MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE

• Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) notified that all centrally protected monuments, sites, and museums across the country including the Humayun’s Tomb will reopen for visitors from 16th June 2021.
• Humayun’s tomb in Delhi is a fine specimen of the great Mughal architecture.
• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.

Important points:

• This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.
• It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
• It was built under the patronage of Humayun’s son, the great Emperor Akbar.
• It is also called the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’ as in the cells are buried over 150 Mughal family members.
• It is an example of the charbagh (a four quadrant garden with the four rivers of Quranic paradise represented), with pools joined by channels.

Mughal Architecture:

• This is a building style that flourished in northern and central India under the patronage of the Mughal emperors from the mid-16th to the late 17th century.
• The Mughal period marked a striking revival of Islamic architecture in northern India. Under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, Persian, Indian, and various provincial styles were fused to produce works of unusual quality and refinement.
• It became so widespread especially in north India that these can be seen further in the colonial architecture of Indo-Saracenic style.
• Mixed Architecture: It was a blend of Indian, Persian, and Turkish architectural style.
• Diversity: Different types of buildings, such as majestic gates (entrances), forts, mausoleums, palaces, mosques, sarais, etc.
• The arches, chhatri, and various styles of domes became hugely popular in the Indo-Islamic architecture and were further developed under the Mughals.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT