1
BEGINNING
IN THE NAME OF
ALLAH
THE MOST GRACIOUS
THE EVER MERCIFUL
CERTIFICATE
Certified that this research paper has been produced under my supervision by my students namely Hadiyah, Qayyum, Ema Tabassum. Rimsha Siddique. (Group A) , Anum Younis, Maheen Farwa batool (Group B), Shaher bano, Faiza, Shumila (Group C) at Alif Laila Book Bus Society Lahore Pakistan.
Group A was assigned the topic of Salient Features of Mughal Empire. Group B and C conducted research on Mughal Architecture in Punjab and Mughal Architecture in Lahore respectively. I also conducted some work on this topic and added the same in this paper. We carried out research on the given topic through Internet, Library, and documentaries.
Kasloom Akhtar
General Contents
WHAT THIS PAPER CONTAINS
- Title Page
- Beginning
- Certificate
- Preface
- General Contents
- Chapter-1
Beginning of the Muslim Rule and its effects on the architecture of the Sub-Continent
- Chapter-2
Advent of the Mughals in the Subcontinent
- Chpater-3
The Famous Mughal Emperors
- Chapter-4
Salient Features of Mughal Empire
- Justice
- Beauty Lovers
- Connoisseurs
- Chapter-5
Mughal Architecture
Mughal Architecture in Punjab (Pakistan)
Lahore- The Treasure House of Muslim Architecture
- Lahore Fort
- Shalimar Gardens
3.Noor Jahan Tomb
- Badshahi Mosque
- Jahangir Tomb
- Wazir Khan's Mosque
- Hiran Minar
- Buildings in Northern Punjab
- Some of the Monuments of “Engineer King” (Shah Jahan)
- Work sent in by the other group members
- References
CHAPTER -1
Beginning of the Muslim Rule and its effects on the architecture of Sub-Continent
With the arrival of Islam came a new philosophy of faith. And with this new philosophy came a new culture which ushered in an era of unprecedented development in art, architecture, science, medicine, mathematics, poetry, and so on. As Islam spread, the Muslim rulers in various parts of the world began integrating local aesthetic traditions with an Islamic sensibility. The new monuments were decorated with verses from the Quran( holy book of Muslims) in stylized calligraphy, tessellation patterns, and various geometric shapes. Tens of thousands of mosques, madrasahs, tombs, and gardens were created by the Muslim rulers of the sub-continent. This new style of architecture prevailed in the land for more than a thousand years.
Muslims came to India in the seventh century, just decades after the beginning of Islam. Different dynasties of Muslims rulers ruled different parts of India each dynasty left its own impact on the architecture of this beautiful land but the Mughals paid special attention in creating structures of timeless beauty.
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CHAPTER-2
Advent of the Mughals in the Subcontinent
There is a broad continuity in Muslim history of the subcontinent, but with the foundation of the Mughal Empire in 1526, we reach a political and cultural watershed. It was Babar, who laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India in 1526 after defeating the local ruler Ibrahim Lodhi. Mughals were the first Muslim rulers of Delhi to patronize and encourage painting and music and in the realm of architecture their monuments challenge comparison with similar activity any where in the world. These features mark off the Mughal period from the earlier regime. But the differences went deeper and extended far beyond material and visible developments. As professor Spear has said “the Mughal era had a personality and an ethos of its own”. It was marked by a different atmosphere and breathed a different air. Partly the difference in atmosphere arose out of a greater cultural refinement. But it was even to a greater extent due to the broad, large hearted basis on which the foundation of the Mughal system of administration was lead
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CHAPTER-3
The Famous Mughal Emperors
Babar “The Tiger”
The founder of the Mughal dynasty was Babar, "The Tiger," who ruled from 1526 to 1530. Babar was not fully a Mongol: his mother was descended from Genghis Khan, but his father was descended from Timur. He ruled over a small kingdom in Turkestan; he expanded his kingdom by attacking Afghanistan and India in 1504 A.D. When he died in 1530 he had conquered all of Hindustan and controlled an empire that extended from the
Deccan to Turkestan.
Since Babar was aggressively expanding his territory he did not concentrate on constructing buildings of architectural value but he paved the way for an empire famous for its architecture.
Humayun
Babar was succeeded by his son, Humayun, who was 23 years old.Humayun's tenure is marked by aggressive fighting through out his life- from losing the entire empire to recon quest he was busy in the fighting. However, had a profound influence on Mughal culture? In his years of exile in the Persian court, Humayun developed a deep understanding and love for Persian culture, and instilled that in his son Akbar. After his and his son's recon quest of India, the culture that they built around themselves was based heavily on Persian models: philosophy, literature, painting, and architecture, all show deeply embedded Persian models.
Akbar
Akbar was born in November 1542 and was a little more than 13, when he ascended the throne on Feb, 14 1556. He ruled India till his death on Oct 27, 1605. During Akbar's reign (and to a much greater extent during the reign of Jahangir), trade activities were further facilitated by the construction of numerous caravanserais (inns) and hospitals along the Grand Trunk Road, especially in Punjab.
Under Akbar, Persian artists directed an academy of local painters. The drawings, costumes, and ornamentation of illuminated manuscripts by the end of the 16th cent. Illustrate the influence of Indian tastes and manners in the bright coloring and detailed landscape backgrounds. Modeling and perspective also began to be adapted from Western pictures. Basawan, Lal, and Daswanth were Akbar’s most famous painters.
This tradition translated into beautiful artwork on buildings built by later Mughals.
Jahangir (The age of Mughal Splendor 1605-1627)
Jahangir ascended the throne on Nov 3, 1605 and ruled India till his death on Oct 28, 1627. Jahangir seems to have inherited the attitude of the older Akbar, for he lavishly patronized the arts: painting, architecture, philosophy, and literature, while ignoring military conquest. The period of Jahangir's tenure as Emperor is considered the richest period of Mughal culture; Indian, Muslim, and Western scholars have named this period, the age of Mughal splendor.
Jahangir favored paintings of events from his own life rather than illustrated fiction. He encouraged portraiture and scientific studies of birds, flowers, and animals, which were collected in albums. Mansur and Manohar were among his famous painters. Jahangir, who resided at Lahore, built less than his predecessors but effected the significant change from sandstone to marble in his monuments of architecture.Shah Jahan
The reign of Shah Jahan, who formally ascended the throne on Feb 6, 1628 is considered the period of the greatest splendor of the Greatest Mughals. The empire enjoyed a great measure of internal peace and the emperor had ample leisure to satisfy his taste for cultural pursuits and the Mughal armies could attend the expansion of the empire. It was Shah Jahan who perfected Mughal architecture. Shah Jahan began a series of incredible, resplendent, and monumental architectural projects in Dehli. The city itself was surrounded by sixty foot walls. In the middle of the city he built a magnificent palace for himself itself contained within the Red Fort (so called because it was made of red sandstone), which housed the palace as well as all the buildings associated with imperial administration. He built for himself an extravagant throne, the Peacock Throne, all in gold and covered in rare jewels. Western historians estimate that the throne was built at an expense of over five million dollars. In 1739, the Afghani conqueror of Persia, invaded Hindustan, burned down Shah Jahan's palace and seized the Peacock Throne for himself—it has remained in Iran ever since.
Shah Jahan's most famous building project, however, was the Taj Mahal in Agra. When his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal ("Ornament of the Palace"), died at the age of 39 while giving birth to her seventh child in 1631, the grief-stricken emperor set about building for her the most lavish tomb he could manage. Combining both Persian and Indian architectural styles, the tomb and the grounds are meant to bring into reality the Muslim idea of Paradise. The Taj Mahal took over twenty years to build and demanded the labor of over twenty thousand men.Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb, the third son of Shah Jahan, was born on Oct 24, 1618. He firstly ascended the throne on 21st July, 1658, and then on 5th June 1659. He was industrious far seeing and thorough. Under the orthodox Aurangzeb (1658–1707) the decline of the arts began, although his ornate Pearl Mosque (1662) at Delhi is worthy of mention. During his reign the Mughal academy was dispersed. Many artists then joined Rajput courts, where their influence on Hindu painting is clearly evident. Famous Badshahi Mosque is also built by Aurangzeb which had the largest praying area in the world till the construction of Faisal Mosque in Islamabad in late twentieth century
Chapter- 4
Salient Features of Mughal Empire
Justice
Mughal Emperors believed in the principles of equal justice and impartial treatment of all their subjects and as such they applied it most conscientiously through out their empire, extending the benefits of this principle to all the sections of their people without least consideration of caste, creed and colour. This made the Hindus and the Muslims alike equal before the law of the land. Before this, the non-Muslims were always accorded a step-motherly treatment by the ruling party. They were considered as political and social inferiors. Akbar eliminated all these differences and treated all his subjects alike. Akbar acted on the principle of due appreciation and reward of merit for men of caliber and ability, irrespective of caste and creed. Akbar brought about political, cultural, social and economic unity of the country. In the capacity of a secular ruler, he gained a remarkable success because he was able to win the support of both Hindus and Muslims due to principles of equity and justice towards all.
His son Jahangir also had a great passion for justice. With a view to making him accessible to all the seekers of justice, he caused “Gold Chain” with bells to be hung between the Shah Burj in the Agra fort and a post on the road near the bank of the river “jamna” so as to enable the suitors to ring the bell of justice. He always gave equal justice to all not even caring for the princes or Ameers. He was normally a justice loving Monarch. He rightly took credit for dispensing even handed justice to all irrespective of birth, rank or official position. These principles were also followed by the later emperors
Beauty Lovers
Their taste for the fine things in life - for beautifully designed artifacts and the enjoyment and appreciation ofcultural activities also distinguished them from other interlopers who were skilled at war-making and little else.
The first Mughal emperor Babur expresses his love for nature in the following words:
"My heart, like the bud of the red, red rose,
Lies fold within fold aflame;
Would the breath of even a myriad Springs
Blow my heart's bud to a rose? "
Connoisseurs
The Mughal emperors used the arts and architecture to express their imperial prestige. Shah Jahan's father, Jahangir, pursued his delight in the more refined art of miniature painting, bringing about a golden age of painting at the Mughal court.
Mughal flower paintings are typically meticulously drawn twigs with leaves, buds, and flowers, in a variety of arrangement, flawless in depiction and fully conforming to the rules of naturalistic study without losing its essential aesthetic appeal.
Architecture in the Mughal Empire was formed from the Persian and Indian style of art. Mughal architecture consisted of archs, domes, towers, indentures, and carvings. To show the greatness of the Mughal architecture, the buildings tended to be tall and enormous. The best example of the Mughal architecture is the Taj Mahal, made by Shah Jahan, a Mughal ruler.
CHAPTER-5
Mughal Architecture
A characteristic Indo-Islamic-Persian style that flourished on the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal Empire (1526–1857). This new style combined elements of Islamic art and architecture, which had been introduced to India during the Delhi Sultanate (1192–1398) and had produced great monuments such as the Qutb Minar, with features of Persian art and architecture. Mughal monuments are found chiefly in N India, but there are also many remains in Pakistan.
Abstract decoration of the surface is an important factor in every work of Islamic art and architecture, whether large or small. Curving and often interlaced lines, of which the arabesque is a typical example and the use of brilliant colors characterize almost all of the finest productions, which are of greatly varied styles. Islamic art eschews the realistic representation of human beings and animals, and its floral designs are extremely distant from their original models. While the prohibition against depicting living forms is not contained in the Qur’an, it is widely thought that the non-representational character of Islamic ornament has its source in the traditional theological prohibition against imitating God’s works.
Scrolling vines and flowers, jewels, and crowns in greens, blues, and gold adorn Mughal buildings.
For the Mughal emperors, a tomb was an opportunity to pay tribute to the dead, observe their religious responsibilities and broadcast their magnificence. The tombs of Humayun and Akbar were also grand architectural experiments
Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1628 to 1657, is best remembered for building the splendid Taj Mahal, which has become a symbol of India the way the Eiffel Tower symbolizes France or the pyramids represent Egypt. This was the tomb of his beloved wife, who died giving birth to her seventh child. The walls of the dazzlingly beautiful marble monument are incised with calligraphy and inlaid with flowers made of lapis lazuli, green jade, carnelian and other semi-precious stones. Floral design was popular at the time of Shah Jahan´s reign; artists and craftspeople used it in architecture, on textiles, on metalwork such as enamelled gold, and on the borders of paintings.
Let the splendor of the diamond, pearl and ruby vanish like the magic shimmer of the rainbow. Only let this one teardrop, the Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time...
(Poet Rabindranath Tagore)
Mughal Architecture in Punjab Pakistan
Lahore- The Treasure House of Muslim Architecture
Lahore is "Queen of cities"; others are "like a golden ring, she the diamond.
The ancient city of Lahore, which is now in Pakistan, is a treasure house of Muslim architecture. Lahore, the cultural hub of Pakistan, is situated along the bank of the Ravi River. The city had witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties before the arrival of the Mughals. Lahore was conquered by the founder of the Mughal dynasty, Babur of Ferghana. All the important monuments like the Royal Fort and the Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan's Mosque, the tombs of Jehangir, Asif Jah, Noor Jehan, Shalimar Gardens, Hiran Minar, etc. were constructed during this period.
Lahore Fort
When the Mughal emperors followed Babar one after the other, they choose Lahore as their main urban centre. The third Mughal emperor, Akbar, transferred his capital from Agra to Lahore and laid the foundation for a typical Mughal citadel. The royal residences, Akbari Mahal and Jahangiri Mahal, were constructed in red sandstone imported from Rajistan. Later, Akbar's grandson, Shah Jehan, transformed many existing buildings with the addition of white marble. He also built a palace, the Turkish Bath, and one of his most glorious monuments, the Moti Masjid with its beautiful decorative designs in precious stones set in marble.
However, Shah Jehan's choicest building is the Shish Mahal, the Mirror Palace. It is one of the most brilliant creations and shows the height of Mughal luxury. From the Shish Mahal one has a magnificent view of the Badashahi Masjid built by Aurangzeb, on the left side is the tomb of Allama Iqbal.
Shalimar Bagh
Shah Jahan built a terraced garden Shalimar at Lahore. A modern Historian has described the Shalimar as ‘one of the most charming gardens in the world and the only example of a perfect Mughal garden in Pakistan.’ The greatest jewel of the city of Lahore is the Shalimar Bagh. The garden is a combination of charbaghs, water channels, fountains, cascades, waterfalls and bathing hall divided into three different terraces.
Noor Jahan Tomb
The Empress Noor Jahan was the only Empress whose name appeared on the coins of the Mughal empire. She was buried in 1645 AD. at Shahdara outside Jehangir's mausoleum across the railway line. Her tomb once had a marble cenotaph which she had built herself during her life time.
Badshahi Mosque
The Badshahi Masjid, literally the ‘ Royal Mosque’ was built in 1674 by Aurangzeb, it is one of the Lahore’s best known landmarks, and epitomizes the beauty and grandeur of the Mughal era. It was the largest Mosque in Pakistan before the Faisal Mosque was built at Islamabad.