| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies


EJARS (Established 2011)

Volume 14 ,issue 2 | Summer and Autumn 2024 | Pages : 315-328

“SHIKARKHANA” ARCHITECTURE OF HUNTING LODGES IN INDIA DURING THE SULTANATE AND MUGHAL PERIOD

Document Type: Original Article

DOI: 10.21608/ejars.2024.396701

pages: 315-328

Authors:
Emam, M.
Islamic Archaeology dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt & Silk Road IUTCH, Uzbekistan

Abstract:
Although historical sources report many hunting expeditions, there are few precise details of how Shikar's architectural masterpieces were constructed. Royal gardens and hunting itself are the main subjects of contemporary research. Based on literature, we discovered that sultans and emperors hunted in various types of shikar architecture, depending on their components, location, and architectural style. Several terms pertaining to Shikar's architecture have been found in Indo-Sultanate and Mughal literature, biographies, and gazetteers. Shikar Manzil, Manzilgah, Rumna, Qaruqgah, Kushk, Ahwu Khanah, Raseef, Takht-I-Shikar, Shikar-I-Burj, and Seidgah-I-Mukararg are a few examples. These concepts challenge traditional conceptions of space and purpose by implying a variety of architectural styles. Shikarkhana serves a variety of purposes, including regions utilized for hunting, specialized preserves, and wilderness areas. By examining such research in the context of its uncommon architectural examples and the historical sources that explain their rarity, the following questions should be addressed: Do the various definitions of Shikarkhana, based on the terms mentioned above, correspond to variations in architectural style? Is it possible to identify the so-called Shikarkhana as one of the royal hunting gardens given that it was connected by the Shikar process? If not, what noteworthy architectural elements are there?

Keywords:
Shikarkhana Kushk Sultanate Mughal Delhi Burhanpur

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