Introduction:
- The Mughal dynasty, founded after Babur's victory at Panipat in 1526, played a pivotal role in shaping the Indo-Islamic architecture, particularly in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, including Delhi, Agra, and Lahore.
- Drew inspiration from Iranian and Central Asian styles, particularly the Timurid architecture.
- Prior to the Mughal era, the Delhi Sultanate had already witnessed monumental constructions that showcased a fusion of Indian and Turkish architectural styles.
- Specific architectural elements like Charbagh style, slender turrets, broad gateways, calligraphy, arabesque, and geometric patterns.
Significant features:
- Created a synthesis of pre-Turkish technique, i.e., trabeated with arcuate resulting in a blending and emergence of a distinct style of their own.
- Hindu Rajput palaces, in particular, are believed to have significantly influenced the architectural style. Example: Trabeate constructions and Ornate pillars.
- Characterized by careful linear divisions and an emphasis on high-quality finishes, Mughal architecture featured elements like bulbous domes, and the use of red sandstone and white marble.
- Decorative motifs included geometric and floral designs, Arabic and Persian inscriptions (calligraphy), tilework, and sophisticated stonework (pietra dura).
- Jalis (latticed screens), decorative chhatris and jharokhas (stone window projecting from the wall face of a building, in an upper storey)
(Fig.: Jharokha darshan)
- Large fortified citadels, mosques, and monumental mausoleums exemplified the diverse building types, each reflecting the grandeur and sophistication of Mughal patronage.
- Proliferation of important public buildings: sarais, bridges, baolis (water tank/well) etc.
- They also laid out many formal gardens with running water. In fact, use of running water even in their palaces and pleasure resorts was a special feature of the Mughals.
Gardens, in particular, held a special place in Mughal architecture, whether as separate entities or integral parts of larger architectural complexes.
(Fig.: Mughal Garden, Taj Mahal)
About Mughal gardens:
This style was influenced by Persian gardens (particularly the Charbagh structure) and Timurid gardens.
- Use of rectilinear layouts are made within the walled enclosures.
- Some of the typical features include pools, fountains and canals inside the gardens (water became the central and connecting theme of the Mughal Gardens).
- Fountains in gardens: The Mughals developed hydraulic system by using Persian wheel (saqiya) to lift the water and obtain adequate pressure necessary for gardens.
- Most of the gardens were divided into four quadrants by two-axis comprised with water channels and pathways to carry the water under gravitational pressure.
- The famous gardens are:
- Nishat Bagh in Kashmir
- Bagh-i-Shalimar in Kashmir
- Pinjore Garden in Haryana
- Mahtab Bagh in Charbagh style, Agra
- Babur was very fond of gardens and laid out a few in the neighbourhood of Agra, Lahore, Bagh-i-Nilufar (Lotus garden) in Dholpur (a city in Rajasthan).
Under different Rulers:
Babur:
- Constructed several buildings but only two mosques survived: Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh and Kabuli Bagh Mosque, Panipat, Haryana.
Humayun:
- Constructed palace Din-i-Panah in Delhi, which was probably destroyed by Sher Shah.
(Fig.: Srivatsa at Jodha Bai’s Palace, Fatehpur Sikri)
Akbar:
- Gardens in Delhi and then in Agra, Akbar’s new capital. These were the riverfront gardens rather than the fortress gardens.
- Structures featured the extensive use of red sandstone inlaid with white marble, adorned with painted designs on walls and ceilings.
- Art motifs from Hindu tradition, such as Kalasha, Srivatsa, Swastika, Padma and Chakri can be found on monuments of Akbar, especially at Fatehpur Sikri
- Constructed buildings for civilian purposes.
- Notable constructions: Agra Fort, the fort-city of Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza.
Jahangir:
- Completion of the Tomb of Akbar at Sikandra (near Agra).
- The other was the Tomb of Itmad-ul-Daula (Agra) 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.
(Fig.: Taj Mahal)
Shahjahan (1628-1658):
- Use of red sandstone was prevalent but Marble was mostly used.
- Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Red Fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by Shah Jahan to serve as the residence of Mughal rulers upon moving the capital from Agra to Delhi.
- High-ranking officials below the emperor also played a role in erecting significant monuments, exemplified by the Wazir Khan Mosque (Lahore).
- With a view to enhance the beauty and effect of the ceilings, he made full use of gold, silver, precious and coloured stones.
Aurangzeb (1658-1707):
- Continued the architectural tradition by commissioning notable structures such as the Badshahi Mosque (Lahore), Bibi Ka Maqbara (Aurangabad), and the Moti Masjid (Red Fort complex, Delhi).