Volume 02 Issue 11-2022
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ABSTRACT
In this given article we will try to analyze the Tomb of Babur in Kabul. Moreover, we will try to answer to questions
like, why did Babur choose this style of open mausoleum? Did such tombs exist before? From what tradition did this
style of open mausoleum originated, and finally did this type of mausoleum influence later Islamic architecture?
KEYWORDS
Islamic architecture, Persian architecture, Central Asian architecture, Timurid architecture, Indian architecture,
Baburid architecture, Tomb architecture, Baburs Tomb in Kabul.
INTRODUCTION
Analyzing the creativity of Babur period, it becomes
clear that in all the constructions of this period, the
architects were from Central Asia and Iran. Most of
them were from Timurid Dynasties. Bricklayers,
builders, and tilers were recruited from the local Indian
land. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that
the beginning of the style created by Babur was the
result of joint actions of the representatives of the two
countries. Despite Babur's short-lived reign, he
managed to bring the essence of Timurid architecture
to this country. [1][2] According to Davis Philip: "Babur
is considered to be the founder of the great
architectural tradition formed by Akbar and Shah
Jahan, and it is Babur who sowed and inspired the
seeds of this great architecture."[3]
Research Article
ANALYZING THE TOMB OF BABUR IN KABUL
Submission Date:
October 25, 2022,
Accepted Date:
October 30, 2022,
Published Date:
November 05, 2022
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajast/Volume02Issue11-01
Rahimov Laziz Abduazizovich
Phd Senior Researcher Of The Department “History And Theory Of Architecture”, Samarkand State
Architectural And Civil Engineering Institute, Republic Of Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajast
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 02 Issue 11-2022
2
American Journal Of Applied Science And Technology
(ISSN
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2771-2745)
VOLUME
02
I
SSUE
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Pages:
01-05
SJIF
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(2021:
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705
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(2022:
5.
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OCLC
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1121105677
METADATA
IF
–
5.582
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
According to Havell: "Just as the Byzantine and Gothic
traditions were the main reason for the emergence of
Renaissance architecture in Europe, the new tradition
introduced by Babur stimulated the flowering of Indian
architecture."[4] Lanepool writes: "Babur is not only a
bridge between Central Asia and India, but also a
person who united the architecture of Great Amir
Temur and Akbar."[5] According to George Michel: “In
the first half of the 16th century, Babur, who ruled the
northern and western parts of this areas, ushered in a
new and innovative era of Islamic architecture in India.
The architecture of Central Asia, shaped by Babur's
ancestors over the centuries, was rapidly absorbed
into the traditions of South Asia. [6]
Babur returns to Agra on June 20, 1530. Constant
difficulties in life, battles and experiences in
campaigns, mental and physical stress do not affect
Babur's health, and as a result, he feels strong mental
fatigue. When he lived in Agra, he spent most of his
time in the Zarafshan Garden, he was involved in the
construction of the city and the creation of a garden on
the banks of the Jumna River. [7] Gulbadan claims that
Babur said many times that he was tired of state affairs
at this time, and he wrote: "Governing has touched my
soul, it is better for me to enjoy this Zarafshan garden,
and for me the services of Takhir
–
“oftobachi” are
enough." [7] Babur's son Alwar Mirza's death and
Humayun's serious illness make Babur's condition
worse. Babur dies on December 26, 1530. [8]
Babur's div was first buried in the Nurafshan Garden
in Agra. [9] And later, "as he willed, he will be buried in
a garden of his choice Baghi Babur (Babur's Garden in
Kabul) without any buildings, in an open-air grave."[10]
Undoubtedly, such a command is an aspect of Babur's
personality. Because, during his lifetime, he loved the
open sky and undoubtedly the gardens of Kabul. [11]
Babur's burial in Kabul may also be due to difficult
political situation [12]. Because the construction of a
majestic mausoleum became a very difficult issue
during this period.
When analyzing Babur's open mausoleum, first of all, a
small sketch (6.5x8 cm) drawn by Charles Masson in
1832 is very important. [13] In the sketch, the style of
the open mausoleum is five-arched, with the central
arch having a larger entrance gate and the two wings
are made of marble with double arched grills, and the
surrounding area is decorated with plant wreaths. The
central arch is closed with a double door. The upper
circumference of the central arch is connected with
decorative inscriptions, and the two wings are finished
with a parapet with a floral pattern. The most
remarkable part of the mausoleum is the intricately
carved "jali" bars on the arches.
Studying the sketch, why did Babur choose this style of
open mausoleum? Did such tombs exist before? From
what tradition did this style of open mausoleum
originated, and finally did this type of mausoleum
influence later Islamic architecture? questions arise.
First, Babur's div was buried in the fourteenth
terrace of Babur's Garden near Mount Sher Darwaza in
Kabul. The open mausoleum in the sketch drawn by
Charles Masson in 1832 will eventually become a
complete ruin.
From the above information, it is known that Babur
died in 1530. And his div was temporarily buried in
Agra until 1539. [7] After some time, before 1544, his
div was moved to Babur Garden in Kabul. [14] The
transfer of Babur's div dates from around 1539 to
1544, that is, the period of Humayun's withdrawal from
Agra under the pressure of Sher Shah, a very difficult
political situation. According to Laura Parodi, Kabul
was under Humayun's brother Kamran during these
times. That is probably why Babur's tomb and the
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VOLUME
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"hazira" on it were built by Babur's second son
Kamron. [15]
In 1607, Jahangir visited Kabul. [16] Jahangir ordered
inscriptions to be written on Babur's tomb and on the
tombs of his son Mirza Hindol and grandson
Muhammad Hakim, who were buried near Babur's
tomb. [17] Jahangir Mirza came to Kabul with his aunt
Ruqiya Sultana Begum. Ruqiya Sultan Begum had
visited the grave of her father Mirza Hindol. [16] After
the death of Ruqiya Sultan in 1626 [7] she also buried
on the fifteenth terrace of the Babur Garden. Also,
Jahangir orders to build a platform in the grave. [18]
Shah Jahan, who visited Kabul in 1639, ordered to build
an open mausoleum with a marble grill over the grave
of his great aunt Ruqiya Sultan Begum. In addition, he
ordered the construction of a mosque on the
thirteenth terrace near Babur's tomb, which was
completed in 1646. [18] We can conclude from the fact
that Shah Jahan did not build this type of mausoleum
over Babur's grave, but built an open mausoleum with
a fence over the tomb of Ruqiya Sultan Begum, that
there was an open mausoleum of Babur during this
period. That is, this open mausoleum must have been
built when Babur's div was brought to Kabul.
Babur's open mausoleum has no roof design. [19] It is
interesting to note that it is not known where this type
of open mausoleum with a white marble grid came
from and in what tradition it was formed. However,
very few similar mausoleums are known to have
existed in the post-Babur period. However, the
mausoleums in the few preserved areas of Aswan,
Sindh and Baluchistan are of brick construction and do
not resemble Babur's Mausoleum at all. [20] Even the
marble enclosure surrounding the tombs in the Gur-e-
Amir mausoleum in Samarkand bears no resemblance
to the type in Babur's mausoleum. None of the lattice
devices in the miniatures resemble this type of open
mausoleum, either in pattern decoration or device
type. [19]
At that time, the tomb of such a great ruler as Babur
was chosen as an open-air mausoleum in such a series.
A positive aspect of this mausoleum is its design, which
is made of high-quality marble using very fine
stonework. It is known that at the time of moving the
tomb, the masters skilled in making Indian "jali" silent
fences were also sent to Kabul together. Despite the
simplicity of the mausoleum, Babur's mausoleum with
open-air "jali" latticework is considered the first new
innovative structure of this series in architecture, and
created a new model of mausoleum construction in
this series. [20]
A further development of this type of mausoleum can
be found in the Makli Hill tombs in the Sindh areas.
These open type mausoleums are not made of marble
but of sandstone. One of these mausoleums belongs
to Emir Sultan Muhammad and was built in 1556. The
second belongs to Mirza Isakhon Tarkhan. [20]
However, Babur's Tomb is the more advanced of the
two Sindh tombs in its grandeur, structure and
decorative design. But, despite this, while studying
these three open mausoleums, we can see similarities
in them: all three mausoleums are built on a platform,
each of them has arches on the walls, and the central
arch is raised to make it more majestic. Further
development of this type of mausoleums continued in
this areas and led to the construction of Baqi Khan
Tarkhan 1585 and Hansa Bay 1585 mausoleums. All
these mausoleums corresponded to the period of
representatives of the Tarkhan dynasty, Arguns and
Tarkhans were supporters of Babur. [21] When Babur
occupied the areas of Sind, these descendants
migrated with Babur from Kabul and Kandahar. That is
why, recognizing Babur as their leader, they allowed
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VOLUME
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their mausoleum to be built in imitation of Babur's
Mausoleum.
The main reason why Babur's Tomb was built in such
an open structure may be his will. Despite its simplicity,
the mausoleum of such a great ruler under the open
sky with a fine marble lattice-like mausoleum leads to
the formation of a unique new series in mausoleum
architecture. Although Babur's Tomb did not influence
the architecture of Humayun, Akbar, and Jahangir, the
later representatives of Babur, we can see the use of
octagonal "jali" fences surrounding the tomb of
Mumtaz Begum in Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan's
architecture. In addition, Aurangzeb also bequeathed
to settle for an open mausoleum like his grandfather
Babur.
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Volume 02 Issue 11-2022
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