History of mughal architecture followed by domes and minarets used in Islamic architecture.

2. WHAT IS MUGHAL PERIOD
• Established and ruled by a Persianate dynasty of Chagatai Turco-
Mongol origin that extended over large parts of the Indian
subcontinent and Afghanistan.
• Ruled from early 16th to mid-18th century.
• Babur relates to Timur from father’s side and to Genghis Khan from mother’s.
• Foundation by Babur's victory over Ibrahim Lodi in Panipat.
• The "classic period" of the Mughal Empire started in 1556.
• Decline of the empire started from Aurangzeb’s coronation.
• The last Mughal, Bahadur Shah II was exiled to Yangon, Myanmar by British
on involvement in Indian Mutiny of 1857-58 resulting in end of civilization.

3. • A building style that flourished in northern and central India under the
patronage of the Mughal emperors from the mid-16th to the late 17th century.
• Mughal period marked a striking revival of Islamic architecture in northern
India.
• Under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, Persian, Indian, and various
provincial styles were fused to produce works of unusual quality and
refinement.
• The tomb of the emperor Humayun (begun 1564) at Delhi inaugurated the
new style.
• Mughal buildings have a uniform pattern of structure and character.
• Arches were massively used though load was supported by beams and lintels.
WHAT IS MUGHAL STYLE

4. HUMAYUN’S TOMB
• First defined Mughal building.
• Area enclosed 12000 m2 by building only.
• Includes Central Asian and Persian style.
• Trabeate style. Used beams and Lintels.
• Indian especially Rajasthani architecture
was included.
• Combination of Red Sandstone and White
Marble.
• Rubble Enclosure.
• Made by Hamida Banu Begum. Persian
Architect Malik Mirza Ghiyas

5. NOTABLE PERIODS
Akbar :- Reigned 1556–1605 at Agra and at the new capital city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Made:- 1. Fatehpur Sikri (1569)
2. Jami Masjid (1571 Fatehpur Sikri)
3. Buland Darwaza (1571 Fatehpur Sikri)
4. Great Fort (1565 – 74 Fatehpur Sikri)
Shah Jahan :- Reached zenith during his reign in 1628–58.
Made:- 1. Taj Mahal (1643 Agra)
2. Moti Masjid (1654 Agra)
3. Jami Masjid (1644-56 Delhi)
4. Red Fort (1648 Delhi)
Aurangzeb :- Decline started. Not many but few notable structures.
Made:- 1. Moti Masjid (1659-60 Delhi)
2. Badshahi Masjid ( 1671-73 Lahore)

7. • Sits on rocky ridge.
• 3km in length and 1 km
wide.
• Surrounded by 6 km wall
• Wall surround 3 sides 4th
being covered by lake
• Constructed using Indian
principles.
• Synthesis of various
schools of craftsmanship.
• Constructed with locally
quarried Red Sandstone,
also called ‘Sikri
Sandstone’
FATEHPUR SIKRI

8. • Made of red and buff sandstone.
• Decorated by white and black
marble.
• Symmetrical structure. Higher
than courtyard.
• Topped by large free standing
kiosks.
• Roof terrace edge gallery-
kiosks.
• Styled buckler battlements,
Minar Spires and inlay work with
white and black marble.
• Approach consists of 42 steps.
• Persian inscripture on eastern
archway records Akbar’s
conquest.
• Purpose was to celebrate victory
on Gujrat in 1573. Was not the
part of Jami Masjid (created
later).
BULAND DARWAZA

11. TAJ MAHAL
• Dome made of white marble standing
on square plinth.
• Multi-chambered cube structure.
• Originally cladded with gold but was
recently replaced with gilded bronze.
• Persian calligraphy on the great gate.
• Interior done with carved marble.
• Each balcony has an exterior window
with intricate screen of marble.
• Remaining space inlaid with semi-
precious stones.

12. MOTI MASJID
• Stands on ground that slopes from east to west to
the north of Diwan-i-Am complex in Agra Fort.
• Courtyard has sided arcades and arched
recessions.
• Sanctuary roofed with 3 bulbous domes built of
light white marble and standing on red sandstone
walls.
• Series of Hindu styled domed kiosks along the
parapet.
• 7 bays divided into aisles supported by piers and
lobed arches.
This Mosque was constructed
for royal court members. It is
called Moti Masjid because it
shined like Pearl.

13. RED FORT• Constructed as a fortified palace of a fortified capital Shahjahanabad.
• Name derived from massive enclosing walls of red sandstone.
• Covers area of 254.67 acres (103.06 ha) enclosed by 2.41 km of defensive walls.
• Walls are punctuated by turrets and bastions which are varying in height from
18 m on the river side to 33 m on the city side.
• Fort is octagonal with north-south axis longer than the east-west axis.
• Fort’s buildings have typical Mughal decorations of marble & floral type and has
double domed planning.
• Artwork synthesises Persian, European and Indian art resulting in a unique style
rich in form, expression and colour.
• The Lahori and Delhi Gates were used by the public, and the Khizrabad Gate
was for the emperor. Lahori was the main entrance leading to domed shopping
area

15. JAMA MASJID
• 3 gates, 4 towers and 2 minarets.
• Northern gate has 39 steps. Southern has 33
steps.
• Eastern gate was a rural entrance and has 35
steps.
• Mosque is built on a red sandstone porch 9.1
m above ground and spreads over 1200 m2
• Minarets, 40 m high, consists of 130 steps.
Longitudinally striped with marble (4) and red
sandstone (1,2,3 & 5).
• Minarets have 5 stories with protruding
balconies.
• Courtyard accommodates 25000 worshippers.
• Floor plan is similar to Jama masjid of Agra.
• Covered with black marble (prayer mat).
Border of mat 0.91m x 0.46m was marked for
worshippers. 899 boxes in total.
Mosque = 80 x 27 m2
Hall = 61 x 27.5 m2

16. DIFFERENCE

18. MOTI MASJID
• The prayer hall has three
arches and is divided into 2
aisles
• Surmounted with 3 bulbous
domes.
• Domes were originally
covered with gilded copper.
• Outer walls are oriented in
symmetry with the outer
walls of the fort.
• Inner walls are at slightly
different orientation to align
with the location of Mecca.
• Plastered white outside.
• Inside is marbled courtyard
and a prayer hall at slight
height.

19. BADSHAHI MASJID
• Architecture plan is similar to
Jama Masjid.
• Combines the function of both
Mosque and Idgah.
• East side entrance stairway which
leads through vaulted entrance
constructed of sandstone.
• 276000 sq. ft. courtyard enclosed
by single aisled arcades.
• Courtyard framed by 4 minarets.
• The Mosque has 4 small minarets surrounding it.
• Prayer chamber has central arched niche with 5 arches on both sides which are
about 1/3 the size of centre one.
• The mosque has symmetry as well as balanced clarity and proportions.
• Mosque is made on a raised platform having 22 steps.
• The main chamber is divided into 7 chambers by engraved arches.
• Courtyard is made of brownstone slab.

20. WHAT DO WE LEARN?
Mughal architecture has many distinct features. It was characterised by it’s
distinctive art and fabulous sense of asthetics.
Components vastly used are :-

21. DOMES AND MINARETS IN
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE