Go to Red Fort and relive the Mughal era through augmented reality

  • August 26, 2022
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Go to Red Fort and relive the Mughal era through augmented reality

Subject : History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

Four years after the Dalmia Bharat Group bagged the maintenance contract for the historic Red Fort in Delhi, becoming one of the first corporate partners in the government’s ‘adopt a monument’ scheme, it unveiled an interactive visitor centre showcasing the heritage of the Mughal-era fort in an immersive way.

“Adopt a Heritage: ApniDharohar, ApniPehchaan”

  • It is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governments.
  • The aim is to develop tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across India for making them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner.
  • The sites/monuments are selected on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility and can be adopted by private and public sector companies and individuals — known as Monument Mitras — for an initial period of five years.
  • The Monument Mitras are selected by the ‘oversight and vision committee,’ co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary, on the basis of the bidder’s ‘vision’ for development of all amenities at the heritage site.
  • There is no financial bid involved.
  • The corporate sector is expected to use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the upkeep of the site.

Mughal Architecture:

  • This is a building style that flourished in northern and central India under the patronage of the Mughal emperors from the mid-16th to the late 17th century.
  • The Mughal period marked a striking revival of Islamic architecture in northern India. Under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, Persian, Indian, and various provincial styles were fused to produce works of unusual quality and refinement.
  • It became so widespread especially in north India that these can be seen further in the colonial architecture of Indo-Saracenic style.

Important Features:

  • Mixed Architecture: It was a blend of Indian, Persian, and Turkish architectural style.
  • Diversity: Different types of buildings, such as majestic gates (entrances), forts, mausoleums, palaces, mosques, sarais, etc.
  • Building material: Mostly, red sandstone and white marble were used.
  • Speciality: Specific features such as pietra-dura works, foreshortening method,the Charbagh style of the mausoleums, pronounced bulbous domes,slender turrets at the corners, broad gateways, beautiful calligraphy, arabesque, and geometric patterns on pillars and walls, and palace halls supported on pillars.
    • The arches, chhatri, and various styles of domes became hugely popular in the Indo-Islamic architecture and were further developed under the Mughals.
  • Akbar popularised the term “Tudor arch” (four centered arch).

Some Examples:

  • Agra Fort
    • It is a fortification in Agra.
    • It was one of the earliest structures to be built during Akbar’s rule.
    • The majority of the constructions inside the fort, however, were built during Shah Jahan’s reign. The following are some of the notable structures in the area:
      • Moti Masjid by Shah Jahan.
      • Diwan-i-aam (Hall of Public Audience) and Diwan-i-khas (Hall of Private Audience) by Shah Jahan.
      • The Jahangiri Mahal.
      • Sheesh Mahal (Turkish Bath).
  • Fatehpur Sikri
    • The construction of a new capital city by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri is one of the highlights of Indo-Islamic architecture.
    • The structures here exhibit a unique combination of Hindu and Persian architecture, and have been described as a “frozen moment in history.”
    • BulandDarwaza, a 40-meter red sandstone edifice erected in 1576 AD to celebrate Akbar’s victory over Gujarat, is one of the city’s most notable structures. It is the world’s tallest doorway.
    • The Tomb of Salim Chishti was erected in 1581 AD. It contains lovely white marbleJaali craftsmanship, arabesque designs on the walls, as well as inscriptions of Quranic texts.
    • BulandDarwaza and Jama Masjid are also part of the imperial complex. In 1606 AD, Jahangir decorated it more.
    • The Panch Mahal is a five-storey edifice built of columns that is based on the Persian badgir idea (wind-catcher).
    • The interiors of Jodha Bai’s Palace, also known as Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace (Mary of the Age), are decorated with Hindu bell and floral themes.
    • IbadatKhana: This is where Akbar would meet with religious authorities to address issues.
    • Pachisi Court, where Akbar is claimed to have played chess in the courtyard.
    • The HiranMinarwas named after Akbar’s favourite elephant, Hiran. It also acted as a traveler’s lighthouse. It is a one-of-a-kind design, with tusk-like spikes on the external wall.
    • In Vrindavan, Akbar also constructed a Govind Dev shrine.
  • Taj Mahal:
    • Built by Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1653, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
    • UNESCO recognized the Taj Mahal as a World Heritage Site in 1983. It is located in Agra.
  • Taj Mahal has several distinctive features:
    • The jaali work in Taj Mahal is lace-like and incredibly exquisite;
    • The marble carvings were low relief.
  • Itmad-ud-daulah’s tomb
    • During Jahangir’s reign, his wife Noor Jahan also conducted some large construction projects, one of which being the Tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah (Noor Jahan’s father).
    • During this time, white marble began to replace the previously utilised red sandstone as the primary construction material.
    • Itmad-ud-daulah’s tomb was the first Mughal structure composed entirely of white marble.
    • It also has some of the best masterpieces in pietra dura.
  • Red Fort:
    • Built by Shah Jahan in 1618 when he decided to move the capital from Agra to Delhi. It was the residence of Mughal rulers.
    • UNESCO designated it as the World Heritage Site in 2007.
  • Jama Masjid:
    • Built by Shah Jahan in Delhi. The construction was completed in 1656.
  • Badshahi Mosque:
    • Built during the reign of Aurangazeb. At the time of completion in 1673, it was the largest mosque in the world. It is located in Lahore, capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab.
  • Bibi-ka-Maqbara
    • Aurangzeb, on the other hand, commissioned the construction of Bibi-ka-Maqbara in honor of his wife, Begum Rabia-ud-Daurani. It is located in Aurangabad and is said to be a poor copy of the Taj Mahal.
Go to Red Fort and relive the Mughal era through augmented reality History