Monuments Built by Mughals
-by Ishita Mondal
–Reading Time – 8 min Approx
–Edited by – Srishti Bhattacharyya
Tombs and sculptures hold the heritage of an age. No matter which era the monuments belong to, their raised heads always bear the legacy of it. The aesthetic significance of an age depends a lot on the architecture created in that timeframe. Among all of the ages in history, some ages experience exceptional artistry in the case of architecture. One of such ages is the well-known era of our Muslim rulers.
No, I am not only talking about the much-discussed Taj Mahal. Along with that special epitome of love, there are several others built during this era. All of those artistic creations are enough to mesmerize the viewers anytime, especially since the monuments built by Mughals showcase the excellent skills of the artisans at that time.
Want to have a taste of that artistic beauty? Rest assured, we are going to shed light on the monuments built by Mughals. Let’s experience the elegance of the royal Mughal period together.
Monuments Built by Mughals – A Brief Guide to the Era:
While we are here to learn about the monuments built by Mughals, it is important to have a brief idea about the age and its rulers. The Mughal Era started in 1526 with the first Mughal Emperor, Babur. The legacy was maintained by his successors – Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb.
However, the early rulers of the era spent much time establishing the empire. Therefore, no major artistry was seen at that time. The reign of Akbar, the greatest ruler of the Mughal period, signified the emergence of culture, heritage, and architecture. Several monuments, gates, and other architectural wonders were built under his rule. After Akbar, his son Jahangir and grandson Shah Jahan too had built many architectural masterpieces. Later, Aurengzeb continued the trend of building monuments and artistic pieces.
All of the structures, especially the monuments, bear the unique artistry of the age. Even today, people wonder seeing the unbelievable creative talents of that time. Here, let us unveil the majestic elegance presented by the monuments built in Mughal era.
A Detailed List:
From Agra Fort to Taj Mahal, the list of the monuments built by Mughals is a long one. Let’s have a quick look at them before delving into their features and significance.
Monuments built by Akbar:
- Agra Fort
- Fatehpur Sikri
- Humayun’s Tomb
- Tomb of Salim Chisti
Monuments built By Jahangir:
- Begum Shahi Mosque
- Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah or Bachcha Taj
Monuments built By Shah Jahan:
- Taj Mahal
- Wazir khan Mosque
- Shalimar Gardens
- Shahi Hammam
- Shah Jahan Mosque
- Jama Masjid
Monuments built by Aurangzeb:
- Badshahi mosque
- Bibi ka Maqbara
- Moti masjid
- Zafar mahal
- Zinat-ul-masjid
Others:
- Tomb of Safdar Jung
Along with these, there are many other monuments built by Mughals. Let’s move forward with a detailed discussion on Mughal architecture.
An Overview:
The Mughal period can be called the era of monuments. All the monuments of the time have rich historical significance. Diverse artistic beauty is showcased through these pieces of architecture.
Agra Fort:
As the principal residence of Mughals, Agra Fort has been a world-famous tourist spot for many years. In 1983 UNESCO had declared it as a World Heritage Site. Visited the Taj Mahal already? Do not miss this one! It is at a distance of 2.5 km from the Taj Mahal.
Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah:
This famous mausoleum also known as Bachcha Taj is located at Agra in Uttar Pradesh and is structured much like the Taj Mahal. It was built in the era of Jahangir.
Taj Mahal:
While talking about the monuments in the Mughal era, how can we forget this special piece of artistic elegance? Considered the epitome of love, this ivory-white monument mesmerizes the visitors every time. You can find this beautiful mausoleum at the bank of the River Yamuna in Agra.
Jama Masjid:
If the Taj Mahal is a structure to be appreciated for its elegant appearance, Jama Masjid is also no less than that. The place was politically significant during the British era. Located in Old Delhi, it is one of the most iconic tourist spots in India.
Bibi ka Maqbara:
Mughal monuments are also famous for their unique names. Aurangzeb built this exceptional monument to pay tribute to his wife, Dilras Bano Begum. The monument is located at Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
Moti Masjid:
If you are in Red Fort, you must visit this white-marble masjid. You can find this within the fort complex. Also, you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the fountain inside the masjid premises.
Tomb of Safdar Jung:
As per the chronology of the Mughal architecture, it is the last masterpiece of the era. However, with respect to beauty and elegance, it is no less than the other Mughal creations. It presents a perfect combination of red-brown and white-colored structures.
The Unique Features of Mughal Architecture:
Symmetry and a perfect balance of artistic rhythms are the major points that make the Mughal architecture one-of-its-kind. The emperors were known for their rich taste of culture and art. Most of the rulers appreciated art in their time. Thus, the monuments built by Mughals showcase some exceptional features.
Blend of Architectural Styles:
Ranging from Persian, Turkish to Ancient Indian culture, various styles are found in the Mughal architectures.
The Presence of Red Sandstone:
Keep your tourist self aside and bring in the observer within you! You will find sandstone, mostly red and sometimes white too, in most of the Mughal architecture.
Attention to Detail:
Be it the architectural scribbling on the Taj Mahal or the miniatures in the mosques, fine art and attention to detail are the key.
Scribbling from Quran:
Many of the Mughal monuments have scribbled verses on them from Quran. The holy verses create a majestic ambiance around it.
Magnificent Gateways:
Mughal buildings and tombs are famous for their large gates. From the period of Akbar to that of Aurangzeb, large gates have always been a matter of attraction in the Mughal era.
Some Thoughts on Mughal Architecture – The Hammams and Others:
We have come a long way through our discussions on monuments built by Mughals. Now isn’t it a good idea to have a discussion on some other instances of Mughal architecture? After all, the vast architecture of the Mughal period is not limited to the tombs, buildings, and mosques. There are many other masterpieces found in that era. However, they are not monuments by literal meaning. But, like monuments, they also present the rich heritage of Mughal Architecture. So, few words on them are a must in this discussion. Let’s start with one of the most interesting yet unexplored examples. It is Hammam or Turkish Baths.
The Hammams – Royal Bathhouses of Mughal Era:
The structure of Hammam is a great instance of a perfect amalgamation of scientific excellence, innovative artistry, and rich cultural tradition. The architectural beauty of these structures is undoubtedly amazing. Alongside this, you can find modern techniques like hot water and cold water in these hammams too.
The ruins of such Hammams are often found in different parts of India. A hammam used to be divided into three parts: ‘Rakht Khana’ or dressing room, ‘Sard Khana’ or cold room, ‘Garam Khana’ or hot room. It was placed in buildings, gardens, palaces, and other places. Thus, Hammams happened to be a significant part of the Mughal lifestyle. And now, it is an indispensable part of discussions on architecture and monuments built by Mughals. Shahi Hammam was one of such bathhouses built in Persian style at the time of Shah Jahan. Now, it is located in Lahore in Pakistan.
The Gardens – Exquisite Architectural Instances to Look at:
Among all the pieces of Mughal architecture, the popular ones are the gardens. We all have noticed the iconic pictures of Mughal emperors with roses in hand. As per the historical documents, we know how sophisticated they were in their lifestyle. Casual strolling in the Shahi gardens happened to be their favorite pastime. Today, those gardens bear the signs of excellent artistry. Some of the famous gardens at that time were:
Bagh-e-Babur (now located in Kabul)
Mehtab Bagh gardens in Taj Mahal
The famous Shalimar Gardens (in Lahore)
Khusro Bagh (at Prayag Raj)
The gardens during the Mughal period were built in a unique structure. It is called the Char Bagh structure – a combination of four gardens. As per the holy book of the Quran, such structure brings harmony among human beings and the elements in nature.
So, these are some of the significant aspects of Mughal architecture along with the monuments. Now, before closing our discussion, let’s have a look at some myths and controversies associated with the monuments built in the Mughal era.
Myths and Controversies:
No period in History is out of controversies. The Mughal period also has many fascinating myths and controversies. Though there is no solid proof to establish these myths as facts, we must have a look at them. Who knows, someday any new truth can come out? The most common myths are majorly associated with the Taj Mahal.
One myth says that Shah Jahan thought of building a stunning black Taj Mahal. However, there is no such established evidence favoring this myth. Another popular myth is that the Taj Mahal was actually a Hindu temple called Tejo Mahalaya. Much debates and discussions have taken place on this myth. Yet, no solid proof has come out of those discussions.
Explore for More:
In the long run, the monuments built in the Mughal period are historically significant and showcase cultural heritage. They work as the document of the cultural heritage of the era. Also, it is now evident that there are many instances of Mughal monuments except the famous tombs and mosques. To know them in detail, extensive research works with a keen passion for finding out the ancient heritage is needed. We hope that our researchers in the country will bring out more facts and information on this matter.
-by Ishita Mondal
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