THE MUGHAL PERIOD OF AURANGZEBE

SUBMITTED BY:RAGINI SAHU

SRISHTI AGARWAL

THE MUGHAL PERIOD OF AURANGZEBE(1658-1707)INTRODUCTION• It is the last of ‘grand moguls’• The beginning of the decline of the mughal empire• Aurangzebe did not show much interest in art and

architecture but he built mosque and also tries replicate taj mahal but it could no way match the real one

Musoleum of rabi’s daurani(wife of emperor)• Also called as Bibi ka maqbara(mini taj mahal)• Finished in 1678• Located in Aurangabad• Poor replica of taj mahal• Constructed by prince Azam Shah Nawaz Khan in

memory of his mother• At glance it shows the design was inspired by taj

mahal,entire scheme with its domed central structure,4 minarets,and its garden setting,is all similar to taj mahal,although it is little more than half its size.

• This structure is in the form of a hexagon, and the angles are ornamented with minarets.

• On either side of the main arch, are two smaller arches, one above the other, and higher one leads into a gallery for music. After passing through the entrance a small tank is proved and a low profile screen wall leads to the main structure. The screened pathway has a series of fountains at its centre, which adds to further the serene atmosphere.

A large cusped arch in front rises almost to the total height of the building; but the real exit is through a smaller arch with folding doors at the other end

• The typical Mughal CharBagh pattern adorns the mausoleum thereby increasing its beauty and splendor through its symmetry and excellent garden layout

• the tomb is surrounded by a screen work of perforated marble.

• ground work of marble is not inlaid with precious stones, which is the characteristic feature of the TajMahal,

Marble dome Four minarets(72’ hight) at the corner angles with little chattris over it

Tomb at the centera high square platform of polished red porphyritic trap, 72 feet square,

Enclosure measuring approximately 458 m. N-S X 275 m. E-W.

Occupied with gardens of frut trees, cypresses and evergreen

High enclosure wall is crenellated with pointed arched recesses and bastions at regular intervals are provided to cut down the monotony.

and its place has been supplied with wreaths, scrolls, frets, and other elegant forms in stucco-plaster.

Moti masjid (1709)

• White marble mosque inside the red fort.• It is very small, just 40 by 55 feet.• Onion domes originally gilded with copper.• Totally made of marble• The roof and arches are rich with carvings.• Each marble musulla (prayer carpet) on the

floor is decorated with a double outline of black and mustard-yellow polished limestone. • Enclosed in the front and both sides by high

walls.• It was built by aurangzeb as his private

mosque.

Three small cupolasToo rounded contours showing lack of suavity of form

Floral art work Fruit bowl decoration Bold black line on stairs

Gyanvapi Mosque (1664)

• Constructed on the site of demolished Kashi Vishwanath Temple.• The facade is modeled partially on the Taj Mahal’s

entrance.• Material from demolished temple used to built the

mosque.• Minarets are the major attraction.

71m high minarets

Onion shaped turrets

Facade with niches

View of mosque from river Mosque entrance

Badshahi Mosque (1673)

• Two storey red sandstone edifice entrance with framed and carved panelling having muqrana which is division of squinch into smaller ones producing cellular structure.• Ascended by a flight of 22 steps.• Sandstone paved courtyard has an area of

276,000 square feet having single-aisled arcades• 53.75m high minaret with 20.5m outer

circumference topped with marble canopy.• Floor is made of variegated marble.• Its interior is richly decorated with inlaid marble,

fresco work, stucco tracery, ornamental merlons, marble lining.• It is made of kiln burnt bricks, lime mortar and

red sandstone veneer. Floor has musalaah pattern.• Main dome has 21.49m dia and 15m height

while the smaller domes have 16.36m dia and 9.5m height.

Muqrana pattern

Entrance

Jama Mosque (1661)

Four minarets

High central dome

•It is made of red sandstone.•It has three domes with central dome being the highest•It has a high central archway•This mosque is very famous for its architectural style and intricate carvings.•Adjacent to krishna janmabhoomi temple complex. 

Main domeEntranceWater pond

Prayer courtyard

Minaret

Central prayer courtyard

REFRENCES:Percy brown ,indian architecture(Islamic period)Satish Grover,Islamic architecture in indiaWEBLIOGRAPHY:www.asiaurangabad.in