Department of Architecture and Design

Title: Reasons of Mughal Decline

Submitted by: Sana Idrees (017)

Submitted to: Miss Summra Mohsin

Date: 10th Oct, 2018

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Table of Contents

Purana Qila (Din Pannah) ........................................................................................................ 3

Rohtas Fort ............................................................................................................................... 3
Fatehpur Sikri ........................................................................................................................... 3
Red Fort .................................................................................................................................... 3
Chhatta Chowk ................................................................................................................ 4
Naubat Khana ................................................................................................................. 4
Nahr-i-Bihisht
Rang Mahal ..................................................................................................................... 4
Khas Mahal ..................................................................................................................... 4
Diwan-i-Khas ................................................................................................................... 4
Moti Masjid ..................................................................................................................... 4
Hayat Bakhsh Bagh ........................................................................................................ 4
Agra Fort................................................................................................................................... 5
Lahore Fort ( Shahi Qila): ........................................................................................................ 6
Akbar period: ................................................................................................................... 6
Jahangir period................................................................................................................ 6
Shah Jahan period .......................................................................................................... 6
Bala Hissar Fort ....................................................................................................................... 7

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Mughals were great builders. They constructed excellent mausoleums, mosques, forts,
gardens and cities. Forts were built to secure a city as well as the territory from any kind of
disruption and disintegration through the fortified walled profile. In this report architecture of
Mughal forts is discussed.

Purana Qila (Din Pannah): It is one the earliest mughal forts. It was built by Humayun at
Delhi in 1533 as site for his fortified city. He called it the Din-Panah (Refuge of Religion) and
it is now called the Purana Qila (Old Fort).

Rohtas Fort: Rohtas Fort is an exceptional example of the Muslim military architecture of
central and south Asia. It was built in 1548 under the orders of Sher Shah Suri. It took 8
years to build the Rohtas fort but the Rohtas fort was recaptured by local tribes and it
became the capital of Gakhars. The fort was ceded to Mughal emperor Humayun in 1555.

The fort is known for its large defensive walls, and several monumental gateways. The outer
wall’s height varies between 10 and 18 meters and thickness varies between 10 and 13
meters. This wall has two or three terraces which are connected by staircases. The wall is
built with sandstone, limestone and mortar.
This fort was built in a style that draws inspiration from various artistic traditions. It is
adorned with beautiful calligraphy, tile work and plaster work. The structures built in it
during the Akbar’s era have strong Indian artistic influence.

Fatehpur Sikri: Fatehpur Sikri ( the city of Victory) was built by Akbar near Agra in
1569. It is considered as one of the architectural legacies of Emperor Akbar. It consists
of beautiful palaces, halls, and mosques. Some of the major monuments in Fatehpur
Sikri are:
 Diwan-i-Khas: Diwan-i-Khas served as the royal chamber of Emperor Akbar.
 Panch Mahal: The Panch Mahal ranks among the most fascinating buildings in
Fatehpur Sikri. It is a five storey building which was meant to be the shelter of the
royal ladies and mistresses. The top story of the building offers a panoramic view
of the surrounding area.
 Tomb of Salim Chisti: The tomb of renowned Sufi saint Salim Chisti is located
here. The tomb is well known for its delicate carvings and draws hundreds of
pilgrims.

In addition to these, there are other important monuments in Fatehpur Sikri like the
Palace of Jodha Bai, Birbal Bhawan, Diwan-i-Aam, Buland Darwaza and Karawan Serai.

Red Fort: Red fort, popularly known as Lal Qila, was constructed by Shah Jahan in the 7th
century. It served as the residence of Mughal Emperor for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It
was designed by architect Ustad Ahamad Lahori and Ustad Hamid. The fort is built using red
sand stone. It has two principal gates: Lahore Darwaza and Delhi Darwaza along its western
and southern sides respectively.

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It showcases a high level of ornamentation, and the Kohinoor diamond was reportedly part
of the furnishings. The forts art work synthesizes Persian, European and Indian art, resulting
in a unique Shahjahani style rich in form, expression and color. Following some the major
structures of the Red Fort are described:

 Chhatta Chowk: Adjacent to the Lahori Gate is the Chhatta Chowk, where silk,
jewellery and other items for the imperial household were sold during the Mughal
period.

 Naubat Khana: In the east wall of the court stands the now-isolated Naubat
Khana (also known as Nakkar Khana) the drum house. Music was played daily, at
scheduled times and everyone, except royalty, was required to dismount.

 Nahr-i-Bihisht: The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions on a raised

platform along the eastern edge of the fort, overlooking the Yamuna. The pavilions
are connected by a canal, known as the Nahr-i-Bihisht ("Stream of Paradise"),
running through the centre of each pavilion. Water is drawn from the Yamuna via a
tower, the Shahi Burj, at the northeast corner of the fort. The palace is designed to
emulate paradise as described in the Quran. In the riverbed below the imperial
apartments and connected buildings was a space known as zer-jharokha ("beneath
the latticework”)

 Rang Mahal: The Rang Mahal housed the emperor's wives and mistresses. Its name
means "Palace of Colours", since it was brightly painted and decorated with a mosaic
of mirrors. The central marble pool is fed by the Nahr-i-Bihisht.

 Khas Mahal: The Khas Mahal was the emperor's apartment. Connected to it is
the Muthamman Burj, an octagonal tower where he appeared before the people
waiting on the riverbank. This was done by most kings at the time.

 Diwan-i-Khas: It is constructed of white marble, inlaid with precious stones. The

once-silver ceiling has been restored in wood. François Bernier described seeing the
jewelled Peacock Throne here during the 17th century. At either end of the hall, over
the two outer arches, is an inscription by Persian poet Amir Khusrow:

If heaven can be on the face of the earth,

It is this, it is this, it is this.

 Moti Masjid: Moti Masjid, the Pearl Mosque. Is a later addition. It was built in 1659
as a private mosque for Aurangzeb. It is a small, three-domed mosque carved in
white marble, with a three-arched screen leading down to the courtyard.

 Hayat Bakhsh Bagh: The Hayat Bakhsh Bagh is the "Life-Bestowing Garden" in the
northeast part of the complex. It features a reservoir, which is now dry, and channels
through which the Nahr-i-Bihisht flows. At each end is a white marble pavilion, called
the Sawan and Bhadon Pavilions, named after the Hindu
months, Sawan and Bhadon.

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Agra Fort: Agra Fort was built in the year 1573 under the reign of Akbar. It was the main
residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when the capital was shifted from
Agra to Delhi.

The fort was originally built with Rajastani red sandstone. However the appearance of the
fort underwent a major change during the reign of Shah Jahan. Unlike his grandfather,
Shah Jahan was smitten by the be
auty of white marble. Hence, he destroyed many structures within the fort, only to rebuild
them using white marble. Important structures inside the Agra Fort are:-

• Shahjahani Mahal: The Shahjahani Mahal is probably one of the earliest attempts of
Emperor Shah Jahan to turn a red sandstone palace into a palace of white marble.
• Babur’s Baoli (step well): Babur built a stone step well which took care of the water
needs in the ancient fort of Agra. This was probably one of the earliest modifications
made to the fort.
• Nagina Masjid: Nagina Masjid is a mosque which was built by Shah Jahan. The
mosque was built using white marble only and was considered a private place of
worship.
• Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience): This hall was built by Shah Jahan.
Interestingly, the hall was first built using red sandstone but was later shell-plastered,
giving it a look of white marble.

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 • Bengali Mahal: This palace was built by Akbar and was later modified by Shah
Jahan. An interesting aspect of this palace is it is said to be housing secret buildings
hidden underneath the palace.
• Akbar’s Mahal: The ruins of Akbar’s famous palace still remain in the fort. Akbar
breathed his last in this very palace. The entire palace was built using red sandstone.

Lahore Fort ( Shahi Qila): The fort was initially constructed in 1566 AD by the Mughal
Emperor Akbar, on the ruins of a mud fort which existed as early as 1021 AD. Emperor
Akbar bestowed the fort with a syncretic architectural style that featured both Islamic and
Hindu motifs. Additions from the Shah Jahan period are characterized by luxurious marble
with inlaid Persian floral designs. The fort's grand and iconic Alamgiri Gate was constructed
by the last of the great Mughal Emperors, Aurangzeb, and faces the renowned Badshahi
Mosque. After the fall of the Mughal Empire, the Lahore Fort was used as the residence
of Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire.

The Lahore fort underwent modifications under the rule of different Mughal
empires, which are discussed below:-
 Akbar period: The complex during Akbar era have strong Indian
influence for example the use of elephant shaped columns brackets
reflect Hindu influences on the syncretic architectural style of Emperor
Akbar. Notable Akbar period structures included the Doulat Khana-e-
Khas-o-Am, Jharoka-e-Darshan, and Akbari Gate. Many Akbari
structures were modified or replaced by subsequent rulers.

 Jahangir period: Jahangir was a great lover of art. He built

the Kala Burj pavilion, which features European-inspired angels
on its vaulted ceiling. Jahangir bestowed the massive Picture Wall
which is exquisitely decorated with a vibrant array of glazed tile,
faience mosaics, and frescoes.

 Shah Jahan period: Shah Jahan ordered construction of the Diwan-i-Aamin the
style of a Chehel Sotoun - a Persian style 40-pillar public audience hall. Shah
Jahan's Shah Burj forms a quadrangle with the famous Sheesh Mahal, and Naulakha
Pavilion. Both are attributed to Shah Jahan, although the Naulakha Pavilion may be a
later addition possibly from the Sikh era. The white marble Moti Masjid, or Pearl
Mosque, also dates from the Shah Jahan period.

 Aurangzeb period: The fort's iconic Alamgiri Gate was built

during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb whose semi-circular

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 towers and domed pavilions are a widely recognised symbol of Lahore.

Bala Hissar Fort: Bala Hissar fort is a historic fortress located in Kabul Afghanistan. The
fort’s architecture has a strong influence Shahjahni of Mughal architecture.