Nonperiodic Octagonal Patterns from a Jali Screen in the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ghaus in Gwalior and Their Periodic Relatives

Abstract

One of the large jali screens adorning the mausoleum of Muhammad Ghaus in Gwalior (N India), built in 1565, contains panels composed of disordered composite octagons and Salomon stars. These elements show a rotational disorder with some interdependence. Analysis of these partially disordered patterns with rotatable configurations of the above elements suggested that they may be approximants of a quasiperiodic octagonal tiling based on a new type of composite tiles. Comparisons with the Amman’s quasiperiodic tiling were made. Instances of similar or related periodic ornamental patterns at other northern Indian localities are analyzed as well.