Join Our Telegram Channel
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE
The Mughals were great patrons of art and architecture. Under them, architecture regained its place of importance, as new buildings were built with great vision and artistic inspiration.
BABUR
Babur undertook the construction of mosques in Panipat and Rohilkhand, both constructed in 1526 AD.
However, his reign was too short-lived to inspire any new style or technique.
HUMAYUN
Humayun’s reign was marked with constant power struggle against Sher Shah Suri. So, he couldn’t focus much on art and architecture.
He led the foundation of a city named Dinpanah, but couldn’t finish it. Persian style became prominent in the architecture of this period.
ARCHITECTURE DURING SHER SHAH
During his brief reign, Sher Shah built few monuments. He built the Qila-e-Quhunah (Mosque of the Old Fort) mosque in Delhi.
He built the famous Rohtas Fort in Pakistan and the Sher Shah Suri Masjid in Patna in Afghan style to mark his reign. His period is a transition from Lodi style to Mughal style of architecture.
He also undertook the re-construction and extension of an old Mauryan route and renamed it as Sadak-e- Azam (Great Road) which was later called as Grand Trunk Road. He ensured adequate presence of sarais and trees for travellers.
Sher Shah Suri’s tomb was built at his birthplace Sasaram. It was made up of red sandstone and is situated inside a lake.
The constructions under Sher Shah continued the traditions of the Delhi Sultanate period. After Akbar ascended the throne of Delhi in 1556, the golden period of Mughal art and architecture started.
ARCHITECTURE DURING AKBAR
Akbar took a keen interest in the development of art and architecture. The principal feature of the constructions during Akbar’s reign was the use of red sandstone. He also introduced the use of ‘Tudor arch’ (four centred arch). Some of the prominent construction works undertaken during Akbar’s reign are described below:
AGRA FORT
It was one of the first constructions which started during the reign of Akbar.
However, most of the structures present inside the fort were done during the reign of Shah Jahan. Some of the prominent buildings here are:
Moti Masjid, by Shah Jahan.
Diwan-i-aam (Hall of Public Audience) by Shah Jahan.
Diwan-i-khas (Hall of Private Audience) by Shah Jahan.
Jahangiri Mahal
Sheesh Mahal (Turkish Bath)
The gardens inside the fort are built using the Charbagh style. During the
reign of Akbar, more than 5000 women stayed in his harem inside this fort.
FATEHPUR SIKRI
One of the highlights of Indo-Islamic architecture was the creation of a new capital city by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri. It has been described as a “frozen moment in history” as the buildings here represent a unique blend of Hindu and Persian styles.
Some of the important buildings inside the city are:
Buland Darwaza the imposing 40 metre red sandstone structure was built in 1576 AD, to commemorate Akbar’s victory over Gujarat. It is the highest gateway of the world.
Salim Chishti’s tomb was built in 1581 AD. It has beautiful Jaali work in white marble. It has arabesque patterns with inscriptions of Quranic verses on the walls. It is in the imperial complex which also has Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid. It was further decorated by Jahangir in 1606 AD.
Panch Mahal is a five-storied structure made of columns and is inspired by the concept of Persian badgir (wind-catcher).
No comments:
Post a Comment