ARCHITECTURALCONSERVATION

HISTORY OF ISLAMNAGAR

Submitted by:Jagrati Sehgal- 111110106Sanjay Bhade- 111110119Mrinal Gaur- 111110130Khyati Gupta- 111110140

Guided by Prof. Jagdish Singh

Department of Architecture and PlanningMANIT, BHOPALMAULANA AZAD NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,BHOPAL2014-15

ISLAMNAGAR

ISLAMNAGAR is a small panchayat village located about 11 km from Bhopal. Formerly it was a fortified place and known as Jagdishpur. Islamnagar was the capital of the Bhopal princely state for a brief period. ISLAMNAGAR basically means city of Islam.HISTORY OF ISLAMNAGARIt was around 15th century when there was a small place known as jagdishpur. During that time parmar rulers Solanki and dewara ruled over raisen. Solanki flourish his empire in mangalgarh while dewara flourish his empire in jagdishpur and was known as founder of jagdishpur. It is therefore said that jagdishpur was a place founded by Rajput chieftains. Narsingh dewara was the ruler of their empire. He starts living there, expands his empire and starts developing this area. Most of the people live there at that time was Gond, it was one of the ancient tribe of India. Narsingh Dewara with the help of gond workers built Dewara fort, which now known as Gond Mahal because of gond workers. Dewaras were Rajput rulers and gonds were fond of Dravidian style therefore, there founds 2 layers of architectural style i.e Rajput and Gond. Dewara rulers ruled over 200 years in jagdishpur.In the end of 16th century Dost Mohammad Khan, Afgan ruler came to India. Aurangzeb, the famous Mughal ruler send him and just after reaching India he joins Mughal army in delhi. He was very cruel by nature, he never work as a ruler but always work as a fighter. After that he leaves Mughal army and came to malwa, then he goes bhelsa (vidisha), mangalgarh and bairasiya, in mangalgarh he was married with daughter of solanki Rajput, Nizam Shah (Ruler of Fathehgarh) originally descendent of Rajput family suggest Dost Mohammad Khan to take over Jagdishpur as Jagdishpur was undefeatable by kings due to heavy fortification wall and due to large distance and finally in 1715 he attacks on jagdishpur, but because of heavy fortification wall he fails. Then he tried again to take jagdishpur in his hands but this time not through attack but through some trick.One day he invites Narsingh Dewara and all his rulers. He made all possible arrangments for them, at the place he pitched big tents and made all arrangements for food and drinks. During that time he made them feel enjoyable and leaves all dewara rulers in tents alone and stepped out from tents and pull the down ropes of tents, tent fall down and his ruler through big stones on it and all dewaras remain inside tent died and he leaves all their dead bodies in bis river beside it, which becomes red because of blood of dewara rulers and therefore now known as Halali river.This is how he takes rule of jagdishpur in his hand in around 1719, strengthen the fort and made palaces his headquarters. He then renamed JAGDISHPUR to ISLAMNAGAR on the name of Islamshah (one of the minister of his empire & his relative)Dost Mohammad Khan did not even touch the queens of dewara ruler and do not provides any harm to them, but instead of it the 7 queens of Dewara fall down in well and sacrifice their life, which is known as doing johar. But Dost Mohammad Khan did not take away gond mahal from the residence of dewara who were remain alive after this. Dost Mohammad Khan now starts flourishing his empire, he calls all his family members here and built Rani Mahal for residence and Chaman Mahal for Darbar (court). As Dost Mohammad Khan was Mughal ruler but the people live there was still gond therefore, in Rani Mahal and Chaman Mahal there also founds 2 layers of architecture i.e. Mughal and Gond.Later the canal was contructed by Diwan Chote Khan who was the minister of Dost Mohammad Khan to provide protection and further canal gots merge into Halali river. This canal also proves helpful for supplying water in palaces.Dost Mohammad Khan expends his empire nearby Islamnagar and therefore was known as the founder of the Bhopal State in Central India. During the early 1720s, he transformed the village of Bhopal into a foritified city, and claimed the title ofNawab, which was used by the Muslim rulers of princely states in India.From 1806-1817 this place was came under the rule of Scindia, Marathas. But no major construction and development takes place during that time.Britishers ruled Islamnagar in mid 18th century, their imprint can be seen seen on the entrance of Rani mahal where ISLAMNAGAR was modified as ESLAMNAGER in 1888.

MONUMENTS at ISLAMNAGAR includes-Chaman Mahal, -Rani Mahal and -Gond MahalCHAMAN MAHAL ("Garden Palace")

Sardar Dost Mohammad Khan built this palace in 1715 A.D. He was an Afghan soldier of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and was the founder of Bhopal State. The palace depict an amalgamation of the Rajput, Mughal and Gond styles of architecture This palace is surrounded by an enclosure wall and has two entrances. A Sheesh Mahal with twelve doors is situated near the entrance. It has a royal hammam or bathing place and a very beautiful garden developed in Charbagh style of the Mughals architecture situated in the centre of this palace. The main room can be approached through galleries, where water tanks are constructed on three sides. A copper plate is fixed at the base of one water tank beneath which a furnace is constructed for providing hot water. Amidst luxuriant gardens and fountains stands the red sandstone structure, with lovely columns and arches adorned with floral motifs.

GOND MAHAL

Oldest palace at site, which was under possession of Gond Rulers till the beginning of 17thCentury. It has been built in a combination of Gond and Rajput architectural styles. The main entrance gate is east facing in front of which stands a huge bastion. This is a triple storeyed building which is divided into two parts. The first part consists of an open courtyard in the centre, arched verandas, residential rooms, pillared meeting hall and a small temple. The second part consists of a recreation room, hammam, water pump, gaushal, stable, stud farm, and tanks with fountain, a rectangular garden and floral layouts.The floor opens out in the north and south to gardens. There is a water storage tank constructed on the third floor. It has arches with floral motifs, decorated pillars and latticed openings. They are made up of wood. Kakaiva bricks and lime mortar.

RANI MAHAL ("Queen Palace")

This palace was constructed by Dost Mohammad khan in the year 1720 to serve as a residence of his queens and female residents of zenana. It has a colonnaded Diwan-e-Aam. Shades of the Rajput, Mughal and the Gond styles of architecture are evident here. Its west facing entrance gate is made of wood. Nearby is an open courtyard. The arched verandahs and four rooms are built on either sides of this courtyard. This three storeyed building is entered through a small entrance gate. A rectangular courtyard is situated in the centre. Small and big residential rooms, decorated with arches and pillars, are built on the first floor. A baradari is also situated to the north of the courtyard, which is decorated with arches of floral motifs. Their ornate columns have voluted multi foil arches bearing leaf and floral decorations in the Rajput and Mughal fusion style. The multifoil arches and the cusps of the lotuses seen on the wall also show an impressive amalgamation of this style. These architectural motifs are notable as is the utilitarian edifice of the hammam in Chaman Mahal. There are open verandahs and four rooms on the second floor. One chhatri is built on the third floor, which has a domed roof, while the other two.

FORTIFICATION WALL

This fortification wall was built by the Gond Rulers inabout 15th century A.D., when this place was known as Jagdishpur. This fortification wall served the purpose of the protection of the fort as well as of the city. This fortification wall is 1.2 meters thick and covers an area of 3.25 hectares. Hexagonal and octagonal bastions of 5 meters diameter are built at certain intervals. These bastions are three storeyed. Guards always used to be posted there for security purposes. The rooms were also used for the storage of arms and ammunitions. There are three entrance gates to this place, where soldier chaukis are built.

AESTHETICS IN ISLAMNAGAR

The features and appearance of structures are thus coherently described in the primary sources. The most common terms used to describe the buildings are wasee (wide and capacious), badee (astonishing) and waza nazara (beautiful composition). These qualities were achieved by employing a number of techniques. Firstly, the buildings was rested on high kursi (platform) with defined azara (a low wall in front of a building) to make it raafe (exalted). Secondly, the volumetric compositions of masses and volumes were evolved employing Euclidian geometry, monumental in scale, particularly in dealing with the main entrances. The geometrical analysis of Mughal period buildings clearly shows that the rules of geometry were strictly followed in both interior as well as exterior. Once the overall volumes are determined, the minor components are worked out using the same principles. The Mughal architects first used to analyze the whole perspective and then in relation to that, worked out the smaller details.

The major interior spaces were always double height, with adjoining spaces overlooking them. The interior and exterior volumes were composed in such a way that the overall impact always remained grandiose and unified. The beauty of the architectural composition is not only visible from the exterior but unfolds as one move from one space to another. These qualities are achieved through the use of dramatic light filtering into the interior in a variety of ways: there is direct light coming from the opening, skylights from clerestory windows at the upper levels of buildings.

These monumental effects were further highlighted by the use of purely natural materials for exteriors, for example red sandstone, brick along with the marble (especially white marble), which was a specialty of the Mughal architecture. The use of natural material was also associated with sustainability, as these external materials can well counter the climatic changes of the environment. As far as the structure itself is concerned the Mughals developed a roofing technology in form of flat roofs where the domical roofs were not needed. These flat roofs had a slight curvature in them for the internal side to achieve strength when they were made using bricks as the prime material. This style of architecture was not only restricted to the imperial buildings but was used extensively by the nobles and common people, thus giving the whole environment a monumental scale.

Hammam- The bath with sitting rooms, bathtubs and an excellent central heating arrangement by hot water circulation through copper pipes. It also has a dressing room. The hammam is centrally crowned with dome. It is illuminated by a coloured glass skylight. It was also used for hot orvapour baths, and the heating arrangement was installed at the back side of hammam where the chimney for water heating was placed. The whole interior was richly decorated with colourful inlaidpietra durafloral designs made of white marble.[2]The floors anddadosof these apartments are finished with white marble as well.

GARDEN & LANDSCAPE-

For the Mughals site planning and its design was also considered to be very important. The visual experience of the aura of the nature, the fragrance of the aromatic plants and flowers, the damp zephyr making its way through the fountains and pools, created an unforgettable experience both within and outside buildings.

A very strong relationship has been observed between Mughal building and its landscape: in fact it can be rightfully said that landscape was brought into the built environment in the Mughal era. The walkway flanked with flowering plants, water channels and abshars (waterfalls) were made important feature of the landscape.

The extensive use of water in the form of rain water showers and fountains as well as courts full of green open spaces and interiors adorned with stone inlay or mirror work, formed the essence of Mughal landscape design. The object to note here is that these unique ideas of landscaping and irrigation, were in fact the outcomes of many external influences.

The 'Char Bagh' (meaning, literally, 'four gardens'), though of Persian origins, has become most closely associated with the Mughal empire, an Islamic dynasty that ruled between 1526 and 1858 in territories now divided among Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kashmir, and northern India.In an arid climate the ideal of heaven as a well-watered and verdant oasis was of special importance, and the quadrants of the Char Bagh are most often divided by canals (if large) or rills (if small) representing those four rivers of Paradise. The quadrants themselves are generally, but not always, symmetrical, and may be filled with loose, informal plantings that sometimes take on additional symbolic significance--cypresses for death, almond trees for life.

Environmental considerations were also given importance in all Mughal building designs. The orientation of buildings, location and size, and types of opening were such that these buildings were comfortable in the extreme climatic conditions. Many of the historical writers, while describing Mughal buildings in their writings have mentioned the internal as well as the external environmental condition. It was planned to have a quality of free circulation of the air so that a unique structure could be erected. Thus, the architects always gave priority to adequate ventilation and free circulation of air to generate thermal comfort within the building interiors. It is here again, that the need for astrolabes was considered important, to finalize the orientation of the buildings with reference to the site conditions for air circulation and natural ventilation.

CHARACTERSTICS OF STYLE OF ARCHITECTUREMughal Period (1526 c.-1750). Mughal art and architecture,a characteristic Indo-Islamic-Persian style that flourished on the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal empire (15261857). This new style combined elements ofIslamic art and architecture, which had been introduced to India during theDelhi Sultanate(11921398) and had produced great monuments such as theQutb Minar, with features ofPersian art and architecture. Mughal monuments are found chiefly in N India, but there are also many remains in Pakistan.The buildings of this period are larger and more splendid. though lighter and more graceful in composition. Wide use is made of white and coloured marble, mosaic, lattice-work, and intricate carvings and inlays, and, above all, of buff and red sand-stone. The mosques have minarets. Tombs are square. Domes are first semi-circular, then increasingly bulbous or onion-shaped and are often mounted on a high drum. Rows of small cupolas are found over gateways and frontages. The chief examples of Mughal architecture are the Tomb of Humayun, Red Fort and the Moti Masjid and palaces within Jamia Masjid, Tomb of Safdar Jang, Wazir Khan's Mosque of Lahore, Shalimar Gardens, Chauburji Garden, etc.

Main features of Mughal Architecture:1. Variety of buildings:The Mughal rulers built magnificent gates, forts, mausoleums, mosques, palaces, public buildings and tombs etc.2. Synthesis of Persian and Indian style:The specimens of architecture created under the Mughals have become the common heritage of both the Hindus and the Muslims. It is a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture.3. Specific characteristic:A common characteristic of the Mughal buildings is the pronounced domes, the slender turrets at the corners, the palace halls supported on pillars and the broad/gateways, massive vaulted gateways and delicate ornamentation.

4. Costly decorations: The Mughal emperors in general but Shah Jahan in particular decorated his buildings with costly articles. One of the important distinguishing features of the Mughal buildings is their ornamentation as compared with the simple buildings of the previous Muslim rulers of India.5. Building material:During the Mughal period, buildings were constructed mostly of red sandstone and white marble.AkbarAgra FortThe major part of Agra fort was built byAkbarduring 1565 AD to 1574 AD. Thearchitectureof the fort clearly indicates the free adoption of theRajputplanning and construction. Some of the important building in the fort are JahangiriMahal built for Jahangir and his family, the Moti Masjid, and Mena Bazaars.The JehangiriMahal is an impressive structure and has a courtyard surrounded by double-storeyed halls and rooms.Humayun's TombThe mausoleum of Humayun is located in the centre of a square surrounded by typical Mughal garden inFatehpur Sikri. It is the combination of Persian architecture (MirakMirzaGhiyas) and Indian labour skill.

Buland DarwazaBuland Darwaza, also known as the Gate of Magnificence, was built by Akbar in 1601 A.D. at Fatehpur Sikri. It is 40 metres high and 50 metres from the ground. The total height of the Structure is about 54 metres from the ground level. The Buland Darwaza is approached by 1,000,000 steps. The Buland Darwaza is made of red and buffsandstone, decorated by carving and inlaying of white and blackmarble. An inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza is based onChristianbelief (advice given by Jesus Christ), and hence shows Akbar's broad mindedness in matters ofreligion.HaramsaraThe Haramsara, the royal seraglio inFatehpur Sikriwas an area where the royal women lived. The opening to the Haramsara is from the Khwabgah side separated by a row of cloiters. According to Abul Fazl, inAin-i-Akbari, the inside of Harem was guarded by senior and active women, outside the enclosure theeunuchswere placed, and at a proper distance there were faithfulRajputguards. Jodh Bai's Palace

This is the largest palace in the seraglio, connected to the minor haremsara (where the less important Harem ladies and maids would have resided) quarters. The main entrance is double storied, projecting out thefacadeto create a kind ofporchleading into a recessed entrance with a balcony. Inside there is a quadrangle surrounded by rooms. the columns of rooms are ornamented with a variety ofHindusculpturalmotifs.The glazed tiles on thr roofs fromMultanhave an eye catching shade ofturquoise jodh bai wife of Jahangir Tabqat-i-Akbari, MutakhabutawarikhJahangirJahangirthe Hindu features vanished from the style; his great mosque atLahoreis in the Persian style, covered with enameled tiles. AtAgra, the tomb ofItmad-ud-Daula, which was completed in 1628, was built entirely of white marble and covered inpietra duramosaic. Jahangir also built theShalimar GardensandNishat Bagh, and their accompanying pavilions on the shore ofDal LakeinKashmir. He also built a monument to his pet deer,Hiran MinarinSheikhupura, Pakistan and due to his great love for his wife, after his death she went on to build hismausoleumin Lahore.Shah JahanThe force and originality of their building style gave way under [Shah Jahan] to a delicate elegance and refinement of detail, illustrated in the palaces erected in his reign atAgraandDelhi. Some examples include the Taj Mahal at Agra and the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Shah Jahan. The Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in the lahore Fort and TheJama Masjid at Delhiare imposing buildings, and their position and architecture have been carefully considered so as to produce a pleasing effect and feeling of spacious elegance and well-balanced proportion of parts. Shah jahan also built the red fort in his new capital in shahjahanabad in delhi. Red fort made of red sandstone is famous for its special buildings-diwan-i-aam and diwan-i-khas.Another

Taj MahalIt was built entirely out of white marble at the cost approximately 32 million rupees. It is one of the seven wonders in the world .Its longestplaneof symmetry runs through the entire complex except for thesarcophagusof Shah Jahan, which is placed off centre in the crypt room below the main floor. This symmetry extended to the building of an entire mirrormosquein red sandstone, to complement theMecca-facing mosque place to the west of the main structure.

Mughal gardensMughal gardens are a group of gardens built by the Mughals in the Islamic style of architecture. This style was influenced by Persian gardens and Timurid gardens. Significant use of rectilinear layouts are made within the walled enclosures. Some of the typical features include pools, fountains and canals inside the gardens. The famous gardens are theChar Baghgardens at Taj Mahal, Shalimar Gardens of Lahore, Delhi and Kashmir as well asPinjoreGarden inHaryana.

Rajput architectureThe Rajput Rulers had a keen sense of beauty in Art and Architecture which is seen in the artistic excellence of their temples, forts and palaces. The Indo-Aryan style of architecture developed in North India and Upper Deccan and the Dravidian style in South India during the Rajput period. Both sculpture and architecture attained a high degree of excellence.The Rathas of Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram, the Kailash temple at Ellora and the sculpture of Elephanta belonging to the early Rajput period (600 AD to 900 AD The features of Rajput sculpture make it quite apparent that the Rajput rulers had a keen interest and were acquainted with the sculptural idiom. Their sense of beauty is predominant in their temples, havelis, forts and palaces. The architectural grandeur of the Rajput era is extensively found in North Indian and Upper Deccan. Their kind of art was termed as the Indo-Aryan style of architecture and sculpture. However in South India theDravidian art and sculpturethrived under their reign.

A distinct style evolved as far as the Rajput sculptures were concerned. Memorial stones, the bronze statues of the maharajas and deities, ceiling reliefs and funeral monuments were some of the main features. In addition to these distinct features the Mughal influence can also be noted in the sculpture of the horses, Jahangir's reign, Akbar's court and elephants and their riders. The features of Rajput sculpture are devoid of eroticism. Instead it is predominated by a romantic atmosphere. The images of Radha andLord Krishnaare quite common in Rajput sculpture as well as painting. Stone and wooden sculptures are the main attractions of the Rajput style. One of the most amazing features of these sculptures is that they look simple but the work is an elaborate one.

Rajput Temples

Thegarbhagriha, the vimana, the shikhara and the amalaka (the round stone on top of the shikhara on which a golden kalasa is placed) are the key features of Rajput temple architecture. As far as the temples architecture is concerned a 'sabha mandap' was mandatory for every shrine. In temples like Vishwanath and the Khandariya Mahadeva Temples, Surya Temple atKonark, Tejpala Temple at Mt. Abu and others such features are easily found. These temples, though built by other rulers, were built during the Rajput period and followed the Rajput idiom.Most of thetemples in Rajasthanare dedicated toLord ShivaandLord Vishnu. However Jain and Buddhist temples are also to be found. It needs to be pointed put that the temple architecture of the Rajputs was quite conservative. Hence the medieval vocabulary of the temple sculpture and architecture was followed by these rulers. But the endowments of the artists are apparent in the intricate sculptural work. One of the finest examples of Rajput temple architecture is theDilwara Templeat Mt. Abu.

Rajput Palaces and Forts

The lavish palaces and forts built by the Rajput kings bear testimony to their aesthetic sense. The majesticforts in RajasthancompriseChittorgarh, Gwalior,Jodhpur,Jaisalmer, Amber and Ranthambor speak volumes about their architecture. The colossal walls, square towers and mighty barriers spell out the Rajput skill.

One of the excellent specimens of Rajput architecture is the Jaya Sthamba or Victory Tower in Chittor. It is a 9 storeyed structure that has been elaborately decorated with sculpted statues of Hindu deities. Built by Maharana Kumbha in the 13th century the Jaya Sthamba is a square structure with balcony, windows and mouldings on its four sides.

Elaborate architecture, impressive mosaic works, carved balconies, jharokhas, inlaid mirror works, and miniature paintings have been heavily used by the kings to build theirpalaces in Rajasthan. These royal abodes were often built by the lakeside or were accompanied by gardens. The palace at Jodhpur is a fine instance.

Rajput HavelisArched gateways, jharokhas, miniature paintings, balconies and detailed mirror works are still found in the Rajput havelis. The sculptures on the niches of the outer and inner walls of the havelis were inspired from the folk tales. Besides these one would easily come across painted, stone and stucco murals and a plethora of wood carvings. Thesehavelis in Rajasthanwere actually the residing places of affluent businessmen.

The features of Rajput sculpture make them the perfect examples for Indo-Iranian architecture. The themes of the sculptures were definitely Indian. In fact these were rooted in the folk tales. But these sculptures and the Rajput architecture, at large, differed from the Hindu style as their spirit is strictly Iranian.References-

Qaisar, Ahsan Jan & Verma, S.P. Art and Culture: Painting and Perspective. New Delhi: 2002. P-82 http://www.mparchaeology.org/monuIslam.asp (paper by Department of Archeology, Monuments - Central Zone - Islamnagar) Mughal Architecture: An Outline of Its History and Development (15261858) (Munich 1991, 2nd edn New Delhi 2002) Mughal Art and Imperial Ideology: Collected Studies (New Delhi 2001) History of Mughal Architecture,4 vols: vol. 1, Formative Period [Babur to Humayun] (New Delhi 1982); vol. 2, Akbar (15561605): The Age of Personality Architecture (New Delhi 1985); vol. 3, The Transitional Phase of Colour and Design: Jehangir, 16051627 A.D. (New Delhi 1994); vol. 4, pt 1, The Age of Architectural Aestheticism, Shah Jehan, 16281658 A. D. (New Delhi 2005) Bhopal Through Ages