FOUR CENTURIES AGO

             FOUR CENTURIES AGO

Four Centuries Ago(1961) is a documentary written and directed by Shanti

Varma.This film reminds us of our rich heritage of Mughal Architecture which flourished in

the hands of our valorous and proficient emperors.By taking us back to four centuries (at the

time of filming.i.e,in 20

th century)this film jogs our memory of the indelible accomplishments

by three of our distinguished Mughal rulers -Akbar,Jahangir and Shah Jahan .Our rich

heritage and Culture never failed to allure Foreigners into praising our great

architecture.These antique structures blaze with glory till date.The impeccable frameworks

of the buildings which reflect the philosophies of their Patrons and the grandeur of their

empires have added to the uniqueness of Indian art and made India stand out as an

exquisite one.

The brilliance of the emperors along with the dexterous workmanship of their

craftsmen resulted in the Gigantic awe-inspiring structures of artistry in India. Glorious Mughal Empire which was founded by Babur, held most part of

Northern India in its grip from early 16

th

to Mid 18

th Century.These Muslim ‘ Samrats’ paved

way for the unification of Indians by inculcating amity between Hindus and Muslims.The

greatest of Mughal Emperors was Akbar(1556-1605)who proclaimed the glory of the Mughal

Empire throughout India.His reign strengthened his empire by winning over his non muslim

subjects.He was an emperor of progressive thought who allowed the people of other

religions to have religious discussions in his court .He propounded a new Faith which was

novel during that period called Din-i-llahi.His Marriage with a Rajput Hindu Princess Jodha

Bai reiterates his religious tolerance.He was a great patron of Art and Literature which made

his court the epicenter of magnificent culture and his empire a symbol of Indian

Heritage.His son and successor Jahangir finished most of Akbar’s partially constructed

Monuments.Wondering who this Jahangir was?He was our very own eternal lover Salim in the

celebrated story of Salim -Anarkali. The reign of Jahangir’s son Shajahan , “The Prince of

Builders” is indubitably the Golden Age of Indian Architecture.His zeal and flair for building

and construction were peerless.The structures and grandeur of his buildings are unrivalled!

The capital of Mughal Empire during Akbar’s reign was his own creaton- The

City of Victory popularly known as Fatehpur Sikri which was built at Agra in 16

th Century.This

city is an Architectural framework of Temples and Monuments which enthral us with its

unique architectural brilliance.This spectacular city encompasses gigantic buildings for

Mughal Administration,Residence and Worship.After shifting their capital to Lahore the

Mughals only payed occasional visits to Fatehpur Sikri.The fortification of this city was also

admirable.It is secured by nine gates ,various towers and a wall of 6 km surrounding three

sides of the city.Many edifices both of secular and religious nature display the versatile IndoIslamic

artistry.The centre of the city boasts of the administrative block,the imperial palaces

and one of the biggest mosques in India-The Juma Masjid.The entrance to this mosque is

The World’s Highest Gateway-Buland Darwaza (Door of Victory).The buildings were made up

of Red Sandstone. The greatest Mausoleum by Jahangir is a monument for his father-in-law and

Prime Minister Itmad-ud-daulah and called The Tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah.

It was built on the

request of his favourite wife Noor Jahan who strongly insisted that the memorial of her

father should be beyond comparison….Yes!The monument was second to none till the

Sovereign builder Shah Jahan took stage.The intricate and sophisticated tapestry made up of

White Marble and Coloured stone is the Primogenitor to the “Crown of Palaces”-The TajMahal.

Shah Jahan surpassed both his Father and Grand Father in Magnificence and

Variety.His Palace holds testimony to this statement.His exceptional versatility and his love

for Mumtaz Mahal culminated in one of the seven wonders of the world-The Taj Mahal.The

Moti Masjid i.e,The Pearl Mosque is also an example for Shah Jahan’s exquisite artistry.He

along with his subjects went there every Friday to hold Prayers.Shah Jahan’s skill is ineffable

but the Nobel Prize winning Prolific poet Rabindranath Tagore penned a few verses on Shah Jahan’s masterpiece “You know Shah Jahan,life and youth,wealth and glory,they all drift

away in the current of time.You strove therefore,to perpetuate only the sorrow of your

heart?Let the splendor of diamond,pearl and ruby vanish?Only let this one teardrop,this Taj

Mahal,glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time,forever and ever.” The establishing shot was an obscure yet delightful panoramic view of the

entire city of Fatehpur Sikri.

The director employed a tilt shot along the staircase to take us

into the city.Then the door opens to reveal the fathomless breathtaking city.Later the frame

is zoomed out to show the beautiful location in its entirety.The whole scene is beautifully

pictured.This is how the entire cinematography is patterned.Though historical significance is

predominant in this movie the filming technique was so dexterously employed that the

aesthetics of both-the film making and city making are retained .The movie also employs

shadows to portray the melancholic conditions of the city which is now deserted. ‘zoom’ technique was mostly employed to show the minutely carved images and pictures on the

pillars and walls.The dooms,corridors,pillars,towers etc literally transport us to Agra.The film

mostly employed Panshots to give us the entire view of the tapestry of the location. The Mughal Architecture heralded a new tradition in Indian Architecture.The

amalgam of various styles viz..Persian,Islamic,Indian and Buddhist Hindu tradition

exuberated in the Construction.They were devoid of any bias.The Mughal Architectural

Genius is the best example for The Universal Brotherhood of Man.Watching these sort of

movies once in a while brims our hearts with Pride !

-Santhwana Thomas