Question 1

What are the elements of a Mughal Chahar Bagh garden?

Accepted Answer

Mughal chahar bagh consists of four gardens. These gardens are placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels. It became most famous during the rule of Mughal dynasty. One of the most famous examples of this type is the Taj Mahal.

Question 2

An inscription in Shah Jahan's diwan-i khas in Delhi stated, "If there is Paradise on Earth it is here, it is here, it is here". How was this image created?

Accepted Answer

Shah Jahan's diwan-i khas was designed in such a way that it fused together in a grand harmonious synthesis. It was carefully planned. It was placed within a large courtyard. Behind the emperors throne there were a series of pietra-dura inlays. It depicted the legendry god Orpheus playing the lute. The diwan-e khas was aimed to communicate that the king's justice would treat the high and the low as equals, creating a world where all could live together in harmony. The diwan-i khas reflected the image of a paradise in itself.

Question 3

When was Humayun's tomb built? What are its special features?

Accepted Answer

Humayun's tomb was, built between 1562 and 1571. Its main features are:The central towering dome and the tall gateway known as pishtaq became important aspects of Mughal architecture. This tomb architecture was first visible in Humayun's tomb.The tomb was placed in the center of a huge formal Chahar bagh and built in the tradition known as 'eight paradises' or hasht bihisht - a central hall surrounded by eight rooms.The building was constructed with red sandstone, edge with white marble.

Question 4

Write a brief note on the chahar bagh built by the Mughal rulers.

Accepted Answer

The Mughal emperors were very much interested in literature, art, and architecture. Babur, in his autobiography, described his interest in planning and laying out formal gardens, placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels. These gardens were called Chahar Bagh, four gardens, because of their symmetrical division into quarters. Beginning with Akbar, some of the most beautiful Chahar baghs were constructed by Jahangir and Shah Jahan in Kashmir, Agra, and Delhi.

Question 5

What role did the Yamuna play in the layout of the new Mughal city of Shahjahanabad?

Accepted Answer

The river Yamuna had a very significant role in the layout of the new Mughal city of Shahjahanabad.Shah Jahan preferred the river-front garden in the layout of the Taj Mahal. He developed the same architectural form as a means to control the access that the nobles had to the river. In the new city of Shahjahanabad the imperial palace also commanded the river-front. Only the most favoured nobles were given access to the river. Other than those had to construct their homes in the city away from the river Yamuna. It expanded the layout of the city.

Question 6

How did the Mughal court suggest that everyone-the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak-received justice equally from the emperor?

Accepted Answer

The Diwan-i aam of the Mughal court suggested that justice was made for all in an equal way. The construction of Shah Jahan's audience hall was designed to communicate that the king's justice was equal for the high and the low. Its aim was to create a world where all could live together in harmony. There was no difference between the rich and poor in the emporer's court.

Question 7

Visit and describe any park or garden in your neighbourhood. In what ways is it similar to or different from the gardens of the Mughals?

Accepted Answer

The gardens of Mughals gardens were spread over a very large area. There were a large variety of flowers. They were well-decorated and protected. But the garden in my neighbourhood is not so large. Everyone has easy access to this garden. So the flowers are not safe. Thus, we don't find any similarity. However, the park in my locality was initially constructed in the chahar bagh style with fountains and was very much like the one in Red fort, Delhi. Later, the park in my locality got ruined due to bad management.

Question 8

The ceremonial halls of public and private audience were called as __________ during the Mughal period.

Accepted Answer

In the Mughal architecture, the ceremonial halls of public and private audience were known as diwan-i-aam and diwan-i khaas. Placed within a large courtyard, these courts were also described as chihil sutun or forty-pillared halls. The pedestal on which Shah jahan's throne was placed was frequently described as the qibla. Hasht bihist was a central hall surrounded by eight rooms.

Question 9

The central towering dome and the tall gateway became important aspects of Mughal Architecture and was first visible in __________.

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

A 'hasht bihisht' is a __________________________ .

Accepted Answer

In architecture Hasht-Bihisht or 'Eight Paradises' refers to a specific type of floorplan common in Persian architecture and Mughal architecture whereby the plan is divided into 8 chambers surrounding a central room.The central towering dome and the tall gateway (pishtaq) became an important aspect of Mughal architecture and was first visible in Humayuns tomb. The tomb was placed in the centre of a huge formal Chahar Bagh and built in the tradition known as eight paradises or hasht bihisht a central hall surrounded by eight rooms.

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