Page 75 - SST Class 07

Babur

Babur introduced garden palaces in India. He
built palaces at Agra, Sikri and Dholpur and laid
out many garden around them. In Islam, a
garden symbolises paradise. He also built a
mosque at Panipat.
Humayun
Humayun did not build many structures. His
tomb in Delhi was built by his widow, Hamida
Banu Begum, during the reign of Akbar.
Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
The Surs
SHAH JAHAN’S PATRONAGE OF
The Sur kings continued the architectural tradi-
ARCHITECTURE
tions of the Mughals. Sher Shah’s mausoleum at
Sasaram (Bihar) is situated in the middle of a Mughal architecture reached perfection during
lake. It has a huge dome. The Purana Qila (Old the reign of Shah Jahan. He is often called the
Fort) at Delhi was built by Sher Shah and added Engineer King as he built a large number of
to by Humayun. The Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid and monuments, especially at Agra and Delhi. These
the Sher Mandal are two beautiful structures is have the finest features of Indian, Persian and
this fort complex. Central Asian architecture.
Shah Jahan’s patronage to architecture stemmed
from his love for monuments. He also wanted to
establish his identity as a ruler and set an exam-
ple for the future generations.

Features of the Monuments
Under Shah Jahan, there was a change in style
as well as in the materials used. The emphasis
was now on uniformity and symmetry. Red
sandstone, popular under Akbar and Jahangir,
was replaced by white marble. Walls began to be
Tomb of Sher Shah Suri decorated with precious and semi-precious
stones. This method of decoration is known as
Jahangir
pietra-dura. Domes and minarets also became
Building activity slowed down during Jahangir’s
prominent. The interiors had multiple columns,
reign. He built the tomb of Akbar at Sikandra
curved roofs, and big and small arches. Floral
(near Agra). It has a gateway with four minarets
motif and calligraphic verses from the holy
in white marble at the four corners.
Quran were used in most monuments.
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah at Agra was built
Monuments Constructed
by Nur Jahan. Its exterior has exquisite
The buildings of Shah Jahan include the tomb of
ornamention in white marble. Precious and semi-
Jahangir, near Lahore and the tomb of Nur
precious stones have been fashioned into the
Jahan. He also constructed many mosques.
marble.

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