Describe the growth of architecture under the Mughals.

Or

What was the contribution of architecture during the Mughal period?

1. Buildings got constructed by Babar : Babar had spent a major part of his period as emperor in wars. Still he got the buildings constructed during whatever little time was left with him e.g., the splendid mosque located at Kabuli Garden in Panipat and Sambhal in Ruhelkhand etc. He got the mosque constructed in old Lodi Fort at Agra along with the Jama Masjid. Their very sight-reveals the knowledge of the then art of building constftretion. pesides this Babar had described in his autobiography ‘Babarnama’ about the interest in the work of construction at Sikri, Dhaulpur, Bayana, Gwalior, etc.

2.    Buildings got constructed by Humayun : Humayun kept rolling during his life-time hence he did not get the proper and required time for building construction yet he got the mosques constructed at Agra and at Fatehabad in Hissar. The style of these mosque construction is Greek.

3.    Buildings got construted by Akbar : There was peace, order and wealth during Akbar’s reign. Hence, this increased his courage and devotion to building construction. A mixed form of Greek and Indian style can be detected in his building construction. He got the Humayun’s tomb constructed in Delhi and got some buildings constructed at Lahore. He got the Agra fort comprising nearly five hundred buildings constructed out of which Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Jahangir Mahal, Akbari Mahal etc, can be pin-pointed as the chief buildings. He got a new town (city) constructed at Fatehpur Sikri. Among the constructed buildings, the chief ones were—Buland Darwaja, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Jama Masjid, tomb of Sheikh^-Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Birbal Palace etc. A combined form of Hindu-Muslim style can be noticed herein. Leaving aside the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, all the other buildings are made of red stone.

4.    Buildings got constructed by Jahangir : Jahangir was chiefly fond of planting gardens and drawing. Association of a garden with every Mughal building was his speciality. Noor Jahan got her father's tomb constructed at Agra which is addressed to this day as Aitmadudaula. Marble has been chiefly used therein. The walls are covered with designs and paintings of flowers, leaves, creepers etc. on valuable and multi-coloured stones. Jahangir got Akbar’s tomb named Sikandara constructed near Agra.

5.    Buildings got constructed by Shah Jahan : The buildings got constructed by Shah Jahan are fine models of masonry. Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Sawan Bhadon, Moti Masjid etc. constructed inside the Red Fort at Delhi are unique models of masonry. The work of mosaic is peeping out of the walls of the buildings. Jama Masjid too is a fine model of art. The Taj Mahal at Agra has also been made of white marble which Shah Jahan had got constructed in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The ceilings and walls had been engraved with costly stories and precious metals like gold and silver which were delineated with natural scenes.

6.    Aurangzeb and the fall of the art of architecture : He got only the Shahi Masjid constructed at Lahore. His period was the period of decline in masonry. Neither did he take any interest in this direction nor encouraged it. He deemed it as extravagence.