Heart Pleasing and Praiseworthy Buildings: Reviewing Mughal Architecture in the light of Primary Sources
Abstract
Saleh Kambo, a court historian of Shah Jahan (1628-58), while discussing the buildings, frequently used the phrases such as “makan dilnasheen hai az nasheman hai nuzhat aafreen” which means “heart pleasing buildings and praiseworthy mansions”. Every Mughal building designed surpassed its predecessor in terms of its design quality and decorative details. From the selection of the site to final design, specialized knowledge and expertise were employed to achieve the final product. The buildings and spaces around them not only had experiential qualities but were also practical in use. Throughout the Mughal period there has been constant experimentation in art and architectural design, which resulted in highly refined structures. This paper discusses the architecture of Mughal period, in terms of form, composition and its practical use, as described in the primary sources of the period. The paper also highlights the variety of expertise and knowledge, which Mughal architects and builders possessed, from the process of site selection to finalization of building designs and its minutest details.References
UNEP; Cleaning up Urban Bus Fleets: With a Focus on Developing and Transition Countries, (2009).
L. Wright; Proc. Int. Conf for Renewable Energies, Bonn, Germany, (2004).
M. Linster, Background Facts and Figures, In: ECMT, Transport Policy and the Environment, ECMT Ministerial Session, (1990).
OECD/IEA; Bus Systems for the Future: Achieving Sustainable Transport Worldwide, International Energy Agency, Paris, (2002).
USAID/PA Government Services, Inc, Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Programs: International Experience and Best Practices. Washington D.C.: Office of Energy and Information Technology, USAID, (2004).
D. Bayliss, Urban Traffic Management, In: ECMT, Transport Policy and the Environment, ECMT Ministerial Session, (1990).
D. A. Hensher; Transport Policy, 14(2007) 98- 102.
UNEP; Transported to the Future. URL: http://www.unep.org/OurPlanet/imgversn/121/ tanig.html, accessed May 5th 2012
URBS – Urbanization Company of Curitiba. URBS Official Website (in Portuguese). Available at www.urbs.curitiba.pr.gov.br. Accessed 10 May 2010 quoted in Lindau, L.A. Lindau, D. Hidalgo, and D. Facchini, Curitiba, the cradle of Bus Rapid Transit, URL: http://www.sibrtonline.org/downloads/builtenvironment-curitiba-oct19- 4db0b5ac230da.pdf, accessed 5th May 2012.
L. Wright; Bus Rapid Transit, Sustainable Transport: A Source for Policy-Makers in Developing Cities. Eschborn: DeutscheGesellschaft fur Technische Zzusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, (2003).
A. Cain et al; Applicability of Bogota’s TransMilenio BRT System to the United States, National Bus Rapid Transit Institute, Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, (2006).
L. Wright and K. Fjellstrom; Mass Transit Options, Sustainable Transport: A Source for Policy-Makers in Developing Cities. Eschborn: DeutscheGesellschaft fur Technische Zzusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, (2005).
ESMAP, Urban Air Pollution: How can Urban Bus Policy Reduce Air Pollution? South Asia Urban Air Quality Management Briefing Note No. 3, World Bank, (2001).
G. A. Anjum and R. Hameed; Pakistan Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 1(2007) 73-83.
H. Naseer and A. S. Khan; A Study on Environmental Performance of Selected Franchised Buses in Lahore, B Sc Thesis, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, (2004).
M. Zakir, M. Nafees and A. Imtiaz; Environmental Nuisance Caused by Buses of Private Operators in Lahore, B Sc Thesis, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, (2009).
M.P. Walsh and R. Kolke, Cleaner Fuels and Vehicle Technologies, Sustainable Transport: A Source for Policy-Makers in Developing Cities. Eschborn: DeutscheGesellschaft fur Technische Zzusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, (2005).
R.O. McClellan, T.W. Hesterberg and J.C. Wall, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 63 (2012) 225-258.
T.W. Hesterberg, C.A. Lapin and W.B. Bunn, Environmental Science and Technology, 42 (2008) 6437-6445.
K. Chandler, K. Walkowicz and L. Eudy, New York City Transit Diesel Hybrid-Electric Buses: Final Results, Virginia: US Department of Commerce, (2002).
M.G.L. Santarelli, M. Cali and A. Bertonasco, Energy Conversion and Management, 44 (2003) 2353-2370.
A. Jolley, Transport Technologies, Climate Change Working Paper No. 5, Melbourne: Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, (2006).
R. Kolke, Inspection and Maintenance and Roadworthiness, Sustainable Transport: A Sourcebook for Policy-Makers in Developing Cities. Eschborn: DeutscheGesellschaft fur Technische Zzusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, (2011).
http://www.ecodrive.org/en/what_is_ ecodriving-/benefits_of_ecodriving/, accessed 6 th August 2012.
ESMAP; Best Operational and Maintenance Practices for City Bus Fleets to Maximize Fuel Economy, Briefing Note 010/11,Washington D.C., IBRD/The World Bank, (2011).
M. Breithaupt and O. Eberz, EcoDriving, Sustainable Transport: A Source for PolicyMakers in Developing Cities. Eschborn: DeutscheGesellschaft fur Technische Zzusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, (2005).
A. Stanislaus, A. Marafi and M.S. Rana, Catalysis Today, 153 (2010) 1-68.
T. Lanni, S. Chatterjee, R. Conway, H. Windawi, D. Rosenblatt, C. Bush, D. Lowell, J. Evans and R. McLean, Performance and Durability Evaluation of Continuously Regenerating Particulate Filters on Diesel Powered Urban Buses at NY City Transit, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., (2001).
U. Narain and A. Krupnick, The Impact of Delhi’s CNG Program on Air Quality, Discussion paper, Wshington D.C.: Resources for the future, (2007).
D.C. Rakopoulos, C.D. Rakopoulos, E.G. Giakoumis and A.M. Dimaratos, Energy, 43 (2012) 214-224.
C.D. Rakopoulos, D.C. Rakopoulos, D.T. Hountalas, E.G. Giakomis and E.C. Andritsakis, Fuel, 87 (2008) 147-157.
GoPb/BOS, Punjab Development Statistics 2011, Government of the Punjab, Bureau of Statistics, Lahore.
JICA/TEPA; Comprehensive Study on Transportation System in Lahore, Final Report, Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency, Lahore, (1991).
GoPb/JICA; The Project for Lahore Transport Master Plan (LUTMP) in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Phase II), Draft Final Report, Vol I, November 2011, Government of the Punjab, Transport Department, Lahore.
I. Muhammad. Institutional Barriers to Sustainable Urban Transport in Pakistan, Karachi, Oxford University Press, (2010).
I. Muhammad. Journal of Public Transportation, 12 (2009) 53-83.
J. R. E. Russell and G. A. Anjum; Transport Reviews, 17 (1997) 61-80.
G. A. Anjum; Proc. Int. Conf on Road Transport, PCSIR, Lahore, (2001).
http://www.ltc.gop.pk/mission.php, accessed 24th June 2011.
Data collected by the authors.
The News; Punjab Signs Pact with Chinese Firm for 575 Buses, Tuesday, 29th November 2011.
Feasibility Study on Lahore Rapid Mass Transit System, MVA Consultants, (2007).
GOP; The [Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab, Sindh] Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, (1965).
GOP; National Environmental Quality Standards for Motor Vehicle Exhaust and Noise, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, (1993).
GOP; National Environmental Quality Standards for Motor Vehicle Exhaust and Noise, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, (2009).
ENERCON; Strengthening the Institution of Motor Vehicle Examiners (MVE) in Pakistan, Islamabad, (2002).
http://ipdf.gov.pk/tmpnew/PDF/RFP%20 for%20Hiring%20TA%20for%20VICS%20in %20Punjab.pdf, accessed 24th June 2011.
R. Aziz and S. Saeed; A Study of Bus Drivers’ Behavior Causing Road Accidents in Lahore, B Sc. Thesis, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, (2005).
U. L. Naqvi and Q. Islam; A Study of Passenger Load Management on Franchise Routes in Lahore, B Sc. Thesis, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, (2004).
A. Aziz and I. U. Bajwa; Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 137 (2008) 25-33.
S. M. Ali; Paper presented at the National Workshop on Urban Air Quality and Integrated Traffic Management, Karachi, (2006). URL: http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/node/2823, accessed 26th November 2012.
A. Faiz, C. S. Weaver and M. P. Walsh; Air Pollution from Motor Vehicles: Standards and Technologies for Controlling Emissions, Washington D.C., IBRD/The World Bank, (1996).
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-5- 144295-BRTS-to-be-functional-on-Quaidsbirth-anniversary, accessed 27th November, 2012.
