Mughal Architecture In India

By Author: nitin kumar
Total Articles: 26
Comment this article

With the advent of Mughal sovereignty in country, accelerated the development of art & craft in India. With the coming of the Mughals, Indian architecture was greatly influenced by their architectural style, that happened in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Basically Mughal architecture is an amalgam of Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles, which reflect a uniform pattern in structure as well as character. The Mughals during their ruling period constructed mind-blowing mosques, mausoleums, forts, tombs, gardens and cities. The main distinctive features of Mughal architecture are the globular domes, slender minarets with domes at the four corners, expansive halls, giant arched gateways and intricate ornamentation. In India, there are numerous structures, which draw attention from people all over the world and stand as subjects of in-depth study & analysis by archaeological experts across the world.

Purana Quila (Old Fort), Delhi- Built by Sher Shah and Humayun, the fort is made of red & buff sand-stone and adorns ornamental arches, geometrical designs, intricate inscriptions and decorative ...
... panels. There also exists a beautiful and imperious mosque inside this fort.

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi- Planned by a Persian architect and constructed by Indian workers, this tomb is a magnanimous double storeyed structure that is built on a high platform terrace. Built of red sandstone with eye-catching marble inlay work, the construction represents a combination of Persian and Indian architectural styles.

Agra Fort, Agra- Located on the bank of river Jamuna, Agra Fort is a stately and monumental structure, that encases numerous awe-inspiring architectural pieces. Special feature of this fort is the 2.5 kms long and 21m high wall made of red sand stone, that borders around the fort. These stones are linked with impregnable iron rings. Ornate panels, delicate marble inlay work, corbel brackets & doorways and intricately carved projecting eaves, are the characteristic features of this Fort.

Fatehpur Sikri, Agra- Constructed under the patronship of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri is the walled city of Agra that stores awe inspiring, majestic structures inside its periphery. These structures are religious as well as secular. Unique attributes of the structures of this city are- religious edifices; cenotaphs that are decorated with intricate inscriptions & exquisitely designed lattice screen; array of beautifully carved brackets; multiple storeyed halls; archways with calligraphic inscriptions; arched domed recess and miniature paintings.

Jama Masjid, Delhi- Largest mosque in India, the characteristic feature of this structure is its enormous prayer hall. It is rectangular in plan, and and adorns a decorative facade of 11 arches. The hall has white marble panels that are decorated with intricately carved inscriptions.

Red Fort, Delhi- Standing on the banks of river Jamuna, this is an immense, sprawling fortress constructed in rectangular shape. There are many excellent specimens of Mughal architectural inside this fort. Those structures display use of pietro dura techniques, splendid patterns in gold and floors paved with marble slabs.

Taj Mahal, Agra- This white domed marble mausoleum is considered as the finest example of Mughal architecture in India. The Taj is situated in the center of a high marble terrace with slender marble minarets standing in four corners of the terrace. The facade of the main structure is decorated with huge, vaulted recesses and smaller, arched recesses. Inside this structure, the surface of the walls, both exterior and interior & the cenotaphs are beautifully decorated with pietra dura, floral and geometrical designs.

Mughal dynasty and its descendants were extremely creative and talented artists who had a knack for maintaining rhythm, a uniform pattern in character & structure and a certain uniqueness in all their constructions. Besides, they also carried penchant to other styles of architecture and thus by blending theirs and some other styles, they innovated a smooth, harmonious and splendid fusion of two or more architectural styles. Mughals were undoubtedly true connoisseurs of art.

Travel to Kerala from trusted India tour operator & Indian travel agent Gets Holidays.Visit India & get great discounts on Turismo Indiano.