Mughal architecture by AkbarRuled: (963-1014/1556-1605)

Akbar’s architectural activity surpassed even that of the Tughluks, who had already shown a mania for building.

Akbari architecture developed into a dramatic supraregional synthesis characterized by extensive borrowing of features from earlier Timurid, Transoxanian, Indian and Persian styles. Stylistic clashes resulting from the amalgamation of such heterogeneous elements were mollified by the favourite building material, RED SANDSTONE, whose unifying hue carried an additional attraction in being the color reserved for imperial tents.

In the uninhibited interaction of styles, however, there was a certain predilection for particular type of buildings. The Timurid tradition made itself most felt in vaulted masonry architecture employed for mausoleums, individual palace buildings, gatehouses, hammams, karwansara’is and smaller mosque.

The first major building enterprise of Akbar’s period was the tomb of his father at Delhi

Delhi, Humayun’s tomb, sectional elevation and ground floor plan

The plan of Humayun’s tomb is composed of four irregular octagonal units, which in turn form the corner elements of the main nine-part figure. This clear and yet complex scheme of overlapping points of reference –which uses the typical to produce the outstanding-makes the structure one of the most perfectly planned octagonal building in the general history of architecture.

Delhi, tomb of Humayun, central dome.

Deh-i Minar near Heart, khanaqa of Shayakh

Armani, later 15th century plan….on the lines of the

ninefold plan

The ninefold plan or the “hasht bihisht”The complete ninefold plan –as it became current in mughal

architecture -consists of a square (a rectangle), sometimes with corners fortified by towers but more often chamfered so as to form an irregular octagon (muthamman baghdadi).

The layout is divided by four intersecting construction lines into nine parts, comprising a domed chamber in the centre, rectangular open halls in the middle of the sides –in form either of pishtaqs or of flat- roofed verandas supported by pillars (the mughal iwan) –and two-storey vaulted rooms or blocks in the corners, reflected on the façade by superimposed vaulted niches (nashiman).

In the radially planned versions of this scheme the corner rooms are linked to the main domed chamber by additional diagonal passages.

The term hasht bihisht (“eight paradises”) has been interpreted as a reference to the eight rooms surrounding the central chamber.

Fatehpur Sikri

-Situated on the Vindhya range overlooking a lake, Fatehpur Sikri dominates the skyline for miles. -The hamlet of Sikri was named Shukri (thanks) by Babur. -Akbar named it Fatehpur (fateh - victory) making it the city of victory after his conquest over Gujarat in 1573. -He was also the first great Mughal patron of the arts. -Of his various building projects, the most ambitious was this new capital city - Fatehpur was built mostly between 1571 and 1585, when Akbar had adopted Lahore as his principal residence.

Akbar proceeded to transform Fatehpur into a complete planned city. A fine blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture, Fatehpur has north-Indian style post and beams roofed with Islamic-style vaults and domes. Several elaborate palaces, courtyards, pools, harems, tombs and a great mosque were built here.A large number of masons and stone carvers toiled in an area over two miles long and a mile wide; they used locally available bright red sandstone which provides the buildings with much of their sheen. Fifteen years later, lack of adequate water supply and no means to bring it up from the lake led to the city being abandoned.

The sprawling city is divided into two parts, the Palace Complex which has nine monuments and the Mosque Complex.

The Mosque complex houses the Bulund Darwaza (the entrance) which leaves any visitor mesmerized. This massive doorway was built to commemorate the victory over Gujarat and is visible for miles at a stretch. Walking in through these gates is quite an experience. It leads into the huge mosque and a vast courtyard. Herein lies the white marble mausoleum of Sheikh Salim Chisti. Pilgrims come here to pray for a child and tie strings to the jali -- lattice work which is the most outstanding work of this mausoleum). Originally built in red sandstone by Akbar, it was later converted to marble by Jehangir. To the right is the mosque constructed under the saint’s supervision. Further down are a set of buildings, also referred to as the palace complex.

THIS MOSQUE COMPLEX INCLUDES…..

ISLAM KHAN’S TOMB…*SALIM CHISHTI’S TOMB…..JAMI MASJID…..

JAMI MASJIDTHIS MASSSIVE MOSQUE MEASURING FANTASTIC 515FT-432FT .IT INDIAS LARGEST MOSQUE.

THE MOSQUE IS HAVING LARGE COURTYARD . THE COURTYARD IS ENCLOSED BY CORRIDORS.FROM BULAND DARVAZA THE PUBLIC ENTRY IS PROVIDED.

THE TOMB OF ONE ISLAM KHAN NAMED SALIM CHISTISALIM CHISTI WAS PLANTED IN THE NORTH-EASTERN CORNER OF THE COURTYARD.

AFTERVARDS VIRTUAL TOMB OF MARBLE STONE WAS MADE THERE JUST ABOVE THE ORIGINAL TOMB.

Marble lattice Marble lattice work at salim work at salim chisti`s tombchisti`s tomb

The Palace complex hosts nine monuments within. The Ankh Michauli built in white marble, is a single-storey building with huge galleries and rooms behind it covered in jali. Here, the queen and her friends played hide and seek. From this building, one can take a peek behind into what was called the Meena Bazaar with a victory tower in the centre. It has a wide path with open structures on the side. It was here that the royal women organized a weekly market selling clothes, jewellery, food stuff etc and showed off their skills in all fields possible including the art of war. The invitees were men of the royal family and the royal entourage.

BULAND DARVAZATHE 54 METER HIGH BULAND DARVAZA OR TRIUMPHAL GATEVAY BUILT IN 1575 TO CELEBRATE AKBAR`S VICTORY IN GUJARAT AND RAJASTHAN . IT IS THE MOST STUPENDOUS WORK OF THE MUGHALS . THE GATEWAY IS APPROACHED BY A STEEP FLIGHT OF STEPS, WHICH ADD HIGHT AND MAJESTY TO THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE. THE GATEWAY IS DESIGNED IN COLOURED STONES AND MARBLE.IT IS SO AWESOME THAT IT HIDES THE MAGNIFISENT JAMI MASJID , WHICH IS JUST BEHIND.

The Panch Mahal or the five-storey building has pillars and is open on all sides. It was built with pierced stonework forming walls, behind which there was the royal harem. From here, the women could observe all that was going on in the yard.

PANCH MahalPANCH Mahal

DIWAN-I-KHASIT IS HAVING UNIQUE INTERIORS. IN THE CENTER OF THE CHAMBER A CARVED PILLAR RISES.IT IS MADE UP OF GIGANTIC JAINA VAULTED BRACKETS THAT SUPPORT A CIRCULAR STONE PLATFORRM FROM WHICH FOUR ARIAL BRIDGES RADIATE ALONG EACH DIAGONAL OF THE HALL TO CONNECT THE HANGING BALCONIES WHICH COMMUNICATE WITH GROUND BY A STAIRCASE

Diwan-i-Am is where Akbar took general audiences with the public. Close to it lies the Pachisi court or the pavilion, where the floor is marked in black and white and chess was played with humans as chessmen, with both players sitting on either side. 

DIWAN-I-KHASDIWAN-I-KHAS

DIWAN-I-AMDiwani-I-Aam, or the hall of public audience appears first. It is a huge rectangular walled-in courtyard where petitions were heard, proclamations made, embassies received and entertainment programs held. The royal balcony, set within a frame of jail screens, appears on the western front. In front of the royal seat, a stone hook is still found embedded in the ground. As per tradition, Akbar's pet elephant Hiran was tied to this hook to crush to death under its feet the head of the guilty. If it refused to obey thrice, the victim was freed.

ANUP TALAO

HERE THE FAMOUS COURT MUSICIAN TANSEN PLAYED MUSIC. AKBAR`S PRIVATE APPARTMENTS WERE CLOSE TO THAT TALAO.

Across this building stands the Anup Taloa, with a central stage with four paths leading to it. According to historical evidence, this is where Tansen sat and performed many of the beautiful ragas for Emperor Akbar. 

ANUP TALAOANUP TALAO

On the periphery of the city and away from the administrative buildings in the centre are the personal palaces like the Sunehra Mahal (golden palace) sporting vivid wall murals. Nestling alongside this palace lie Jodhabai's and Birbal's Palaces. 

JODHABAI`S PALACE AND BIRBAL`S PALACEJODHABAI`S PALACE AND BIRBAL`S PALACE

Thank you

Praveen suthar08-BCTG-08