Significance of Mughal Architectural Embellishment and its Influences on Contemporary Architecture of Lahore

Abstract

Throughout the ages, civilizations have been known for their cultural heritage, and every region has its own values due to sociocultural traditions. Similarly, South Asian heritage presents its uniqueness in the form of historical monuments with a variety of decorative elements in built form and on surface, which makes it distinctive and unique among other styles of world architecture. In South Asian region Mughal Architecture has its own identity with the construction of remarkable monuments having unique features and decorative techniques. Implementation of decorative elements and techniques were continued for contemporary architecture with maintenance of the legacy by using stylized cuts, and simplified forms.

The research presents a study of the architectural elements and techniques used in Mughal monuments and adopted for the contemporary architecture of Lahore, Pakistan. A comparative analysis between historical architectural elements and their impact on later construction of the region is highlighted. The research objective is to identify the various traditional and regional influences on the forms, features, and surface decoration of Pakistan's modern architecture. A step towards the development of techniques and style with a strong bond and touch of cultural heritage is demonstrated by the use of historic elements and techniques combined with innovative ideas. The study provides an analysis of the ornamental elements and structural structures.

The scholars and writers have written about the historical monuments of Pakistan in general. However, the impact of the traditional architectural features and decorative elements on later built buildings of the region especially which were built after the independence of Pakistan 1947 need comprehensive study. In the present research, an effort has been made to explore and analyze the contemporary architecture of Lahore, and the impact of Mughal architectural elements on them.

A step forward towards the development of techniques and styles with strong bonding and a hint of cultural history is demonstrated by the utilization of historic elements and techniques combined with creative designs. The study provides an analysis of the Mughal impacts on the decorative features and structural shapes of Lahore's modern structures.