Mughal Culture

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During the Mughal period, the cultural development (of India), amalgamated with the Turko-Iranian culture brought to the country by the Mughals.The Mughals built magnificent forts, palaces, gates, public buildings, mosques, baohs (water tank or well), etc. Besides, they also constructed formal gardens with running water. Use of running water even in the palaces and in the pleasure resorts was a special feature of the Mughals. Babur was very fond of gardens and hence he constructed a few in the neighborhood of Agra and Lahore. Some of the Mughal gardens, such as the Nishat Bagh garden (in Kashmir), the Shalimar Bagh (in Lahore), the Pinjore garden (in Chandigarh) etc. can be seen even today. The Mughals made a distinctive contribution in the field of painting. They introduced many new themes portraying the court, battle grounds, and the chase scenes. Besides, Mughal painters also introduced many new colors and new forms The Mughal painters had created a living tradition of painting, which continued to work in different parts of the country even after the disappearance of Mughal glory. This book explore varied subjects under the Mughal umbrella, challenge long-held ideas and draw comparisons between the artistic expressions and material culture of the powerful Islamicate triumvirate of the early modern period-the Safavids in Iran, the European-based Ottomans and the Mughals in the Indian subcontinent.

Armaan Malhotra is a leading scholar of Mughal culture. He is a historian and author who specializes in the study of the Mughal Empire, with a particular focus on the culture and society of the empire. He received his PhD in history from the University of Delhi. Malhotra's research has focused on the development of Mughal culture from its origins to its decline. He has written extensively on topics such as the Mughal court, Mughal literature, Mughal music and painting, and Mughal architecture. His research has been published in leading academic journals, such as The Journal of Indian History, The Indian Economic and Social History Review, and The Journal of Asian Studies. He is also a frequent contributor to policy journals and op-ed platforms. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship from the Indian Council of Historical Research, the Harry G. Hinsley Prize from the Society of Architectural Historians, and the John D. Rockefeller III Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies.

Aditi Chambial is an adjunct professor and expert in the realm of History. with a profound understanding of the cultural nuances and historical significance of the Mughal Empire. Holding a master's degree in History. specializing in Mughal studies, Chambial's educational background provides them with a solid foundation to explore the diverse aspects of Mughal culture. Chambial's career spans both academia and research, reflecting their passion for unraveling the intricate tapestry of Mughal culture. Her research covers a wide range of subjects, including the culture of Mughal power, literature at the Mughal court, the life of women, music and painting, architectural themes in the Mughal period, Rajput architecture, architecture in the south, and the architecture of other kingdoms. She has been invited to present their research at national and international seminars and conferences, where she shares her valuable insights and contribute to scholarly discussions. Chambial's participation in these academic events facilitates the exchange of ideas. encourages collaborations, and promotes a deeper understanding of Mughal culture.

The traditions in the fields of architecture, painting, literature, and music, which had been created during the Mughal period set a norm and deeply influenced the succeeding generations. Because of having wonderful cultural development, the Mughal period can be called as the second classical age after the Gupta age (of northern India). During the Mughal period, the cultural development (of India), amalgamated with the Turko-Iranian culture brought to the country by the Mughals. The Mughals built magnificent forts, palaces, gates, public buildings, mosques, baohs (water tank or well), etc. Besides, they also constructed formal gardens with running water. Use of running water even in the palaces and in the pleasure resorts was a special feature of the Mughals. Babur was very fond of gardens and hence he constructed a few in the neighborhood of Agra and Lahore. Some of the Mughal gardens, such as the Nishat Bagh garden (in Kashmir), the Shalimar Bagh (in Lahore), the Pinjore garden (in Chandigarh) etc. can be seen even today. Sher Shah also had given a new stimulus to the Indian architecture. His famous mausoleum at Sasaram (Bihar) and his mosque in the old fort at Delhi are considerable examples of architectural marvels. Akbar was the first Mughal ruler who had the time and means to undertake construction on a large scale. He built a series of forts, the most famous of which is the fort at Agra. Agra fort was built of red sandstone, which had many magnificent gates. In 1572, Akbar commenced a palace- comfort complex at Fatehpur Sikri (36 kilometers from Agra), which was completed in eight years. The climax of fort building was reached at Delhi with the construction of Lal Qila (Red Fort) by Shah Jahan. The Gujarat style of architecture was used most widely in the palace built probably for the Rajput wife or wives. Persian or Central Asian influence can be seen in the glazed blue tiles used for decoration in the walls or for tiling the roofs. One of the most magnificent constructions was the Buland Darwaza (Lofty Gate), which was constructed in 1576 at Fatehpur Sikri to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat.

**Contents and Sample Pages**