The Sikh Era Temple located adjacent to the Shah Burj forecourt in Lahore Fort is a highly significant religious building that exemplifies the complex historical layering within the Fort. Constructed during the Sikh era, likely in the early nineteenth century, the temple reflects the Sikh sovereign’s assertion of authority by inserting sacred architecture into the Mughal palace complex. This act of religious and political patronage emphasized both continuity with the Mughal imperial legacy and the distinct identity of the Sikh regime. The temple’s placement is highly strategic: aligned axially with Mughal-era elements like the Sheesh Mahal and Naulakha Pavilion, and near the Imperial Zenana Mosque, the building’s presence reinforces the symbolic appropriation of space by the Sikh rulers.

Architecturally, the temple is a single-storied square structure resting on a high plinth, crowned with a segmented dome supported by squinches, and surrounded by a cusped masonry eave. Each corner was originally surmounted by miniature domed kiosks, though two have not survived. The temple features elaborate exterior decoration with blind niches on all elevations, richly adorned with frescoes, now mostly lost, that depicted figural scenes, floral cartouches, and narrative compositions from Hindu and Sikh traditions. The temple’s orientation, with its entrance on the east, affirms its use as a Hindu place of worship, while the presence of the Sikh Nishan Sahib in one niche underscores the fluidity between Sikh and Hindu identities in nineteenth-century Punjab. Internally, three arched niches on each wall (except the entrance side) may have once housed icons or sacred imagery. The Temple’s religious, architectural, and artistic elements reveal not only its devotional function but also its role in shaping the Sikh ruler’s image as a patron of sacred art and architecture. Its presence within the heart of the Lahore Fort, once the seat of Mughal imperial power, represents a deliberate act of religious and political symbolism. The temple is not merely a vestige of Sikh religious expression but also a statement of sovereignty, cultural identity, and historical continuity. Its construction within the Mughal palace complex bridges temporal regimes and redefines imperial space through sacred art. 

Conservation efforts at the Sikh Era Temple prioritized water damage mitigation, particularly where salt and moisture-related decay had accelerated. In the first half of the project, documentation of the as-found condition, cleaning, and the emergency stabilization of decorative surfaces were carried out. Furthermore, prototypes for the reconstruction of select architectural features were developed. The project also focused on the removal of cement-based layers from various surfaces and the application of a compatible lime mortar. Additionally, distinct architectural features such as the eaves of the Temple, were reconstructed from customized terracotta tiles. Work was also carried out on the external surfaces to reintegrate the existing surface decorations. Following thorough research and investigations on site, the existing Mughal-period floor was analyzed to better understand the original layout of the geometric pattern. Based on this, the conservation team revived the original pattern and design of the floor. This was then implemented on site by expert craftsmen who ensured that the original design language was followed without compromising the circulation. Alongside the laying of the floor, strategic placement of lights and appropriate illumination measures were taken. The site has now been made accessible to the public after decades of disuse.