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The Taj Mahal: A Multicultural Synthesis

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The Taj Mahal is one of the images conjured most frequently in terms of Islamic architecture. Although Islamic architecture is difficult to define collectively, the Taj Mahal seems to represent its essence and strongest characteristic -- the ability of the Islamic religion and its leaders to venture into foreign regions and meld the best features of that place with its own to create unique works of architecture. The Taj Mahal is often noted as a monument to love (see The Taj Mahal: a Tribute to Beauty) but it can also be seen as a fusion of architectural traditions and, as such, a monument to multiculturalism. This can be said about many Islamic structures and about many architectural monuments but some background on the Taj Mahal and this period reveals that this is especially true here.

The Mughal Rulers

The Mughal rulers of India (1526-1858), originally of Turkish descent, began their dynasty with the reign of the founder Babur, who started raiding northern India in 1504. He gained control of northern India during his own reign, but this was lost during the reign of his son Humayun until Babur's grandson Akbar (1556-1605) came into power. Akbar managed to extend control to central India and this annexation of India continued with Akbar's successor Jahangir (1605-27). Jahangir's successor Shahjahan (1628-58), rather than continue these sorts of campaigns, focused his attention on uniting Central Asia and India under Sunni Islam and on becoming a major patron of architecture. Shahjahan was the last of the rulers who lived during the height of this dynasty. In contrast, his successor Awrangzib (1658-1707) spent most of his reign at war and was the patron of only a few buildings.

Many monuments survive the Mughal period because its rulers were keenly aware of architecture's ability to express power and legitimacy. One significant monument that helps to demonstrate the multicultural quality of this period is Fatehpur Sikri (visit allindiaguide's Agra and Fatehpur Sikri) built by Akbar (1571-9). Not only did its use of various architectural traditions show an attempt by the Mughals to reach out to different cultures in this region but it supposedly had been officially used as a place for cultural and religious dialogue. The main part of this complex that seems to physically demonstrate this effort is the Divan-i Khass (private hall). Akbar, according to some accounts, sat on the throne placed on the platform above a central column which was connected to the corners of the space with elevated bridges. And here he was said to hold meetings with members of religious groups, who would sit in each of the corners, to debate religion. The ruler Akbar was so interested in learning of other religions that he is even said to have formed his own new religion, called Din-e-Ilahi, based on Islam and Hinduism (see The Great Mughals). Whether this part is accurate or not, Akbar was married to a Hindu woman and his court had Hindu members showing the sort of tolerance existing during his reign.