Aurangzeb and After

Aurangzeb and After

Decline of Mughal Architecture

The Mughal architecture began to deteriorate after the death of Shahjahan. His son and successor Aurangzeb had little interest in architecture and secondly, his life was spent in constant wars and troubles (especially economic), due to this a very few buildings were built during his reign.

Buildings Built During Aurangzeb’s Time

• Moti Masjid at Red Fort (1662)

• Bibi's Maqbara/Rabia-ud-Durrani's Maqbara at Aurangabad in Maharashtra (1668–78)

• Badshahi Masjid at Lahore in Pakistan (1674)

• Aurangzeb's Maqbara at Shekh Jainuddin (spiritual guru of Aurangzeb) Dargah campus (1707) etc.

Bibi's Maqbara / Rabia-ud-Durrani's Maqbara, Aurangabad, Maharashtra

a) Aurangzeb decided to build a Maqbara (Tomb/Mausoleum) in memory of his first and beloved wife Dilras Banu Beghum who died in 1657 and later given the title of Rabia-ud-Durrani i.e. Rabia of that time.

b) Aurangzeb gave approval to build this Maqbara in 1660. The work of construction of Maqbara was entrusted to Attaullah Khan (son of Ustad Ahmed Khan Lahori, architect of Taj Mahal) who built in 10 years (1668–78).

c) This Maqbara was built on the pattern of Taj Mahal. First, it is half the size of Taj Mahal and secondly, it is made of black marbles. That's why it hasn't been made appropriate and it has become a poor imitation of Taj Mahal.

d) Due to its location in the Deccan, it is called 'Taj of Deccan' and being made in low budget, it is called 'Poor Taj'.

e) The official name of this Maqbara is 'Rabia-ud-Durrani's Maqbara, while the general public knows it as Bibi's Maqbara (Tomb of respected woman).

f) The declining phase of Mughal architecture can be clearly traced through this Maqbara.

Later Mughal Emperors and Architecture

• Later Mughal emperors neither had the resources for big construction nor did they have any inclination.

• As an exception, Safdarjung's Maqbara in Delhi can be seen. It was built by Shuja-ud-Daula (son of Mirza Mukim Abul Mansur Khan whose title was Safdarjung, wazir of Mughal emperor) in 1753–54.

• This Maqbara is described as 'the extinguishing flame of the lamp of Mughal architecture'.

Mughal Baghs

Modern India Architecture

British Rule and Architecture

• The British became powerful during the decline of the Mughals. The British ruled India from 1757 to 1947.

• The important buildings built during British rule are given in the table below:

Bombay (Mumbai)

• Mumbai University (1878)

• Chhatrapati Shiva Terminus – CST (1887)

• Gateway of India [1906 to commemorate India arrival (1911) of King George VI]

Madras (Chennai)

• Fort Saint George (1641)

• Chepauk Palace (1768)

• Chennai Railway Station (1673)

• Madras University (1857)

• General Post Office (1850)

• Rippon Bhawan (1913)

Calcutta (Kolkata)

• Fort William (1702)

• Writers' Building (1777)

• Government House (1803, now known as Raj Bhawan)

• Town Hall (1813)

• Indian Museum (1814)

• National Library (1836)

• Howrah Railway Station (1854)

• Calcutta High Court (1867)

• GPU (1868)

• Victoria Memorial (1921) etc.

Delhi

• Connaught Place (1774, renamed Rajeev Chowk in 2013)

• Metcalfe House (1835)

• Saint James Church (1836)

• Town Hall (1866)

• Viceregal Lodge Estate (1902, later converted into Delhi University)

• Viceroy's House (1929, now Rashtrapati Bhawan, architect – Edwin Lutyen)

• Sansad Bhawan (1921–27, architects – Edwin Lutyen & Herbert Baker)

• India Gate (1931, war memorial, architect – Lutyen)

Final Thoughts

After the death of Shahjahan, Mughal architecture saw a clear decline under Aurangzeb, who had little interest in building grand monuments as most of his reign was spent in wars and financial struggles.

Only a few structures came up during his rule, such as the Moti Masjid at Red Fort, the Badshahi Masjid in Lahore, and the Bibi’s Maqbara at Aurangabad, often called the “Taj of the Deccan” or the “Poor Taj” due to its modest design compared to the Taj Mahal. Later Mughals lacked both resources and inclination for great constructions, with Safdarjung’s Tomb in Delhi being seen as the “extinguishing flame” of Mughal architecture.

The Mughals were also known for their beautifully designed gardens, from Babur’s Aaram Bagh in Agra to Shahjahan’s Shalimar Bagh in Delhi and Jebunnisa’s Chaharburji Bagh in Lahore, showing how art and nature blended in their vision.

As Mughal power declined, the British rose and left their own mark on Indian architecture between 1757 and 1947, with iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India in Mumbai, Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, and Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate in Delhi.