Mughal architectural history

Architectural features during the reign of Mughals

1. HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE ASSIGNMENT ON: MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE SUBMITTED BY : NEHA SINGHI BARCH 4 TH SEM RARC : 14 / 06 ROYAL SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

2.   All the early Mughal Rulers except Aurangzeb were great bui1ders. With the coming of the Mughals, Indian architecture was greatly influenced by Persian styles. The Mughals constructed excellent mausoleums, mosques, forts, gardens and cities. The Mughal buildings show a uniform pattern both in structure and character. The main characteristic features of Mughal architecture are the bulbous domes, the slender minarets with cupolas at the four corners, large halls, massive vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation.The few mosques and palaces built by Babar and Humayun are not of much architectural significance.Sher Shah of the Sur Dynasty who ruled over the Kingdom of the Mughals after driving Humayun out of  the country was not only a great administrator but a lover of art also. He built several forts, tombs and mosques. The monuments of Sher Shah are a continuation of the Lodi style. The mausoleums are octagonal in plan and have verandahs around them, surmounted by huge domes. The verandahs have three smaller domes on each side. INTRODUCTION

3. The bulbous domes. The slender minarets with cupolas at the four corner. Large halls. Massive vaulted gateways. Delicate ornamentation. Hindu influence on architectural style lasted throughout the Mughal period and expressed itself in the narrow columns; Pilasters, corbel and other expressed itself in the narrow columns, pilasters, corbel and other ornamental features of Mughal buildings . The salient features of the Mughal architecture are the pronounced dome, slender turrets and the corners, the bells supported on pillars and the Indo- Savaunic gate which takes the form of a huge semi-dome sunk in the front wall and bearing an admirable proportion to the building while the actual entrance is a small rectangular opening under the arch . ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

4. Babur built buildings at Dholpur , Gwalior, Sikri etc and mosques at Kabuli Bazar of Panipat , Sambhal and Agra. Humayun built mosques at Fatehabad in Hissar . Sher Shah built monuments, inns, miners and educational centers . His Purana Quila is a unique blend or Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Muslim School of art. Akbar’s time saw a further improvement. A fusion of Indo-Persian style was seen in the Humayun’s Tomb. In Agra Fort importance was given to Gujarat and Bengal architectural school. Fatehpur Sikri , the greatest creation of Akbar houses Diwani-Khas , Diwan -i-Am, Panch Mahal , Jodhabai Place, Birbal’s Place, Buland Darwaja and the tomb of Salim Chisti outside the enclosure. Jahangir devoted more time to miniature painting and his architectural contributions are poorer than that of Akbar. Itimad-ud-Daula’s tomb at Agra and Akbar’s mausoleum at Sikandra are the two buildings made by him. SYNOPSIS

5. The Mughal architecture in Shah Jahan’s time reached its final glory. Shah Jahan replaced Akbar’s red stone structures in Agra and Lahore and rebuilt them in white marble. His additions were seen in Diwan -i- Khas , Diwan -i-Am, Sish Mahal , Musamman Burj and Moti Masjid. The Red fort built of red sandstone and marble has exquisite and vast gateways, Di wan-i-Am and Diwan -i- Khas . In the Diwan -i- Khas , where the emperor gave audience to the royal princess, nobles and other dignitaries had the gem studded Peacock Throne placed. Jama Masjid at Delhi was one of the most elegant buildings of his time. Shah Jahan has immortalized his name by buildings the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal . Aurangzeb, a staunch Sunni Muslim was averse to art and culture. His period was marked by decline in art and architecture.