Mysteries and Marvels of Mughal Architecture

Contents: Preface. 1. Unknown basement complex of Agra Fort (c. 1080-1580 A.D.). 2. Six-storeyed underground well-house (Kupagara) of Akbar in Agra Fort (1565-69 A.D.). 3. Mysterious mural paintings of Fatehpur Sikri (152-75 A.D). 4. On identification of Akbar\'s \'Ibadat-Khanah at Fatehpur Sikri (1576-82 A.D). 5. Is it Akbar\'s or ASI\'s Gung Mahal? 6. Enigma of Akbar\'s Mosque in the Dargah at Ajmer (1570-76 A.D.). 7. Tomb of I\'timad-Khan Khwajasara, Itmadpur Agra (c.1570 A.D). 8. Shah Jehan\'s Torana at Dig (Bharatpur, Rajasthan) (1631 A.D): A landmark of Jat sovereignty. 9. The extinct Muthamman Chowk (Octagonal Market Square) and the Tripoliya in front of the Delhi Gate of Agra Fort. 10. Contemporary Persian sources of the history of the Taj Mahal and other architectural projects of Shah Jehan (1628-58 A.D.). 11. The third set of (Real) Graves in the basement of the Taj Mahal (c. 1632-38 A.D.). 12. Foundation of the Taj Mahal Agra (1632-33 A.D.). 13. Agah Khan: police officer of the River Jamuna and the Taj Mahal (c. 1634-56 A.D.). 14. Canals of Iranian Yar-Vafadar (The Faithful Friend) of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. 15. A curious inscription of Shah Jehan\'s Jharokha, Shjah Burj, Red Fort Delhi (1639-48 A.D.). 16. Two extinct mosques of Delhi (Akbarabadi and Sirhindi) (c. 1650 A.D.). 17. Where did the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan live during his captivity (From 1658 to 1666 A.D.). 18. Enigma of the House of Rajah Ratan Nainsukh Faujdar in Agra Fort (A.H. 1182/1768 A.D.). Appendices. Bibliographical abbreviations.
 
"Entitled as it is, it deals with the mysteries and marvels of Mughal Architecture which the author came across during his study of this subject, for nearly half a century. 

The various aspects of Mughal architecture are uncommon and unique, and are not present in any other architecture. They are simply wonderful. They evoke innocent curiosity and make their history more interesting than fiction. Plates, Figures and Persian inscriptions and texts have been used to illustrate these mysteries and marvels.

The monuments discussed in this book are veritable temples of Indian history, culture, art and architecture, and their preservation, in pristine originality, is important as a subject of historical and archaeological study of National Heritage." (jacket)