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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Lahore, India (Mughal Empire) · Dates not established

Muḥammad Muqīm

Partially verified

Astrolabe and scientific instrument maker

Life & work

Muḥammad Muqīm was the son of Mulla Isa and a third-generation master instrument maker from a prominent family based in Lahore.

He operated as a prolific maker of scientific instruments during the 17th century, serving as an astrolabe maker to the Mughal court. Between 1609 and 1659, he was responsible for creating numerous astrolabes and at least one celestial globe, demonstrating significant versatility in design. His output ranged from miniature instruments for personal use to unusually large presentation pieces, with no two designs ever repeated.

The maker occasionally collaborated with his brother, Qaim Muhammad, on high-status projects for noblemen within the courts of Jahangir and Shah Jahan.

The fuller biography summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • He is noted for his immense production volume, having created dozens of distinct astrolabes over a fifty-year career.

Documented works

  • A signed astrolabe dated to 1047 AH (1637/8 CE) is held by the Tomb of Humayun museum in Delhi.
  • The National Maritime Museum in London houses a signed astrolabe dating to 1051 AH (1641/2 CE).
  • An instrument created around 1650 is currently located at the History of Science Museum in Oxford.
  • The Islamabad Museum preserves an astrolabe by Muḥammad Muqīm dated 1637.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

Firms, key models & movements

Famous objects

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Muḥammad Muqīm. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • The rete and throne of the brass astrolabe (inventory 37530) featuring foliate pointers.
  • Back view of the astrolabe showing the alidade, shadow square, and various inscribed scales.

Sources & references

  1. Lahore family of astrolabists, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  2. Brass Astrolabe, Signed by Muhammad Muqim, Lahore | Humayun's Tomb Museum, htmuseum.org, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.