Mughal Tilework: Derivative or Original?

Mughal tilework, particularly at the Lahore Fort and Shalamar Gardens, exhibits distinctive characteristics that set it apart from its predecessors in the Islamic world, including Iran, Central Asia, and Sultanate India. While earlier traditions employed techniques like monochrome-glazed tiles, sgraffito, underglaze-painted, and cuerda seca, Mughal tilework predominantly utilized tile mosaic, marked by a shift in color palette and the introduction of intricate figural imagery alongside naturalistic vegetal panels. This evolution suggests that while Mughal tilework drew initial inspiration from Sultanate techniques, it developed unique stylistic innovations. The study also highlights less common Mughal uses of underglaze-painted and cuerda seca tiles, emphasizing their role in broader decorative practices.

O’Kane, B. (2019). Mughal Tilework: Derivative or Original? South Asian Studies, 35(1), 25–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/02666030.2019.1614730