Question

What variation was introduced to the 'Chahar bagh format' during the reign of
Shah Jahan?
a. The dwelling was located at the edge of the Chahar Bagh close to the bank of the river.
b. The dwelling was located in the middle of the Chahar Bagh, close to the bank of the river.
c. The dwelling was located in the direction of the Qibla.
d. The dwelling was located in the direction of the sun.

Answer 1

Hint: Charbagh is a garden layout in the Persian style of architecture in which the main building is situated at the centre of a quadrilateral garden, divided into four smaller sections by walkways or flowing water. The Charbagh style was introduced by the Mughals to India.

Complete answer: (i) The most prominent examples of this style are Humayun's tomb and the Taj Mahal in India.
(ii) During Shah Jahan’s reign a change in the format of Chaharbagh was that it was named the river-front garden, where the dwelling was not situated in the centre of the Chaharbagh, but near the river bank at its edge.
(iii) Shah Jahān era architecture was the Indian architectural style that developed under the patronage of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahān. The magnificent mausoleum at Agra, the Taj Mahal, is the crowning achievement of this period. Other than that, there are many other mosques in the emperor's first capital Agra, a massive palace complex in his second capital Delhi, which are landmarks of this style.
Thus, the correct option is (b).

Note: The river-front garden was adapted by Shah Jahan for the Taj Mahal. During his reign, it was the largest architectural achievement. The white marble monument was placed near the river's edge. To its south was the garden. This architectural form was created by him as a means to regulate the access of water to the nobles.