Mughal Architecture

MUGHAL ARCHITECTUREMAUSOLEUMS IN INDIA

-Compiled by Mohamed Rafiq.S

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MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE

1. SHER SHAH SUR(1450 -55)

2. BABUR(1526 -56)

3. HUMAYAN(1531 -56)

4. AKBAR(1556 -1605)

5. JAHANGIR (1605 -27)

6. SHAH JAHAN(1627 -58)

7. AURANGAZEB(1658 -1707)

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Mughal Empire

Features:

Building art in northern

India attained its most

sumptuous form.

Monuments produced

during this period may be

regarded as representing

an Indian summer of

Moslem art and

architecture.

A form of the building art

emerged expressive of this

ruling dynasty

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Factors:

Wealth and power of the empire.

Relatively settled condition that prevailed in most parts

of the country.

Pronounced aesthetic nature of the mughal rulers culture.

Mughal style resolves itself into two main features:

PHASES

1 buildings of red sandstone (akbar)

2 buildings of white marble (shahjahan)

SHER SHAH SUR

SASARAM (1530-40) and DELHI (1540 -45)

No Building type Example

Mosques -

Tombs tomb of hasan khan

tomb at chainpur

tomb of sher shah, sasaram

tomb of salim (sher shahs son)

PHASE II: BUILDINGS AT DELHI

No Building type Examples

1 Mosques qila-i-kuhna masjid

2 Tombs -

3 Gateways bara darwaza

4 Others purana qila or old fort

fort at rohtas

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TOMB OF HASAN KHANmaster builder-

ALIWAL KHAN

Mausouleum

building contained

within a walled

enclosure.

Building stands

level with the

ground with no

plinth.

Middle storey is

merely a bare wall

of little interst.

Octogonal type

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TOMB OF SHER SHAH SUR

Whole structure stands in the middle of a great lake.

Access by means of a causeway on the northern side of

the lake

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Whole structure stands in the middle of a great lake.

Access by means of a causeway on the northern side of the lake.

Two stories comprise the foundation of this island tomb.

Stepped basement rising out of the water and tall terrace above

which is square in plan with an octagonal tomb in three stages.

Lotus finial

Dome

Plain wall+pillared Kiosks

parapet

Arched verandah

Stepped basement

Causeway

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Surmounted by a dome

Lowest storey is in the form of a verandah, having triple

archs in each of its eight sides with a projecting eaves

above over which rises a high crenelated parapet.

Second stage is a screened wall with a projecting

window openings between.

Third stage is the drum of the dome.

Tomb chamber is entered through the encircling verandah

by doorways.

Single vaulted

hall.


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QILA KUNHA MASJID

Gem of architectural

design.

Royal chapel of the suri

rules.-

Faade consists of an

arrangement of five

archways.

Centre arch sunk in an

arched recess contained

within a pronounced

rectangular frontage.

Large single dome.

Interior is formed of one

large hall divided into 5

bays by lateral arches.

-the sixth

capital city of delhi.

Ground floor : 8 arches

Upper floor : 16

Uppermost: 32

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SHER MANDAL

Another solitary structure

built inside the masjid

This is the SHER MANDAL

Within the PURANA QILA

OR OLD FORT

BABUR(1526 -1531)

BUILDINGS

1. Kabuli Bagh - Panipat

2. Jami masjid -Sambhal

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KABULI BAGH -PANIPAT,PUNJAB

Entrance GateMain facade

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Babur erected this mosque after the first battle of panipet to commerate

the victory over Sulthan Ibrahim Lodi.

The entrance to this building is towards the north which has red

sandstone facing.

The entry has a lintel bracket-type opening encased in a huge arch.

The interior has a huge prayer hall with annexes on side which is crowed

by hemispherical domes on low drums.

It has a high facead which is divided into 5 panels and lined by lime.

It is now considered as a heritage building.

Mihrab

KABULI BAGH-PANIPAT,PUNJAB

HUMAYUN(1531 -1556)

BUILDING

1. TOMB OF HUMAYUN -1564 AD

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Constructed 8 years after the emperors death, unusual as it was

customary for these monuments to be erected during the emperors life

time.

Built by his wife haji bagum.

Architect - mirak mirza ghiyas.

Indian interpretation of a Persian conception.

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HUMAYUNS TOMB

PLAN

In the middle of each of the

four sides an imposing gateway

was introduced west being the

main entrance.

Occupying the middle of the

upper surface is the tomb

structure 156 feet in side and

square in plan
http://www.pbase.com/prisha/humayuns_tomb

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HUMAYUNS TOMB

Red

Sandstone

White Marble

Pillared Kiosks

Arcaded Chamber

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HUMAYUNS TOMB

Garden is carefully designed and

proportioned so as to form an integral part of

architectural composition.

This central building stands on a wide and

lofty sandstone terrace 22 inches in height

with arcaded sides

Passing through the entrance gateway into

the garden its larger area is seen to be laid

out in a formal arrangement of square and

rectangular components with flowered beds.

Double dome :

Composed of two seperate

shells an outer and inner with

appreciable space between.

Outer shell supports the

marble case of the exterior.

Inner shell forms the vaulted

ceiling of the interiors main

hall.

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HUMAYUNS TOMB

The Tomb

The arched entrances

The West gate

Arches within arches

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TOMB OF ATGAH KHAN

(1562) :

Situated near humayuns

tomb.

Character of the tomb

reduced and refined to

accord with its smaller side.

Detailed treatment of the

faade with its inlaid

coloured marble and low

relief carving.

Application of fine

embellishment to the wall

surfaces

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Features:

Chief buildings executed in red sandstone with insertions

of white marble.

Style was TRABEATE ORDERof construction; although the

tudor arch was commonly used.

ARCH was used primarily for decoration.

DOME: lodi dome sometimes built hollow but never

technically of the true double order.

PILLAR SHAFTSwere many sided and capitals were in the

form of bracket supports.

Ornamentation:

Carved or boldly inlaid patterns.

Painted designs were introduced on the interior walls and

ceiling

AKBAR (1556-1605)

AKBAR (1556 -1605)BUILDINGS

Fortress Palace of Agra

Delhi gate

Jahangiri Mahal

Lahore fort (Shahjahan&Akbar)

Allahabad Fort

Ajmer Fort

Fatehpur Sikhri

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Anguri Bagh- 85 square, geometrically arranged gardens

Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience)- was used to speak to the people

and listen to petitioners and once housed the Peacock Throne

Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience)- was used to receive kings and

dignitary, features black throne of Jehangir

Golden Pavilions- beautiful pavilions with roofs shaped like the roofs of

Bengali huts

Jehangiri Mahal- built by Akbar for his son Jehangir

Khas Mahal- white marble palace, one of the best examples of painting

on marble

Macchi Bhawan (Fish Enclosure)- grand enclosure for harem functions,

once had pools and fountains

Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque)- a tiny mosque; closed to the public

BUILDINGS IN AGRA FORT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_Thronehttp://www.pbase.com/yardbird/india_agra_agrafort

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Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) - a private mosque of Shah Jahan

Musamman Burj- a large, octagonal tower with a balcony facing the

Taj Mahal

Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque)- mosque designed for the ladies of the

court, featuring the Zenana Mina Bazaar (Ladies Bazaar)right next to

the balcony, where only female merchants sold wares

Naubat Khana (Drum House)- a place where the king's musicians

played

Rang Mahal- where the king's wives and mistresses lived

Shahi Burj- Shah Jahan's private work area

Shah Jahani Mahal- Shah Jahan's first attempt at modification of the

red sandstone palace

Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace) or Shish Mahal- royal dressing room

featuring tiny mirror-like glass-mosaic decorations on the walls

Shish Mahal's glass works.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Jahani_Mahalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Shishm_agra_fort.jpg

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The palace of the royal household Entrance to the fort -delhi gate

The Inner Courtyard

Along the Moat

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JAHANGIRI MAHAL

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Variant

Names

Fatehpur-Sikri Palace Complex

Location Fatehpur Sikri, India

Date 1569 -1574

Style/Period Mughal

Century 16th

Building

Types

landscape, palatial

Building

Usage

garden, palace

Fatehpur Sikri Palace Complex
http://www.archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=1672http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?style=Mughalhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=landscapehttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=palatialhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=gardenhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=palace

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2. NEW CAPITAL CITY OF FATEPUR SIKRI:

NO BUIDING TYPE EXAMPLE

1 gateways agra gate

naubat khana or

drum house

2 secular buildings palace at jodh bai

house of Miriam

house of the sultana

birbals house

3 religious buidings jami masjid

buland darwaza or

triumphal gateway

tomb of salim chisti

tomb of islam khan

4. administrative diwan-i-khas or hall of public audience

building panch mahal or palace of five stories

khwabgah or house of drums

astrologers seat

department of records

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FATEHPUR SIKRI PALACE COMPLEX

Most notable achievement

of the Mughals

26 miles west of agra

A great complex of

residential palatial and

official and religious

buildings

Rectangular area of 2

miles and 1 mile broad

Habitation lasted only for

one generation

City with no streets ,but

an arrangement of broad

terraces and stately

courtyard around which are

grouped pavillions and

palaces
http://www.pbase.com/big_five62/asia_india_fatehpur_sikri

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FATEHPUR SIKRI PALACE COMPLEX

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AGRA GATE

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PALACE OF JODH BAI

High and plain outside wall

Principal buildings are attached to the inner side

all facing the courtyard

Entrance only through a guarded gatehouse

having staggered doorways

Strict seclusion

Within this enclosure, every portion is self

contained with a private chapel for devotions and

roof terraces screened by the parapet for

promenades

Each part is readily accessible for the

convenience of its occupants and for the purpose

of service

Walls -

East wall-gatehouse

North wall- hanging pavilion or hawa mahall

South wall- service and bathing apartment

Interiors consists of an almost symmetrical range of

buildings surrounding a square quadrangle (2 storied)

Carved decoration similar to the temple architecture

Blue glazed tiles.

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Simple and unpretentious structure

Display of much elegant workmanship

Arrangment of rooms in two stories

but with no external courtyard or

extraneous amenities

Mural paintings

HOUSE OF MIRIAM

WEST FACADE

FRONT FACADE

AERIAL VIEW

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Similar to Miriam house

Arrangment is a little more

complex and elaborate

2 STORIED building with four

rooms and two porches

forming the ground floor

UPPER STOREY has two

rooms and the the remainder

consists of open terraces

enclosed by screen

There are cupolas over the

upper rooms and pyramidal

roofs over the porches

DOUBLE DOME

CONSTRUCTION of aninner

andouter shell wth a void in

the centre

hence interior wa s kept cool

treatment of the eave

brackets

BIRBAL HOUSE

SOUTH FACADE

ARCADED CHAMBER

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BIRBAL HOUSEQUEENS PALACE WEST VIEW

SIDE FACADE

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EAST FACADE

CORNER DETAIL

DIWAN I-AM

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BULAND DARWAZA or GATE OF MAGNIFICENCE

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BULAND DARWAZA

Southern entrance to the Jami Masjid.

high.

Presents itself as a masonry of

immense proportions dwarfing every

other building.

There is little doubt that of all the

architectural productions of the

Mughals, their gateways were the most

successful achievements; whether they

were

Bold entrances to fortresses.

Humble doorways to sarais.

Elegant portals to tombs

Porticos to palaces

Civic archways of the city etc

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The entire structure may be

resolved into two aspects:

The frontal and highest aspect,

forming the faade with its

portal.

Back with its faade embowed

by means of three planes

comprising a large central face

and a lesser one on each side

receding at an angle.

rectangular in shape; the greater

part is occupied by an arched and

domed recess.

The narrower faces on the wings

are in three stories which varied

openings in each stage.

Crowning the whole of this faade

is a parapet behind which rises a

range of kiosks with cupolas.

BULAND DARWAZA

Most important feature is the decorative

treatment of the outer faade with the

rectangular formation & wide border.

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PANCH MAHAL

Pavillion of 5 stories

The rectangular ground floor being

built over 84 columns each different in

design

The 5 stories above diminish

gradually from the northern and

western sides while the eatern and the

southern sides rise vertically upto

culminate in a domed canopy

supported over the four pillars

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PANCH MAHAL

to enjoy their leisure hours during the hot summers

Exterior treatment is remarkable for its wide eaves and

deep shadows of pillars & brackets.

Horizontal lines of the parapet.

Pleasing proportions of the interior pillars with pendant

brackets, balconies, alcoves, murals.

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Part of site Friday Mosque of Fatehpur

Sikri

Variant Names Shayk Salim Chishti Tomb

Street Address Friday Mosque Complex

Location Fatehpur Sikri, India

Date 1571 -80

Style/Period Mughal

Century 16th

Building Type funerary

Building Usage tomb

TOMB OF SALIM CHISTI
http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=3836http://www.archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=1672http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?style=Mughalhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=funeraryhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=tomb

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The tomb building consists of a square exterior

wide,the whole being covered by a low dome

A wide verandah is carried ,its roof supported by

pillars with interspaces filled with perforated

Entire building done up in white marble

Distinctive feature-pillars with Honeycomb

capitals and brackets springing from paterned

shafts.

Long serpentine volute with spaces fileed with

perforated foliations

Structurally they have little value

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JAHANGIR(1605 -1627)

TRANSITION FROM STONE TO MARBLE

MINIATURE PAINTINGS

GARDEN RETREATS

TOMB OF AKBAR

TOMB OF JAHANGIR

47TOMB OF AKBAR

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Variant Names Mausoleum of Akbar, Akbar

ka Makbara

Location Sikandra, India

Date 1612

Style/Period Mughal

Century 17th

Building Types funerary, religious

Building Usage tomb, mosque

TOMB OF AKBAR
http://www.archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=2114http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?style=Mughalhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=funeraryhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=religioushttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=tombhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=mosque

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TOMB OF AKBAR

The tomb of Akbar has a

tall sandstone clad gate

with ornate marble inlay

carvings and inscriptions.

It consists of a colossal

arched niche flanked on

either side by double-

stacked balconies.

Surmounting the gate

pavilion are four towering

white marble minarets,

one at each corner

Beyond the lofty gate

lies the charbaghdivided

into quadrants by

watercourses designed to

evoke the rivers of

paradise.

.

The mausoleum complex is square

in plan and aligned on the cardinal

axis, with the tomb at its center

.and four gates, one along each

wall.

Based on a charbagh, or walled

square garden composition much

like his father Humayun's (1530-

1540, 1555 -1556) tomb,

double-

stacked

balconies.

arched

niche

marble minarets,

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The gallery space is rhythmically arranged with massive pillars supporting

arches roughly 6.7 meters apart.

Outside, the second story has an arcaded verandah on each side, which is

composed of twenty three bays.

The arcades are repeated on the subsequent floors forming peripheral

walkways at each level and chattris at the corners.

The top floor has no superstructure but consists on an open terrace

enclosed with marble screen parapets.

This five-tiered structure with its pillared terraces and numerous chattris

also bears a striking resemblance to the Panch Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri.

FIVE TIERED

TRUNCATED

PYRAMID

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The central bay of each side

is marked by a high pishtaq

surmounted by a rectangular or

roof kiosks.

Only the southern pishtaq

gives access to the burial

chamber, a small square room

at the end of long corridor at

the heart of the building domed

at eighteen meters.

the four pishtaqs, the

southern one is the most

elaborate in ornamentation.

The burial chamber also

houses the tombs of the

emperor's daughters, Shakrul

Nisha Begam and Aram Bano

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Variant Names Jihangir, Jehangir Tomb

Street Address Shahdara

Location Lahore, Pakistan

Client Shah Jahan

Date 1627 -8

Style/Period Mughal

Century 17th

Building Types funerary, religious

Building Usage tomb, mosque

TOMB OF JAHANGIR
http://www.archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=1857http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?style=Mughalhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=funeraryhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=religioushttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=tombhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=mosque

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The mausoleum itself is also in red

sandstone and floral marble inlay, and

consists of an arcaded platform, or

takhgah, 84 meters square.

On each corner is an octagonal minaret

rising in five segments.

The shaft is decorated in chevrons of

pink and white marble, and a domed kiosk

crowns each minaret.

Openings on each of the four sides of

the platform lead through long corridors

to a central, octagonal crypt containing

the marble cenotaph resting on a

platform, the chabutra.

The marble cenotaph is considered one

of the finest in India.

It is inlaid precious stones set in

naturalistic floral patterns, and black

calligraphy inscribing the date of

Jahangir's death, and the ninety-nine

names of God.

TOMB OF JAHANGIR

Originally, the crypt had a second floor; a platform still exists,

built on top of the large square one.

Remnants of a marble screen show that it was once enclosed,

and traces indicate where a second cenotaph may have stood.

It is, however, believed that the second story remained

unroofed: before his death, Jahangir, like his ancestor Babur,

had requested that his tomb be left open to the sky.

To the west of the charbagh tomb garden, there is a related,

rectangular enclosure known as the Akbari Seria, which served

as the forecourt, or chowk -i jilo khana, for the mausoleum.

A small mosque stands at its western wall.

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Variant Names Tomb of Itimad al-Dawla,

Mausoleum of Itimad al

Daula

Location Agra, India

Client Nur Jahan

Date 1622 -1628

Style/Period Mughal

Century 17th

Building Type funerary

Building Usage mausoleum

MAUSOLEUM OF I'TIMAD AL-DAULA
http://www.archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=1437http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?style=Mughalhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=funeraryhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=mausoleum

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The mausoleum is like a jewel box, built entirely of pure marble, it marks

the transitional phase from the grand and massive red sandstone

architecture of Akbar to the softer and sensual architectural style that

marked the reign of Shah Jahan.

The I'timad al-Daula was the first Mughal structure to be completely

encased in marble and extensively use pietra dura, the marble inlay work

that is associated with the Taj Mahal

The tomb is of a modest

scale, built on a low platform

4' (1.22m) high. It has a

square plan measuring 68'-

10" (21m), subdivided into

nine chambers, with four

corner octagonal towers in

the form of minarets.

The minarets frame the

central roof pavilion that

marks the tomb chamber

below.).


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The kiosks of the minarets consist of small

hemispherical cUpolas resting on small

arches supported by eight pilasters. The

roof pavilion imparts a distinct Hindu feel in

its use of Bengali roof, completed by a

wide overhangs or eaves (chhajja


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The mausoleum is set within a garden surrounded by walls forming a

perimeter of 541' -4" (165m) on each side.

The approach is from the east through a red sandstone gateway that is

decorated with rich marble mosaics.

Sandstone pathways lead up to the main tomb.

Each of the faade has a central arched entrance, flanked by two

recessed arches that are closed by beautiful marble screens (jali).

Fine corbels support the cornice, which has a marble tracery (jali)

balustrade running along the length of it.

The platform and tomb is embellished with mosaics and pietra dura inlay

work of semiprecious stones.

The art of inlay marble had been practiced for many years, but this was

the first attempt to imitate Persian pottery decoration and tile work.

The interior is a series of rooms and corridors arranged around a

verandah that surrounds the central chamber containing the cenotaph.

The square roof pavilion above the central chamber allows the light to

filter down through its perforated marble screens (jalis) to gently wash

over the two porphyry yellow cenotaphs of I'timad al-Daula and his wife

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SHAH JAHAN

GENERAL CHARACTER OF THIS STYLE

The forms of this style are essentially marble forms, while

the decoration is only occasionally plastic this was done by

means of inlaid patterns in coloured stones.

The curves of the arch which were now often foliated.

Usually in each instance by means of cusps called cusp

arch.

The dome assumed another form as the Persian type.

Bulbous in outline and constructed at its neck.

The adoption of which brought with it the system of true

double dome.

GENERAL FEATURES

Introduction of pillars with

tapering or baluster shafts,

voluted bracket capitals and

foliated buses.

Structural ornamental elements

of curvilinear order, the fluidity

of line from and senouness

generally reflecting those

exalted conditions that not

uncommonly prevail when a

ruling power has attained its

greatest elevation.

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IMPORTANT EXAMPLES:

DIWAN-I-AM AT AGRA

RANG MAHAL

JAMI MASJID AT DELHI

CITY OF SHAHJAHANABAD

TAJ MAHAL AT AGRA.

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TAJ MAHALVariant Names Taj Mahall, Taj Mehel

Location Agra

Date 1632 -1648

Style/Period Mughal

Century 17th

Building Types funerary, landscape,

religious

Building Usage mausoleum, garden,

mosque
http://www.archnet.org/library/places/one-place.jsp?place_id=1437http://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?style=Mughalhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=funeraryhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=landscapehttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?type=religioushttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=mausoleumhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=gardenhttp://www.archnet.org/library/sites/sites.jsp?usage=mosque

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The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum complex built by Shah Jahan

(reg. 1628 - 1658) in memory of his favorite wife,

Arjumand Banu Begam (d.1631), better known by her title

The construction of the complex began shortly after

Mumtaz's death, and accounts of this process were

popularized by foreign travelers who visited Mughal courts.

TAJ MAHAL
http://www.pbase.com/digitalfestival/taj_mahalhttp://www.pbase.com/kc_artworks/taj_mahal

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The Taj Mahal complex is organized in a rectangle,

measuring approximately 310 x 550 meters .

It comprises a number of buildings and structures, all

functioning together as the funerary monument for Mumtaz

Mahal.

From the south, the first part of the complex consists of

a (former) bazaar, the forecourt and entry gates;

the second part consists of a large garden and garden

pavilions, axially arranged along a riverfront terrace

with the three main structures:

the mosque,

the mausoleum and

the mihmankhana (literally, "guest house," probably used as

an assembly hall).

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Mihman Khanah

Mosque

Garden

Forecourt

Entry gate

Mughal Architecture

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