preserving and restoring Lahore’s historic sites. Proposals for restoring Neela Gumbad to its original architectural and cultural condition were also reviewed as part of this initiative.
It is notable that there exists another structure of similar name and architectural style called Neela Gumbad, located adjacent to Emperor Humayun’s tomb in Delhi.