Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal 1

Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal

South Asian Material and Visual Cultural

National College of Arts, Lahore

Amina Ejaz

29 May 2018

Chhatri element in the Mughal Architecture

Abstract:

Mughal architecture is rich in a decoration. Chhatris the floral motif, chhatri elements placed as a

decoration in Islamic and Mughal architecture. The Mughal architecture incorporates many

elements from the local Hindu architecture, in particular, the art of Rajput palaces, Gwalior Fort,

and Gwalior palace. In addition, the construction usually associated with Hindu building which

including Chhatri, Chajjas, and Jarokhas which become the characteristics of Mughal

architecture. This research attempt period starting with first Mughal emperor Babur to the

emperor Aurangzeb focusing on monuments architecture those includes chhatri in present-day

India and Pakistan. Chhatris is the major architecture on different Mughal building and

monuments.

Keyword: Chhatris element, Mughal architecture, motifs.

Introduction:

Mughal architecture is based on an Indo-Islamic architecture which developed by Mughal first

King Babur after winning the battle of Panipat in 1526. Mughal is known for their glory, living
 Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal 2

style and attractive architecture with wonderful decoration. Akbar was the first who promotes

Indian art, architecture, and culture. Inspired by the independent kingdom in India Gujrat,

malwa, Gwalior, and Jaunpur they have cultural, activities, literature, music, painting and

architecture. Mughal architecture chhatris element is placed as decoration on the top of mosques,

tombs, palaces, garden wall, forts and forts gate. It also analyzes the chhatri element is different

from the local Hindu architecture. How chhatri become the essential element in a different kind

of Mughal building includes a palace, mosque, and tombs? Where the concepts of chhatri come

from? What is the role of chhatri in Mughal architecture? Is chhatri in Mughal architecture used

as a watchtower purpose? How the growth of chhatri element in Mughal India?

History of Mughal Architecture in India:

Architecture is an art form of design; interior and building that represents a culture in a region of

a country which represent the lifestyle of state how much they are rich in art and culture.

Monument of a country represented a memorial memory, historical building which shows the

culture and faith of a specific region. India is rich in their culture and tradition of music, painting,

arts, and architecture. Mughal dynasty was started in 1526 to 1707. Mughal was directly inspired

from the Persian, Uzbekistan, Turkish, central Asia and more on the Indian (Bengali, Gujrat,

Malwa, Gwalior, Rajasthan, and Janupur).

Babur first Mughal emperor architecture inspired from Central Asian influence, where Humayun

design Persians, In Akbar period, Hindu and Islamic characteristics were combined on the red

sandstone inspired from Khurasani, Transoxian, Malwan, Gujrati, and Rajasthan. Shahjahan's

architecture buildings are well organized with their innovative and unique styles, walls and

ceilings were ornamented with silver, gold and fresco paintings. Pietra Dura technique was used;
 Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal 3

convex glass or mirror mosaics were used in Sheesh Mahal. However, during Aurangzeb period

the trend of art and culture decline. The Mughal architecture is the mixture of Hindu and Islamic

architecture so called Indo-Islamic architecture. Mughal constructed palaces, gardens, forts,

mausoleums, and monuments with the aesthetic beauty of art and architecture style.

Chhatri Element:

Chhatri element has come from Hindu Mythology "Mankanmesher temple"2000-year-old

ancient temple devoted to Lord Shiva. Chhatri defines pavilion that includes finial at the top then

lotus decoration dome in the middle of it then come chajja and pillar in the bottom. The word

chhatri means "canopy" or "umbrella" that can protect from rain. Chhatris in Shekhawati simple

structure of one dome with four pillars to a building basement also include several rooms. The

interior design of chhatris is painted same as the Havelis.

"A chhatri is a domed kiosk resting on pillars which in Hindu architecture is used as a cenotaph

but in Islamic architecture is placed as decoration on top of mosques, palaces, and

tombs".(Peterson) In Indian architecture chhatris element used as pride and honor in Jat,

Maratha and Rajput architecture in palaces, forts and demarcate funerary. In Mughal

architecture, chhatris element used a decoration on the palaces, forts, gates, tombs, and mosques.

Different types of chhatris in India:

Chhatris is a unique element in Mughal and Hindu architecture, mostly seen in Rajasthan

monument and building and in Mughal in different building monuments like tombs, gardens,

mosque, palaces, and forts.

In Jaipur typical chhatris shaped memorials. Jai Singh chhatris are noteworthy of the carvings.

Jodhpur white marble chhatris of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Chhatris of Maharajja Suraj Mal of

Bharatpur with fine frescos illuminating the life of Surajmal. In Udaipur stone elephants, Lake

Pichola Island has remarkable types of chhatris carved from gray-blue stone which was built by

Jagat Singh. Haldighati beautiful chhatris with white marble columns dedicated to Rana Pratap

and Chetak. In Alwar, Moosi Maharani wonderful architecture chhatris have red sandstone and

white marble. Bundi number of chhatris represents art and faith of Bundi. Suraj chhatris, Mordi

chhatris, Chaurasi Khambon, Bundi chhatris and Nath chhatris are located in Bundi. Jaisalmer

Bada Bagh with chhatris of Jai Singh. Bikaner royal place with a number of chhatris. Most

imposing chhatris Surat Singh it also has Rajput paintings on the ceilings. Nagaur also has Nath

and Amar Singh Rathore chhatris.

In Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, its cities also have the beautiful Rajasthani chhatris. In

Ramgarh, Ram Gopal Poddar chhatris. Bissau has Shekhawat Thakur's chhatris. Parsuampura

has Thakur Sardul Singh Shekhawat chhatris. Kirori city chhatris of Raja Todarmal the ruler of

Udaipurwati. Jhunjhunu chhatris of Shekhawat rulers, Dundonald city has beautiful chhatris of

Ram Dutt Goenka, Mukungarh city has wonderful Shivadutta Ganeriwala chhatris. Taknet

chhatri in Churu also a different form of chhatri. Sahaj Ram Poddar chhatris in Mahansar and

Joki Das Shah chhatri in Udaipurwati found a unique form of chhatris elements. Fatehpur Jagan

Nath Singhania chhatris also represented the rich art and culture of Rajasthan.

Maratha rulers also used the chhatris element of architecture there are several notable chhatris of

Maratha Empire in Madhya Pradesh. Shivpuri the attractive decorate of marble chhatris by the

Scindia ruler. Shrimati Balabai Maharaj Ladojirao Shitole chhatris in Gwalior, Rajarendra

Ramchandrarao chhatri and princess of Gwalior chhatri. In Orcha, chhatris elements in local
 Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal 5

Hindu kings are not popular than other chhatris. Gohad, chhatris of Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana

on the Gwalior Fort. Chhatris of Holkar rulers also found in Indore and Maheshwar. Krishapura

chhatri, Bolia Maharaj chhatri in Indore. Malhar Rao Holkar chhatri one of the wonderful

decorative architecture of chhatris element at Alampur in Bhind district in 1744. Chhatris is a

great significance on the Rajasthan and inspired in Mughal architecture.

Chhatri Decoration in Mughal Architecture:

The Mughal and Islamic architecture chhatris are used as a decorate purpose where Hindu used

as pride and honor. "Humayun's Tomb was built by Akbar, red sandstone and white marble were

used with the chaharbagh concept of paradise garden in Persia, especially Rajasthani architecture

including decorating corbel brackets, balconies, pendentive and kiosks or chhatris. Buland

Darwaza also made of red and buff sandstone with white and black marble, symmetrical and is

top with large standing kiosks called chhatris. Buland Darwaza was built Akbar victory over

Gujarat. Akbar also built a palace for their son Jahangir called Jahangir palace which also

decorates with chhajas, Jharokhas, chhatris on the two-sided corner of the palace. Lotus buds and

marble, elephant trunks modified the form of Gaja Lakshmi, a symbol believed of Rajput. Akbar

was a liberal ruler who respects every religion, he married with Rajput princess Jodha Bai.

"The tomb is made more elaborate, however, by its location in the middle of a specially made

moat and its use of domed chhatris to mark the comers of each side of the octagon".(Peterson)

In Shah Jahan period, while earlier Mughal architecture buildings were constructed of red

sandstone, Shah Jahan inspired with the new style in Mughal architecture use of white marble

with a semi-precious stone. Onion-domed decorated with a lotus design. The shape of the dome
 Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal 6

is emphasized by four smaller domed chhatris placed at its corners, which same like the onion

shape of the main big dome. The dome and chhatris are topped by a finial which mixes

traditional of Persian and Hindu elements. The finial at the top by a moon is an Islamic motif. "In

the case of the Taj Mahal, however, a square pool forms the center of the garden whilst the tomb

building was located at the far end of it, overlooking the river. The walls of the garden tomb

complex are strengthened by six octagonal towers capped with domed chatris".(Peterson)

Shah Jahan also built Jama Masjid in Delhi that includes red sandstone and white marble. Three

domes on the terrace surrounded with two minarets include chhatris on it.

Akbar Mausoleum and Sikandra near Agra which was built by his son Jahangir in 1612. The

Mausoleum is five-floor building, which was made of red sandstone and white marble top floor

white marble with four chhatris at the corner, the second storey has five chhatri on both sides and

with white marble dome and red sandstone, third storey has seven chhatris with white dome, the

fourth storey from the bottom have four big chhatris at their corner of red sandstone and four

small chhatris of white marble.

Itmad-ul-Daula Tomb the named was on the minister on Jahangir and Noor Jehan which was

started by Jahangir and was completed by his wife Noor Jehan in 1628. Pure white marble and

red sandstone structure situated in the garden, four minarets in the corner and chhatri on the top

and center canopy. Terraced is a pavilion form in the second storey. A jewel in marble also

called "Baby Taj Mahal".

Jahangir tomb was built by in17th-century mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Son Shah

Jahan. The interior is extensively embellished with frescoes and marble, and its exterior richly

with Pietra Dura technique. The use of minarets reflects the Timurid architecture during Jahangir
 Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal 7

reign. Four minarets at the corner with chhatris with white marble cupolas, the wall of the tomb

are inlaid with carved marble. The center chamber contains Emperor's cenotaph. The tomb is

also surrounded by Persian style Paradise garden like Humayun tomb.

Badshahi mosque was built under the commissioned by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1671.

Aurangzeb was more religious than other Mughal emperors. The mosque architecture arches

made of red stone with carved white marble in it. The ceiling of a hall with floral frescoes, an

interior of the mosque is with floral motifs. Mosque includes the three white marble onion dome

finial on it and eight high minarets including four major and four minor. However, all minarets

have chhatris element on it.

The Alamgiri Gate in Lahore Fort was built by Aurangzeb in 1673. It is the main entrance to the

Lahore Fort, two semi-circular bastions which have boldly fluted shafts and lotus petalled bases

and are crowned with domed pavilion. Huge arched entrance in the center was designed to allow

the emperors elephant pass through it. Centre square hall having deep arched on the east and

north and a staircase leading to the upper storey of the fort. Two big chhatris on the corner of the

gate used as a protection of fort as the watchtower.

Red Fort Delhi in India which was built by Shah Jahan, Red Fort is named because massive

enclosing walls of red sandstone and is adjacent to the old Salimgarh Fort which was built by

Sher Shah Suri in 1546. Apartments consist of row pavilions, connected by a water channel

knowns as the stream Paradise. The Fort also has two big chhatris on the corner of the gate and

two small back of the gate and wall also some chhatris in it. The Red Fort Delhi innovate

architecture style, including palaces, garden design, influenced in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab,

Delhi, Kashmir, Barj, and Rohilkhand.

Chhatri Architecture in Mughal buildings:

In Agra, Fort Musamman Burj northern Bengali gold-domed with chhatri apartment was known

as Nashaiman-i-Zill-Ilahi. Makra forms of the Gujarati temple architecture. Akbar Emperor and

his wife Maryamuz-Zamani and his son Jahangir who lived in this palace. Khas Mahal in the

Agra Fort also has Char Bagh pattern with the small hexagonal grids of red sandstone and Khas

Mahal on their front two small chhatris with white marble.

Fatehpur Sikri fort also has chhatris in different in building in it. Jogha Bai palace its architecture

include swans, elephants, parrots, ghant mala, lotuses, Srivastsa Mark and traces blue galazed

and elegand tulip with two big chhatris on both front and two smalls chhatris on the top of a roof.

Panch Mahal the rectangular colonnaded structure opens on all sides and built from local red

sandstone. Asymmetrical pyramid stacked over the southeast corner, on the top the Panch Mahal

big chhatri with copula and east elevation, double and quadruple series of columns facilitate the

transfer of load. Modern staircase and the ground floor have a craved jaali balustrade and no

projecting chhajja.

Fatehpur Sikri Fort has an imperial chhatri which is also called "Ankh Michauli" is a red

sandstone domed pavilion. This chhatri pavilion is 2.74 meters per side and situated on the same

plinth that supports Ankh Michauli. Traces of a stone railing, corner are a column, square at the

base with a carved floral motif on all sides. The column is divided into two sections the one

lower section include floral design and the second upper section shaped of octagonal. Toranas at

a 45-degree angle from carved stone monsters head on the octagonal shaft, which rises to meet

the center of each lintel. Torans derive from Jain architecture in Hindu architecture which

indicates ceremonial entrance into the temple.

Chhatri use in the Modern era in Pakistan:

Islamic world also has a great impact on the other world the British who come to the

subcontinent also inspired by Muslims and their architecture. In British Indian colony, the Indian

architecture Royal Pavilion at Brighton is close to resembling with Mughal palace with bulbous,

domes, chajja and chhataris and internally it is decorated like a Chinese palace.

The East India Company also used the chhatri in their era on different building institution

oriental college, Punjab university old campus, Mayo school of arts, King Edward medical

college, Aitcheson college, M.A.O college, Civil lines College, Peshawar University. Lahore

governor house, and found building on the Mall road Lahore the chhatris architecture. After the

division of India Pakistan in 1947 chhatris are still used on the institution building, mosques,

government building, for example, President and Prime Minister House in Islamabad. Even can

see every mosque in town small chhatri on its corner and on its minarets. It gives the reflection to

the Pakistan art and culture and history which come from Hindu and Mughal Islamic

architecture.

Conclusion:

Art and culture is the key to the society which linked with the history of people present and the

past. Chhatri found more on the Hindu temple, Rajasthan architecture rich in their tradition and

chhatri, chajjas and Jarokhas as a pride and honor purpose and Mughal as decoration purpose.

Chhatri element is a great decoration to define the Mughal period which reconnecting Islamic

and Hindu art and design. The Mughal Hindu-Islamic architectural decoration trends on the

palaces, tombs, mosques, and forts. Chhatris are useful architecture to protect the wall from the

rain and it's also protecting from the sunlight and use as a watch tower purpose. However,
 Muhammad Sohaib Afzaal 10

chhatris element can expand the life of the pillar and minarets of any building due to the dome on

it otherwise the roof get weaker day by day due to rain. Chhatri means umbrella, it can work like

an umbrella like people use the umbrella in rain or sun light.

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