Hiran Minar was built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in a hunting reserve used by the Mughal royals. The reserve was built in a scrub forest, and allowed Mughal emperors to experience a sense of semi-wilderness near the imperial city of Lahore.[1] The wild-reserve was used as a park where visitors could enjoy the sport of hunting.[1]

The minaret itself was built in 1606 C.E. as a monument to Emperor Jahangir's beloved pet antelope, Mansiraj ("lord of all animal beings"). The practice of building such tomb-markers over the skulls of game animals is an ancient Persian custom.[2]

The minaret and tank were accompanied by a larger pavilion, built during the reign of Shah Jahan.