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Mughal Architecture in Bihar
Mughal architecture in Bihar strikes as resplendent to the contemporary admirer, differing in set patterns.

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Mughal Architecture in BiharMughal architecture in Bihar was one of the most stellar and prominent instances in eastern part of India, with Bengal serving as the yet another instance. Indeed, almost anonymous and unnamed in present India, but, indeed, Bihar`s significant amount of architecture owes much to the Mughal Empire. Mughal architecture in the far-off places like Bihar was forced to organise in a local and indigenous manner. As such, Mughal architecture in Bihar had wholly lied and rested in this category, which had thus forced the emperors to nominate governors and ministers to administer in such places, absolutely patronaged under imperial laws and rules. To begin with, Mughal architecture in Bihar was firstly established and solidified during the rule of Jalaluddin Mohammed Akbar, who indeed had possessed such capability to stretch and unfold himself, that his men never had put forth any complaints as to any shortcomings.

Architecture in Bihar during Akbar was a domain which was principally focussed and concentrated upon the legendary and historic Rohtas Fort, the one still instance which remains unconquered. Indeed, Emperor Akbar was so zealous and passionate to override the hill fort of Rohtas that he had put up a clash with the historic Sur dynastic king, Sher Shah Suri. However, with its impregnable tendencies, several dynasties had become successful enough to ground their constructions, the most striking one being Akbar`s creation of mosques and other builds all through the Rohtas Fort. The mosques in Rohtas were the perfect illustration that Mughal architecture in Bihar had rested in the tremendous shoulders of Akbar`s nobility, who had been fanatic to make Mughal presence felt. However, outside the purview of Rohtas hill fort, Akbar`s architectural dexterity in Bihar is also noticed in places like Hajipur, Patna and Munger. However, Patna and its construction was somewhat left out amidst disputable circumstances.

With the advent of Jahangir to the Mughal throne of Delhi, Mughal architecture in Bihar had indeed spread out to more remote angles, in respective domains, with the man practically looking into every single detail. Architecture in Bihar during Jahangir bears much similarity and likeness with Bengal and its Indo-Islamic touch under Mughal hands. The usage of stone, terracotta or simple façade religious constructions or tombs is mostly prominent in the times of Jahangir. Be it in the form of construction within the premises of an already existing fort, or any garden in the char bagh style which was introduced by the emperor`s genius, Mughal architecture in Bihar too was skilfully handed by Jahangir`s nobles and ministers, proclaiming superiority from every angle. The subtle links of each of these separate constructions further does bear legendary links, many fo which sadly fail to produce proofs for the common man to admire. Yet again, the brilliant utilisation of Bihar`s locally available building materials beyond red sandstone or the pattern of chiselling is noticed under orders of Jahangir`s patronage.

The fact that Mughal architecture in Bihar under Jahangir was so huge and colossal in proportions, places like Patna indeed was given more significance by the emperor. Patna during the times of Mughals too had seized much importance and was crucial as a central business centre. As such architecture in Patna during Jahangir can smoothly be divided into a separate domain, with its `Mughal-ish` architecture building up in an entirely different direction. The Mughal architecture in Patna by Jahangir was chiefly predominated by the emperor`s nobility and ministers, who had become successful enough to ground memorable mosques, which bear much similarity with the Bihar Sharif. As a consequence, Mughal architecture in Bihar was being lent prime and responsible importance not only by Jahangir, but by his successor Shah Jahan, who already had learnt the trick to capture the Mughal throne and ride past as far as Bihar.

Mughal architecture in Bihar during Shah Jahan had further expanded its wings to rise high in the scale of excellence and predomination. Architecture of Bihar during Shah Jahan was intelligently accomplished due to the sheer placement of his agents there, in the form of his son Shah Shuja and other ministers appointed in the state. Rajmahal being the early dominating area during the Prince Shah Jahan`s territory, when crowned the emperor, had shifted his capital onto Patna. As such Mughal architecture in Bihar during and under Shah Jahan`s patronage was most grandiloquent in Patna, in the form of religious constructions and further renovations of the pre-Mughal instances. The hill fort of Rohtas, being sometimes under the control of Hindu rajas, later had come under the Mughals, thus making their presence felt through building of memorable builds. However, whatever were the cases, his son Prince Shah Shuja and his other two ministers were primarily responsible for maintaining Bihar and its Mughal architecture, as it is witnessed in present times.

With the advent of Aurangzeb as the next in line to the Mughal throne, Mughal architecture in general had suffered, or rather, met with a sudden attack of weakness. Bihar`s Mughal architecture was also not out of this purview. Emperor Aurangzeb was much more busy and engaged with business and proliferating considerations about his annexation of the Mughal Empire. As such, Patna, being the capital city again, was lent supreme significance in regards to architecture. Architecture of Bihar during Aurangzeb, like his other instances, includes very few imperially patronaged works, with his nobility gaining independence to work their liberally. As such, Mughal architecture in Bihar during Aurangzeb was mostly covered and carried out by ministerial men in the likes of mosques, tombs or serais - with the latter being mostly visible along the arterial roads. Aurangzeb`s architecture in Bihar is termed as `secular architecture`, mostly accomplished by Mughal nobles. A number of them however, are known to lack in opulence, grandness or magnificence - the very nature describing Mughal architecture of the emperor`s forefathers.


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