Jahangir carpet architecture
Jahangir was not interested in building construction like Akbar. Therefore, there was no special development of architecture under his rule. Jahangir gave more importance to painting than to architecture. Although very few buildings were built during the reign of Jahangir, but a new style of planting gardens developed during this period. In Kashmir, the Shalimar Bagh built by Jahangir and the Nishat Bagh built by his brother-in-law Asaf Khan are still present.
Akbar planned to build his tomb at Sikandra outside Agra during his lifetime. Probably its construction work also started during his lifetime, but this building was later completed by Jahangir. Jahangir's beloved Begum Nur Jahan built a huge mausoleum of her father Etimad-ud-Daula in Agra on the banks of the Yamuna River in white marble. Nur Jahan also built Jahangir's tomb near Lahore. Khankhana's tomb built in Delhi is also one of the main buildings of Jahangir period.
Buildings built in Agra during Jahangir's time:Akbar's tomb, located in Sikandra outside Agra, was planned by Akbar himself, but Jahangir got it constructed after Akbar's death under his supervision. A garden was planted around the tomb and a large and high door was built with white stone minarets. This tomb is not a traditional Islamic style tomb.
The practice of making domes in the tombs of Muslims was prevalent since ancient times, but there is no dome on this tomb. Its structure is like a Buddhist vihara and its shape is like a pyramid. The garden outside the tomb has beautiful entrances around it, but its main entrance is the most attractive, on which marble inlay work has been done. There is a tall tower of marble around it and at the four corners. The meticulously done mosaic at the entrance adds to its beauty.
According to Percy Brown 'So far not a single tower of this type appears to have been used in Indian architecture.
This mausoleum is a five-storey building in which each upper storey has become smaller in size than the lower one. Persian lines are carved on each of its entrances. These lines throw light on the life of Akbar. Akbar's tomb is made of marble. The grave on the ground floor is real while the one on the first floor is fake.
Both the tombs are made of marble stones and have different types of flowers made on them. Allahu Akbar at the head of the tomb and Jalla-Jallahu on the side of the feet is inscribed in raised letters. Along with the ninety-nine names of Allah in the tomb, there is also a swastika symbol of Hindus and a cross of Christians.
The second major building of the Jahangir period is the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. It was built in AD 1625 by Nur Jahan in memory of his father Ghiyasuddin Baig in Agra with red sandstone and white marble. Being relatively smaller than other tombs of the Mughal period, it is also called Shringardan. Patra Dura has been decorated on this tomb. The architecture of this tomb bears a resemblance to the Taj Mahal. For this reason it is called 'Baby Taj' Also called.
In many places the carving of this tomb is more beautiful than the Taj Mahal. The Asian style dome is situated in the center of this tomb. The gardens and paths here add to its beauty even more. This is the first mausoleum built in India which was made entirely of white marble. The tomb is built in a large garden. A lattice marble has been installed to bring light to the tomb.
Pictures of trees, plants, animals and birds and humans are carved on the walls of the tomb. Whereas in Islam it is forbidden to use the human figure as decoration. According to the inscription found from Bateshwar, it was originally the palace of Kachhwaha King Parmardidev.
Shah Jahan built Angoori Bagh in Agra in AD 1637. It is a Charbagh style garden and has marble baradaris, cisterns, fountains and verandahs. To the north-east of the garden there is a royal hammam with attractive frescoes. This garden is part of the Khas Bagh of the Red Fort and was used by the women of Shah Jahan's harem. During that period, good quality grape vines were planted in this orchard.
Buildings constructed in other cities during Jahangir's time: The Khusro Bagh located in Prayagraj was built by Jahangir. He built the tombs of his Kachwahi Begum Manbai, his son Khusro Mirza and daughter Sultana Nithar Begum in this garden. These tombs are much smaller and simpler than the tombs of the Mughal princes and begums.
Jahangir built Shalimar Bagh for his Begum Mehrunnisa on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar. There are four levels of gardens in this garden and the water stream flows. Its water supply comes from the nearby Harivan Bagh. Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, got the Nurmahal Sarai built 40 km from Jalandhar. It is a two storey building made of red stone. It is made octagonal.
Its western door is called Lahore Darwaza. Animals and birds are engraved on its outer panels. Scenes of elephant fights and horsemen playing Chaugan were also created.
In AD 1607, Jahangir established a suburb named Sheikhupura, 38 km north-west of Lohar in Punjab, which is now in Pakistan. Jahangir got many constructions done in the ancient fort located here and one of his favorite deer 'Mansiraj' In memory of 'Hiran Minar' Constructed. This is probably the only monument built by the Mughals in memory of an animal.
There is also a Hiran Minar in Fatehpur Sikri, but it is for hunting deer. Minars are also found at other places under the name of Hiran Minars. Akbar had planted horns of deer on the Kos Minars, which he or his soldiers had hunted.
Jahangir built Daulat Bagh on the banks of Anasagar lake in Ajmer, in which marble baradaris and arched doors were made. Jahangir built some palaces on the route from Daulat Bagh to Kaiser Bagh, some of whose ruins can be seen even today. Jahangir also built some baradaris here. The beautiful railing of Anasagar lake on the side of Daulatbagh was also probably built by Jahangir. Some beautiful arched doors were made by Jahangir on the high platform built on the banks of the lake. These doors are also made of marble.
In the western valley of Taragarh, Jahangir built a beautiful and huge palace which was completed in AD 1615. Jahangir also built a hunting ground in the valley of Taragarh. Jahangir and his nobles and begums built many buildings in Lahore and its surrounding cities. Among them Anarkali's Tomb, Makatib Khana, Begum Shahi Masjid, Wazir Khan Masjid, Jahangir's Tomb are more famous.