Mughal Grandeur in the East: Architecture of Bihar under Shah Jahan

 

The reign of Shah Jahan (1628–1658) is remembered as the pinnacle of Mughal architectural achievement, with masterpieces such as the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Delhi. Yet, Bihar too became a significant stage for Mughal architectural expression during his rule. Unlike the imperial centers of Agra and Delhi, Bihar’s monuments were largely shaped by governors, nobles, and local patrons who blended Mughal aesthetics with regional traditions. Shah Jahan himself spent time in the eastern provinces as a prince, establishing a counter-court in Rajmahal and residing briefly at Rohtas. After ascending the throne, however, he entrusted the administration of Bihar to powerful agents such as Prince Shah Shuja, Shaista Khan, and Saif Khan, whose patronage left a lasting architectural imprint.

Saif Khan’s Contributions in Patna

Patna remained the foremost City of Bihar under Shah Jahan. Saif Khan, governor from 1628 to 1632, undertook ambitious projects that enhanced the city’s stature. His most notable work was an Idgah built in 1628. The qibla wall of this Idgah is distinctive, with a central bay rising higher than the flanking ones and a recessed tri-partite mihrab decorated with netted vaulting. Octagonal turrets on either side recall pre-Mughal Islamic architecture in Bihar and Bengal, underscoring the influence of local traditions on Mughal designs.

Saif Khan also commissioned a madrasa complex along the Ganges. This institution featured vaulted halls, a hammam, shaded chattris, and a stately double-storeyed entrance portal. Though unfinished by 1632, the madrasa was already in use, even serving foreign traders as lodging. These structures reveal how Mughal architecture in Bihar under Shah Jahan combined religious, educational, and civic functions.

Mosques Along Patna’s Main Street

Several mosques were built along Patna’s main thoroughfare during this period, though only a few survive today. The most prominent is the Hajji Tatar mosque. Its façade is framed with exquisitely carved black stone around three arched entrances. This use of black stone was unique to eastern India, rooted in pre-Mughal Bengali traditions, and rarely seen elsewhere. Ribbed columns and arched niches further connect the mosque to regional styles, even as it conforms to Mughal aesthetics.

Habib Khan Sur’s Works in Bihar Sharif

Habib Khan Sur, an influential noble, contributed significantly to Bihar Sharif’s architectural landscape. In 1638, he built a refined three-domed mosque near the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Sharaf ud-Din Maneri. Modeled on earlier Jahangiri-period mosques, it was likely designed by a skilled local architect. In 1646, Habib Khan added a tank and Idgah near the shrine, though the Idgah lacked the refinement of his earlier work. These projects highlight the interplay between Mughal patronage and local religious traditions.

Raja Bahroz’s Mosque in Kharagpur

One of the most imposing Mughal-era structures in Bihar is Raja Bahroz’s mosque in Kharagpur, built in 1656–57. Elevated on a high plinth along the river Man, this three-domed mosque was the largest in eastern India since Raja Man Singh’s Jami mosque at Rajmahal. Its façade, though now obscured, closely resembled contemporary mosques in Bihar Sharif. Rich polychromed stucco ornamentation made it even more elaborate than its models, reflecting the Kharagpur rajas’ desire to assert their new Islamic identity after conversion.

The Tomb of Malik Wisal

Another notable monument is the tomb of Malik Wisal. This simple rectangular enclosure contains seven graves on a raised platform, with a wall mosque attached to its western side. A massive step well nearby, rare in eastern India, adds uniqueness to the site. Such features reveal how Mughal officials transferred architectural forms across regions, introducing new elements into Bihar’s landscape.

Conclusion

Architecture in Bihar during Shah Jahan’s reign was marked by a blend of imperial Mughal aesthetics and strong regional influences. Governors like Saif Khan and nobles such as Habib Khan Sur and Raja Bahroz played pivotal roles in shaping the province’s architectural identity. From Patna’s Idgah and madrasa to Bihar Sharif’s mosques and Kharagpur’s Monumental Structures, these works reflect both the grandeur of Mughal design and the adaptability of local traditions. Collectively, they testify to Bihar’s importance as a center of Mughal architecture in eastern India.