The Taj Mahal at Agra, the most famous building in Asia commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife Arjuman Banu Begum who was given the name Mumtaz Mahal, meaning beloved ornament of the palace. She was the granddaughter of a Persian noble and betrothed at the age of 14 to Shah. Mumtaz became Shah’s greatest love of his life and they were married in 1612 AD. Shah and Mumtaz were inseparable and constant companions. Mumtaz was his trusted confidante and their relationship was documented as intense and erotic by court historians. Mumtaz joined Shah on his travels throughout the empire and the two of them were utterly devoted to one another. Although Shah was married to other wives it was merely …show more content…
In fact, Aurangzeb (Shah Jahan’s third son with Mumtaz Mahal) deposed his ailing father in 1658 and took power himself. Shah Jahan lived out the last years of his life under house arrest in a tower of the Red Fort at Agra, with a view of the magnificent resting place he had constructed for his wife; when he died in 1666, he was buried next to her. Over the years following his death his son Aurangzeb led the Empire to the height of its power. However, his militant Muslim policies, including the destruction of many Hindu temples and shrines, destabilized the lasting strength of the empire and resulted in its end by the mid-18th century. Even as the Mughal power dissolved, the Taj Mahal suffered from negligence and disorder in the two centuries after Shah Jahan’s death. Near the start of the 19th century, Lord Curzon, then British viceroy of India, ordered a major restoration of the mausoleum complex as part of a colonial effort to preserve India’s artistic and cultural heritage. If this hadn’t been initiated who knows what would have happened to the Great Taj
"Between 1453 and 1526 Muslims founded three major states in the Mediterranean, Iran, and South Asia: respectively the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empire" (Dale 1). Everyone knows the Mediterranean, Iran, and South Asia because of modernization and technology. These regions are seen in newspapers and television for their current status, but not a lot of people have ever considered how they were back in the 15th century. The majority of our generation knows Istanbul, but what about Constantinople? The 15th century was the Gunpowder Empires era in which three major empires ruled the Mediterranean, Iran, and South Asia: Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal. Even though the Mughals were not as successful as the Ottomans, they both share similarities in
In their times The Mughal and Ottoman empires were some of the greatest and most successful empires of all time. Both empires were lead by strong rulers, Suleiman in the Ottoman Empire and Akbar in the Mughal. However, the Mughal empire failed due to the weak successors that could not unite the huge empire after Akbar’s demise leading the empire to fall apart.
In the heart of downtown Fort Walton Beach, Florida lies a magnificent hill of earth created by prehistoric Native Americans as a political and religious center. Built about 1,400 AD, this structure of earth is known today as The Indian Temple Mound. This temple mound represents one of the most outstanding artifacts left by the early inhabitants of the area. Not only is it thought to be the largest mound located on saltwater, but also it could possibly be one of the largest prehistoric earthworks on the Gulf Coast. Many events that took place so long ago in the past have been discovered due to the objects found in this mound. In 1961, The Indian Temple Mound Museum was built. This museum was the first municipally owned museum in the State of Florida. Today the museum has a two-dollar charge to enter, yet it has become one of leading
There are many similar and different aspects between the Mughal empire and the Ottoman empire. A similarity would be that both empires were a muslim empire. Also another similarity would be that both empire utilize gunpowder. While a difference between the empires are that the Ottoman empire were more involve and interactive with the Europeans than the Mughal empires. Last different aspect would be that they both had diversity in their empires.
Both these dynasties inherently inhabited the same territories (the Timurids ruled until the 1500s). Unfortunately due to a series of later earthquakes, there is not much surviving architecture from the reigns of the first two Safavid shahs. Shah Abbas, who moved the Safavid capital to Isfahan, practically reinvented the city based on collection of buildings including palaces, mosques, bazaars and madrasas. Abbas arranged the center of the city around a large open area called the Meydan-i Shah (Square of the Ruler) and located to the south end of the Meydan-i Shah is the largest of Shah Abbas 's imperial mosques, the Masjid-i Shah (Mosque of the Shah). The Masjid-i Shah"s development began in the 1612 and finished by around 1638. Something unique about the position of the mosque against the position of the square is that the qibla wall of the mosque is not adjusted with the square because the square was present prior to the mosque, hence the architects of the Masjid-i Shah built the entrance portal to the mosque turning 45 degrees. Another unique and fascinating note is that the scale is incredible. These enormous portals and minarets were garnished in elegant tile with massively patterned color to create a cohesive effect on the courtyard of the mosque. As for the interior, the abundant use of blue, yellow and gold including with the tessellations of vines, leaves
The bureaucracy became corrupt because officials began ignore the laws. Since the officials were ignoring laws peasants felt enraged, and began peasant revolts. These revolts added onto rival empires threatening to take land became unbearable for Sultan Hussein. The military was not cooperating and wouldn't make changes that could limit their power (Kramer). This soon resulted in the assassination of the Shah. After the Shah the empire completed its dynasty. No one knows for sure when the empire ended but around the time of 1724 AD the government was abolished (Safavid
Constructed during Egypt's 4th Dynasty, The Pyramids of Giza are truly an astonishing work of architecture. These pyramids display several of the characteristics, that are now known, to be attributed to the Ancient Egyptian era. Years of research show that much of the ancient Egyptian's focus in their artistry, was that of a religious nature, regardless of medium. Artists of the time, focused their efforts on depicting the various Gods and Goddesses, immortality and the afterlife, and the glorification of the pharaohs. (MindEdge) One of the best examples of this are the pyramids. Each pyramid was built to be the final resting place of a pharaoh (Khufu, Khafre, or Menkaure) upon his death, and subsequent mummification. They were built on the
One distinct structure that played a role in the Hindu and Muslim conflict was the famously known Taj Mahal. In respect to the Islamic tradition, there were verses from the Quran that were inscribed on the arched entrances, and other arched entrances of the mausoleum. Also, there was a moon with its points that pointed to the heavens in a U-shape, thus resembling a trident that represents the traditional symbol of the Hindu god Shiva. The Hindus’ architectural styles had great influence on the building and designing of the Taj Mahal, and as a result the ruler of the Munghal Empire in the year 1658, Aurangzeb, neglected this beautiful building. Aurangzeb had many militant policies whereby he destroyed the temples and shrines of the Hindus, and prohibited the construction and repair of old or new Hindu temples. He also ensured that in the year 1668 that the Hindu religious fairs became outlawed, and did everything in his power to discriminate against the Hindus in order to make their lives difficult. On December 7, 1992 the Hindus destroyed the Mosque of Babar because according to them the mosque was built on a sacred piece of land whereby the Hindu God Ram was born. However, the Muslims did not want to regain control of the mosque after its destruction because they feared that it would lead
Both Jahangir and Nur Jahan played a great role in the development of the Persian Islamic legacy in India. Religion was one of the key points that Jahangir and Nur Jahan focused on when providing India with the Persian Islamic legacy. Another key point that helped shape this legacy was the fact of royalty and power. Jahangir was born in 1569 and became of power when he inherited a rather great and substantial empire form his father. However even though Jahangir inherited this empire from his father, he himself was very uninterested in the political or military aspects of the empire. Rather than engaging political and/or military acts, he appreciated the little things that came along with royalty such as drinking alcohol and spending money. As for Nur Jahan she was born in either 1576 or 1577 in which began life as an immigrant as well as of poverty. Nur Jahan’s grandfather was an administrator for the Safavid in Iran. Not only was he an administrator but he was a very well know Persian poet. Nur Jahan’s Persian and Shi’I backgrounds played a great role in her accomplishments as empress. Jahangir and Nur Jahan were later married, which is when Nur Jahan had major influence on Jahangir when we was faced with making important decisions. Women with influence was rare for this time period, however Jahangir believed that Nur Jahan had the capability and the knowledge to
A society that is often overlooked that has made great achievements and who has had a significant impact on modern day society is nonetheless, India and ancient Indian civilization. After the fall of the Gupta Empire in 480, small kingdoms throughout the region, which was invaded by the Turks and Mongols, but was not conquered, would rule India. The northern parts of India frequently were raided and invaded by the Turks, all the way from Afghanistan to Central Asia. Muslim Turks decided to rule a state in north India called the Delhi sultanate, which was ruled for several centuries, and in the mean time Islam gained its adherents throughout the southern regions of Asia. Hinduism continued to flourish throughout the nation, while Buddhism went into a deep decline, and Islam would begin to convert many of its people. The encounters that the ancient Indian people had to endure with the Turks, Mongols, and Islam have had the most memorable impact and impression on Indian culture and other societies throughout the east.
Again the purpose of this temple is unknown and the site know longer exists (Wilkinson 2000:141). The thing we get from this is he was really trying to build a great area in the desert. I do not think he was aware that it would be abandoned after he died.
Before I really get into my personal experience at the Durga temple, I would like to begin my experience paper by throwing a light on my religion. I personally belong to a Muslim family and have practiced Islam throughout my life. Islam is one of the monotheistic religions, which means people only believe in one God usually referred as Allah. All the individuals, including me, believe that everything in this world has been created by all mighty Allah. He has the power and authority of diminishing and raising thing. Islam is based on its five pillars; Namaz (prayer), Roza (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage), Zakat (Give away), and Jahad (struggle in way of Islam). In contrast Hinduism has many different deities and all of them have a specific purpose. For example Shiva is widely known as the destroyer while the Vishnu presides over the maintenance of the living being. The reason I decided to go to the Hindu religious practice is because I have heard many different stories about the conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Furthermore, I also wanted to see the temples because I have never seen one, I have been to a lot of churches, mosques, and synagogue, but never got the change to visit a temple. Both Islam and Hinduism are the most popular religions in the world and they have millions of followers. However, there is a day and night difference between both of them.
For many years we have seen many different architectural structures come and go. From the pyramids to the Colosseum to the Eiffel Tower to The Twin Towers. Every architectural structure derived from another in some way shape or form. Whether it's from the use of columns or arches or blocks or bricks. The Great Pyramid of Giza is in fact one of the most influential architectural structures known to date. In this paper I will show how The Great Pyramid of Giza has influenced some of the most famous architectural structures known to date. Now let's get to know a little bit about the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The Taj Mahal, which translates to “Crown Palace” is a very significant monument and regarded as one of the best in the world. It is actually a mausoleum where both the bodies of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are found. It was built from 1631 till 1648 AD in Agra, India (History of Taj Mahal). Architects from all around the world were ordered to come to India and build this Taj Mahal by the order of the Mughal, Shah Jahan (History of Taj Mahal). He built this to honor his wife after her death while she was giving birth to their child (History of Taj Mahal). Her last words for Shah Jahan was to build a tomb in her memory that the world has never seen before, and so he did what she asked for (History of Taj Mahal). Later on, the grave of Shah Jahan was added to the Taj Mahal.
The Mughals took what was ‘Indian’, developed by the Delhi Sultanate and surrounding Hindu kingdoms that were consolidated into the Mughal Empire throughout its reign, and made it their own, creating whole new areas of study and development in the kingdom. One of the most majestic and famous results of this is the Taj Mahal, recognised by people all throughout the world as a true product of the Mughal Dynasty and proof of the Mughals wealth and ingenuity, combining traditional Indian and Persian architecture and as a result creating something so beautiful it is considered one of the world’s greatest wonders.