Mughal Culture & Architecture Explained

Mughal Culture & Architecture Explained

Mughal Culture

• Babur built two mosques:

  • One at Kabulibagh in Panipat

  • Another at Sambhal in Rohilkhand

• Humayun's tomb was built by his widow Bega Begum (alias Haji Begum)

• An unusual building at Fatehpur Sikri is the Panch Mahal

  • Panch Mahal has the plan of a Buddhist Viharā

• The Mariam's Palace, Diwan-i-Aam, and Diwan-i-Khas at Sikri

  • Are they Indian in their plan

• Buland Darwaza (built after the Gujarat victory)

  • Formed the main entrance to Fatehpur Sikri

• Salim Chisti's tomb

  • Redone in marble by Jahangir

  • It is the first Mughal building in pure marble

• Palace of Birbal and Palace of Tansen

  • They are also inside Fatehpur Sikri

• Akbar also began to build his tomb at Sikandara

  • Which was later completed by Jahangir

• The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is known as

  • Epic in red sandstone

Architecture by Jahangir & Nurjahan

• Nurjahan built Itimad-ud-daula / Mirza Ghiyas Beg’s marble tomb at Agra

  • Notable for the first use of pietra dura

  • (Floral designs made up of semiprecious stones)

• Jahangir:

  • Introduced vigorous use of marble instead of red sandstone

  • Used pietra dura for decorative purposes

  • Built Moti Masjid in Lahore

  • Built his mausoleum at Shahdara (Lahore)

Architecture by Shahjahan

• The tomb or Mausoleum building reached its climax in the Taj Mahal

• Shahjahan also built the Jama Masjid

Important buildings by Shahjahan at Agra:

• Moti Masjid (the only mosque made of marble)

• Khaasa Mahal

• Musamman Burz (Jasmine Palace)

  • Where he spent his last year in captivity

• Shahjahan founded Shahjahanabad in 1637

  • Built the Red Fort

  • Built Takht-i-Taus (Peacock Throne)

Aurangzeb's Contributions

• The only building built by Aurangzeb in the Red Fort:

  • Moti Masjid

• The only monument associated with Aurangzeb:

  • Bibi ka Maqbara

    • Tomb of his wife Rabbia-ud-daura

    • Located in Aurangabad

• Aurangzeb also built:

  • Badshahi Masjid in Lahore

Mughal Painting

• Humayun employed two master painters:

  • Mir Syed Ali

  • Abdus Samad

• Famous painters in Akbar’s court:

  • Daswant

  • Basawan

• Famous painters in Jahangir’s court:

  • Abdul Hassan

  • Ustad Mansur

  • Bishandas

• Jahangir claimed:

  • He could distinguish the work of each artist in a picture

Introduction & Ban on Tobacco

• Tobacco smoking was introduced in India during the last years of Akbar's reign.

• The use of tobacco was prohibited by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

  • According to Alexander Rogers and H. Beveridge (the translator duo of Jahangirnama),

  • Since smoking has bad effects on the health and the minds of many,

  • Jahangir ordered that no one should practice the habit of tobacco smoking.

Titles given by the Mughal Ruler

Literature of the Mughal Period

Final Thoughts

The Mughal Empire left a lasting legacy in Indian history through its remarkable contributions to architecture, art, and administration.

From Babur’s mosques to Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal and Aurangzeb’s Bibi ka Maqbara, each emperor added unique architectural marvels reflecting both Islamic and indigenous styles. The refined Mughal painting tradition, encouraged by emperors like Akbar and Jahangir, showcased immense artistic talent and patronage.

Administrative innovations like the Mansabdari and Jagirdari systems, along with organized revenue collection methods, were crucial for maintaining such a vast empire. Moreover, their awareness of public health is reflected in Jahangir’s decision to ban tobacco use.

In all, the Mughals created a cultural and administrative framework that deeply influenced India’s social, political, and aesthetic identity—a heritage still admired and studied today.