The exchange between Hindu and Muslim cultures in India that began during the Sultanate period took a more complete form during the Mughal rule. Every Mughal emperor from Babur onwards patronized various arts and architectural styles.
List of Mughal Monuments
| Emperor | Architecture/Construction |
|---|---|
| Babar | 1526: Kabulibagh Mosque (Panipat). 1526: Sambal Mosque (Rohilkhand). 1528: Ram Bagh (Aram Bagh) Garden (Agra). Also known as ‘Garden of Rest‘. 1528: Bagh-e Babur (Kabul). It was a terraced garden. Early 16th Century: Lotus Garden (Kabul), Sikri Garden (Fatehpur Sikri). |
| Humayun | Built many mosques in Agra and Fatehabad. 1533: Din Panah (Delhi). It was a citadel on the banks of the Yamuna River. (perhaps Sher Shah destroyed it). |
| Shershah | 1541: Rothas Fort (on the Jhelum River), 1538-1545: Old Fort or Purana Qila (Delhi) 1541: Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque and his tomb at Sasaram.” 1540-1545: Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) (connects Bengal to Peshawar). |
| Akbar | # 1571-1585: Fatehpur Sikri: Established the new capital at Fatehpur Sikri. Built the Buland Darwaza (commemorating the victory of Gujarat), Jama Masjid, Dewan-e-Khas, Panchmahal, Jodhabai Mahal and Sheikh Salim Chisti’s mausoleum at Fatehpur Sikri. # Allahabad Fort, “Palace of Forty Pillars” was built during Akbar’s reign (Started by William Finch, an English merchant of East India Company). # 1565-1572: Completed Humayun’s Tomb (in Delhi). # 1565-1573: Agra Fort and some important palaces like Dewan-i-Am, Dewan-i-Khas, Jahangir Mahal, Akbari Mahal etc. # 1561-1565: Ibadat Khana: (House of Worship) at Fatehpur Sikri. # 1576: Anup Talao pool of ornament during Akbar’s reign. |
| Jahangir | 1605-1613: Construction of Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra was completed in 1613. 1622-1628: Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula in Agra. 1619: Shalimar Bagh garden in Srinagar. 1606-1627: Lahore Fort Renovations including the Naulakha Pavilion. |
| Shah Jahan | 1632-1648: Taj Mahal (Agra): Symbol of eternal love. UNESCO World Heritage Site. 1638: Red Fort (Delhi): Part of his new capital city, Shahjahanabad. 1650-1656: Jama Masjid (Delhi): Used red sandstone and white marble. 1648-1653: Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) (Agra Fort). 1641-1642: Shalimar Gardens (Lahore). 1635: Peacock Throne. Kept in front of Diwan-i-Khas (Red Fort in Delhi) 1637: Jahangir’s Mausoleum (Shahdara, Lahore). 1639: Diwan-i-Khas – Red Fort (Delhi) (Hall of Private Audience). 1639: Shah Bur (Lahore). Extended the Lahore Fort. He was an outstanding patron of architecture, hence his period is called the ‘Golden Age‘ of Mughal rule. Shah Jahan is known as the ‘Prince of Builders‘. |
| Aurangzeb | 1660: Bibi ka Maqbara (Aurangabad) 1662-1665: Moti Masjid (inside the Red Fort in Delhi). 1671-1673: Badshahi Mosque (Lahore). 1700: Zinat-ul-Masjid (Ghata Masjid / Marble Mosque) (near the Yamuna River). Mosque was built on the ruins of the Vishwanath Temple at Benares. |
| Bahadur Shah I | 1707: Zinat-ul-Masjid (completed by Bahadur Shah I, initiated by Aurangzeb). 1707-1712: Restored several Mughal monuments in Delhi and Lahore. |
Characteristics of Mughal architecture
- Mughal architecture was a perfect mixture of pre-Turkish, Islamic, Persian, and Indian architectural elements.
- Mughal architecture used bulbous domes, slender minarets, red sandstone and white marble.
- The structural pattern of Mughal architecture is uniform.
- Exquisite decorative artistry may be seen in the jali-latticed screens and Pachin Kari ornamental work.
- Magnificent structures were covered by gardens on all four sides which was a common element of Mughal architecture.
- A common presence in Mughal architecture is jalis and jharokhas.
- Slender minarets with cupolas at each of the four corners are a hallmark of Mughal architecture.
- Construction had large vaulted gateways.
- The halls were massive.
- Mughal architecture included geometric and floral designs.
- Used mosaic tilework.