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Summary
Art and Culture Class 07

JAHANGIR'S PERIOD (1605-27) {01:10  PM}

  • Jahangir was mainly interested in painting and he himself was a great painter. In the beginning, he constructed Akbar's tomb at Sikanadara and later he created the Moti Masjid in pearl white colour at Lahore.
  • Majority of the Architectural initiatives of this time were taken by Noor Jahan, She constructed her father's tomb Itmad-ud-doula tomb at Agra. It was the first Mughal building which was created in pure white marble.
  • Moreover this building is also noted for wide usage of the pietra-dura technique of decoration.
  • Noor Jahan was also instrumental in Shalimarh bagh and Nishat bagh in Srinagar.

SHAH JAHAN'S PERIOD (1627-58) {01:30 PM}

  • It was the climax of Indio-Islamic and Mughal architecture. All the features of the Indo-Islamic period reached their climax or apogee state.
  • In the memory of Anjuman Bano Begum, Shahjahan constructed the Taj Mahal. Construction started in 1633 and it almost took 20 years for the completion.
  • The Taj Mahal is considered an Architectural Marvel and wonder. It is also known for foresighting affect whereby the illusion of sizes of structure is created.
  • One of the ambitious projects of Shahjahan was the construction of one of the precursor cities of Delhi Sahjahanabad.
  • In this city Shahjahan constructed Redfort Delhi, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Mina Bazaar etc.
  • ShahJahan added a few more buildings inside Red Fort Agra which were mainly created in white marble. For example Moti masjid of Agra.

AURANGJEB'S PERIOD (01:46 PM)

  • Art and Architecture started to decline during Aurangjeb's period. He only constructed religious premises for example: Moti Masjid inside Red Fort, Delhi and Badshahi mosque at Lahore.
  • It was the largest mosque in the world in those times. One of the sons of Aurangzeb started the construction of Bibi ka Makbara or Rabia-ud-daurani's makbara.It was a poor imitation of the Taj Mahal.

CONTEMPORARY TO MUGHALS (01:50 PM)

  • SIKH ARCHITECTURE
  • Sikh Gurudwara started to develop side by side with Mughal Architecture.
  • They borrowed the Mughal concept of a Dome in their buildings but these domes were given new dimensions.
  • The Dome in sikh Gurudwara is known as a fluted dome.
  • A stepped water tank or Sarovar is also an important feature of sikh gurudwara.
  • Gurudwara is also noted for the multiplicity of the chhatris or kiosks.
  • Golden Temple,Nankana Sahib,Huzur Sahib,Patna Sahib.
  • RAJPUT ARCHITECTURE
  • Rajputs were one of the finest fort makers in the world. Their forts were mainly created in difficult terrains example: Ranthambore fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Meharangarh, Amir Fort, Chittorgarh Fort etc.
  • Though they used a wide variety of stones their favourite was buff colour stone. They incorporated the Mughal double dome architecture into their buildings. Hanging balconies of different shapes and sizes were one of the important features of Rajput buildings.
  • They created beautifully carved cornices in half bow shape.
  • Rajput ruler Jaisingh II is known for constructing the astronomical observatory Jantar Mantar at Jaipur, Delhi, Mathura, Benaras and Ujjain.
  • He also created Labyrinth structures in Jaipur cities. For example Hawa Mahal, Umed Bhavan, City Palace, Pichola palace, Pink city of Jaipur.

BRITISH ARCHITECTURE DURING BRITISH TIMES (02:19 PM)

  • INDO-GOTHIC STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
  • 19th century India witnessed the Indo-Gothic style of Architecture in India. Though the construction elements were taken from India it was a complete replication of the gothic style of Europe. It has the following features:
  • 1)It led to the introduction of advanced mechanical engineering tools in India for example Introduction of thin iron rods in construction and steel.
  • 2)now thinner walls were created but the strength of these walls was quite similar to the Mughal buildings.
  • 3)They preferred the construction of large windows and pointed arches in their buildings.
  • 4)These buildings were decorated with Victorian Deco art, which are the special designs and motives created with POP.
  • 5)Additional decoration was done with clock towers.
  • 6)Modern mechanical fountains were also introduced at this time.
  • Bombay, Madras and Calcutta are considered the Indo-Gothic city.
  • Examples: Bombay- Gateways of India, BMC building, Taj Hotel.
  • Calcutta-St.Paul cathedral, Victoria memorial, writers building.
  • Madras-Rippon building.
  • NEO ROMAN STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE (02:38 PM)
  • The Roman style of Architecture began after the transfer of capital from Calcutta to New Delhi.
  • Two British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker were interested in developing new architecture in Delhi.
  • FEATURES
  • 1)Due to the confluence of many styles, anonymous architecture developed which wasn't created anywhere in any part of the country.
  • 2)Grand majestic buildings were created which were aesthetically very pleasing.
  • 3)In pursuit of creating grand buildings in many places utility and convenience were compromised.
  • 4) The majority of the buildings were created with circular ground plans. They also created many green zones in Delhi so as green belts on both sides of the roads.
  • 5) From the Rajput style they incorporated decoration techniques like carved cornices, balconies and Rajput motives.
  • Example Rashtrapati Bhavan, Old Parliament Building, Secretariat, old SC building etc.
  • AWADH ARCHITECTURE (03:14 PM)
  • Though the emergence of Awadh happened from the Mughal empire in terms of Architecture they kept themselves distant from Mughal architecture .
  • They did not use white marble or any marble in their construction. They mainly used brick for the construction.
  • Floral arched gateways were created in the style. For example; Rumi Darwaza of Lucknow.
  • Domes in the building were created in Umbrella shape.
  • Awadh rulers were the finest Labyrinth makers in the country.
  • Examples: Bada Imambara,Chota Imambara,Hazrat Mahal,Chattar manzil etc.

RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY (03:21 PM)

  • BUDDHISM 
  • Founder: Siddharth Gautam 
  • Birth:563 BC,Lumbini(Nepal)
  • Father: Sudodhan
  • Mother: Mahamaya.(Kaushal mahajanpada)
  • Varna: Chatriya.
  • Clan: Sakhya
  • Kingdom: Kapilvastu;
  • Wife: Yashodara.
  • Son: Rahul
  • Mahaparinirvana:Kushinagar(UP) 483 BCE
  • Four signs of life: Sign of despair.An old man, a sick person, a dead body and a sign of hope(A group of yellow-robbed monks)
  • At the age of 29, Siddharth left his home and became a Parivrajak (Homeless wanderer). This event of leaving home in Buddhism is called Mahavinishkram(The great going forth).
  • After some point in time he found a teacher, Alar Kalam who was an early Samkhya philosopher.
  • Siddharth started to follow the Shramana tradition. After some point of time, he once again started to wonder at the age of 35 he reached the village of Puruvella(Modern Bodh Gaya) on the banks of river Niranjana under a pipal tree he meditated for 49 days. At the midnight of the 49th day, he attained Nirvana.
  • After attaining Nirvana, Siddharth moved to Sarnath where in a dear park he gave his first sermon to some of his disciples. This event in Buddhism is known as Dharmachakraparivartan(Turning the wheel of religion).
  • After the first preaching disciples of Siddharth, started to refer to him as Buddha.

The topic for the next class: Doctrines of Buddha