GANDHARV MARWAH

GCAD/14/112
4th November 2019

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

As we have learnt so far that architecture itself has emerged from the culture and from the pattern
of the daily activities and task performed by the people belonging to that particular area. The
context and the culture of the people has a strong impact on the buildings they live in or work.
In Mughal era, the design, circulation area, furniture sizes, shape of the built and the window
and door positions and height varied according to the user type, status and in the society.

The movie-‘Jodha Akbar’ directed by Ashutosh Gowariker portrays the

relationship between Jodha and Akbar and the life moments of King
Akbar of Mughal dynasty.
The director has beautifully portrayed the working of the sultanate, the
governing system, working of a Mughal fort, hierarchy of caste and people
and their daily lifestyles.
Since there are certain architectural elements, styles and objects that helps us to characterize the
different architectural styles. For example to identify Mughal architecture elements like chajja,
jail, dome and Urdu inscription on wall are used. In the same way the director has used these
elements throughout the movie so that the viewer can relate it with the Mughal dynasty.

Fig: 1

The above scene depicts the royal court of the King Akbar where he is sits in the court for
resolving local issues and people problems. A built having a row of Islamic style arches
surrounded with open courtyard on all four sides can be seen. The built is open on all the four
sides to generate a flow of air inside the court.
Fig: 2

The king rests at a high point in the court from where he listen and judges the issues of the local
people. The person having issue stands in middle of the court surrounded by courtesans and the
king’s guard. Women can also take a part in the process. But since according to the Mughal
rituals, women are not to be seen in public therefore, Jharokhas with translucent blind are
provided in which women can sit and have view of the court.

Fig: 3

The above scene depicts the royal dining area of the king. According to the Mughal ritual the
king eats first along his royal courtesans before everyone. Islamic style arches can be seen in
the background with intricate carved columns. Floral flooring pattern with much used Mughal
colors can be seen. All the chef and the food maker must be present at the time when king eats.
Almost all the public spaces are open on all four sides while the semi public and private spaces
are closed and covered.
Fig: 4

The above scene depicts the welcoming ceremony of the king after arriving from a successful
work. As we can see the public gathers around the royal court and wishes good luck to the king
and his family. The king sits at the highest level in his court from where he can see and can be
seen by everyone. The king is surrounded by his fellow courtesans and family members. The
women of royal court sits behind the blinds of Jharokhas. The court is has large span Islamic
style columns and arches.

Fig: 5
Fig: 6
The above a normal day of market of the Mughal sultanate. As we can see the market is very congested. The shops
are placed along each other having the frontage at the front and a service corridor at the back. The markets are
designed on a grid iron pattern having linear streets.

Fig: 7
In the above scene princess Jodha can be seen with her friends and courtesans in the famous Charbagh of Mughals.
The landscaping pattern and the use of local stone in the pavements can be seen that is prevalent in today’s times
also.

All over the movie has perfectly portrayed the Mughal king lifestyle. It has done justice with the role and life of
King Akbar.