Mughal Style Architecture: Fusion of Persian, Indian, Islamic Styles

April 10, 2024 1721 0

Introduction

Mughal style represents a fusion of Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural and artistic elements, characterized by grandeur, symmetry, intricate ornamentation, and the extensive use of marble and precious stones.

Mughal Architectural: A Journey Through Patrons and Masterpieces

  • The Mughals were great patrons of art and architecture.
  • Babur: He undertook the construction of mosques in Panipat and Rohilkhand.
  • Humayun: He laid the foundation of a city named Dinpanah.

Humayun Tomb (Delhi)

  • It is the first distinct example of Mughal architecture built by his widow, Begha Begum. 
  • It is a synthesis of Persian architecture and Indian traditions. It has a high double dome as well as the kiosks (chhatris), which give it a pyramidal shape from a distance.
  • It has a Charbagh style garden. 
  • The red sandstone, double-storeyed structure of the mausoleum has been raised over a series of cells which are like a musical composition. 
  • The octagonal form of the central chamber contains the cenotaph.
  • It is for the first time that red sandstone and white marble are used. 
  • Sher Shah: His period is a phase of transition from the Lodi style to the Mughal style of architecture.
    • He Built Purana Qila and the Quila Kohna Masjid in Delhi.
    • He also built Sher Shah Sufi masjid in Patna, and Rohtas Fort in Pakistan and his own tomb at Sasaram.
    • He extended and reconstructed an old Mauryan route and renamed it ‘Sadak-e-Azam’. It was later called the Grand Trunk Road.
  • Akbar: It was the beginning of the golden period of Mughal art and architecture and was a blend of the Hindu and Islamic style of construction.
    • Principal features of his constructions were the use of red sandstone and the widespread use of Trabeate construction. 
      • The arches are used mainly in decorative form rather than in structural form.
      • The domes were sometimes hollow, but never technically of the true double order.
    • Akbar’s building projects can be divided into two main groups, each representing a different phase.
      • The first group comprised buildings of a fort and a few palaces at Agra, Allahabad and Lahore. 
      • The second group related basically to the construction of his new capital at Fatehpur Sikri. 

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Agra Fort: 

  • Today the Delhi Gate of the fort and Jahangiri Mahal are the only representative buildings of Akbar’s reign.

Jahangiri Mahal:

  • It is conceived as a robust building in red sandstone. Gardens are built in charbagh style
  • Most of the structures present inside were built during the reign of Shah Jahan. It contained Diwan-i-aam(Hall of public audience) and Diwan-i-khas(Hall of private audience) both built by Shah Jahan.

 

  • Fatehpur Sikri: 

    • It was founded as a token of gratitude to Sheikh Salim Chisti.
    • It has been described as a “frozen moment in history” as the buildings here represent a unique blend of Hindu and Persian styles. It was the new capital city of Akbar.
    • All the buildings are in characteristic rich red sandstone, using traditional trabeate construction.
    • The structures were built from local rocks and assembled without the use of mortar.

Important Buildings Inside the City of Fatehpur Sikri

  • Buland Darwaza (built in 1576, to commemorate Akbar’s victory over Gujarat) is the highest gateway in the world. [UPSC 2018]
  • Salim Chisti’s tomb – It is the only building at Fatehpur Sikri built of white marble.
  • Ibadat Khana-Akbar used to have discussions with leaders of different religions.[UPSC 2014].
  • Other buildings include Panch Mahal, Pachisi Court (to play chess), Jami Masjid, Hiran Minar, Jodha Bai’s Palace etc.
  • Govind Dev temple in Vrindavan was built in Red stone by Raja Man Singh. The stone for the construction of the temple was donated by Akbar.
  • Jahangir: He focused more on paintings and architecture took a back seat.
    • Some of the constructions under his reign were Akbar’s tomb (Sikandara), Moti Mahal (Lahore) and Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh in Kashmir.
  • Akbar’s Tomb: It was designed by Akbar himself, and its construction began in his own lifetime. It was later completed by Jahangir. 
  • Nur Jahan, wife of Jahangir, commissioned the construction of the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah (Agra) in white marble.
  • Shah Jahan: Mughal architecture reached its climax under Shah Jahan. 
    • His buildings are full of delicate carvings in marble and inlay with pietra dura work. 
    • The arch became foliated, the dome became bulbous with a constricted neck and pillars raised with shaft capitals.
    • His notable constructions include –  City of Shahjahanabad (present day old Delhi), Moti Masjid (made exclusive of marble) in the Agra Fort, Jama Masjid at Delhi, Lal Qila at Delhi, and the Taj Mahal. 

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Red Fort (Lal Qila)

  • It is near the old course of the Yamuna River. 
  • There are two gateways – Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate.
  • Notable buildings inside the fort are Diwan-i Am, Diwan-i Khas, Moti Mahal, Hira Mahal and Rang Mahal
    • Diwan­-i-Khas: It is also said that its marble dais once supported the famous Peacock Throne. 
      • The well-known statement, “If there be a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this,” are emblazoned on the walls of this marble castle.

Taj Mahal

  • It is the tomb of his beloved wife, AIjumand Bano Begum, also known as Mumtaz Mahal
  • The chief architect was Ustad Ahmad Lahawri, an Indian of Persian descent.
  • It has all the features of Mughal architecture, like calligraphy, Pietra Dura, and char bagh style garden.
  • Aurangazeb: He was puritanical and did not take an active interest in architecture.
    • The major buildings of his reign include the mausoleum of his wife Rabia ud Dauran (Bibi-ka-Makbara) in Aurangabad, the Badshahi Masjid in Lahore and the Moti Masjid at Lal Qila, Delhi.
      • An attempt has been made to mimic the Taj Mahal in the mausoleum of his wife in Aurangabad.
  • Bada Imambara: Located in Lucknow, was built by Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784. This structure has been made by interlocking bricks without the use of mortar in its construction. 
  • Rumi Darwaza: It is also located in Lucknow. It was built by the Nawab of Awadh, Asaf-ud-Daula. It was built using bricks, coated with lime. [UPSC 2018]

 

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Conclusion

  • Mughal style stands as a testament to the cultural synthesis and architectural brilliance of the Mughal Empire, leaving a lasting legacy of iconic monuments that continue to inspire awe and admiration.
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