“The arrival of the Mughals was a turning point in

Indian history, more so in its architecture.”

Greatly influenced by the Persian styles, all the early Mughal rulers
constructed excellent mausoleums, mosques, forts, gardens and cities.
The Mughal buildings show a uniform pattern both in structure and
character. The main characteristic features of Mughal architecture are its
bulbous domes, slender minarets with cupolas at four corners, large halls,
lattice work, massive vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation.

Here is a list of Mughal architectural buildings that we hope

to explore in our project. We will try to visit at least 3-4 sites
for an in-depth understanding of the topic.

1)Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb was built in the 1560’s, with the patronage of Humayun’s son,
the great Emperor Akbar. Persian and Indian craftsmen worked together to
build the garden-tomb, far grander than any tomb built before in the Islamic
world.

Humayun’s garden-tomb is also called the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’ as in the

cells are buried over 150 Mughal family members.

Humayun’s Tomb and the other contemporary 16th century garden tombs within
the property form a unique ensemble of Mughal era garden-tombs. The
monumental scale, architectural treatment and garden setting are outstanding in
Islamic garden-tombs.
Humayun’s Tomb is the first important example in India, and above all else, the
symbol of the powerful Mughal dynasty that unified most of the sub continent,
which is why we think this will be perfect for our research.

Humayun’s garden-tomb is built on a monumental scale, grandeur of design and

garden setting with no precedence in the Islamic world for a mausoleum. Here for
the first time, important architectural innovations were made including creating a
char-bagh – a garden setting inspired by the description of paradise in the Holy
Quran.
The monumental scale achieved here was to become the characteristic of Mughal
imperial projects, inspiring the construction of the Taj Mahal.
 2) The Red Fort

The Red Fort Complex was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad – the
new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan.
The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which,
under the Shah Jahan, was brought to a new level of refinement.

 The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each

pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal building,
reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions The Red Fort’s
innovative planning and architectural style, including the garden design,
strongly influenced later buildings and gardens in Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra
and further afield
 The innovative planning arrangements and architectural style of building
components and garden design developed in the Red Fort strongly
influenced later buildings and gardens in Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and
further afield. The Red Fort Complex also reflects the phase of British
military occupation, introducing new buildings and functions over the
earlier Mughal structures.
 The Red Fort has been a symbol of power since the reign of Shah Jahan,
has witnessed the change in Indian history to British rule, and was the
place where Indian independence was first celebrated, and is still
celebrated today. The Red Fort Complex has thus been the setting of events
critical to the shaping of regional identity.
 The Red Fort Complex is a layered expression of both Mughal architecture
and planning, and the later British military use of the forts.

We want to cover the Red Fort as it will provide us information not related to just
architecture but also will provide a deep perspective on Mughal history which has
added to its heritage.

3) Jama Masjid
It's not surprising that Delhi's Jama Masjid is one of the finest examples of
Mughal architecture in India. It was made by Emperor Shah Jahan. This
architecture-loving ruler went on a building spree during his reign,
resulting in it being widely regarded as the "golden age" of Mughal
architecture. Notably, the mosque was his last architectural extravagance
before he fell ill in 1658 and was subsequently imprisoned by his son.

Shah Jahan constructed the mosque, as the central place of worship, after
establishing his new capital in Delhi (he relocated there from Agra). It was
completed in 1656 by more than 5,000 laborers. Such was the mosque's
status and importance that Shah Jahan called an imam from Bukhara
(now Uzbekistan) to preside over it. This role has been passed down from
generation to generation, with the eldest son of each imamsucceeding his
father.

Tall minaret towers and protruding domes, which can be seen for miles
around, are distinctive features of the Jama Masjid. This reflects the
Mughal style of architecture with its Islamic, Indian and Persian influences.
Shah Jahan also made sure that the mosque and its pulpit sat higher up
than his residence and throne. He appropriately named it Masjid e Jahan
Numa, meaning "a mosque that commands a view of the world".

4) Khan-i-Khana
Situated in Nizamuddin East, in close proximity to Humayun’s Tomb lies the tomb
of Khan-i-Khana, a famous composer during the time of Mughal Emperor Akbar,
more popularly known as Rahim. 

This tomb was originally built by Rahim for his wife in 1598, but he himself was
buried here in in 1627. The tomb is topped with a bulbous dome and is adorned
with canopies and arches. The tomb of Rahim is located below the surface and is
inaccessible to the public. The first floor of the tomb contains two small raised
platforms, though the rest of it is pretty bear with nothing much to see.

This monument is really weathered and beat up but we would love to explore it as
it one of the few monuments built under Akbar to be situated in Delhi.

Most of the monuments built under the Mughal ruler Akbar are not
present In Delhi barring a few like the Humanyun’s tomb. So here
instead of actually visiting the place we will refer to history books and
accounts written by other people.

5) Purana Quila
The Purana Quila was built between 1538 and 1545 by the Mughal
emperor Humanyun. The fort originally lay on the bank of the river
Yamuna before the river changed its course.
The Purana Quila was built by Humayun in an attempt to build a city of
his own.
When Sher Shah defeated Humayun most of the structures inside the
old fort were demolished and was renamed as. But once again as
Humayun recaptured his city from Sher Shah's son he took the task of
completing the city and rebuilding its old glory.
The roof of the fort constructed with red sandstone and the roof crowned in three
chapters. This chattris and their tops covered with dazzling whiteness and added the
coloured tiles to enrich the beauty of the fort.

SHER MANDAL
The construction of Sher Mandal was started by Babur and completed by Humayun.
The building is made up of red sandstone and is octagonal in shape. Babur used the
building as an observatory and library.

The tower is supported by eight pillars and an octagonal chhatri. Along with all these,
there is a spot depicting the place from where Humayaun fell down from the second
storey and died after two days.

6) Fatehpuri Masjid

Situated at the western end of Chandni Chowk in Delhi, Fatehpuri Masjid is a 17th
century mosque named after the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife-
Fatehpuri Begum. Built in 1650, the mosque is constructed entirely of red stone
and boasts of a fluted dome and towering minarets. A masterpiece of Mughal
architecture, the mosque has a vast central prayer hall designed with seven
enormous arches. 

Fatehpuri Masjid has been built on an elevated platform of three and a half feet.
Capped by a gigantic dome, the mosque is guarded by two towering minarets. The
chief prayer hall has seven arches, the central of which is the highest. Both the dome
and the arches have been made out of lime mortar and are striped black and white.
Made entirely in red sandstone, the mausoleum has three entrance gates- the biggest
of which open across the road from Red Fort and the other two opens towards North
and South ends. The monument also boasts of a central courtyard which houses
more than twenty graves of prominent Islamic scholars; single and double-storeyed
apartments flank the courtyard. A very large tank grace the courtyard, the water from
which is used for ablution.

These are the 6 architectural monuments

that we intend to cover in our project.
In the project we will give a brief introduction about the history
behind the monument and the person who constructed it, followed
by an in-depth analysis of its architecture and we will also add
some literary references and their historical significance.