Prof R Nath

History of Mughal Architecture Prof R Nath

Being the first volume of R. Nath's monumental 4-volume series: 'HISTORY OF MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE', the present work covers monuments of Babur (A. D. 1526-30) and Humayun (1530-40, 1555), and, stylistic study as it is, includes those which were built in the predecessor style during the early reign (1556-1570) of Akbar. It is thus an enumeration of the style in its formative period. A detailed historical background deals with the Medapata-Gopadri-Agra connection, identifying the sources of the inspirations of this art and establishing its link with the soil on which these medieval relics stand. Every attempt has been made to illustrate the various hypotheses raised in the text and also to provide texts and epigraphs (in Sanskrit and Persian for example) and other relevant evidence therewith. Though based on a lifetime's study, fully documented and detailed, the author does not claim it to be the last word on the subject; on the other hand, this is a beginning. The second volume, dealing with the Personality Architecture of the classical age of Akbar, e.g. the Mughal monuments of Agra and Fatehpur Sikri, will appear in due course.