Mughal Architecture

Mughal Architecture refers to the style of building adopted by the Mughal Dynasty in Northern Indian Subcontinent.  It is a unique mix of Indian and Turkish architecture along with Persian and Iranian touches to it. The Mughal Dynasty contributed to the architectural scene in India from the 16^th to the 18^th century.

Akbar contributed a lot to the architecture of India. He single handedly added cities; most prominently Fatehpur Sikry, near Agra.  The tomb of Humanyoun, in Delhi was another masterpiece delivered during the tenure of Akbar.  The Lahore Fort was also started during the tenure of Akbar although it had a great contribution from his son Jehangir. Jehangir is also buried along with his wife in Lahore. The city of Sheikhupura is founded after the pet name of Mughal emperor Jehangir who was fondly referred by his father, Akbar as ‘Sheikhu’.  The Hirn Minar (Tower of the Deer) in also situated near Sheikhupura built in the memory of a pet Deer of Jehangir in 1606.  Jehnagir added yet another architectural masterpiece in Lahore by constructing the Shalimar Gardens. Legend has it that it carried underground escape tunnels which were connected to Lodhi Gardens in Delhi.

The peak of Mughal architecture was achieved under the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan who is renowned for building the eternal symbol of love, Taj Mahal in Agra; reffered to as ‘teardrop on the cheek of eternity’ by Rabidranath Tagore. Taj Mahal was constructed in the memory of his beloved Queen Mumtaz. Taj Mahal is one of the most visited tourist sites and has been listed as a wonder of the world. Shah Jehan also made a number of other important contributions in the form of Moti Masjid(Pearl Mosque in Agra Fort), Jamia Masjid in Delhi, and also added the elegant Sheesh Mahal to the Lahore Fort. The Wazir Khan Mosque was also constructed during Shah Jehans golden era in Lahore.

Although the pace slowed down and the flavor was toned down, yet architecture continued to flourish under the conservative emperor Aurangzeb. But he too was responsible for some notable additions such as the beautiful red stoned Badshahi Masjid (emperor’s Mosque) in Lahore. He also added one of the 13 gates of the Lahore fort.  The Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka was also built during the reign of Aurangzeb.

After Aurangzeb, things went downhill for the Mughals Dynasty. Losing the Battle of Plassey in 1757 was instrumental in hurting their cause as the British East India Company gained foothold in India and finally in 1857 after the war of independence the Mughal dynasty was totally abolished. Though this was the end of the road for Mughals but their architecture lived on. Notable buildings continued to be modeled on the basis of Mughal architecture even after the partition of subcontinent. The Prime Minister Secretariat in Islamabad, Pakistan has been designed as per the Mughal Style of architecture and is a sight to watch at night. Its signs are even found on smaller structures such as the Saggian Bridge on River Ravi and Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.

The Mughals clearly failed in developing any sort of civil infrastructure in the subcontinent during their 3 century tenure but they shall always be remembered for their contribution to the architecture of subcontinent. Their innovations helped to introduce high roofs to combat the blistering summers of the subcontinent keeping the rooms cool and the addition of minarets to public buildings helped introduce an oriental yet Islamic touch in a hindu dominated society. Even if all of their contributions are forgotten, the world will never forget Shah Jehan and the Mughals for building the Taj Mahal.

How Architecture Connects With the World We Live In?

The combinations of arts and science extend to some various fields, including architecture. This professionally organized system renders to design and construction of a building so that mankind can utilize land. The traditions, religions, trends, and particular dates are embedded within the architectural designs of countries. Architecture is sub-classified into modern architecture, religious architecture, responsive architecture, domestic architecture, and sustainable architecture. The designing plans, interior and exterior views show different themes of architecture. The modern architecture is termed as by the simplification of form. The calculative approach makes the structure more widely and scoping. The creativity is manipulated with technology, and requires the concepts of light and shadow, and the material which is suitable for construction. Architects usually draw the constructing ideas or plans and structure them according to technical requirements and specifications. This basic process contains planning, designing and construction. Concepts are built on the theoretical and practical models or projects including, 3-D models of buildings.

The architecture framework gets a data model, system diagram, use case and network diagram. The enterprise architecture case is documented on the strategy of the project, networks, security system and business. Foundational concepts build up on the bases of methodology and optimizing infrastructure. Architecture is also used in information technology, naval architecture and in landscape architecture. Information technology blends in and helps by using software, to design building maps, interior and shows up the 3 dimensional views with proper measurements. Architects also take the numerical and texture advantages. Public spaces are design based on the landscape. It is necessary for the ordered system to investigate the ecological, social and geological aspects and processes in the landscape. Naval architecture deals with the maintenance of construction and motifs of marine structures.

The architects have an ability to design and fulfill all the requirements of the building, according their clients demand. The architect cooperates with other specialists of various fields, in the construction of a building. The designing concepts are drawn up according to the client’s requirement and it carries out all its needs. Architects deal with government laws, which indentify the construction rules and boundaries in the structural designing plan; such as parking requirements, height limitations of the building, require to set back space, windows requirements and their positions and also the using land. Normally architects take projects to tender. All over the world, architects also work as a government employee by taking the proper education and a decent experience. Architectural drawings are more technical and understandable from one architect’s designer to the other. These are the sources of communication to share ideas and architectural concepts.

Architectural designs contain measurements, and cross references of the pointing slots. Architects use standard views, as floor plan and site plan. The floor plan shows the floor view of the map, the structures placed horizontally technically, and it shows the gaps between the walls. Site plan shows the whole structure of the building. Site plans are used to present a building proposal. 3 dimensional modeling on software are also used for that purpose. The elevation view can be taken from one side of any building. It is helpful to describe the appearance of the building from external side. Architects design the interior map and structure of the building. They also arrange suitable plans for the interior designing of the building. Surveys of different historical building, acknowledge that architectural designs of the earlier architects were the finest pieces of work. New architects can get motivation from structures of the old. The leadership quality and best decision making makes the work of an architect more qualitative. These are the successful factors for any architectural project.