SCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF MARBLE FRETWORK FROM JAHANGIR TOMB, LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The white marble fretwork from 17th century Mughal architecture was investigated
to formulate the conservation and restoration strategy and for reproduction in compatible materials.
Stone fretwork, one of the distinguished and established Mughal decorative art became rare after the
decline of Mughal’s in the Indian subcontinent. Samples were collected from various historic fretworks
of the Jahangir Tomb, a Mughal heritage site atShahdara (Lahore). These samples were studied by
optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction for petrographic and mineralogical characterization and for
understanding the manufacturing process/ technique. The analytical results showed that theoriginal
rock was transported from quarries in the present-day Indiawere dolomitic marbles. The work provided
directionto select appropriate marble for restoring fretwork in the Mughal buildings.