Early Modern South Asia

Early modern South Asia witnessed significant urban transformation under the rule of Mughal emperors Akbar and Shah Jahan, marking the third great Islamic dynasty. Shah Jahan, renowned as a patron of the arts, commissioned iconic structures including the Red Forts in Agra, Lahore, and Delhi, as well as the Taj Mahal—a masterpiece built between 1632 and 1643 to honor his wife Mumtaz Mahal. These architectural marvels, alongside the first mosque in northern India, reflect the cultural and artistic flourishing of the period. The study highlights how these dynasties reshaped South Asian cities, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to define their heritage.

James-Chakraborty, K. (2010). Early Modern South Asia. Architecture since 1400, 109–124. https://doi.org/10.5749/9781452941714-010