''Jali'' - perforated stone screen - Moguls made it part of Indo-Islamic architecture and popularized it!!

Jali is a window screen mostly made of hard stone and was widely used in Indo- Islamic architecture of past era in the Indian sub continent and primary purpose was to allow filtered sunlight into the interior, keep indoors cool and to provide privacy for the people inside the building. It is to be noted that air particles flowing inside the building through small apertures gain momentum. Consequently emerging air from the small holes expands and cools, Jali acts aa a medium that controls compression and release of cooled air inside the house.

We all know that Jalis or stone lattice windows keep the interior cool and pleasant by blocking the sun light. It is most suitable for coastal areas where humid condition will aggravate the hot condition. The size of jali varies depending on the regions.

The jali, or pierced screens, have been extensively employed in Indian buildings for several centuries They first appeared in Buddhist temples (first to second century CE) and in Hindu temples 9since 5th Century CE). Later the concept of Indo -Islamic architecture began take shape and the architects understood the value and utility of perforated stone screes in construction work. Because of their dedicated efforts jali became part of Indo-Islamic design style. The credit goes to the Moguls who first introduced this feature in the Mogul architecture. Mind you, they did not invent it as wrongly mentioned in some posts.

Prior to the arrival of Mogul dynasty the jali, an element of Hindu and Buddhist temple architecture had been in use in India and Burma for several centuries. As a matter of fact ''Jali or stone lattice window was part of Hindu temple architecture dated back to 5th century CE.'' These ancient marvels were found in the Pattadakal temple complex in Karnataka and the Kailasa temple in Ellora, Maharashtra. Generations of skilled artisans diligently made latticed and perforated slabs of wood or stone to serve as windows, partitions, room dividers, and railings for balconies. Earlier in structures like rock-cut temple built by the Buddhists in the western region of the Deccan plateau (now part of Maharashtra), wood was mainly used to make jali and the wooden screens were at top of arched entrance.

Understanding the value and utility of jali, the Islamic rulers of India particularly Moguls, incorporated jali as an integral part of Indo- Islamic architecture. They invented many fascinating designs and preferred much softer rocks like marble, sandstone, etc., as it was much easier to carve intricate designs in them. Such beautifully designed jalis were most suitable for the palaces, mausoleums, mosques, etc. Jali was given equal importance along with extensive inlay work, usually including arabesque patterns, floral motifs, and Nasta’liq calligraphy of Quranic scripture.

Muslim architects included jali mainly to enhance the aesthetics of their design style. They realized that they could add artistic flair to their distinctive architectural style. These perforated screens are often used in the façade of the buildings, as windows, partition walls, skylights, door panels, railings, etc. he Mughal passion for arabesque and geometric patterns is exemplified in the jali. During the mogul time stone artisans were well skilled in the field of jali making and meticulously carve eye-catching designs - zigzag patterns of interlocking rosettes and crosses. Mogul king Akbar preferred simpler patters in hexagonal (six) and octagonal forms (eight). Later rulers like Shah Jehan went ahead and preferred floral motif and added pietra dura inlay with semi-precious gemstone accent to the frame of jali. This will add up the splendor of the structure at he very first look.

No doubt they became part of funerary monuments during the Mogul reign. The distinctive advantage of perforated stone screens is outside world is visible to the residents indoors whereas inside is not visible from outside. This is the reason why Muslim rulers had built the women's quarters and also harem in the palace complex with a lots jali windows for privacy purposes. The well-designed jally, apart from casting patterned silhouette on the wall and floor, after sundown when the hall is lit with lanterns, the artificial light throws amazing and romantic patterns inside the hall.