The splendour of Mughal architecture – its mosques, tombs and other structures – is in danger of being lost to neglect and pillage of time but an American university has taken up the task of documentation of neglected Islamic monuments in India. The American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), a consortium of leading US universities, hopes to prepare database of these monuments to preserve them for future reference and research.

AIIS has selected 100 monuments of the Mughal period in Punjab and Haryana. These include various tombs, mosques and step wells constructed by the Mughal rulers in 16-19 century AD, Sinha said.

The monuments selected for documentation include structures like Kabuli Bagh in Panipat that is said to be the only surviving mosque among the many constructed by the first Mughal emperor Babur.

The Mughal empire was the dominant power in the Indian subcontinent from the mid-16th century to end of the 19th century. Founded in 1526 by Babur, it survived nominally until 1857, when it was overthrown by the British.

The first phase of the project, likely to begin in August, would cost around $100,000.

AIIS was established in 1961 by a group of American scholars involved in programmes of Indian studies in US universities. It facilitates research on Indian culture and history.

It also provides fellowships for senior American scholars and doctorate candidates apart from providing on-site training in Indian languages.

Kabuli Bagh Mosque, built in 1526, is an impressive structure located at Panipat, a historical town situated on the banks of the Yamuna. Panipat is about 92 km north of New Delhi.

Kabuli Bagh Mosque was built by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat to commemorate victory over Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. Built in 1526 AD, the mosque, situated inside an enclosure having octagonal towers at its corners, has its entrance on the north. The gateway built of bricks with red sandstone facing consists of a lintel bracket-type opening encased in a huge arch, the spandrels of which are decorated with arched recesses encased in rectangular panels.

The main prayer hall of the mosque has annexes on sides, which are crowned with hemispherical domes sitting on low drums. Its high facade, divided in panels, is plastered with lime. A masonry platform, the Chabutra-I-Fateh Mubarak, constructed by Humayun (the eldest son of Babur), bears an inscription dating back to 1527.

The age and climate ravage the structure to an extent. Kabuli Bagh Mosque is now protected as a heritage building.