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The Humayun’s Tomb

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The splendid mausoleum built in the memory of Emperor Humayun, the second Mughal ruler to ascend the throne, stands as a magnificent testament to the style of Mughal royal mausoleums. It is the first of the grand dynastic garden-tombs commissioned in. The tomb was commissioned by Bega Begum, Humayun’s Persian wife and chief consort in 1565 AD, nine years after the Emperor’s death. It was completed in 1572 AD under the patronage of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, the third Mughal ruler and Humayun’s son. Located in Nizamuddin, East Delhi, Humayun’s tomb or Makbara-e -Humayun is one of the best-preserved Mughal monuments and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. The Humayun’s tomb is the starting point of the Mughal architecture in India. This style is a delightful amalgamation of the Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural influences. This genre was introduced during the reign of Akbar the Great and reached its peak during the reign of Shah Jahan, Akbar’s grandson and t
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Minar Glance

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Red, as well as, buff sandstone is the main material used in constructing the famous and historic Qutub Minar This historic Indian tower used to have 379 stairs Its height is exactly 72.5 meters. Its base has a diameter of 14.32 meters, while its top part has 2.75 diameter measurements. Unlike the numerous tall infrastructures that can be seen in the entire world, Qutub Minar is not standing vertically. The Qutub Minar originally had five levels. Firoz Shah Tughlaq added a cupola on top, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1803. There are 379 steps leading to the top. Each storey has a balcony that encircles the tower. However, because of a fatal stampede in 1981, visitors are not allowed inside anymore. Alai Minar
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Qutub Minar

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Qutub Minar or Qutb Minar , a 73 m (240 ft.) high tower made of red sandstone and marble is not only the highest brick minaret in the world but also one of the most famous historical landmarks of India. The construction of this tower of victory was started by the founder of the Mamluk Dynasty in Delhi, Qutb ud-Din Aibak and completed by his successor and son-in-law Iltutmish. Located in the heart of Delhi, India, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visible from different parts of the city attracts thousands of visitors every day. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in India and a must visit tourist spot in the itinerary of first time visitors to Delhi, both national and international. Height of this Minar is 72.5 meters , its diameter is 14.3 meters and its upper diameter is around 2.7 meters . There are 379 steps in this Minar from bottom to top. Near to this Minar and at the view of this tower there are some verses or Aayaats inscribed over the  walls of Qutub Minar .
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Decorative Elements Of Indo Islamic Architecture Part 4

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Stalactite or Muqarnas Design In Arabic and Persian, stalactite is known as muqarnas a honey comb motif constituting a group of small arch cells one on the other reducing its position downward and in Greek stalactite means ‘a deposit of calcium carbonate’. This design is adopted to fill up the space at squinches to give more support to the upper portion. Stucco It is a lime-plaster which contains lime-stone power and the used very thickly on the wall or soffits (ceilings) for making incised, low relief of paintings work. The main purpose of stucco work is to make the surface smooth for good results.
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Decorative Elements Of Indo Islamic Architecture Part 3

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Lotus Lotus represents the ‘principal of growth’ and is an ancient Hindu and Buddhist symbol. It also represented a seat of god because gods do not rest on the earth. During Mughal period in India, it was used as a building profusely in inverted as well as blooming form. Mosaic Mosaic or in lay work is a specialized art of decoration where the pieces of different material such as glass, glazed tiles, semi-precious stone, etc. in different colour are fitted in block or stab of stone/marble on the sketched design with their face downwards and then so that it could fill all empty place/gaps. This work can easily be seen at the monuments.
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Decorative Elements Of Indo Islamic Architecture Part 2

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Gazing Tiles Glazing means to cover the surface of a tile, before cutting the tiles into desired size/design, with the mixture of copper carbonate and silica and it is kept on high continuous heat till a soft crystalline porous friable cake of colour is produced glazy surface has decorative and functional importance. Star of David Six-Pointed star created by a combination of two triangles, is an ancient Indian tantric symbol which represented power and is very important for performing all religious rituals. It is being decorated at spandrels of the arch of most of the Islamic buildings. Chevron (Zigzag Pattern) This is a Persian architecture ornamentation and adopted by the Mughals in India. This design has been created on the nook-shaft/ columns.
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Decorative Elements Of Indo Islamic Architecture Part 1

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Calligraphy Calligraphy in inlay work as well as low relief has been inscribed on the monuments and during Mughal period it got grate attention. The inscriptions are written in Arabic and Persian language by using different script. It is created on the monuments by this way that the size of the word of the lowest band and the highest band look alike because the size is increasing upward. Geometrical Patterns The monuments especially of Mughal period have been decorated with geometrical designs (square, circle, star, etc.) on the drum of the dome, façade, spandrels as well as on the flooring of the main chamber. Finials  The domes of the building have been crowned with beautiful finials either in rubble masonry, marble or metal showing purana-kalasha, lotus, etc. one on the other. Purina-kalasha is a symbol of plenty and creativity.
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