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Name: Kazim Abbas Section: B ROLLNO: 17-050 Subject: Hac Topic: Elements of Mughal Architecture With 2 Examples

The document discusses elements of Mughal architecture and provides two examples - the Taj Mahal and Badshahi Mosque. It notes that Mughal architecture reached its peak under Shah Jahan, who promoted the use of white marble and inlaid semi-precious stones. A common characteristic of Mughal buildings was their pronounced domes, slender turrets, pillar-supported halls, and broad gateways, typically constructed from red sandstone or white marble.

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76 views

Name: Kazim Abbas Section: B ROLLNO: 17-050 Subject: Hac Topic: Elements of Mughal Architecture With 2 Examples

The document discusses elements of Mughal architecture and provides two examples - the Taj Mahal and Badshahi Mosque. It notes that Mughal architecture reached its peak under Shah Jahan, who promoted the use of white marble and inlaid semi-precious stones. A common characteristic of Mughal buildings was their pronounced domes, slender turrets, pillar-supported halls, and broad gateways, typically constructed from red sandstone or white marble.

Uploaded by

Kazim Abbas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: KAZIM ABBAS

SECTION: B
ROLLNO: 17-050
SUBJECT: HAC
TOPIC: ELEMENTS OF MUGHAL
ARCHITECTURE WITH 2 EXAMPLES
Although all the Mughal rulers except Aurangzeb took
great interest in architecture, yet Shah Jahan surpasses
all in the field of architecture. There is no doubt that
architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory during the
period of Shah Jahan. The period of Shah Jahan (1627-
1658) witnessed a glorious outburst of activity in the
development of architecture.
Main features of Mughal Architecture:
1. Variety of buildings:
The Mughal rulers built magnificent gates, forts, mausoleums,
mosques, palaces, public buildings and tombs etc.

2. Synthesis of Persian and Indian style:


The specimens of architecture created under the Mughals have
become the common heritage of both the Hindus and the
Muslims. It is a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

3. Specific characteristic:
A common characteristic of the Mughal buildings is “the
pronounced domes, the slender turrets at the corners, the
palace halls supported on pillars and the broad/gateways.”

4. Costly decorations:
The Mughal emperors in general but Shah Jahan in particular
decorated his buildings with costly articles. One of the
important distinguishing features of the Mughal buildings is
their ornamentation as compared with the simple buildings of
the previous Muslim rulers of India.

5. Building material:
During the Mughal period, buildings were constructed mostly
of red sandstone and white marble.

Development of architecture under different Mughal rulers:


Babur and architecture:
Babur was not impressed by Indian architecture. At the same
time he was busy in waging wars. Nevertheless he sent for the
pupils of Sinan the noted Albanian architect to work with Indian
craftsmen whose skills he had appreciated. But this did not
materialize. As Babur recorded in his ‘Memories’, he employed
680 workmen and 1491 stone cutters daily on his various
buildings in India. He constructed several buildings but only two
mosques—one at Panipat and the other at Sambhal have
survived.

Humayun and architecture:


Humayun’s troubled reign did not allow him enough
opportunity to give full play to his artistic temperament. Even
then he constructed the palace of ‘Din-i-Panah’ in Delhi which
was probably destroyed by Sher Shah. Humayun constructed
some mosques at Agra and Hissar.

Akbar and architecture:


The history of Mughal architecture really starts with Akbar. Just
as Akbar built up an extensive empire on the goodwill of the
Hindus, in the same way he utilized local talent and took
inspiration from Indian architecture. One of the earliest
buildings built is the Tomb of Humayun, in Delhi. It was built
after Humayun’s death by his first wife Hamida Banu Begam.
This splendid tomb, designed by a Persian Architect Malik Mirza
Ghiyas and executed by Indian craftsmen and masons, is a fine
example of the synthesis of Indian-Persian traditions.

Important buildings built during Akbar’s time include the


following:
(1) Red Fort at Agra.

(2) City of Fatehpur Sikri

(3) Lahore fort,

(4) Tomb at Sikandra.

During Akbar’s time, it is said that about 500 beautiful buildings


were constructed in the Red Fort at Agra but only a few of
them now survive.

Main features of Akbar’s buildings are:


(i) Synthesis of Hindu- Muslim art tradition

(ii) Extensive use of red stone

(iii) Construction of buildings for civilian purposes.

Jahangir and architecture:


Jahangir had fine artistic sense but he was more fond of
painting than architecture. Two important buildings were
raised. One was the completion of the Tomb of Akbar at
Sikandra and the other was the Tomb of Itmad-ul-Daula built by
Nur Jahan over the grave of her father. The most important
feature of this tomb is that it is decorated with ‘pietra dura’ i.e.
in-laid with semi-precious stones of different colours.

Shah Jahan and architecture:


Shah Jahan’s period is usually called the ‘Golden Age of Mughal
Architecture’ and he is given the titles of ‘Prince among the
Builders’ and ‘Engineer King’. His most important and
impressive buildings are the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Jama
Masjid. These buildings are extremely beautiful and soft.

Shah Jahan mostly made use of marble in place of red stone.


With a view to enhance the beauty and effect of the ceilings, he
made full use of gold, silver, precious and coloured stones. At
several places, the pictures of trees, animal scenes and other
flora and fauna have been depicted. (See next question).

Aurangzeb and architecture:


Aurangzeb’s accession to the throne marks the end of rich
harvest in building art. His puritanism gave little
encouragement to the development of art. He is usually
discredited with the destruction of two most important Hindu
temples at Banaras and Mathura and raising mosques upon
them. He built the Shahi Masjid at Lahore.
Examples:
Taj Mahal:

The most spectacular feature is the marble dome that


surmounts the tomb. The dome is nearly 35 meters (115 ft)
high which is close in measurement to the length of the base,
and accentuated by the cylindrical "drum". Their columned
bases open through the roof of the tomb and provide light to
the interior. The finial is topped by a moon, a typical Islamic
motif whose horns point heavenward. he minarets, which are
each more than 40 meters (130 ft) tall, display the designer's
penchant for symmetry. Each minaret is effectively divided into
three equal parts by two working balconies that ring the tower.
Badshahi Masjid

The construction of the Badshahi Mosque started under the


thriving benefaction of the sixth Mughal Emperor, His Highness
Aurengzeb Alamgir. Like the character of its benefactor, the
mosque is gigantic and majestic in its appearance. It was
completed and opened for visitors in 1673.
As gate way to the west, and Persia, Lahore and Badshahi
Mosque in particular holds a strong strategic and geographic
position; that is why Aurengzeb made this magnificent strong-
hold to maximize its strategic value. Festooned with stucco
tracery and fresco work, the main prayer hall of the mosque
comprises of seven marvelously carved arches which can
accommodate more than 95,000 worshipers. Skyline of the
mosque inlaid with marble and red stone lining enhances the
beauty and splendor. Clad with marbles four out of
eight esteemed minarets, approximately 14 feet tall can be
seen from a far distance. The main building of the mosque also
features additional four minarets in its each corner which gives
extra topping of beauty to the Mosque.
Specific characteristic of all Mughals:
A common characteristic of the Mughal buildings is “the
pronounced domes, the slender turrets at the corners, the
palace halls supported on pillars and the broad/gateways.”
Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone,
Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-
precious stones. Buildings under his patronage reached new
levels of refinement.

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