The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c23.s4.101.2

v4.c23.s4.101.2

One or two of the low-pitched domes of the previous style, notably that of the tomb of Sikandar Lodī, show attempts at this system of construction, but their flattened shape did not encourage its use, and it apparently found no favour. In Humāyūn's tomb the principle was correctly applied, the dome being composed of two separate shells, an outer and an inner, with a vacant compartment between; the outer shell supports the white marble exterior casing, while the inner forms the vaulted ceiling of the mortuary chamber below. In addition to the character and technical details of the dome, other features of the building show a similar influence. Among these is the large recessed archway with its surrounding rectangular fronton, the central element on most Mughul façades, and one which in an immature form had appeared during the previous period. In Humāyūn's tomb this effective conception was fully developed, showing, together with other motifs, its designer's further obligations to the architectural traditions of Persia. While adapting, however, the Timurid type of building to suit the materials and methods of the Indian workman, one factor was overlooked. In the Persian style almost all mouldings were purposely omitted, in order that the surfaces of the buildings should be kept clear for the application of coloured tiles, to the brilliancy of which they owed their principal effect.