Fort and Palaces

Islamic Architecture
Introduction
 The sultans began to administer the vast empire and
carried on extensive trade.
 It was always dangerous to be a ruler, so even the palaces
were built like forts.
 These places include many spaces:
- living quarters for the wives of the sultan called a HAMAM
- Bathhouses
- Kitchens and dining areas
- Quarters for the Sultan's family
- Quarters for servants
- Mosques
- Gardens
- Gathering Places Diwan – e – am & Diwan – e - Khas
 Characteristics of Islamic fort & Palaces

 Plan forms
 Organization & circulations
 Major Architectural elements
 Ornamentation
 Construction systems & Materials
 Plan forms
 plans follow
geometry
 Basic planning is
done on bases of
cardinal direction.
Lahore fort

Agra fort Red fort Fatehpur Sikari

 Organization & circulation
 Minimum two entrance gates are provided. Entrance are placed
in west or south direction.

E E

N
N
s

w w

Agra fort Red fort

  Basic pattern for placement of structures
Entrance Gates

NaKar khana( music hall)

Diwan – I - Am

Rang Mahal ( Painting Hall)

Diwan – I - Khas

Mosque

Bath House

Palaces

Gardens , Water bodies

 Major Architectural Elements

 Jali
 Jharokha
 Chhatri
 Chhajja
 Charbagh
Jali
 A jali is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen,
usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the
use of calligraphy and geometry.
 Early work was performed by carving into stone, while the
later more elegant used by the Mughals employed the
technique of inlay, using marble and semi-precious stones.
 Basic function of Jali is to get cool air in the building.

Mumtaz mahal , Redfort Diwan-i-Khas ,Fatehpur sikri

 Jharokha
 A jharokha (or jharoka) is a type of
overhanging enclosed balcony used,
typically Mughal architecture.
 Jharokhas jutting forward from the wall
plane could be used both for adding to the
architectural beauty of the building itself.
 Main purpose of providing Jharokha is to
give outside view to person who is inside JAHANGIRI MAHAL
the building.
 One of the most important functions it
served was to allow women in pardah to
see the events outside without being seen
themselves.
 Alternatively, these windows could also be
used to position archers and spies.

MARIAM-UZ-ZAMANI`S PALACE
 Chhatri
 Chhatris are basic element of
Hindu as well as Mughal
architecture. The term "chhatri"
means umbrella or canopy.
 Chhatris are elevated, dome-
shaped pavilions used as an
element.
Panch Mahal ,Fatehpur sikri

Diwan-i-Khas ,Fatehpur sikri Diwan-i-Khas ,Red Fort Red Fort

 Chhajja

 Chhaja is the term for projecting eaves or cover usually

supported on large cavered brackets.
 More than providing shade they also act as heat sinks for
buildings in hot regions.
 This is why this device is many times found plane walls
which apparently do not require shading devices.

Panch Mahal ,Fatehpur sikri Red Fort Diwan-i-Khas ,Fatehpur sikri

 Charbagh
 Charbagh originated from the time of Achaemenid Persia.
 Greek historians, such as Herodotus and Xenophon, give extensive
accounts of Cyrus the Great's palatial city of Pasargadae and his
four-gardens.
 This concept used to devolved gardens in forts & palaces.

Pathways Pathways
Water Body

Plan
Ornamentation
 Carvings
 Highly decorated Columns
 Stuccoes
 Rich coloured Glass work
 Use of Calligraphy in
decoration of main
gateways
 Use of pointed Arches
Construction systems
& Materials
 Stone masonry is used with load
bearing walls. Lahore fort
 Domes & Flat roofs are used
 White Marble , Red & Yellow
Sandstone are used as basic
materials with Wooden Doors.

Red fort

Red fort