Mughal Architecture

Notes

Babur: Kabuli Bagh Mosque (Panipat), Aram Bagh (Agra). Introduced Persian garden concepts.
Humayun's Tomb (Delhi, 1570): Haji Begum, architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. The first major garden tomb in India, with a charbagh layout, red sandstone and marble, and a double dome. UNESCO 1993.
Akbar: Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri (1571 onwards), a blend of Gujarati and Persian styles. It includes Buland Darwaza (after the Gujarat victory), Jama Masjid, Salim Chishti's tomb, Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas (central pillar), Jodha Bai's palace, and Birbal's house. UNESCO 1986. Akbar's tomb is at Sikandra.
Jahangir: Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb (Agra, built by Nur Jahan). First extensive use of white marble and pietra dura. Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar.
Shah Jahan (Golden Age):
- Taj Mahal (1632-53, Ustad Ahmad Lahori, UNESCO 1983).
- Red Fort (Delhi).
- Jama Masjid (Delhi, built 1650-56).
- Moti Masjid (Agra).
- Shalimar Gardens (Lahore).
Aurangzeb: Bibi ka Maqbara (Aurangabad, the "Poor Man's Taj"), Badshahi Mosque (Lahore).
Features: bulbous double dome, cusped arch, pietra dura, charbagh, chhatris, slender minarets, red sandstone then marble.

Key points: Mughal architecture shifts from red sandstone (Akbar) to white marble (Shah Jahan).

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