ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

in india
The Mughal era defines the most sumptuous phase of Islamic Architecture in India, due in part
to the wealth and the settled political conditions of the empire and to the aesthetic nature of
the emperors.

Mughal Empire established by Babur in 1526 when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi in The Battle of
Panipat .
MUGHAL DYNASTY: THE BEGINING
The two most prolific builders of the dynasty were Akbar (1556-1605) and his grandson Shah
Jahan (1627-1658), with a transitional phase observed under Jahangir (1605-1627).

The style can be broadly divided into two phases

1. early phase : when the buildings were principally constructed of
red sandstone during the reign of Akbar and
2. later phase: when the buildings were constructed principally of
marble under the reign of Shah Jahan.

The major influences seen in the Mughal style come from Persia and from the indigenous
styles of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Due to the centralized political structure of the empire, the
Mughal style of architecture had no provincial or regional manifestations, but was an imperial
style only moderately affected by local influences.

MUGHAL DYNASTY: EARLY PERIOD

 •Babur did not make any major impact on Architecture of India except laying out a
formal garden in Agra.
•Upon his death in AD 1530 his son Humayun ascended the throne, but could not rule
for long.

•In AD 1533 he laid the foundation for a new city in Delhi – Din Panah on an island in
Yamuna – today known as Purana quila.
•Sher Shah Sur – an Afgan noble based in Sarsam in bihar defeated the Mughal Army in
AD 1540, & Humayun was in exile in Persia for the next 10 years

MUGHAL DYNASTY: BABUR & HUMAYUN (AD 1526- AD 1540)

SHER SHAH (AD 1540- 1545 )
 •Under his rule building activity in Delhi got a new vigour & pace- laid out anew city
known as Delhi Sher shahi by expanding purana Quila
•Sher Mandal- an octagonal 3 storey pavilion was built near Yamuna

SHER SHAH (AD 1540- 1545 )

•Quila Kunha Masjid - Central dome with lotus & kalasha finial,4 pointed Tudor arches, Chajja
supported by brackets , complete the well proportionate Facade
•Sher Shah died in a battle in AD 1545 & was buried in Sasaram,Bihar

SHER SHAH (AD 1540- 1545 )

It is an imposing brick structure partly veneered with stone standing in the middle of a fine
square tank measuring about 1400’, and rising above a large stone terrace.

. A parapet wall encloses the terrace 250’ and the four corners have octagonal domed pavilions.
In the middle of the terrace stands the mausoleum proper on a low octagonal plinth. This three-
storied mausoleum rises to a height of 150’ in terraces

SHER SHAH ‘S TOMB,SASARAM,BIHAR (AD 1545 )

 The building consists of a very large octagonal chamber surrounded by a 3.10 mts wide
verandah. Each arm of the octagon measures about 17.00 mts externally. Surrounding the
main dome are 16 pillared cupolas on the corners of the octagon in two levels.

The dome surpasses that of the Taj Mahal by 13 feet, and is based on the beam and
bracket principle, allowing eight sides to fuse into a circle.

SHER SHAH ‘S TOMB,SASARAM,BIHAR (AD 1545 )

SHER SHAH ‘S TOMB,SASARAM,BIHAR (AD 1545 )
•Humayun returns to delhi & recaptures Purana Quila in AD 1555.He dies on AD 1556 while
falling from the steps of his library- Sher mandal
•Akbar was crowned the emperor in AD 1556 at the age of 13- Marks the beginning of a new era
in the history of India.

• Humayuns tomb in Delhi,built by Haji begum –his 1st wife. Merger of two great building
traditions ; Persian & Indian can be seen here. It was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a
Persian architect .- the 1st mughal tomb construction,later perfected in Taj Mahal

AKBAR :HUMAYUN ‘S TOMB,DELHI (AD 1564 )

 •Located at the centre of a30 acr
char-bagh garden- beginning of
mughal gardens
•Entrances on all four sides-western
one being the main one.
• The central building stands on a
platform of 22’ height. The sides of
the platform are arcaded, with each
archway leading to a small room for
visitors and their attendants.
•The tomb structure which is a square
in plan with 156’ side occupies the
middle of the platform.
•All four sides are alike in elevation,
with red sandstone & white marble
cladding- similar to Alai darwaza of
Khiljis
•White marble dome with a height of
140’ with a cluster of pillared kiosks
with cupola roofs on each side,topped
with a metallic finial.
AKBAR :HUMAYUN ‘S TOMB,DELHI (AD 1564 )
 •The interior of the tomb
chamber resolves into a group
of compartments, the largest
one in the centre containing
the cenotaph of the emperor,
with a smaller one at each
angle for the members of his
family..
•'ninefold plan', where eight
two-storyed vaulted chambers
radiate from the central,
double-height domed chamber.
•Each room is octagonal in plan
and they are connected to one
another with diagonal passages

AKBAR :HUMAYUN ‘S TOMB,DELHI (AD 1564 )

 Humayun’s cenotaph within the Jali on west showing a symbolic
central chamber. Mihrab

AKBAR :HUMAYUN ‘S TOMB,DELHI (AD 1564 )

The dome is the first example in India of the double dome i.e. a dome with two shells, an outer
one supporting the marble casing and giving the lofty shape from the exterior and an inner one
built lower to create a better proportion with the space below.

AKBAR :HUMAYUN ‘S TOMB,DELHI (AD 1564 )

 Central iwan showing niches at 2
Pietra dura- marble inlay work levels

AKBAR :HUMAYUN ‘S TOMB,DELHI (AD 1564 )

Developed a syncretic vocabulary using Persian & Indian elements. Persian: Charbagh garden,
arcuated structure, vaulted iwans on 4 sides, double dome, pietra dura,metal finial. Indian:
rubble masonary with cladding, planning 4 rooms around a central one ,chatris, chajjas in typical
Indian style

AKBAR :HUMAYUN ‘S TOMB,DELHI (AD 1564 )