HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE-III

MUGHAL
ARCHITECTURE
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE-III_ MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE

PREAMBLE
Mughal Dynasty started with Babur and
his successors continued to rule until
1858 and were known as the Mughals
ruled India for more than 200 years
In 1526 a Timur descendant from Iran;
Zahir ud-Din Muhammad Babur,
defeated last ruler of the Lodi dynasty in
the First Battle of Panipat
Mughal Architecture was developed in
the 16th and 17th centuries under the
Mughals.
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FEATURES
Mughal Architecture is an amalgamation
It is blend of Islamic, Persian and Hindu
styles of architecture
is known for its magnificent, supreme and
luxurious architecture
is the most excellent and marvelous domain
in the Indian history of architecture
is referred to as the highly venerated/
regarded Indo-Islamic architecture
It had a sense of grandeur and extremely
sophisticated geometrical proportion.
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FACTORS
for remarkable development of the building art
and architecture:-
substantial beginnings were turned on with a
fresh leaf under Emperor Babur.
Mughal rulers consider themselves the
rightful heirs of the Iranian Timurid tradition
It thus had Timurid background, In the realm/
sphere of architecture, the Mughals
accomplished master-builder status
Timurid Herat city’s splendid palaces and
gardens influenced Babur`s own building
schemes in India.
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FACTORS
"garden" - symbolic of paradise, was
developed by the Timurids and subsequently
by the Mughals in their architectural
groundings in India.
Timurid Herat city’s splendid palaces and
gardens influenced Babur`s own building
schemes in India.
Got constructed monuments which even
today is considered one of the world`s most
magnificent and sky-kissing edifices (e.g. Taj
Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri)
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
JHAROKHA
A jharokha (or jharoka) is
a type of overhanging
enclosed balcony
typically Mughal and
Rajasthani architecture
Jharokha’s jutting forward
from the wall plane were
used for:
JHAROKHA on the gate of the adding to the architectural
Arab Sarai at the Humayun's
Tomb Complex beauty of the building
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
JHAROKHA were used for
- Visual connectivity &
ventilation
- it also served as a
PURDAH, women used
it to see the events
outside without being
noticed
Several jharokhas can be seen
- these windows could
jutting out from the facade of this also be used to position
typical HAVELI at JAISALMER,
Rajasthan
archers and spies.
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
CHHATRI
The term "chhatri"
means umbrella or
canopy.
Chhatris are elevated,
dome-shaped pavilions
is an important element
in Indian architecture
funerary sites have such
Chhatri of Rana Udaybhanu
structures built over
Singh at Dholpur them.
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS

CHHATRI
View of Chhatri
(Cenotaph) of
Scindia Rulers at
Shivpuri, India
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
CHHATRI
Originating in
Rajasthani
architecture, were
memorials for kings
and royalties
adapted as a standard
feature in Mughal &
Chhatris mounted atop each
Rajasthan architecture
corner of the Diwan-i-Khas E.g. Humayan’s Tomb,
in the Fatehpur Sikri
compound, India
Delhi & the Taj Mahal
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS

Chhatri at
Rajgarh
Rajasthan
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
CHHAJJA
is projecting roof
space/ eaves/ attic
is supported on
large carved
brackets
is an integral and
essential part
acts as a shading
The tomb of Salim Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri device
(India) exhibiting a deep chhajja following also act like a heat
the perimeter of the building supported
with elaborate brackets cutter
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
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
more elegant technique of
Tomb of Akbar the Great near inlay was used later
Agra, India
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
JALI
In this inlay with
marble and semi-
precious stones was
done
This architectural
decoration was used
in Islamic
architecture as well
as in Indian
Intricate jaali screens surrounding
the cenotaphs, Taj Mahal interior. architecture.
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS

One of the famous intricate jaalis from the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in SIDI,
Ahmedabad, India
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
CHARBAGH (chahār
bāgh) _ mughal gardens
is a Persian-style
garden layout.
"Chār" means 'four' and
"bāgh" means 'garden'
The quadrilateral
garden is divided by
walkways or flowing
Four central axial water courses define water into four smaller
Char Bagh Garden's Quadrilateral layout
at Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi parts
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
examples:
 Chahrbagh-e-Abbasi, Iran,
 Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (is an imperial mausoleum
having Char Bagh concept on very big scale)
 Taj Mahal, India
 Shalimar Gardens, Pakistan
 Ram Bagh in Agra, created during the
reign of Emperor Babur, is said to be first
char-bagh garden in India.
 Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra
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TAJ MAHAL:
 unlike other tombs, the mausoleum is
not located in the centre of the garden,
but on its northern end.
 The garden features Italian cypress
trees (cupressus sempervirens)
 The cypress trees symbolize death.
 Whereas Fruit trees in the garden
symbolize life.
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CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS
TAJ MAHAL
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ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
 MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER BABUR
 first in the list of Mughal rulers
 founder of Mughal Empire _ 1526 A.D.
 Mughal architecture in India
flourished during his regime.
 displayed uniformity in its
architectural character as well as in
its structural principles
 introduced the concept of gardens:_
CHARBAGH
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE-III_ MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
 MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER BABUR
constructed many buildings which
mixed the pre-existing Hindu designs
had created fine tombs, mosques,
madrassas and numerous beautiful
gardens
Mughal architecture of Babur can be
readily recognised by their treatment
in design and technique
 HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE-III_ MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER HUMAYUN
Developed its own distinct style.
They describe his unique conceptions
unusual and almost unseen
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ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER AKBAR
made unparallel contributions in the
field of literature, art and architecture.
 The architectural expertise of this
great emperor can be witnessed from
the several special palaces and
monuments built by him during his
entire regime.
represents unique blending of Persian
architecture with the Indian style
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ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER AKBAR
The main feature of Mughal
architecture during Akbar`s era was
the exquisite usage of carved patterns,
together with the inlaid patterns with
painted designs on the interior walls
and ceilings.
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ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER JAHANGIR
patronised enthusiastically school of
miniature painting
major change in construction_ from
sandstone to marble.
Architecture echoed the impressive
styles of the Islamic architecture.
remarkable buildings_ Akbar`s
Mausoleum at Sikandra near Agra
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ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER
SHAH JAHAN
His active involvement in the design and
production of Mughal architecture had
far exceeded that of any other Mughal
emperor.
Apart from TAJ, major architectural
specimens during his rule were Shahi
Bagh in Ahmedabad, Shalimar Gardens in
Kashmir, Moti Masjid in Lahore and the
Red Fort in Delhi.
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ARCHITECTURE UNDER MUGHAL’S
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER
AURANGZEB
 Mughal architecture during Aurangzeb
was one of the most unusual
 He was much less involved in
architectural production
 Sponsored religious monuments more
 Mughal architecture during Aurangzeb
began with repairing the older mosques
 He apparently had repaired more
mosques than any of his predecessors