Mughal architecture

Mughal architecture is the distinctive style of Islamic architecture developed by the Mughal Empire in India in the 16th century. Blending Islamic and Hindu elements, the emperor Akbar constructed the royal city of Fatehpur Sikri, located 26 miles west of Agra, in the late 1500s.

Related Topics:
Islamic architecture - Mughal Empire - India - 16th century - Hindu - Akbar - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra

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The most famous example of Mughal architecture is the Taj Mahal, the "teardrop on eternity", completed in 1648 by the emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to their 14th child. The extensive use of precious and semiprecious stones as inlay and the vast quantity of white marble required nearly bankrupted the empire. The Taj Mahal is completely symmetric other than the sarcophagus of Shah Jahan which is placed off center in the crypt room below the main floor. This symmetry extended to the building of an entire mirror mosque in red sandstone to complement the Mecca-facing mosque place to the west of the main structure.

Related Topics:
Taj Mahal - Shah Jahan - Sarcophagus - Mosque - Mecca

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The Taj Mahal (1630-1653 A.D.) in Agra, India and the Shalamar Garden (1641-1642 A.D.) in Lahore, Pakistan, are two sites which are on the world heritage list of UNESCO. One can see the architectural similarities and the love for water the Mughals expressed in many of thier buildings.

Related Topics:
Taj Mahal - Shalamar Garden - World heritage list - UNESCO

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