Mughal Architecture and Art

Key Pointers

Babur: Kabuli Bagh Mosque (Panipat), Jama Masjid (Sambhal); introduced char-bagh gardens.
Humayun: Humayun's Tomb (Delhi, 1565–72) built by Haji Begum and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas; first major garden-tomb; double dome and Persian influence; precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Sher Shah Sur: Qila-i-Kuhna mosque, Rohtas Fort, tomb at Sasaram.
Akbar: Red sandstone; Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza (1576), Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace, Diwan-i-Khas, Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti), Lahore Fort, Allahabad Fort; Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra (completed by Jahangir).
Jahangir: Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb (Agra, built by Nur Jahan; first use of pietra dura), Shalimar Bagh (Kashmir), Jahangir's tomb at Shahdara (Lahore).
Shah Jahan: Marble and pietra dura; Taj Mahal (1632–53; Ustad Ahmad Lahori), Red Fort and Jama Masjid (Delhi), Moti Masjid (Agra), Peacock Throne; Shahjahanabad.
Aurangzeb: Bibi-ka-Maqbara (Aurangabad, 'Taj of the Deccan'), Badshahi Mosque (Lahore), Moti Masjid (Red Fort); decline in grandeur due to declining patronage.
Painting: Persian + Indian fusion. Humayun brought Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad. Akbar: Hamzanama, illustrated Razmnama. Jahangir: naturalistic and portrait painting (Mansur, Bishandas, Abul Hasan); Shah Jahan: refined style.
Music: Tansen (Akbar's court); Shah Jahan's patronage; Aurangzeb banned court music but royal ladies continued.

MCQs

Q1. Buland Darwaza was built by Akbar to commemorate: (a) Victory over Chittor (b) Victory over Gujarat (c) Victory over Bengal (d) Victory at Haldighati Answer: (b).

Q2. The first Mughal building to use pietra dura extensively was: (a) Humayun's Tomb (b) Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb (c) Taj Mahal (d) Akbar's Tomb Answer: (b).

Q3. Humayun's Tomb was designed by: (a) Ustad Ahmad Lahori (b) Mirak Mirza Ghiyas (c) Abdus Samad (d) Mir Sayyid Ali Answer: (b).