Aurangzeb Alamgir Mosque, Benaras after a photo by Dr. Kurt Boeck c. 1890-1910 Photoglob Co. (Zurich, active c. 1890-1910) India, 19th century Photochrom Image: 20.5 x 26.7 cm (8 1/16 x 10 1/2 in.); Paper: 20.5 x 26.7 cm (8 1/16 x 10 1/2 in.); Mounted: 25.4 x 29.8 cm (10 x 11 3/4 in.) Gift of Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer 2019.185 DID YOU KNOW? The Taj Mahal was created as a tomb for Aurangzeb’s mother.

 

DESCRIPTION

 

The sixth Mughal-Emperor-Aurangzeb, a very pious Muslim, had this enormous mosque built in a blend of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. It was constructed in the late 17th century on the site of one of the most sacred ancient Hindu temples in the city of Varanasi (formerly Benares). INSCRIPTION Imprinted in type on recto: “20.026.P.Z.-BENARES. AURUNGZEB’S MOSQUE INSCRIPTION Written in pencil on verso of mount: “5 (circled and scribbled out)/1 (circled) GUR AUPP” PROVENANCE Collection of Gunther Heil, Germany Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Beverly Hills, CA, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art September 9, 2019 The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH.

 

Mughal-Library