India. Benares. Aurangzeb's Mosque, after a photo by Dr. Kurt Boeck

c. 1890–1910

India. Benares. Aurangzeb's Mosque, after a photo by Dr. Kurt Boeck, c. 1890–1910. Photoglob Co. (Zurich, active c. 1890–1910). 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.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer 2019.185 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). The Taj Mahal was created as a tomb for Aurangzeb’s mother.