Acanthus and Mughal Architecture: Western Influence on Wazir Khan Ornamentation

The widely recognised historical ornament acanthus was used in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and other ancient civilisations. Historic civilisations frequently employed symbols and ornaments in their architecture to represent a specific subject matter or the aesthetic value or aspect of the ornamental elements for aesthetic and conceptual purposes. However, this study aims to explore the Western influence of acanthus on the architecture of the Mughal era, especially the Wazir Khan Mosque. Moreover, it also explores the voyage of acanthus ornament from the Italian Renaissance to South Asia. It uses a descriptive qualitative method to assess that the acanthus, a European ornament, was used as an architectural ornament or a decorative theme throughout Mughals architecture. Findings reveal that the acanthus travelled from Europe to South Asia as a result of aesthetic and artistic trade and developed and evolved during the Mughals.