Mughal Architecture

1. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
• INTRODUCTION;-
Mughal architecture, the combination of Islamic, Persian, Turkish
and Indian architecture, is the distinctive style developed by the
Mughals in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in what is now
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. It is symmetrical
and decorative in style.
Wide use is made of white and coloured marble, mosaic, lattice-
work, and intricate carvings and, above all, of buff and red sand-
stone. The mosques have minarets. Tombs are square. Domes
are first semi-circular, then increasingly bulbous or onion-shaped
and are often mounted on a high drum. Rows of small cupolas
are found over gateways and frontages. The chief examples of
Mughal architecture are the Tomb of Humayun, Red Fort and the
Moti Masjid and palaces within Jama Masjid, Tajmahal etc.
AIM : -
To study the different building element evolved during Mughal period.
• OBJECTIVE : -
The architectural features of Mughal buildings are evolved basically
from domes, minarets and arcs. By studying this characteristic features
we can easily study the evolution of Mughal buildings.
• SCOPE OF THE STUDY:-
The architectural style evolved during Mughal time and improvement
in the skill of construction of building such as forts, tomb, mosque etc.
LIMITATION:-
Mughal gardens.
This Dissertation covers Mughal buildings Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur
Sikri only.
METHEDOLOGY:-
Introduction.
Data collection.
Data analysis.
Primary data collection.
Secondary data collection.
Case study.
Literature study.
Photography/sketches.
IMPORTANT BUILDING AT MUGHAL PERIOD:-

2. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
MUGHAL EMPIRE:-
• Mughal rulers created a powerful empire in which military
might and artistic culture flourished.
• Name comes from Persian word Mogul for “Mongol”
• Mughals reigned as India’s first great Muslim empire Great
civilization, known for wealth, power
• Tried, failed to create empire in Central Asia.
MUGHAL EMPEROR:-
1 – BABUR [1526 TO 1530]
2 – HUMAYUN [1530 TO 1539 & 1555 TO 1556]
3 – AKBAR [1556 TO 1605]
4 – JAHANGIR [1605 TO 1627]
5 – SHAH JAHAN [1627 TO 1657]
6 – AURANGZEB [1657 TO 1707]
IMPORTANT BUILDING DURING MUGHAL ERA:-

3. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
• Style of Mughal architecture.:-
With the coming of the Mughals, Indian architecture was greatly
influenced by Persian styles. The Mughals constructed excellent
mausoleums, mosques, forts, gardens and cities. The Mughal buildings
show a uniform pattern both in structure and character.
Example :-
MAIN CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT :-
The bulbous domes, the slender minarets with cupolas at the four
corners, large halls, massive gateways and delicate ornamentation.
White marble and red sandstone was favored.
Semi-precious gemstones were popular (jade, crystal, etc.)
Used arches sparingly.
Symmetry and balance stressed.
Used octagons a lot.
The buildings wore a look of grace, beauty, grandeur and richness.
Red stone was substituted by White Mrbles and Precious Stones.
The Pietra Dura style became a popular feature of this period.
squared stone and marble was replaced by brick or rubble with
stucco ornament at the time of Aurangzeb.
Humayun's Tomb, DELHI Red Fort, Delhi
A curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically
supporting the weight of the bridge, roof or wall above it. Have
the curved shape of an arch.
ARCH:-
DOMES:-
Pointed arch are mostly used at mughal period.
The main advantage of the pointed arch was that it
concentrated the thrust of the vault on a narrow vertical line
that could be supported by the flying buttresses, a major
feature of mughal architecture.
The dome, arguably the most prominent feature of
Mughal/Islamic/Indian architecture, is a symbolic representation
of the vault of heaven. According to Islam, God’s throne in
paradise is a gigantic pearl on four pillars through which the rivers
of grace run through.
Onion or bulbous domes are mostly used at mughal period.
An onion dome is a dome whose shape resembles an onion. Such
domes are often larger in diameter than the drum upon which
they sit, and their height usually exceeds their width. These
bulbous structures taper smoothly to a point.

4. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture•
• MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE DIVIDED INTO TWO
PHASES:-
• RED STONE PHASE :-
• The first phase in which the buildings were principally constructed in
red sandstone during the reign of babur, humayun & akbar.
• The main characteristic features of red stone phase are :-
• Used red stone mostaly.
• Symmetry and balance stressed.
• Bricks, decorated with "terra cotta" and glaze.
• Semi-precious gemstones were popular (jade, crystal, etc.)
• Domes are semi-circular.
• MARBLE PHASE :-
• The second phase, when white marble was largely employed to the
luxury taste of shah jahan.
• The main characteristic features of marble phase are :-
• Red stone was substituted by white marbles and precious stones.
• The pietra dura style became a popular feature of this period.
• Semi-circular domes are replaced by the bulbous domes.
MINARETS:-
A minaret is a distinctive architectural structure akin to
a tower and typically found adjacent to mosques. Generally a tall
spire with a conical or onion-shaped crown, usually either free-
standing or taller than associated support structure. The basic
form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery. Styles vary
regionally and by period. Minarets provide a visual focal point and
are traditionally used for the Muslim call to prayer.
A minaret is a distinctive architectural structure akin to
a tower and typically found adjacent to mosques. Generally a tall
spire with a conical or onion-shaped crown, usually either free-
standing or taller than associated support structure. The basic
form of a minaret includes a base, shaft, and gallery. Styles vary
regionally and by period. Minarets provide a visual focal point and
are traditionally used for the Muslim call to prayer.
CONSTRUCTION:-

5. GENERAL FEATURES:
 Usually, the decoration on ‘Islamic’ buildings is
mathematical and geometric in design with sharp, crisp
corners. Because Islam forbids any representation of
Allah, and restricts images of the human figure
considering such art in line with idolatry, religious
buildings in particular are decorated with combinations
of geometric pattern, calligraphy depicting phrases from
the Qu’ran, and arabesque patters.
 Geometric pattern often plays on the number four, a
number which symbolically stands for perfection.
Infinitely repeating patterns also are seen to represent
the unchanging laws of God.
 The arabesque, a repeating pattern of foliage, is
another popular form of non-figurative representation,
and illustrates the beauty of creation and the bounty
that can be expected in Paradise for the faithful.
 The dome, arguably the most prominent feature of
Mughal/Islamic/Indian architecture, is a symbolic
representation of the vault of heaven. According to
Islam, God’s throne in paradise is a gigantic pearl on
four pillars through which the rivers of grace run
through.
 The minaret was originally the place where the call to
prayer was given by the muezzin, but often was simply
ornamental. It becomes increasingly clear that their
function is ornamental, when there is more than one,
i.e. two, or four (never three) – because of the holiness
of the number four.
DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
STYLE:
The Mughals did not simply construct Central Asian
architecture on Indian soil.
Babur and Humayun had little opportunity to build in their
short reign, so it was really Akbar who started the Mughal
tradition of building, and he had been distanced from his
Timurid heritage by this stage.
It is possible to observe the development of Mughal
architecture in the buildings themselves. The Taj Mahal is
recognised world wide as the pinnacle of Indian architecture.
Whoever was ruler also affected the dominant style. Akbar
and Shah Jahan were the two greatest patrons. Akbar was a
more forthright encourager of Hindu input.
Argument goes that by Shah Jahan’s reign, the fusion of
styles from disparate sources has become a proper fusion of
styles that could truly be called a “Mughal” style rather than a
synthesis
Akbar’s style = more robust, whereas by Shah Jahan, had
grown much more delicate and refined.
One consistent Mughal detail is lavishness – colour, inlaid
precious gems etc.
Those responsible for design and construction were largely
anonymous, which reflects the low social-status they had.
Credit was given to the patron alone.
The design process involved a hierarchy of craftsmen with
various grades of skill.

6. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
• CASE STUDY - 1
• JAMA MASJID, DELHI:-
CONSTRUCTION:-
The foundation of the historic Jama Masjid was laid by the
fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shahjahan, on Friday, October
19, 1650 AD. The mosque was the result of the efforts of over
6,000 workers, over a period of six years (1650–1656 AD).
The cost of the construction in those times was 1 million
Rupees. Emperor Shahjahan also built the Red Fort in New
Delhi, which stands opposite the Jama Masjid.
The Jama Masjid was completed in 1656 AD with three great
gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of
strips of red sandstone and white marble.About 25,000
people can pray here at a time. The mosque has a vast
paved rectangular courtyard, which is nearly 75 m by 66m.
The whole of the western chamber is a big hall standing on
260 pillars all carved from Hindu and Jain traditions. The
central courtyard is accessible from the East.
 The courtyard of the mosque can be reached from the
east, north and south by three flights of steps, all built of
red sandstone.
 The northern gate of the mosque has 39 steps.
 The southern side of the mosque has 33 steps.
 The eastern gate of the mosque was the rural entrance
and it has 35 steps.
 These steps used to house food stalls, shops and street
entertainers.
 The mosque faces west. Its three sides are covered with
open arched colonnades, each having a lofty tower-like
gateway in the center.
 The mosque is about 261 feet (80m) long and 90 feet
(27m) wide, and its roof is covered with three domes with
alternate stripes of black and white marble, with its topmost
parts covered with gold.
Coordinates: 28°39′03″N77°14′00″E / 28.6507°N77.2334°E
Location Delhi, India
Established 1656
Architectural information
Style Islamic
Capacity 25,000 people
Length 80 m
Width 27 m
Dome(s) 3
Minaret(s) 2
Minaret height 41 m
LOCATION OF JAMA MASJID

7. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
• CASE STUDY - 2
• TAJMAHAL, AGRA:-
Some facts about its construction:-
 It took almost twenty-five years to build.
 In 1983, the Taj Mahal was listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
 construction began in 1631 and ended in 1654.
 Behind it was the labor of 22,000 people, including with
some best-known architects, masons, artisans, in-layers
and more.
 To create the Taj Mahal some of the best material was
sourced, these came from far and wide.
 At one time, there were 28 types of precious and semi
precious stones, but over the years, much of it has been
plundered.
 Of course, all this came at a cost, and that was a whopping
32 million Rupees, which is equivalent to millions of US
dollars today
 The land chosen was around the walled city of Agra, and
belonged to Maharajah Jai Singh, near the river of Yamuna.
 The designer of the building is said to be the famous
Persian architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahory.
 The Taj Mahal faces the river, and set within a three-sided
red sandstone wall.
 There are two major sandstone buildings; these are the
mosque and its answer or “jawab” at the other end. The
mosque has a niche that faces Mecca, while its mirror
image has none.
 Based on both islamic and hindu architecture
 The Taj Mahal has been decorated with calligraphy,
carvings, vegetable motifs and inlays. .
LOCATION OF TAJMAHAL
Location Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Coordinates 27°10′30″N78°02′31″ECoordinates: 27°10′30″N 78°02′3
1″E
Height 73 m (240 ft)
Built 1632–1653
Architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri
Architectural style(s) Mughal architecture
Type Cultural
Criteria (i)
Designated 1983 (7th session)
Reference no. 252
State Party India
Region Asia-Pacific

8. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
EXTERIOR DECORATIONS:-
The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the
finest in Mughal architecture. As the surface area changes,
the decorations are refined proportionally. The decorative
elements were created by applying paint, stucco, stone
inlays or carvings.
Abstract forms are used throughout, especially in the
plinth, minarets, gateway, mosque, jawab and, to a lesser
extent, on the surfaces of the tomb.
The domes and vaults of the sandstone buildings are
worked with tracery of incised painting to create elaborate
geometric forms.
Abstract forms are used throughout, especially in the
plinth, minarets, gateway, mosque, and, to a lesser
extent, on the surfaces of the tomb. The domes and
vaults of the sandstone buildings are worked
with tracery of incised painting to create elaborate
geometric forms.
INTERIOR DECORATIONS:-
The interior chamber of the Taj Mahal reaches far beyond
traditional decorative elements. The inlay work is not pietra
dura, but a lapidary of precious and
semiprecious gemstones.
The inner chamber is an octagon with the design allowing for
entry from each face, although only the door facing the
garden to the south is used.
The interior walls are about 25 metres (82 ft) high and are
topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif.
Eight pishtaq arches define the space at ground level and, as
with the exterior.
The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing
areas, and each balcony's exterior window has an intricate
screen or jali cut from marble. In addition to the light from the
balcony screens, light enters through roof openings covered
by chattris at the corners.
The octagonal marble screen or jali bordering the cenotaphs
is made from eight marble panels carved through with
intricate pierce work. The remaining surfaces are inlaid in
delicate detail with semi-precious stones forming twining
vines, fruits and flowers.

9. DISSERTATION - Mughal Architecture
MAIN FEATURES OF MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE:
1. Variety of buildings:
The Mughal rulers built magnificent gates, forts, mausoleums,
mosques, palaces, public buildings and tombs etc.
2. Synthesis of Persian and Indian style:
The specimens of architecture created under the Mughals
have become the common heritage of both the Hindus and
the Muslims. It is a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim
architecture.
3. Specific characteristic:
A common characteristic of the Mughal buildings is “the
pronounced domes, the slender turrets at the corners, the
palace halls supported on pillars and the broad/gateways.”
4. Costly decorations:
The Mughal emperors in general but Shah Jahan in particular
decorated his buildings with costly articles. One of the
important distinguishing features of the Mughal buildings is
their ornamentation as compared with the simple buildings of
the previous Muslim rulers of India.
5. Building material:
During the Mughal period, buildings were constructed mostly
of red sandstone and white marble.
CONCLUSION:-
Mughal architecture reflected the blend of indian and persian
design which developed at that time. Emperors laid stress on
finishing and beauty of structures they built.though the cost of
construction was very high but the beauty they spread was
beyond everything.
As we observed on all the historical sites, the beautiful and
magnanimous monuments are being left to ruin on the outskirts
of the city of lights. These historical monuments preserve our
culture and heritage in them.
They give our country roots and heredity. A symbol of our
glorious history and regrettable past. A reminder of the culture
and ethnicity. But its all going in ruins because of our
carelessness and neglect.
We all blame our government for not making improvements
and restoration in the monuments while we ourselves when
visit these places after years and years pollute and
contaminate the area.
The conditions of the surrounding are pitiable. The buildings
are falling down along with the culture and values.
People and government should join hands and help restore
these historical buildings, so that we can preserve our legacy
and tradition.