Jahangir & Shahjahan Architecture

Jahangir & Shahjahan Architecture

Jahangir (1605-28)

Jahangir had more interest in painting than architecture.

Significant Feature of Architecture

• Introduction of Pietra Dura

• The use of Pietra Dura enhanced the beauty of Mughal buildings

Baghs (Gardens) Built During Jahangir's Time

1. Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar: built in 1619.

2. Dilkusha Bagh, Shahdara, Lahore: originally built by Akbar; enlarged by Jahangir; in this Bagh Jahangir, Nurjahan & Asaf Khan (Nurjahan's brother) are buried.

Maqbaras (Tombs) Built During Jahangir's Time

1. Akbar's Maqbara, Sikandara, Agra: began by Akbar and completed by Jahangir in 1613, fusion of Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist & Christian styles.

2. Mariam-uj-Jamani's Maqbara, Sikandara, Agra: built by Jahangir in the memory of his mother Mariam-uj-Jamani.

3. Itmad-ud-Daula's Maqbara, Agra: year of construction 1622-28; built by Nurjahan in the memory of his mother (Asmat Beghum) and father (Mirza Ghiyas Beg whose title was Itmad-ud-Daula); first Mughal building to be constructed wholly out of marble and first Mughal building in which Pietra Dura was used; this Maqbara is also known as 'Laghu Taj' (small Taj) or 'Bachcha Taj' (child Taj).

4. Abdurrahim Khan-i-Khana's Maqbara, Delhi: built by Abdurrahim Khan-i-khana, a jewel of Akbar's Nine Jewels (Navratna); graves of Abdurrahim Khan-i-Khana and his wife.

5. So-called Anarkali's Maqbara, Lahore: It is known as Anarkali's Maqbara but it is not the Maqbara of Anarkali (so-called beloved of Jahangir) but Maqbara of Sahib-Jamal (wife of Jahangir); the story of Anarkali was fabricated by English William Finch, Edward Terry, etc., so that Mughal emperor can be proved as a fallen person.

Shahjahan (1628-58)

Shahjahan brought Mughal architecture to its climax. For this reason, art-historian Percy Brown called the reign of Shahjahan the Golden Age of Mughal Architecture. He was called Engineer King and Prince of Builders.

Chief Characteristics of Mughal Architecture Under Shahjahan

1. Extensive use of marble – marble was easily available from Makrana (Jodhpur) and Jaipur.

2. Use of square-shape base.

3. Use of square structure (dome etc.).

4. Dome like thin-necked onion.

5. Double dome.

6. Foliated arches.

Classification of Buildings of Shahjahan Period

For convenience, the buildings of Shahjahan period are divided into five groups:

A. Buildings of Agra Fort

1. Khas Mahal: built for Begums of harem.

2. Shish Mahal: on its inner walls glass inlay work has been done so that sparkles in any artificial light; this palace was suitable for summer season.

3. Musamman Burj/Shah Burj/Chameli Mahal: 6-storey building; in this building Shahjahan spent the last 8 years (1658-66) of his life in captivity and ultimately died here.

4. Diwan-i-Aam

5. Diwan-i-Khas

B. Taj Mahal of Agra

• Meaning: Taj (crown) of Mahals (buildings), i.e., the best building.

• Year of construction: 1631-55 (Total 22 years)

• Builder: built by Shahjahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Note: This building was definitely built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal, but it has not been named after her name. See the difference in spelling. Taj Mahal has letter 'J' but Mumtaz Mahal has letter 'Z'.)

• Land: According to contemporary historian Abdul Hamid and Mulla Muhammad Saleh, in exchange of this land Jai Singh (grandson of Man Singh) was given another land. The construction of Taj Mahal was started from the foundation. This is a lie or rumor in the fact that it was originally a Hindu palace which was converted into a tomb/mausoleum by Shahjahan.

• Outlining and Construction: Outliner’s name: Ustad Ahmed Khan Lahori; Builder’s name: Ustad Isha Khan; material of construction: marble; fine use of Pietra Dura.

• Remarks: The Taj Mahal is the most famous and representative monument of the Mughal architecture in India. Rabindranath Tagore said about this: "Taj is an immortal poem of love and indelible tear-drop of the beloved's vow on the cheek of eternity". UNESCO included it in the World Heritage site in 1983.

C. Buildings of Red Fort (Lal Qila), Delhi

• Shahjahan founded a new city Shahjahanabad.

• Inside this city, a new fort was also to be built to serve as the Emperor's residence.

• This fort was actualized during 1639-48 under the supervision of the architects Hamid and Ahmed.

• Since the boundary wall of the fort is made up of red stones (lal pathar), this fort is called Red Fort (Lal Qila). It is also known as Qila-i-Mubarak.

Red Fort has two gateways:

1. Delhi Gate (Dehli Darwaja) in the south part

2. Lahori Gate (Lahori Darwaja) in the west part of the Fort

Notable buildings of Red Fort:

• Naubat Khana / Naqqar Khana

• Diwan-i-Aam

• Diwan-i-Khas

• Khas Mahal

• Rang Mahal / Shesh Mahal

• Moti Masjid – built by Shah Jahan’s son & successor Aurangzeb in 1662

• Mumtaz Mahal

• Zafar Mahal

• Musamman Burj / Shah Burj

D. Jama Masjid & Other Buildings of Delhi

1. Jama Masjid: Located one km west of Red Fort; year of construction: 1650-56, originally known as 'Masjid-i Jahannuma', last construction work by Shahjahan; largest mosque in India.

2. Fatehpuri Masjid: built by Shahjahan's wife Fatehpuri Begum.

E. Buildings of Lahore

1. Shahjahan built Diwan-i-Aam, Shah Burj, Sheesh Burj, Naulakha Mahal, Khwabgah in Lahore Fort.

2. Shahjahan built Asaf Khan's Maqbara at Shahdara in Lahore. Asaf Khan was the Prime Minister of Shahjahan.

Final Thoughts

During Jahangir’s reign (1605-28), Mughal architecture focused on beauty and artistic detail, introducing Pietra Dura in buildings like Itmad-ud-Daula’s Maqbara. Famous gardens such as Shalimar Bagh and Dilkusha Bagh were also developed.

Shahjahan (1628-58), called the Engineer King, brought Mughal architecture to its peak with extensive use of marble, double domes, and symmetrical designs. Iconic structures like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Asaf Khan’s Maqbara reflect elegance, grandeur, and artistic innovation.

Together, their reigns left a lasting legacy, blending cultural richness, imperial ambition, and timeless beauty.