ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

SULTANATE ARCHITECTURE - IMPERIAL STYLE

(1206-
(1206-1526 AD)

History of Eastern Architecture –II

U2L01: SLAVE DYNASTY B.Arch V Semester
 The DELHI Sultanate Period
• The Delhi Sultanate consists of five short-lived Dynasties mostly of Turkic or
Pashtun (Afghan) origin in the medieval India
• Slave Dynasty (1190-1246 AD)
• Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320 AD)
• Tughluq Dynasty (1320-1413 AD)
• Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1444 AD)
• Lodi Dynasty (1451-1557 AD)

• The Sultanate period ushered in the Indian cultural renaissance. The resulting Indo-Islamic fusion of

cultures left lasting characteristic monuments in architecture, music, literature, religion & clothing

• Urdu language was born during this period due to intermingling of the local Sanskrit speakers and

immigrant speakers of Persian Turkey and Arabia under the Muslim rulers

• The Delhi Sultanate is the only Indo-Islamic empire to have enthroned one of the few female rulers

in India, Razia Sultana (1236-1240AD)

• 1526AD, the Delhi Sultanate was absorbed with Mughal Empire

(1206-1526AD)
SLAVE
• The Delhi or the Imperial Style of Indo-
Islamic architecture flourished
between 1191-1557AD and covered
Muslim dynasties
• The first Islamic sultanate structures
were built of disparate dismantled
pieces of Hindu temples, after which
came an era of carefully planned
structures and precincts, later
assimilating and incorporating Hindu
elements and workmanship.

SLAVE DYNASTY, the first dynasty

• Named ‘Slave’ as its rulers were not of
Royal blood and belonged to a slavery
system accepted by Mohammedans
• Majority of the Sultans built significant
structures leading to the foundation of
Indo-Islamic architecture

(1206-1526AD) The Delhi Sultanate or Imperial Style

The MAMLUK or SLAVE Dynasty
Qutub–ud-din aibak (1191-1210)
• Assumed independence after the death of
Mohammed Ghori
• Started Qutub Complex and Qutub Minar in 1193
• Erected monumental buildings of stone on qila
rai pithora
• Constructed a series of arches to screen the
Hindu pillars of the sanctuary

Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (1211-1236)

• He was the son-in-law of Qutub-ud-din
• Extended the Quwwat-ul-islam Masjid (1229 ad)
and built the tomb of his son Nasiruddin
Mohammed in 1231AD, which is locally known as
the sultan ghari.
• Started his own tomb (Iltutmish's tomb) located in
the Qutub complex in 1235 AD in which the first
“Squinch" system was introduced

The Slave Dynasty (1190-1246)

Major Architectural Monuments in SLAVE DYNASTY

1) Qutub Complex - Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

2) Qutub Complex - Qutub Minar

3) Arhai Din Ka Jhompra

4) Tomb of Nasir-ud-Din Iltutmish or Sultan Ghari

5) Tomb of Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish

The QUTUB Complex
 Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
Built in the early 13th century a few
kilometres south of Delhi, the red
sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m
high, tapering from 2.75 m in diameter
at its peak to 14.32 m at its base, and
alternating angular and rounded flutings.
The surrounding archaeological area
contains funerary buildings, notably the
magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the
masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in
1311), and two mosques, including the
Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest in northern
India, built of materials reused from
some 20 Brahman temples.

- UNESCO

EXPLORE……..

Qutub Complex . Delhi

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Started by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in Mehrauli, Delhi – extended by Iltutmish and later by Khalji’s

The Qutub Complex

A. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and Qutub Minar by Qutub- C. Extension by Khalji Dynasty1296-1316
ud-din Aibak by 1191
B. Extension by Iltutmish 1211-1236 D Others by Khalji Dynasty 1315AD

The Qutub Complex

The Qutub Complex
The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
• Built on the plinth of a Hindu temple which was dismantled (material from 27surrounding temples built by
Tomar & Prithviraj Chauhan was used) and the plinth was expanded to cover a rectangle of 212' X 150‘

which was then enclosed by a wall with cloisters on all sides

• Cloisters were 3aisles deep, composed of Hindu pillars placed one above the other for height
• Sanctuary located to the west of cloisters
• Courtyard is 105’X141’ (43.2X32.8m) surrounded by cloisters

1 The Quwwat-ul-islam Mosque

 • Screen (Maqsura) (108’wide, 50’high and 8 ½’ thick) was
added in 1199AD that has an arcaded façade across the
front of the sanctuary
• This screen has 5Arches (Central Arch 45’high & 22’span, each
of the two side Arches 25’high) with clerestory above for
decorative purpose only
• Shorter pillars from temples placed one above the other
• Interior structure consists of elegantly carved stonework

Jain columns
used for the
Sanctuary

1 The Quwwat-ul-islam Mosque

• The complete structure is embroidered using various floral devices and
Quranic verses (sayings from the holy book of Kuran)

• All the arches are corbelled but not

true as they were built by local Hindu
builders
• The Iron pillar (600 yrs old transported
from Mathura, lacking the Garuda
motif) is placed in front of the
sanctuary

Pillars spaciously arranged into a

series of bays with shallow domes

1 The Quwwat-ul-islam Mosque

The QUTUB Minar
 • Built as a part of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque by
Qutub-ud-din Aibak in late 12th century
• This is the tallest stone tower in India & World’s
tallest brick Minaret. Known as Victory tower
(Base 46’ (14.32m), Top 10’ (2.75m) diameter &
238’ (72.5m) height) with a spiral staircase of
379steps acts as prestige & authority of Islam
• Qutub signifies a Pole or an Axis or Pivot of justice,
Sovereignty and faith
• It is said that this was erected in order to cast the
shadow of GOD over the East and the West
• The tower was originally 4storeys diminishing as
they ascend with projecting balconies dividing
each stage
• Entrance from North by a doorway with a spiral
stairway up to each balcony finishing with a
platform on the uppermost storey
• It is on the UNESCO’s list of World’s heritage sites

2 The Qutub Minar

 • 4Stages 4different patterns in Section
1) Lowest wedge-shaped flanges alternating with rounded flutes (24 no.s)
2) Second circular projections
3) Third star-shaped
4) Fourth rounded
• The base was constructed by Qutub-ud-din, the next 3stories added by Iltutmish and
the 5th was added by Firuz Shah Tughluq to increase the height, changed
appearance & proportions
• The balustrade around the balcony originally showed merlons called kanjuras
• Elegant features – balcony projections, their support method
Changing structure for every fluted storey
• 4th storey has a circular kiosk with window openings crowned by a domical roof

• Balconies supported by
Clusters of miniature
arches (patterned with a
honey-comb network) or
small alcoves with
brackets in between

2 The Qutub Minar

• Material is Sandstone of different colors

• The tapering cylindrical appearance was purposely

designed to give an upward impulse and an illusion of

increased height

• It is a STABLE, ABSOLUTE & IMMUTABLE structure

• This Minar is just 5’ shorter than the Taj Mahal (243’)

The Qutub Minar

The IRON pillar, Delhi
 • Erected by Qutub-ud-din Aibak
• Stands in the middle of the courtyard
• It is a 23’8” (7.21m) high and weighs more than 6 tonnes.
• The pillar's lower diameter is 16.4” (420mm), and its upper
diameter 12.05”n (306mm)
• It is buried 93cm (36.6”) below the present floor level.
• It is one of the world’s foremost metallurgical curiosties.

It was the only piece of Jain temple

remains erected by chandragupta II
vikramaditya

The Iron Pillar

ARHAI-Din-Ka-Jhompra
• Built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1200AD at Ajmer
• Literally means two and a half day cottage
• Built on a leveled terrace and on the same lines as the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, using materials from
surrounding temples, but twice the size of the mosque
• Tall stairway in 4 flights reaching up to front portico with a minaret on each side

3 ARHAI-Din-Ka-Jhompra
 • The roof of the prayer hall is a series of
shallow corbelled domes placed over
square pillared bays.
• A screen was added across the front of the
sanctuary by Iltutmish.
• Above the main arch over the parapet are
two minarets.
• The arches are of the 4 centered type.
• The smaller arches are of the multi-foil
pointed style, inspired by Arab sources
• The screen is 200' wide, 56' high at the
centre and 12' thick.
• The rectangular panel is seen in the spandrel
of each arch, a feature seen in ancient
Arabian mosques
• 3pillars from Hindu temples are placed one
above the other to achieve the height 20’ of
the cloisters

3 ARHAI-Din-Ka-Jhompra
Tomb of Nasir-ud-dinMohammed
or Sultan Ghari
• Built by Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish as a tomb for his son 1231AD near Delhi.
• First example of a tomb building in India.
• The structure is raised on a high plinth with a massive portal on the east.
• The cenotaph is an underground chamber, giving the structure its name.
• The structure is built in the manner of a walled enclosure.
• The enclosure is contained within a massive masonry arcade.
• Within the enclosure is a courtyard 66' square.
• The exterior is built of grey granite with circular bastions projecting from each corner of the square.

4 Tomb of Nasir-ud-din Mohammed or Sultan Ghari

• In the centre of the courtyard is an octagonal platform which forms the roof of the tomb chamber.
• Two pillared arcades in white marble are built on the eastern and western sides.
• The western arcade resolves into a mosque chamber for private prayers.
• The mosque sanctuary has central domed nave with foliated arch as mihrab & aisles on either side.
• The whole is fronted by a colonnade of marble pillars with bracket capitals.
• Apart from the mihrabs, the entire composition is of Hindu extraction.

4 Tomb of Nasir-ud-din Mohammed or Sultan Ghari

4 Tomb of Nasir-ud-din Mohammed or Sultan Ghari
Tomb of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish
 • Built in 1235AD to north-west of Qutb Complex
• It is a sandstone square structure (made of new
material) of 9.1m side & height of 8.41m to the
base of the (conjectured) dome
• 3 entrances, on N-E-S elevations
• Exterior is relatively plain, but interior is richly
decorated
• A square hall of 30' side, its walls are relieved
with white marble insertions

5 Tomb of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish

 • It has been conjectured that the original dome collapsed and also
the exterior walls of the tomb are comparatively thin (2.2 meters),
and might not have been able to support the outward thrust
generated by a dome
• The most interesting feature is the introduction of the 'Squinch‘
system in India
• The square base of the tomb structure is transformed into an
octagon overhead with ogee squinch arches
• These arches are constructed with corbels but not true type

5 Tomb of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish

• Elaborate epigraphy on walls, arabesques, & geometrical designs adorn the western niches and Mihrab

• The upper chamber, now open to the sky, contains the richly
decorated marble cenotaph. Steps on the northern side leads down
to the burial chamber below
• The entrance and parts of the exterior are laid with quartzite, and the
gates are decorated with carvings; however, the real decorative
richness of the tomb is found in the interior
• The inscription panels include Kufic, Tughra and Nakshi scripts
Sqinches system used is projecting small
illustrating Quranic verses
arches across the upper side of the
• Hindu motifs such as lotus flowers and bells on chains are also found corners of square room, turning it into
an octagon, then repeating the process
in the sandstone carvings to turn it into a 16 sided base in which a
dome can rest

5 Tomb of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish

Tomb of Balban
• Located on the south east of Qila-rai Pithaura
• Introduced with a true arch by means of radiating
voussoirs
• Rubble foundation covered with cement
• Square domed chamber 38’ across
• Archway on each side with each arch put
together bonded on the scientific system inspired
by the Roman engineers

Radiating Voussoirs

End of the Slave Dynasty

Muslim Rulers of the SLAVE Dynasty (1206-1320)
1) Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1st Sultan of Delhi) 1206 – 1210
2) Aram Shah 1210 – 1211
3) Shams-ud-din Iltutmish 1211 - 1236
4) Rukn-ud-din Firuz 1236
5) Raziyya (Radiyya Begum) 1236 - 1240
6) Muizz-ud-din Bahram 1240 – 1242
7) Al-ud-din Masud 1242 - 1246
8) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud 1246 - 1266

HOUSE OF BALBAN
1) Ghiyas-ud-din Balban 1266 - 1287
2) Muizz-ud-din Kaiqubad 1287 - 1290
3) Kaiumarth 1290
The Seven Cities of the DELHI Sultanate
Indraprastha built during the time of Mahabharatha in the ancient era

1) Dhilli or Lal kot or Quila Rai Pithora Founded by Tomara ruler Anangpal & named after Prithvi Raj
Chauhan who is also known as Rai Pithora

2) Mehrauli, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 12th century

3) Siri built by Ala-ud-din Khalji in 13th century

4) Tughlaqabad built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq (1321-1325)

Jahanpanah built by Muhammad-bin Tughluq (1325-1351)

5) Firuzabad built by Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-1388)

Dinpanah built by Humayun near legendary site of Indraprastha

6) Shergarh built by Sher Shah Suri near legendary site of Indraprastha

Lodi Complex built by Lodi rulers (least significant )

7) Shahjahanabad built by Shah Jahan & capital of Mughal Empire (Old Delhi)

Lutyens Delhi built by British (New Delhi)

Every new city was built North of its predecessor for fresh air and water of the
Yamuna river uncontaminated by the dying remains of the old city
 ...Done...

Ar. Ravindra Patnayaka

B.Arch,M.Tech Planning, PGDESM, (PhD)
Assistant Professor
ARCHITECTURE Acknowledgements :Ar. N.S.Kala.B.Arch, MS (USA), AIIA,Asst. Professor