Mughal Architecture: An Outline of Its History and Development (1526-1858).

• Author: Kane, Carolyn

The wealth of existing Mughal architecture in north India and Pakistan is illustrated by two remarkable recent books. The book under review is a comprehensive synopsis, enlarging upon the author's Encyclopaedia of Islam article. The other, by Catherine B. Asher, is a more inclusive study: Architecture of Mughal India, The New Cambridge History of India 1.4 (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1992). The books are complementary but opinions and dates sometimes vary.

The patronage of the Mughal rulers is developed by Koch chronologically. Chapters are divided into types of patronage, both secular and sacred, including tombs, fortress-palaces, palaces, mosques, gardens, pavilions and public works (hammams, roads, road markets, bridges, bazaars, caravanserais, wells and tanks). Coverage of regional architecture is limited. The essence of each style incorporated the multiple sources inherited and adapted from indigenous Indian, Sultanate, Central Asian, Timurid, Safavid, and European sources. Mughal architecture emphasized monumentality, grandeur, royal power, wealth, and the Muslim religion.

Seven chapters touch on history and the salient characteristic building types, materials, origins, plans, elevations, and decorations. The author's extensive residence and travel in the areas gave her a unique opportunity to carry out research. The original photos, plans, and elevations are excellent references for study. A glossary, bibliography and an index are appended.

The first ruler, Babur (r. 1526-30), introduced Timurid forms, spatial concepts, symmetry, and the net covered pendentive as well as the walled garden, strategically placed near temporary campsites. Mosques and hammams too were constructed.

Humayun (r. 1530-40, 1555-56) continued Timurid, Sultanate and indigenous traditions but little survived except a mosque in Agra and the so-called Sher Mandal in his fortress at Dinpanah, but this attribution is disputed. The nine-fold/hasht behisht plan for non-imperial tombs with a pishtaq facade and high drum supporting a dome was introduced, as well as a trabeate, pillared hall and veranda with a flat roof, dated to 1533. The plan was used for residential and funerary architecture. The nobility always accentuated the spread of the Imperial styles throughout the empire.

Synthesis and consolidation came under Akbar (r. 1556-1605) in monumental form. Humayun's red sandstone and white marble nine-fold plan tomb (1562-71) was set in a four-part garden evoking...