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Development of Architecture: the Mughals Were the Rulers of Refined Taste

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Development of Architecture: the Mughals Were the Rulers of Refined Taste The norms and traditions set during the period of the early Mughals set a standard for the Mughal art and culture which decisively influenced the succeeding generations. The Mughal art mingled the Turkish Mongol traditions with the Indian settings. Development of Architecture: The Mughals were the rulers of refined taste. They patronized the softer arts of painting, literature, calligraphy, music and architecture. Abul Fazal has written that Akbar plans beautiful architecture models and edifices and dresses his mind and soul in the garment of clay and stone. Sheikh Sadi, the Persian poet has written that one who leave behind him great monuments and architecture works becomes immortal. Dr. Ishwari Prasad has written that the Mugha art and architecture are the continuation and culmination of the great historical synthesis of artistic traditions of India. Mughal Art of Architectural Visualization Ferguson has expounded foreign origin theory. According to him, the Indian architecture building design is foreign in origin. Havel has expounded Indian origin theory. The Mughal architecture is Indian both in body and soul. It was the very soul of the Mughal art and culture. John Marshall has written that no definite style can be attributed to the Mughal structure. The Mughal structures are dispersed throughout the country. Because of the regional diversity and varied interests of the Mughal princes, the style and execution varied from region to region and Emperor to Emperor. Babur During the reign of Babur and Humayun, the Persian style was dominant. But in the reign of Akbar, Indo-Persian style began to blend due to the great cultural synthesis and the rise of Sulh-i-Kul. The style during Akbar’s reign can be labeled as National School of Architecture. Babur has written in Babur Nama that he was never satisfied with the standards of Indian architecture models. But he appreciated the standard of the beautiful buildings at Gwalior constructed under the supervision of Raja Man Singh and Raja Vikramjit Singh. Babur invited Mimar Sinan, the Persian architect to design buildings in India and do some architecture work. But the plan failed because of untimely death of Babur. But it set a new standard for Mughal art and culture. Babur has written that he has employed 681 artists and 1496 masons to build his palaces in Agra, Dholpur, Koil, Fatehpur and Bayana. Babur built three structures in India: 1. Kabuli Bagh Mosque (Panipat) 2. Sambhal Mosque (UP) 3. Baburi Mosque (Ayodhya) constructed by his general Mir Muhammad Baqi. Humayun Humayun had built: 1. Din-i-Panahi It was the fort-cum-Palace, constructed in 1533. It was a five storey structure later destroyed by Sher Shah Sur. 2. Mosques (Agra and Hissar) He also built two mosques at Agra and Hissar. Both are designed with enamel tiles. These buildings have dominant Persian influence. 3. Humayun’s Tomb Humayun’s tomb was completed by his first wife and consort Bega Begum in 1565. It was constructed in Red Sand Stone and small white marble. Humayun’s tomb represents a transition in the Mughal style of architecture. It is a fine example of the double dome structure. The first double dome structure was constructed by Sikander Lodhi. The inner dome in Humayun’s tomb is quite distinct from the external one. The structure has four pillars along with four corners. Sher Shah Sur Sher Shah built the fort of Rohtasgarh on the western bank of Jhelum in western Punjab (Pakistan). He also constructed Qila-i-Quran-i-Masjid (Old Fort) in Delhi. The third important structure was Sher Shah Sur’s tomb by his Prime Minister Dilawar Khan in Sasaram (Bihar). It was an important example of Sur art school. It has following features: 1. It has pure white marble. 2. It is around 30 feet high. 3. It is constructed in the centre of a lake. 4. Cunningham has written that this building is more beautiful than Taj Mahal. Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar Ishwari Prasad has written that the buildings of Akbar are important because these structures reflect the crowning sense of nationalism of the Emperor through the sense of his Sulh-i-Kul. Akbar’s structures are known for its grandeur, vastness and massiveness. 1. Fort: Akbar built four forts: (40 pillared Agra fort (1564-1569), Allahabad Fort (1581-1585), Lahore Fort (1574-1579), and Attock Fort (1605). 2. Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 in the honor of Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. Fatehpur Sikri consists of Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal (dominant Buddhist influence and slight Jain influence), Raja Birbal Palace, Turkey Sultana Palace, Sohana Palace (Palace of Queen Jodha Bai) and Jami Masjid (also known as Fatehpuri ki Shan/ Pride of Fatehpuri). The Mughal art and culture reached a new height with the construction of Fatehpur Sikri. 3. Buland Darwaza: The most outstanding and imposing structure of Akbar’s period is Buland Darwaza. This structure has dominant Persian and Gujarati style. It is built with red sandstone, semi portal and has a height of 176 feet. It is the highest gateway in the world. V.A. Smith has written that Fatehpur Sikri is the reflection of the mind of the great personality of Akbar. Fitch (the British) has called Fatehpur Sikri romance in stones and a great example of Mughal architectural visualization. 4. Fort Architecture: Agra Fort has the circumference of one and half miles surrounded by the 70 feet high brick wall. It has two gates: 1. Western gate/Delhi Gate/ Elephant Gate. 2. Eastern Gate/Amar Singh Gate Fitch had seen two stone structures of Fatta and Jayamal at the western gate. Bernier, the French Doctor had seen two elephant red stone statues at Delhi gates with riders over them. The Agra fort has 500 structures. Diwan-i- Aam and Diwan-i-Khas has dominant Hindu influence. The last important structure was Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra in Agra which was completed by Jahangir. Ishwari Prasad has written that Akbar wanted to cover his tomb with white marble dome. Had he executed it, it would have been the most beautiful structure in the Mughal art and architecture school. Babur initiated the practice of hanging gardens (Ram Bagh in Delhi) but the credit goes to Akbar for laying beautiful gardens around architectural structures. Nuruddin Muhammad Jahangir Jahangir was more interested in Painting and he did not patronize the art of architecture. But his wife Nur Jahan was a woman of refined taste. She constructed two structures: 1. Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula It was the first building with the extensive use of Pietra Dura (the use of pictorial mosaic design with precious stones and multicolored flowers) to enhance architectural visualization. 2. Tomb of Jahangir at Shahdara Shah Jahan The Persian influence began to decline during Shah Jahan’s reign which led to the rise of Indo-Islamic style. Buildings of Akbar are famous for their grandeur and vastness while the buildings of Shah Jahan are famous for their delicacy. The art and craft activities reached a new peak during his time. Dr. Ishwari Prasad has written that Mughal architecture during the reign of Shah Jahan possessed the lusture of the gems, light of the moon and the beauty of a woman. Shah Jahan is known as the engineer and architect king. His structures are known for their beauty and delicacy. During his period, the Mughal School of architecture adopted Indo-Islamic style and Persian influence declined completely. Shah Jahan built Baradari (12 beautiful gardens) in Delhi. He also built water tanks and planted beautiful gardens in Punjab, Delhi and Kashmir. He planted Shalimar and Nishat Gardens in Kashmir. He also planted Shalimar Garden in Lahore and Mughal Garden in Pinjore. He built white marble mosque in the memory of Nizam-ud-din Auliya in Delhi and Muin-ud- din Chisti in Ajmer. He also constructed White Marble Jami Mosque in Ajmer. In 1639, the city of Shah Jahanabad was constructed which became the capital of Shah Jahan for a year. Shah Jahan’s age is known as the golden age of Indian architecture and Mughal art and culture. The construction of Taj Mahal started in 1631. According to the Spanish priest Manrique, the plans for the structure of Taj Mahal were prepared by the Italian architect Veromino Germoni. Abdul Hamid Lahori, the official biographer of Shah Jahan has written that the design of Taj Mahal was prepared by Ustad Isa. The tomb was designed by Islamil Khan, and the Quranic injunctions were prepared by Ahmed Shah Shirazi. Taj Mahal is perhaps the best example of architecture building design in the world. The beautiful plantation were done by the Kashmiri planter Rana Mal. Tavernier, the French doctor has written that it took 22 years, 20,000 labourers at a cost of Rs 3 crore. Abdul Hamid Lahori has written that it took around 12 years to complete the tomb alone. The use of Pietra Dura reached its culmination in Taj Mahal. Stanley Lane-Poole has called Taj Mahal the marble in dreams. Takht-i-Taus/Peacock Throne: Abdul Hamid Lahori has written that it had four golden legs and 12 columns. It also had a chatra with innumerable diamonds including Kohinoor. Abul Hamid Lahori has written that it took around 7 years and the cost of Rupees 1 crore to build Peacock throne. Aurangzeb Alamgir 1. Moti Masjid: This structure was constructed in Red Fort in pure white marble. 2. Badshahi Mosque: This mosque was constructed in Lahore in pure white marble. 3. Bibi ka Maqbara: This structure is dedicated to Dilrus Bano Begum and is situated in Aurangabad. 4.
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