MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE -II

AKBAR’S TOMB
 Akbar’s tomb is located in Sikandra in the suburbs of Agra.
 Akbar’s mausoleum was built by his son,the emperor
Jahangir, 8 years after akbar’s death.
 The mausoleum was completed in 1613 .
 Akbar planned the tomb and selected a suitable site for it .
Then after the death of akabar his son Jahangir completed
the construction 1605-1613.
 Architectural features and elements of the
mausoleum:
 The scheme of the mausoleum is on a grand scale, its
perimeter walls enclosing a large square garden, while the
tomb structure is situated at the centre of enclosure is a
square in plan of 320’side and over 100’ high.
 In the middle of each side of the enclosure is a gatehouse,
three of which are false doorways added for symmetry and
the southern being the main entrance.
 The main gateway is a minor monument in itself, it pleasing
proportion and bold in laid ornamentation along with four
graceful white marble minarets one above each corner.
 The arrangement of the garden beyond the gateway shows
the collaboration between the garden designer and the
builder to create a cohesive and unified composition .
Plan of Akbars tomb :
 The wide flagstone causeways are expanded over suitable location
into square terraces containing a fountain and a sunk basin.
 The tomb building takes the form of a low truncated pyramid built
up in three stories.
 The ground story consist of massive terrace , over 300’ side and 30’
high ,with a series of arches recessed within its sides. In the centre
of each is a tall rectangular structure containing a arched alcove
with a graceful marble kiosk above its parapet.
 A doorway within the southern alcove leads to a corridor going to
the tomb chamber which is a small cell confined within the womb
of the building.
 Above the terrace is a series of sandstone pavilion , arcades and
kiosk and is a light and fanciful structure in complete contrast with
the powerful substructure.
 It maybe assumed that this part of the mausoleum was built under
the supervision of Jahangir who demolished what was built at this
level and reconstructed it in accordance with his architectural
ideals.
TAJ MAHAL
 Introduction
Taj Mahal -meaning "Crown of the Palace’’
It is a famous mausoleum.
Location – Agra ,Utterpradesh, India
Area – 17 hectors
Height – 73 m [240 ft]
Built in the year – 1632 – 1653 AD
Built for – Mumtaz mahal
Architect – Ustad ahmad lahauri
Architectural style – Mughal architectural style
Time taken to build – 21 years
Dimensions : situated in a 170000 sq. m
complex; 57 m at the base; 68 m in height
and raised platform height 6 m
Materials used - White Marble for the main
mausoleum, Red Sandstone for fortifying
structure and accents
 History of Taj Mahal
• The Taj Mahal was built as a mausoleum by Shah
Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died
while giving birth to their 14th child in 1631.

• Her death left the emperor completely

heartbroken, and his hair is said to have turned
grey overnight. The construction of the Taj began
in 1632. The main building was completed in
eight years, but the whole complex was not
completed until 1653.

• Soon after the construction was completed, Shah

Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and
imprisoned in the Agra Fort. For the rest of his
life, he could only gaze at his wondrous creation
through a window. Shah Jahan died in 1666, after
which his mortal remains were buried here
alongside Mumtaz.
The inspiration behind the Taj
Mahal -apparently comes from two sources,
Humayun’s Tomb at Delhi, built about 50 years
before the Taj Mahal, and the lesser known tomb of
Khan Khanan, built a few years before the Taj Mahal.
Both tombs employ what is called a nine-fold plan, in which eight rooms surround a
central chamber. The tomb sits at the absolute center. In both the rooms are
octagonal. The octagon represents a middle state between a circle (symbolic of the
divine world) and square (symbolic of a human world) and is used to designate sacred
areas. As for differences, Humayun’s tomb encourages visitors to move outward from
the center, while the Taj encourages a rotation around the central tomb.

And finally, to illustrate the most important point, we have overlaid the floor plans on
the elevations. You can see that the Taj is significantly more balanced. It is a perfect cube
with a 1:1 ratio between plan and elevation.
 Site plan

Yamuna
Moon light
garden

The plan of the whole complex is in the form of a
large rectangular enclosure aligned to the north-
south direction measuring 1900’ X 1000’. The central
area is occupied by a square garden measuring 1000’
side, leaving two oblong rectangles at the north and
south ends.
• The garden portion and terrace portion
are surrounded by a high boundary wall
with octagonal pavilions at each corner
and a monumental entrance gateway in
the middle of the southern side.
 Taj ganj and fore court

Fore court

Taj ganj
The taj gate way
Taj Mahal Garden
The garden that beautifies the monument of love, beginning from the entryway and spreading
across to the base of the mausoleum is one of the leading highlights of visiting Taj Mahal.
The concept of this garden (popularly known as Paradise Garden), built in the Persian Timurid
style, was brought in by Babur. A unique attribute followed while constructing this garden is the
usage of the number four and its multiples.
The enchanting garden is divided into four parts, with two marble canals studded with the
fountains occupying the centre.
Each quarter portion of the garden has 16 flowerbeds each of which was planted with 400
plants. The Taj Garden abounds with lush trees, chirping birds, fruits, flowers and symmetry,
signifying the abstract meaning of paradise. This quaint setting makes for a wonderful backdrop
for those perfect shots.
Architecture and design
concept, symbolism and interpretation
• The dome forms the crowning feature of the
composition. The shape of the feature is in
the form of a globe, its lower part truncated
by the drum on which it rests, while the
curves on its upper part rising tangentially to
from the foliated base of the finial. The
dome has two shells, making it of thedouble
dome variety.
The dome

The drum is intricately

carved with artistic
inlay works
The tomb

Iwans
The finial of the dome The minarets
chattris guldastas
The cenotaphs

Jaali works around

cenotaphs
Interior decorations
Exterior decorations and ornamentation

Calligraphy

Floral moldings Flooring pattern

Water system

Storm water treatment

 Myths About Taj Mahal
• There is a well-publicized theory that Taj Mahal was a
Shiva Temple built in the 12th century which was later
converted into the memorial for Mumtaz Mahal. This
theory was developed by Purushottam Nagesh Oak. He
filed a petition to have the sealed basement rooms open
to prove his theory, but it was rejected by the Supreme
Court in 2000.

• Another story is famous as The Black Taj Mahal. Many

people believed that Shah Jahan planned to build an
alter image of the monument in black marble on its
opposite side, the work for which began before he was
imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. Extensive excavations
were carried out at Mehtab Bagh, but no traces were
found of any such construction.

• The famous legend related to the Taj Mahal is the

mutilation of the craftsmen who constructed it. It is
believed that on the completion of the construction,
Shah Jahan ordered the hands of the project's craftsmen
to be chopped off so that no other building in the world
could be this beautiful again. However, there is no
historical evidence to support this theory.
 Facts About Taj Mahal
• The construction materials for building the Taj Mahal,
like marbles, precious gemstones and others were
transported by the help of more than 1,000 elephants.
• Inlay work precious and semi-precious stones were
used which ranged to a variety of around 28 different
types. These stones were sourced from Sri Lanka,
Tibet, China and even several places in India.
• Taj Mahal appears to be of a different color at the
different time of the day. It is pinkish in the morning,
milky white in the evening and golden when the moon
shines.
• Ninety - nine names of Allah can be seen calligraphic
inscriptions on the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal.
• Taj Mahal is among the Seven Wonders of the World
and is known worldwide. Shah Jahan wanted to build a
black Taj Mahal for himself He began to build his own
tomb on the other side of the river but was unable to
complete it as he was taken captive by his son
Tomb of Itmaud-daulah
 Tomb of Itmaud-daulah
1 .The mausoleum of Itmaud-daulah, the
revenue minister of Jahangir and Nur
Jahan’s father was built in Agra on the
banks of the river Yamuna
2 . It’s construction was begun by Jahangir
and it was completed by Nur Jahan in
1628 A.D
3 . The tomb is smaller in scale and it
provides an important visual marker for
the development of the Mughal
architecture
4. A small rectangular structure in white
marble , inlaid with the semi precious
stones and coloured glass.
 Tomb of Itmaud-daulah
• 5 . It is a delicate and beautiful piece of mughal architecture
• 6 . It is the first pure marble monument and differ from the typical massive ,red
sand stone structures of earlier mughals.
• 7 . It is situated in a garden amidst fountains,it has a square lower storey with four
minarets in the four corners .a traceried pavilion forms the two storey.
• 8 . A central chamber inside contains the tomb and is surrounded by an enclosed
verandah,
• 9 . A jewel in marble there is no other building like it in the entire range of mughal
architecture .
 Tomb of Itmaud-daullah
• The tomb is located at the center of a quadrangle with gardens laid out on the Char Bagh pattern
surrounding it.

• The structure stands over a raised sandstone terrace measuring 149 feet square and 3 feet and 4
inches high from the ground.

• The tomb building consists of a central hall, which houses the tomb of Wazir and his wife.

• Small chambers in which the tombs of other family members are locatedsurround this hall.

• A sandstone staircase leads to the first floor, where elegant oblong dome is found
surmounting a pavilion over the central hall, topped with pinnacles.

• This pavilion also contains cenotaphs of plain marble but without any inscriptions. At the corners
of the top of the building stand four round towers approximately measuring 40 feet in height,
which are surmounted by marble kiosks.

• The cenotaphs and walls of the ground floor contain inscription in Persian. The wall inscriptions
are from Quran and other holy texts, while the cenotaph inscriptions are stating the name and
title of those interned.
North façade of tomb of
Itmaud-daulah
 Front elevation of the tomb of Itmaud-daulah

The base of this tomb is about

50 sq. m in area and is one
meter high.

On each corners of this tomb there are towers

which are about 13 meters high.
 Interior tomb
chamber and
details of upper
pavilion jali
works
Plan of the tomb Section of the tomb
 The
cenotaphs
MUGHAL GARDENS
 INTRODUCTION
.Mughal gardens are a group of gardens built by the
mughal in the persian style of architecture.
.This style was heavily influenced by the persian garden
sparticularly the charbag structure.
.Significant use of rectilinear layouts are made within
the walled enclosures.
. Some of the typical features include pools,fountains
and canals inside the gardens.
Mughal gardens at the Taj mahal
MUGHAL GARDENS

• INTRODUCTION • Mughal gardens are a group of

gardens built by the Mughals in the Islamic style of
architecture.
• This style was influenced by Persian Gardens and
Timurid gardens.
• Significant use of Rectilinear Layouts are made
within the walled enclosures.

SALIENT FEATURES
• Pools Mughal gardens at the red foort
• Fountains
• Canals inside the gardens.
HISTORY
• The founder of the Mughal empire, Babur described his favourite type of garden asa
CHARBAGH.
• This word developed a new meaning in India, because as Babur explains, India lacked the fast-
flowing streams required for the CentralAsian Charbagh.

• The Agra garden, now known as the Ram Bagh, is thought to have been the first Charbagh.

• India has a number of Mughal gardens which differ from their CentralAsian
predecessors with respect to 'the highly disciplined geometry'.

CLASSIFICATION
Mughal Gardens are generally divided
into 4 sections

• Rectangular Pearl garden

• Long Butterfly garden
• Circular garden
• Terraced garden

VARIOUS MUGHAL GARDENS

India – Humayun's Tomb-Delhi
(Nizamuddin), Taj Mahal-Agra, Ram
Bagh-Agra, Mehtab Bagh-Agra,
Shalimar Gardens (Kashmir)-Kashmir
Salient features:
• Single rectangular
bagh
• Fountain at the central
axis
• Meeting ponit of
all the channels
 SALIENT FEATURES

Fountation

Pools

Canels inside the garden

 CLASSIFICATION
Mughal gardens are
generallydivided into 4 sections-

.rectangular pearl garden

.long butterfly garden

.circular garden

.terraced garden
MUGHAL GARDENS IN INDIA
-Humayun‘s Tomb(Delhi)
-Taj Mahal(Agra)
-Ram Bagh(Agra)
-Mehtab Bagh(Agra)
-Shalimar Gardens(Kashmir)
-yadvidra Gardens(pinjore)
-Khusro Bagh(Allahabad)

Humayun‘s Tomb(Delhi) Taj Mahal(Agra)

Mehtab Shalimar
yadvidra Khusro
Bagh(Agra) Gardens(Kashm
Gardens(pinjore) Bagh(Allahabad)
ir)
 RAMBAGH GARDEN
.The Ram Bagh is the oldest
Mughal Garden in India.
.Built by the Mughal
Emperor Babur in 1528 A.D.
.Planned following the char
bagh pattern.
.Four main divisions
crisscrossed by paths and
waterways.
.Located about five
kilometers northeast pf Taj
Mahal
 RAMBAGH GARDEN
.water represented life
.The garden is a paradise garden
or Char bagh ,where pathways
and canals divide the garden to
represent the Islamic ideal of
paradise,an abundant garden
through which rivers flow
.The Ram Bagh provides an
example of a variant Of the char
bagh in which water cascades in
which water cascades down
three terraces in a sequence of
cascades
GARDEN AT HUMAYUN‘S TOMB
.Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden
tomb made in India.
.The garden is divided into 36 squares
by a grid of water channels and paths
.These channels of water also facilitates
the formation of charbagh at
Humayun’s Tomb.
GARDEN AT HUMAYUN‘S TOMB
.Tha liying down of the
persian style was introduced
by Babur and continued till
the period of Shah Jahan
 GARDEN AT HUMAYUN‘S TOMB

Meeting point of all the channel

Fountaion at the central axis

 GARDENS OF TAJ MAHAL
.Tha complex is set around a large
300sp m char bagh,a Mughal
garden.
. Thecomplex uses raised pathways
that divide each of the foure
quarters of the garden into 16
sunken parterres or flowerbeds.
 GARDENS OF TAJ MAHAL
. Most Mughal char
baghs are rectangular
with a tomb or pavilion
in the center.
. The Taj Mahal garden
is unusually in that the
main element,the
tomb,instead is locatead
at the end of the
garden.
 GARDENS OF TAJ MAHAL
. Early accounts of the garden
describe its profusion
roses,daffodils,and fruit trees
in adundance.
. As the Mughal Empire
declined, the tending of the
garden declined as well
. When the British took over
the management of Taj
Mahal,they changed the
landscaping to resemble that
of lawns of london.