The Mughal empire lasted in India from 1526 to 1764 and its architecture was a mix of the Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian subcontinent.
In Bengal, the local rulers had developed a roof that was designed to resemble a thatched hut. The Mughals liked this Bangia dome and used it in their architecture.
In Akbar's capital at Fatehpur Sikri, many of the buildings showed the influence of the architectural styles of Gujarat and Malwa.

The creation of large empires brought different regions under their rule helped in the cross-fertilisation of artistic forms and architectural styles. In Bengal, the local rulers had developed a roof that was designed to resemble a thatched hut. The Mughals liked this 'Bangia dome' and used it in their architecture.
In Akbar's capital at Fatehpur Sikri, many of the buildings show the influence of the architectural styles of Gujarat and Malwa.

King Dhangadeva of the Chandela dynasty in 999 constructed the Kandariya Mahadeva temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple had an ornamented gateway that led to an entrance. There was a main hall known as Mahamandapa where dances are performed. The statue of the main deity was kept in the main shrine known as garbhagriha. This was the place for ritual worship where only the king, his immediate family members and priests gathered before the deity.

The Diwan-i-am of the Mughal court suggested that justice was made for all in an equal way. The construction of Shah Jahan's audience hall was designed to communicate that the Icing'sjustice was equal for the high and the low. Its aim was to create a world where all could live together in harmony. There was no difference between the rich and poor in the Emperor's court.

Pietra-dura or Parchin Kari in South Asia is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured stone to create images. It is considered a decorative art.

Kings built temples to demonstrate their devotion to God and their power and wealth. It is not surprising that whenever they attacked one another's kingdoms, they often targeted these temples.
The early 9th century Pandyan king Shrimara Shrivallabha invaded Sri Lanka and defeated Sena I. According to a Buddhist monk and chronicler Dhamma Kitti, " he removed all the valuables" ... The statue of the Buddha made entirely of gold in various monasteries were all seized.
Similarly in the early 11th century, the Chola king Rajendra I built a Shiva temple in his capital and filled it with prized statues seized from defeated rulers.
Sultan Mahmud also destroyed Somnath temple, he there by tried to win credit as a great hero of Islam. In middle ages, most of the rulers displayed their political might and military success by attacking and looting the places of worship of defeated rulers.

(a) The section of monument shown in the picture is of the first balcony of the Qutb Minar.
(b) The first floor of the Qutb Minar was constructed by Qutbuddin Aybak, around 1199 AD and the rest by IItumish around 1229. Firoz Shah Tughluq constructed the fifth and last story.
(c) The following observations regarding the architecture of the monument can be made:
(i) The minar is made of red sandstone with intricate carvings and verses from the Quran.
(ii) All the stories are surrounded by a projected balcony encircling the Minar and supported by stone-brackets, which are decorated with honeycomb design, more conspicuously in the first floor.
(iii) The surface of the minor is curved and angular.
(iv) There are inscriptions all around the tower and these are in Arabic.
(v) It is a great masterpiece of Mughal architecture. This most visited monument in India has now become a World Heritage site.

(a) The Golden Temple is also referred to as the Harmandar Sahib. The Harmandar Sahib literally means the Temple of God. It is the holiest Sikh Gurudwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab.
(b) In 1578 CE, Guru Ram Das excavated a tank, which subsequently became known as Amritsar (Pool of the Nectar of Immortality). This holy tank is fed by the Ravi River. The Harmandar Sahib was designed by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan. Guru Arjan completed the Adi Granth, (Guru Granth Sahib) and installed it in the gurudwara. Inside the gurudwara, there are many shrines to past Sikh gurus, saints, and martyrs.
The gurudwara is open to all persons, regardless of their religion, colour, creed or sex. Over 100000 people visit the holy shrine daily for worship. The Harmandar Sahib runs one of the largest free kitchens in the world, serving 100000 people on average daily. Most Sikhs visit Amritsar and the Golden Temple at least once during their lifetime.