UPSC Express

Q26. Which of the following statements regarding Mughal Architecture is/are correct? 1. The Chahar Bagh system in the Mughal Architecture was first introduced by Babur in India.

2. The Pishtaq or Central Towering Dome became one of the most important aspects of Mughal Architecture.

3. Humayun’s Tomb was built in the tradition known as ‘HashtBihisht’.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Exp: Statement 1 is correct: In his autobiography, Babur described his interest in planning and laying out formal gardens, placed within rectangular walled enclosures and divided into four quarters by artificial channels. These gardens were called Chahar Bagh, four gardens, because of their symmetrical division into quarters. Beginning with Akbar, some of the most beautiful chaharbaghs were constructed by Jahangir and Shah Jahan in Kashmir, Agra and Delhi.

Statement 2 correct: The Central Towering Dome and the Tall Gateway (pishtaq) became important aspects of Mughal architecture, first visible in Humayun’s Tomb.

Statement 3 correct: Humayun’s Tomb was placed at the centre of a huge formal chaharbagh and built in tradition known as “eight paradises” or hasht-bihisht – a central hall surrounded by eight rooms. The building was constructed with red sandstone, edged with white marble.