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MUGHAL ARCHITECTUREAll 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.

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Purana Quila (Old Fort), Delhi

Sher Shah built the Purana Quila in Delhi. Started by him, it was

completed by Humayun. Built of red and buff sand-stone, it is

ornamented with black and white marble and coloured tiles. A

beautiful mosque inside the Quila with ornamental arches, decorative

panels, geometrical designs and inscriptions is an example of the

development of architecture and ornamentation during Sher Shah's

reign.

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SherShah'stomb,Sasaram

Sher Shah's tomb at Sasaram in Bihar built in 1549 is in the centre of a

large square tank and rises al 46 metres high. It is a two storey

construction on a terraced platform. The upper terrace has pillared

domes and the two storeys above have a pillared kiosk at the four

corners. The base of the large central dome has thirty two sides. The

tomb is decorated with coloured tiles, very few of which remain now.

Entrance to the tomb is through a domed structure.

Mughal architecture begins with Akbar who showed his passion for

building by planning and constructing splendid edifices. During his

reign Mughal architecture took on new forms. Akbar made free use of

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both Hindu and Persian styles. The use of red sandstone

inlaid with white marble and painted designs on walls

and ceiling are the salient features of Akbar's buildings.

Akbar constructed numerous forts, towers, palaces,

mosques, mausoleums and gateways. A structure of

note built during his reign is Humayun's Tomb in Delhi.

Humayun's TombHumayuns tomb was built by his widow Haji Begum in 1565

A.D. in Delhi in 1569A.D., fourteen years after his death. The

mausoleum stands in the centre of a square enclosed

garden. The garden is divided and sub-divided into squares,

typical of Mughal gardens. The lofty double storeyed structure

is built on a huge high platform terrace which has a row of callswith arched openings. The central chamber is octagonal in

shape and contains the tomb. Each side of the mausoleum has

a large arched alcove in the centre with smaller ones on either

side. It has a high marble double dome in the centre and

pillared kiosks with cupolas surrounding it. Built of red

sandstone with an inlay of black, white and yellow marble itpresents an imposing picture. Planned by a Persian architect

and constructed by Indian workers, it is a combination of both

Persian and Indian styles of architecture. Entrance to the

mausoleum is through two double storeyed gateways.

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Humayun's TombAgra Fort

A greater part of the fort at Agra was constructed by Akbar starting in

1565 AD and completed it in 1574 A.D. Situated on the bank of the river

Jamuna, it is a massive and grand structure. The special feature of this

fort is the 2.5 kms. long and 21 metres high circuitous wall of solid red

sand stone. The stones are linked with iron rings so close that not even a

hair can pass through. The entrance to the fort is through twogateways. The main entrance known as Delhi Gate was the ceremonial

entrance to the fort. The other smaller gateway is called the Hathi Pol

or Elephant Gate because of the two huge elephants on either side of

the gate and was meant for private use.

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The Delhi Gate entrance archway is flanked by two double

storeyed octagonal bastions crowned by octagonal domed

kiosks. A balcony separates the two storeys. The structure

above the balcony has arched recesses. The gateway is

decorated with beautiful panels of coloured tiles and marble

inlay work.

The fort is surrounded by a deep moat. The fort formerly

contained numerous buildings of red sand stone but these

were later demolished in the reign of Shah Jehan who

constructed marble pavilions instead. Some of the important

buildings inside the fort are the Jahangiri Mahal built for

Jahangir andhis family, the Moti Masjid, and Mena Bazaars. TheJehangiri Mahal is an impressive structure and has a courtyard

surrounded by double-storeyed halls and rooms. The corbel brackets,

doorways and the chajja above them are profusely carved.

The elaborate architecture of the brackets seems to be an imitation of

wood work. The planning and construction of the fort show that

Rajput architectural styles were freely adopted.

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Agra Fort

FatehpurSikriAkbars greatest architectural achievement was the construction of Fatehpur Sikri,

his Capital City near Agra. The construction pf the walled city was started in 1569

A.D. and completed in 1574 A.D. contained some of the most beautiful buildings

both religious and secular which testify to the Emperors aim of achieving social,

political and religious integration. The religious edifices worth mentioning are the

Jami Masjid and Salim Chistis Tomb. The tomb built in 1571 A.D. in the corner of

the mosque compound is a square marble chamber with a verandah. The

cenotaph has an exquisitely designed lattice screen around it.

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Jami Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri

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Tomb ofSheikh Salim Chisti, Fatehpur Sikri

The secular ones include Jodh Bais palace, the Panch Mahal, the Diwan-i-khas

and the Buland Darwaza. Jodha Bai's palace is a large building consisting of

rooms on all four sides of a courtyard. The centre part and four corners of the

building are doubled storeyed. A small chapel attached has niches in the wakks

for idols. The panch Mahal is a five stored structure, each storey smaller in size

as they go up, the last one being only a kiosk.

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Panch Mahal, FatehpurSikri

The Diwani Khas, an outstanding structure was meant for the Emperor to sit in

audience with his ministers and listen to disputes and discussions. A novel

structure, it is a large hall with a giant monolithic pillars in the centre with a

circular railed platform on top like a cup which is supported by a circular array of

beautifully carved brackets. From the Central platform branch out four

diagonal railed galleries symbolizing Akbars supremacy over his

dominions. The gallery is continued on all four sides of the hall. The

audience sat in the galleries and in the hall below giving it the effect of a two-

storey building. Sitting in the centre, Akbar heard discourses and discussions on

religions.

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Diwani Khas

Buland DarwazaA magnificent gateway was added later in 1571-72 to commemorate

his conquest of Gujarat. Built of red sand stone and marble it is said to

be the most perfect architectural achievement in the whole of

India". A flight of steps lead to the gateway which is about 53 metres in

height and 39 metres in width. Entrance is through a huge arched

domed recess. A broad rectangular strip bordering the archway has

calligraphic inscriptions on it. At the corners are slender turrets. The

beautiful perforated parapet and the row of kiosks with cupolas add to

the dignity of the monument. An inscription on the gateway testifies to

Akbars religious toleration.

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Buland Darwaza, FatehourSikri, Agra

Jehangir though a lover of art was fond of natural beauty and so

devoted his time to the laying of beautiful gardens such as the

Shalimar and Nishat Bagh in Srinagar, Kashmir and to miniature

paintings. Out of the few of his constructions of note are Akbar's tomb

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at Sikandra and the tomb of his father-in-law Itmad-ud-Daula both

near Agra

Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

The Mausoleum of Akbar at Sikandra near Agra was started by Akbar and

completed by his son Jahangir in 1612 A.D. who changed the original design of

his father. Designed on the model of a Buddhist Vihara, it is set in the centre of

a square garden. The enclosure wall on each side has a gateway. The main

gateway has four white marble minarets in the four corners. The Mausoleum

has five terraces, rising from the basement, one above the other, diminishing in

size as they ascend. The red sand-stone entrance gateway is the largest and isrichly decorated with inlaid coloured stone work. With its charming

proportions, it is by itself a work of art.

Akbar's Tomb,Sikandra

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Itmad-Ud-Daulas Tomb:

The Mausoleum of Itmad-ud-Daula, the revenue minister of Jahangir and Nur

Jehans father was built in Agra on the banks of the Jumuna. Started by Jahangir

it was completed by Nur Jehan in 1628 A.D. A small rectangular structure in

white marble, inlaid with semi-precious stones and coloured glass, it is a

delicate and beautiful piece of architecture. It is the first pure marble

monument and differs from the typical massive, red sand-stone structures of

earlier Mughals. Situated in a garden amidst fountains, it has a square lower

storey with four minarets in the four corners. A traceried pavilion forms the

second storey. A central chamber inside contains the tombs and is surrounded

by an enclosed verandah. A jewel in marble-there is no other building like it in

the entire range of Mughal Architecture.

Itmad-Ud-Daulas Tomb, Agra

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Shah Jehan, the most famous of the Mughal builders had a passion for building.

His reign marks the construction of numerous palaces, forts, mosques and

gardens. His buildings are marked by the quality feminity, grace and elegance.

They do not show the masculinity of Akbar's solid red sand-stone constructions.

Mughal architecture reached the peaks of excellence during this reign. The main

characteristics of his buildings are - the use of delicately carved white

marble richly decorated with pietra dura or inlay of coloured stones and

calligraphy in black marble. Some of his outstanding works are the Moti Masjid

or Pearl Mosque in Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, the Red fort in Delhi with the

Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas, the Jami Masjid in Delhi and the mausoleum of

Jehangir in Shahdara, Lahore (in Pakistan).

Jama Masjid, Delhi

The Jama Masjid in Delhi is the largest mosque in India and was built between

1650-1656A.D. It is constructed on a high platform and approached by a flight of

steps on three sides. The main entrance is a double storeyed gateway and leads to

a vast square courtyard which is enclosed by pillared corridors. The prayer hall,

rectangular in plan has a facade of eleven arches. The high central arch is flanked

by tall slender minarets with cupolas. White marble panels with inscriptions framethe arches. Three domes with alternate black and white marble stripes surmount

the prayer hall. On the eastern corners, stand two tapering four storeyed

minarets.

Red Fort

Soon after laying the foundation or his new Capital city ofShahjehanabad Shah Jchan started construction of the red sandstone

Red Fort or Lal Quila in 1638 A.D. on the banks of the river Jumuna.

The fort took nearly nine years to complete. Within the walled city, the

fortress is in the shape of a rectangle 900 metres by 550 metres. The

rampart walls are about 34 metres high. A moat surrounds the rampart.

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Two of the five gateways of the fort are three storeyed structures

flanked by octagonal towers. These are the Lahori Gate and the Delhi

Gate. Figures of two huge elephants flank the Delhi Gate. The main

entrance to the fort is through the Lahori Gate. A covered passage

with shops on either side leads to the palaces inside the fort. Barracksforsoldiers, audience halls, horse and elephant stables, andornamental gardens are other features of the fort.

Some of the beautiful buildings are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Moti Mahal,

Hira Mahal and Rang Mahal, the latter three, all halls decorated with pietro

dura and patterns in gold and colour and floors paved with marble slabs. The

Moti Masjid was added later in 1654 A.D. and is an excellent specimen of the

balance and rhythm maintained in Mughal constructions.

The Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) is an arched pillared durbar hall. A

white marble throne, embellished with coloured inlay work stands under a

marble canopy. Below the throne is a marble dais inlaid with semi-precious

stones. Behind the throne, the wall has beautiful panels of flowers and birds in

coloured inlay work.

The Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) is a rectangular central hall with

aisles of arches and painted pillars. The four corners of the roof have pillars with

chhatris on them. The walls have the famous verses of Amir Khusro which says

that If there is paradise on earth it is here

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Red Fort, Delhi

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra, a dream in white marble was built by Shah Jehan as a

memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Begum. Built on the banks of the river

Jumna, it was started in 1632 A.D. and took 22 years to complete. Marble from

Makrana and precious stones from different parts of the world were used in its

construction. Planned by Isa, a Persian architect it is a masterpiece of

architecture. The Taj is situated in the centre of a high marble terrace. A marble

minaret of four storeys stands on each of the four corners of the terrace. The

minarets are crowned with domes. The main structure is a square. A huge,

vaulted recess with smaller arched recesses in two storeys on either side make up

the facade of the building on all sides. An octagonal hall with an exquisite

perforated marble screen contains the cenotaphs of Mumtaz and Shah Jehan. The

vaulted ceiling is crowned in the centre by a large bulbous dome which tapers off

into a foliated crest. Around the dome are four cupolas. The surface of the walls

exterior and interior and the cenotaphs are beautifully decorated with pietra dura,

floral and geometrical designs. Borders of inscriptions decorate the main

archways.

A Mosque on the west and a corresponding structure on the east in red sand-stone

complete the effect of symmetry. Situated in a large enclosed rectangular garden

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with fountains, ornamental pools and water-courses, entrance to the Taj is by a

majestic gateway.

Taj Mahal, Agra

Bibi Ka Maqbara

Aurangzeb being a puritan did not encourage art in any form. Architecture and

fine Arts declined during his reign never to come up again during Mughal rule.

One of the very few buildings of this period worth mentioning is the mausoleum

of his wife, Rabia-Ud-Daurani erected in 1679 A.D. in Aurangabad (Deccan) by

her son. A poor replica of the Taj Mahal and half its size, it shows the extent to

which art had declined. Its noteworthy features are the latticed octagonal white

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marble screen, which encloses the tombs and the beaten brass doors with floral

panels and borders.

Sikh Temples

In 1579, Guru Ramdas, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs founded the city of Amritsar

in the Punjab. He first constructed a pool and named it Amrit Sar or 'Pool of

Nectar' on a stretch of land gifted to him by Akbar. His successor, Guru Arjun

Dev built a temple in the middle of the pool to enshrine the Guru Granth Sahib,

the sacred book of the Sikhs. In 1803, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Ruler of Punjab

improved the temple. The lower half of the temple was covered with marble and

the upper half with copper over which a pure gold leaf of 400 Kgs was covered.Since then this Hari Mandir is called the Golden Temple. It has four entrances

in the four cardinal directions. A marble causeway across the water connects the

entrance gateway to the main shrine. Floral patterns of coloured semi-precious

stone inlay work , glass work and beautiful fresco paintings decorate the inner

walls and ceiling of the temple. The architecture is a combination of Hindu and

Muslim styles and lays stress on calmness and serenity. A marble paved square

construction adjacent to the Golden Temple is the Akal Takht or Immortal

Throne the seat of Sikh religion. The weapons used by the Sikh Gurus are alsokept here. The temple with its beautiful domes throwing its reflection in the pool

is a piece of grace and beauty. Other important places of worship in Punjab for

the Sikhs are the Gurudwara at Taran Taran Sahib designed in Mughal style, the

Fatehgarh Sahib at Sirhind where the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh were

buried alive by Aurangjeb and the Gurudwara at Anandpur sahib where Guru

Gobind Singh initiated the Khalsa.