Top 5 things needed for your Mughal inspired room

Call them Mughals , moguls or by any other epithet you like, one cannot deny their times were one of the most culturally richest times of Indian history. An amalgamation of cultures, cuisines, clothes and architecture, the Mughal period truly showed India's capacity for accommodating and blending in with different cultures and making them her own.

Here are 5 of the many Mughal inspired elements you can use in your room to have a slice of this history with you , at all times without the necessity of travel.

1. A painting inside a Mughal room, titled "King and Queen", by unknown.

A. Khus mats

Known as Vetiver, the Khus plant is known for its cooling effect. One of the major issues that the people of the medieval times would have to deal with, especially those living in the Delhi- Agra areas of the Mughal empire, would be the Indian summer and that too without electricity. A summer staple, Khus mats would be hanged near the door or the windows and watered periodically. The air passing through the Khus mats would be cool and a great help during those summer months.

You can find Khus mats on websites like India mart or Amazon. Better yet, see if you can get a local option and enjoy the magic of the Khus!

2. Khus mats.

B. Diwan Sets

There is nothing more reminiscent of the Mughal empire than the Diwan set. A low couch with pillows, they are a must have staple for your Mughal inspired room. You can use the set as your bed or even as a place to entertain your guest. They occupy less space and look pretty chic!

3. A Diwan set

C. Marble/White Shelves

It is no great secret that marble was one of the main materials used for Mughal architecture Though there are instances of this material being used from before (Humayun's tomb has certain sections made of marble) it became very popular during Shah Jahan's time. Marble or white shelves in your room would not only pay a homage to this wonderful material but also add a touch of sophistication to your room.

4. A marble shelf

D. Flowers

The love of the Mughals for gardens is well known. Mughals built Chaar baghs, four gardens in a single plane based on the four gardens in the Koran.

Who can forget the Shalimar gardens built by Jahangir?

Even more well known is perhaps the Mughal love for flowers, especially roses. Peruse through any Mughal painting and you will find the subject holding a rose in the majority of them. To pay a salaam to their this elaan , add any flowery element to your room, especially rose. It could be a painting, a plant , fake or even fresh flowers.

4. Mughal emperor Akbar holding a rose. Artist unknown

E. Arabesque

Inspired from nature, Arabesque design is " is a form of artistic decoration consisting of surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils or plain lines. Madhulika Liddle's fictional book about Muzzafar Jang, a nobleman/detective in Shah Jahan's times, is replete with beautiful descriptions of Mughal era rooms and arabesque design features prominently in them. You can have this design on the ceiling , walls or even as a border, it will surely give the room an old world mughal-esuqe charm.