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From the 16th through the 18th centuries, the Mughals were the greatest, the richest, and the most long-lasting Muslim dynasty to ever rule India. They were interested in and aware of the power of architecture and used architecture both as a unique representation of the self and as an instrument of royalty. During the reign of the Mughals, a distinctive and elegant style of architecture developed. Indigenous traditions of Indo-Islamic architecture were combined with forms and techniques imported from Iran and Central Asia.
The luxury arts produced were generally for secular use. Most of the fine pieces were made in royal ateliers, often with direct involvement of the ruler.
According to Sheila Blair and Jonathan Bloom (1994), many of these workshops, which were administered as part of the emperor's extensive household, produced textiles, furnishings and carpets. Carpet-weaving is not native to India. Since the weather is hot and humid there most of the year, woolen pile rugs are both impractical and unnecessary as floor coverings. This type of Asian and Iranian art was introduced to India only under the Mughals. This carpet, one of the earliest pieces attributed to Mughals, has pictures of animals on it. Although the design of such an animal carpet is highly unusual, it may have been inspired by a similar design visible on a scroll depicted behind Timur's head in a painting showing Timur Granting Audience. Over the years, the quality of carpets improved significantly in Muslim India. |
