Page 55 - SST Class 07
P. 55
the medieval period. Many Muslim rulers and musical forms and musical instrument were
noblemen patronised music. Amir Khusrau – a introduced in India. Carnatic music flourished in
poet and a musician in the court of Ala-ud-Din South India. Thus, two classical systems of music
Khalji commented that music in India is the finest flourished in India – Hindustani music and
in the world. The Turks brought with them Carnatic music.
musical instruments like Rabab and Sarangi Another positive feature of music in the medieval
during the Mughal Empire. Akbar, Jahangir and period was that while Hindu musicians sang song
Shah Jahan accepted the music of Iran, dedicated to Muslim saints. Muslim musicians
Afghanistan and Kashmir. Famous musicians sang songs based on Hindu religious themes.
such as Swami Haridas, Tansen and Baiju Bawra Thus, music was a powerful instrument of cul-
enriched music of North India. New ragas, taals, tural assimilation.
CASE STUDY
Shah Jahan
It was during Shah Jahan’s time that Mughal
architecture reached its excellence. Use of marble
and decorating the walls with floral designs made
of semi-precious stones were introduced. This
method of decoration is called pietra dura. Shah
Jahan used this decorative style in the Taj Mahal,
which is truly a jewel in the art heritage of the
world. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as
Diwan-i-Khas
a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz
phants were used. It was built entirely out of
Mahal. The perfect beauty of Taj can be seen in
white marble, and cost approximately 32 million
its massive dome, four slender minarets, delicate
rupees. It is one of the seven wonders of the
marble screens, and fine floral designs. In the
World.
typical Mughal style, it is also placed in the midst
of a formal garden. Shah Jahan also built two magnificent mosques
– the Moti Masjid in Agra fort, built in Marble
The construction of Taj Mahal – a World heritage
and the Jama Masjid of Delhi, built in red sand-
site, took 22 years. 22,000 laborers 1000 ele-
stone. Jama Masjid is regarded as the largest
mosque in India. The special features of this
mosque are the domes and the minarets adding
beauty and grace to the monument. Shah Jahan
also built the Red Fort in his new capital in
Shahjahanabad in Delhi. Red fort, made of Red
sand stone, is famous for its special buildings –
Diwan-i-Aam or Hall of Public audience, Diwan-
i-Khas of Hall of private audience. The famous
lines engraved on the walls of Diwan-i-Khas - “If
there is a paradise on the earth, it is this, it is this,
Jama Masjid
Social Science-7 55
