Mughal Architecture by Shah Jahan In India:

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his architectures in the Indian scenario bear an exquisite testimony to Mughal architectures. During his reign between (1627–1658), he built some of the most delicate architectures in Delhi and Agra.  

TAJ MAHAL:

During the reign of Shah Jahan , India got one of the most fascinating attraction for which people throngs from all over the world. It is the most splendid Moghul tomb, Taj Mahal of Agra, the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan and Arjumand Bano Begum (Mumtaz Mahal) had 14 children. While she was dying, she took promise from Shah Jahan that he will built a tomb in the memory of his wife. So the history of Taj Mahal begins its journey with the end of Mumtaz Mahal in 1632. Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

AGRA FORT:

 The main part of the Agra fort was built by Akbar in Red Sandstone, while Emperor Shah Jahan, erected most of the buildings inside the fortress. The fort is built alongside the Yamuna River and stretches almost 2.5 km.

Building erected by Shah Jahan includes the following:

·         Khas Mahal and Sheesh Mahal

Khas Mahal, built by Shahjahan clearly reflects the essence of later Mughal architecture. The Khas Mahal is an airy edifice; facing the specially laid Angoori Bagh. Windows closed with intricately pierced decorative stone screens present fabulous view of the riverfront. On three sides of this garden are residential quarters of women. Opposite to the Mussaman Burj and just below the Diwan-E- Khas hall is the Sheesh Mahal or the glass palace. It is believed  to have been the harem dressing room and its walls are inlaid with tiny mirrors, which are the best specimens of glass mosaic decoration in India.

KHAS MAHAL

SHEESH MAHAL

·         Musamman Burj

Musamman Burj is the most romantic, ornamental pavilion wherein lived two most beautiful and powerful Mughal queens-Nurjahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Here Shahjahan spent his last few years as a captive held by Aurangzeb. Shahjahan languished and dies looking at the Taj Mahal.

·         Diwan-I-khas

Diwan-I-khas or the Hall of Private audience is a small hall with double marble columns inlaid with pietra dura decoration. Shahjahan built the structure between 1636 and 1637 and it is where the emperor used to receive the important dignitaries.

·         Diwan-I-Aam

Diwan-I-Aam or the Hall of Public audience was again a building constructed by Shahjahan in 1628, replacing an earlier wooden structure. Here was kept the famous Peacock Throne ordered by Shahjahan. He met officials and commoners and listened to the petitioners in the Diwan-I-Aam.

 

·         Macchi Bhavan

Situiated infront of Diwan –i- khas, is the Machchi Bhawan or the Fish Chamber. It is believed that it was used to rear gold fishes for the emperor. It is believed to have marble fountains and tanks once, for the purpose.

·         Moti Masjid

Further north stands the Moti Masjid .It earned the nickname Pearl Mosque for it shined like a pearl. It is held that this mosque was constructed by Shah Jahan for his members of royal court.

·         Nagina Masjid

Located nearby Moti Masjid is the Nagina Masjid or the Gem Mosque. This beautiful structure was built for the ladies of the Royal family. A luxurious bazaar, known as Mina Bazar, was functioning down the road from where royal ladies could purchase items standing in the balcony of Nagina Masjid.

·         Mina Masjid

Shah Jehan built Mina Masjid near Diwan-i-Khas and this mosque was meant to be used by the emperor and the royal ladies. Thus, it was placed close to the palaces of the imperial women. This mosque was built, entirely of white marble.

Several of the buildings are made of pure marble with beautiful carvings. To cool off the rooms in the marble pavilions, the walls were hollow and filled with running water.

SHAHJAHANABAD:

Old Delhi was founded as Shahjahanabad by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in 1639. It remained the capital of the Mughals until the end of the Mughal dynasty. It is approximately shaped like a quarter cìrcle, with the Red Fort as the focal point. The old city was surrounded by a wall enclosing about 1,500 acres with numerous gates: Nigambodh Gate,  Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate, Kabuli gate, Lahore gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi Gate, etc. Enormous market place had further divided the city. One of the most prominent among them was situated to the west of the Red Fort’s Lahore gate, presently known as Chandni Chowk.

RED FORT:

The Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, after ruling from Agra for eleven years, decided to shift to Delhi and laid the foundation stone of the Red Fort in 1638. Completed in 1648 the Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" as it was the residence of the royal family. It was the palace for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad, the seventh Muslim city in the Delhi site. With a circumference of almost one and a half miles, the fort is an irregular octagon and has two entrances, the Lahore and Delhi Gates. The planning and aesthetics of the Red Fort represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. This Fort has had many developments added on after its construction by Shahjahan.

                   

JAMA MASJID:

Jama Masjid of Delhi is the country's largest and perhaps the most magnificent mosque. It is the final architectural extravagance of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Built in 1656, it is an eloquent reminder of the Mughal religious fervour. It's also known as 'Masjid-i-Jahanuma' or 'Mosque commanding view of the world'. It was designed as Emperor Shahjahan's principal mosque. This monument was built by five thousand artisans. It combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. This magnificent structure stands on the Bho Jhala, one of the two hills of the old Mughal capital city of Shahjahanabad .

Shah Jahan erected many splendid monuments not only in India, but in Lahore too. Some of these include the famous Shalimar Garden,  Jahanhir Mouselumn, Lore Fort etc.