In this book, Goswami presents a comprehensive and critical study of different motifs, their design principles, significances of using certain motifs like floral, fauna, having geometrical and auspicious significance. Further, it discusses the role played by these motifs in the socio-cultural phenomenon and transition. The elements of art, design, technique, and method employed are well analyzed, reviewed and also re-evaluated the motifs and the reason for their depiction in Fatehpur Sikri evolved during the Mughal period and focuses on the aesthetic value of the monuments. It also critically examines the stylistic changes and development during the different periods of the six Great Mughal emperors, i.e. Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. This book is chiefly devoted to highlighting the great potentials of Mughal sensibility and presents entirely new aspects of the critical analysis of the motifs of the Fatehpur Sikri, its glory as unmatched traditional art form as an architectural marvels. The work is lavishly illustrated focusing different motifs depicted in the Mughal Monuments which immortalizes the visible symbols of their splendour, nurturing cultural harmony in art and architecture through their great engineering feat and humanitarian approaches.

About the Author

Born in Shillong, Dr Meghali Goswami is a well-known art historian and researcher from north-east India. She graduated in fine arts from Government College of Art and Craft, Guwahati and Master’s degree in Art History from National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation & Museology, New Delhi. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Fine Arts from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Roorkee. Dr Goswami has contributed about a numbers of research papers in Indian and Foreign art journals. She has been regularly contributing articles to almost all the art journals and magazines published by various publication houses. She had taught history of art, culture and architecture, at various institutions and colleges including Government College of Art and Craft, Guwahati; Guwahati College of Architecture, Guwahati; Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra. Besides she is the member of the editorial board of Assam University Journal, Humanities and Social Sciences and the magazine ‘Canvas’. Dr Goswami is an Assistant Professor of History of Art in the Department of Visual Art, Assam University, Silchar.