IDNO

P.97232.WIL

Description

Interior view of Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) inside the Agra Fort, showing the entrance to the tomb as framed by decorative archways of possibly the side portico. [JD 6/5/2008]

On Cech’s list describing prints:
“(224-236 were taken during a sight-seeing tour the Williamsons made in North India, ending up in Delhi.)
229e. “Moti Masjid, Agra Fort (Peggy) 29.1.34”.” [printed text]
For more information see Cech’s list.

Place

S Asia; India; Agra; Agra Fort

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Williamson, Margaret

Collector / Expedition

Date

29 January 1934

Collection Name

Williamson Collection

Source

Williamson, Margaret

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

The transcription of this album by Mark Turin and Sara Shneiderman was carried out with reference to Krystina Cech’s catalogue list alone. Alex Nadin has since revised their cataloguing by systematically matching their records to the images. Margaret Williamson’s handwritten captions for photographs have now been transcribed into the Inscription field, and Cech’s descriptions appear in the Description field. Correct entries for Place, Named Person and Other Nos. have also been entered by Alex Nadin. [Sudeshna Guha 29/10/2002]

Place: The Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) “was built inside the Agra fort in 1654 during the reign of Shah Jahan (r. 1627-1558). Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone fort at Agra was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. ... The courtyard of the Pearl Mosque has side arcades and arched recessions and the main sanctuary facade beyond. The sanctuary is roofed with three bulbous domes and a series of Hindu-style domed kiosks along the parapet.  It has seven bays divided up into a number of aisles and supported by piers and lobed arches. The extensive use of white marble facing is a typical stylistic feature of Shah Jahani architecture.” [Source: British Library, www.collectbritain.co.uk, JD 6/5/2008]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Jocelyne Dudding 6/5/2008]