Mughal architecture

Building style that flourished in India under the Mughal emperors from the mid16th to the late 17th century. The Mughal period marked a striking revival of Islamic architecture in northern India, where Persian, Indian, and various provincial styles were fused to produce works of great refinement. White marble and red sandstone were favoured materials. Most of the early Mughal buildings used arches only sparingly, relying on post-and-beam construction. The use of the double dome, a recessed archway inside a rectangular fronton (arena), and parklike surroundings are typical of the Shah Jahan period (1628–58), when Mughal design reached its zenith. Symmetry and balance between the parts of a building were stressed, as was delicate ornamental detail. Important Mughal undertakings include the Taj Mahal and the palace-fortress at Delhi (begun 1638).

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