MODULE V - Evolution of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style

MODULE IV
Evolution of Indo Islamic

Architecture in Imperial Style
Introduction of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style
Islamic architecture under Imperial style The Delhi or the Imperial

Style of Indo-Islamic architecture flourished between 1191-1557 AD
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 (A.D.1200-1246)
KhIlji dynasty (A.D. 1290-1320)
Tughluq dynasty (A.D. 1320-1413)
Sayyid dynasty (A.D. 1414-1444)
Lodhi dynasty (A.D. 1451-1557)

Introduction of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style: Slave Dynasty
The Slave Dynasty was established by Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, a

former slave of Muhammad Ghori who had been installed as
Governor in Delhi and who assumed independence after Ghori's
death.
The main building work during this dynasty was done by Qutb-ud-
Din Aibak and his son-in-law, Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish.
Main buildings:
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
Qutub Minar
Arhai Din ka Jhompra
Tomb of Nasir-ud-Din Mohammed (Sultan Ghari)
Tomb of Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish

QUTUB COMPLEX
•The Qutub complex is an array of monuments and buildings at Mehrauli in Delhi,

India, the most famous of which is the Qutub Minar.
•This complex was first constructed by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave
Dynasty, and his successor Iltutmish in his new city called the Qila-Rai-Pithora near
Prithivraj Chauhan's older city.
•The complex was added to by many subsequent rulers, including Iltutmish and Ala
ud din Khilji as well as the British
•The most famous monument situated in the complex is the Qutub Minar; other
important constructions in the complex are the
Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque,
the Ala-I-Darwaza,
the Alai Minar and
the iron pillar.
Twenty-seven previous Jain temples were destroyed and their materials reused to
construct the minar and other monuments of the complex.
1.Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque
•The Quwwat-ul-Islam is best known for its tower of victory, celebrating the Muslim
conquest of India.
•It is built of red sandstone, gray quartz, and white marble, but is probably inspired by
the iron "Pillar of the Law" that stands on the site.
•Built in the Mauryan dynasty in the 6th century, it is the only piece of the temple that
stands in its original location.
•Qutub built around it when he constructed the mosque. Although made of iron, it has
resisted rust for over 1,500 years, evidence of the Mauryan's superb knowledge of
metallurgy.
Ogee arch
•Built by Qutb-ud-Din Aibak in Qila Rai Pithora, the ancient Hindu citadel.
•Built on the plinth of a Hindu temple which was dismantled.
•The plinth was expanded to cover a rectangle of 150' X 212'.
•This stylobate was then enclosed by a wall with cloisters on all sides.
Cloisters
Cloisters were three aisles deep.
Composed of pillars from Hindu temples, placed one above the other to achieve the
desired height
Sanctuary
The western part of the cloister was the sanctuary.
The arrangement of the pillars was made more spacious and resolved into a series of
bays with shallow domed roofs.
Courtyard
The courtyard is 105' X 141', surrounded by cloisters.
In the front of the centre of the sanctuary stands the iron pillar with the Garuda motif
removed from its pinnacle.
Screen (Maqsura)
In 1199, a screen of an arched facade was added across the front of the
sanctuary.
The screen is a wall of masonry 50' high at the centre, 108' wide and 81/2' thick.
The screen is pierced by 5 arches, the central arch 45' high and 22' in span and
two smaller ones on each side, each 25' high.
Each smaller arch had a clerestory above it, mainly for decorative purposes as
it did not serve in any way the sanctuary behind it.
The facade is embroidered with carvings of floral devices and Quranic verses.
The arches are not true arches but built by corbelling, hence we know they
were built by local workmen acting on verbal instructions from a Muslim clerk of
works.
The ogee shape of the arch may be derived from the Buddhist caves of the
Barahar hills of Bihar and the Stupas of Sarnath.
It is particularly remarkable for its

ornate ornamentation in the form
of inscriptions.
Patterns: Floral motifs, curbing
leaves, tendrils and geometrical
traceries.
Hindu techniques of constructing

shallow dome and Muslim ogee
arch were followed.
The entire building with its walls,

pillars , architraves and ceilings is
predominantly Hindu in character.
Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque
2.Qutub Minar
• Built near Quwwat-ul-Islam

Mosque in 1200 by Qutb-
ud-Din Aibak.
• The height of the tower is

72m.
• The tower was originally

four storeys high with a
domed roof. Renovations
have added a storey.
• The tower is entered from

the a gateway on the
north side which opens out
into a spiral staircase.
2.Qutub Minar
Storeys
1. Each storey has a different pattern in plan.
2. First storey- Alternate wedge shaped and
round projections
3. Second storey- Circular projections
4. Third storey- Star shaped
Fourth storey- Round
Balconies
1. Each storey has a balcony around it.
2. The balustrade around the balcony
originally showed merlons called kanjuras.
3. The balconies are supported by stalactite
vaulting, represented by clusters of
miniature arches with brackets in
between, influenced by the tracery of
temple ceilings.
Qutub: a pole and axis and thus the pivot of justice , sovereignty and of faith.
It is inscribed “to cast the shadow of God over the East and over the west.”
• This tower of victory was also used to call the faithful for the prayer.
• It was situated outside the original mosque to the left of the main entrance .
• As the mosque plan developed a more symmetrical design became the

custom, the minars were not separate but attached to the main architectural
scheme usually the façade of the main building.
• Qutb minar when completed consisted of four stories, diminishing as they

ascended, with a projecting balcony dividing each stage.
• The upper most storey was circular with a window openings and a domical roof
crowning the entire structure.
• Renovations have made an additional upper storey, increasing its height

and changing its proportions.
• Its plan of the tower at the base being 46 feet in diameter and tapers to a width of
10 feet at the summit. Each of the four stages is different in its plans.
• On the northern side is entered by doorway leading to a spiral staircase up to
each balcony.
• When first built the balustrades took the form of stepped battlements.
• Below the balcony there is system of stalactite bracketing by which the

projecting balconies are supported transmitting the weight to the body
of the structure.
• This stalactite bracketing, is represented by means of miniature arches or small

alcoves with brackets in-between .
• Qutb minar is made of red sandstone, the changing texture of its fluted stories
with the overlay of inscriptional bands, the contrast between plain masonry and
rich carving and the shadows underneath balconies, all combine to produce an
effect of vitality.
• The tapering appearance was given to give an appearance of increased height

and it also represents stability like that of a pyramid. Created for the use of the
mu'azzin (crier) to give calls for prayer and raised the first storey, to which were
added three more storeys by his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din Iltutmish
(AD 1211-36)
3.Arhai Din Ka Jhopra
•Tall stairway in four flights reaching up to front portico with a minaret on
each side.
•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.
The construction of this mosque was begun in 1200 AD.
•Prepared in the same manner as in Delhi, the building was evolved with the
compilation of materials from Hindu temples, was a better organized conception.
•It occupies twice the space of the Delhi mosque.
•It gave more scope to the builders
•It is shown in the gracefulness of its slender pillars, and finer proportions of the
columned aisle.
•Increased height obtained by superimposing three columns to form each pillar.


•The mosque consisted of an open courtyard surrounded by a open colonnade .
•In the west later an arched screen was built across the front of the sanctuary to form
a facade, that was built during the reign of Shamsuddin Iltumish.
•In the screen of arch, there is no upper storey or triforium but above the parapet of
the main archway are fluted minarets on either side.
• The screen has central arch flanked by two arches on either sides.
•The central arch is near to four centers type whereas the side arches are cusped
and multifold .
•Totally there are seven arches across the facade. There is a rectangular panel in the
spandrel of central arch from the ancient mosques of Arabia.
cusped and multifold . four centers type


Arhai Din Ka Jhopra

4. NASIR-UD-DIN MOHAMMAD'S TOMB (SULTAN GHARI)
•Built by Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish as a tomb for his son in A.D. 1231 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.
•The exterior is built of grey granite with circular bastions projecting from each corner
of the square.
•Within the enclosure is a courtyard 66' square.
•In the centre of the courtyard is an octagonal platform which forms the roof of the
tomb chamber.
Introduction of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style: Khalji Dynasty
Khalji Dynasty 1290 – 1320
• Firoz Jallal –ud – din Khalji (1290) – ascended the throne of Delhi at the
age of 70
• Ala-ud-din Khalji – murdered Jallal-ud-din – crowned himself the King
• He stamped out the last embers of Hindu rule (by annexing Gujarat,
Ranthambor and Chittoor
Architectural projects – marks the evolution of another innovative feature

in the Indo-Islamic architecture.
•Seljuk style Architecture
• Red Stone Construction
• Prominence of Arcade Style
• Mortar Material
• Alai Darwaza at Qutb complex (Darwaza near the Qutub Minar which
served as an entrance gateway to the mosque at the Qutub complex )
• Alai Hauz at Hauz Khas (reservoir at Hauz Khas around 1311AD)
• New city of Siri fort (second city of Delhi )
• Alai minar
• Jamat Khana Masjid near Nizamuddin in Delhi
• Ukha Masjid in Bharatpur in Rajasthan were also built during this period.
Alai Darwaza
Indian carver effortlessly carved Quranic
inscriptional Alai Darwaza bands
• Horse shoe shaped arch
• Slender pilaster works
• Intrados of the arch – spear head fringe

(garland of buds)
• treatment of outer façade as two storied

building with blind windows in its non existent
upper storey – enticing technique
• Star and hexagon jaalis – create intricate

and complex pattern – forerunner to what
mughals later elevated to great works of art
• Jaali – sensible architectural device

(illumination and ventilation) – contrast to
dark interiors of Hindu temples
Alai Darwaza
Blend of red sandstone and white marble as facing materials
• 56 ft (17m) square base

• Dome – 34ft (10.3m)
• Squinches constructed of true arches
•Quwat-ul-isam mosque – Iltumish enlarged the size by three

times- while Ala-ud-din by six times by adding another cloister
around the existing one
•Northern side - added Alai Minar – 21.3 m high rubble stump

exists today – he envisaged the minar to be higher than qutb
minar.
Introduction of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style: Tughlaq Dynasty
Tughlaq Dynasty(1320-1413)
• The rulers of the Tughlaq Dynasty also undertook considerable

construction activities, including building three of the seven
ancient cities of Delhi.
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325 AD) built Tughlaqabad, the

third city of Delhi, in 1321-23 AD.
• The Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, built of red sandstone, is an

irregular pentagon in its exterior plan and its design is of the
pointed or "Tartar" shape and is crowned by a finial resembling the
kalasa and amla of a Hindu temple.
Tomb of Giyasudin Tughaq

• Walls made an angle of
75degree with ground (Multan
influence)
• Plan based on the contours
of the site
• Tomb is connected to the
fortress by a 250 yards
(228.6m) causeway, built over
what at one time would have
been a sheet of water, today
dry land
• Square tomb – 61 ft side
• Height – 80 ft
• Arch and lintel construction
– mixed attitude of the Hindu
builders to arched and lintel
and beam method
• True arch + redundant stone
lintel installed just below the
springing of the arch
• Delhis fourth city Jahanpanah was built by Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq in
mid- 14th century.
• Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 AD) was undoubtedly the greatest builder
among all the rulers of the Tughlaq dynasty. He himself wrote in Fatuhat-i-
Feroz Shah "among the gifts which God bestowed on me, His humble
servant, was a desire to erect public buildings".
• He built Ferozabad, Delhis fifth city, in 1354 AD. The famous Firoz Shah
Kotla ground is the only remnant of its past glory.
• Feroz Shah Tughlaq is also credited with founding the fortified cities of
Jaunpur, Fathabad and Hissar.
Citadel of Firoz shah kotla

• 800 m X 400m
• Private palaces, mosques, harems of royal court, gardens, baths, tanks,
barracks, armory, servant quarters E River Yamuna Diwani khas Diwan-i-am
Main entrance
River Yamuna
His construction works were of a unique simple style

characterized by the use of inexpensive materials. The medieval
rulers, who were used to the convenience of choosing new
locations for starting new constructions, rarely adopted
restoration of previous buildings.
 It was only Feroz Shah Tughlaq who took up large-scale

restoration works and repaired hundreds of monuments, including
the Qutub Minar which was damaged by lightening in 1369 AD.
The Kali Masjid (c.1370 AD),

The Khirki Masjid (c.1375 AD) and
The Kalan Masjid (c.1375 AD) also belong to this
period, the last two being raised on a tahkhana or
substructure of arches.
Khirki masjid
•Khirki Masjid belongs to the Indo-
Islamic style of Khirki masjid
architecture
• The Indo-Islamic style of architecture

is a distinctive blend of Islamic as well
as traditional Hindu style of
architecture
• Its roof is a unique thing, which is

unheard of in Islamic mosque
architecture.
• The presence of a number of

domes on the roof covering the
mosque and the latticework (jali) on
the windows are suggestive of the
Islamic style of architecture.
•The pillars and brackets within this

structure show local Hindu influence.
Khirki masjid
Khirki masjid
Khirki masjid
Khirki Masjid
• It is a small quadrangle-shaped mosque, and the only one of its

kind-a mosque, which is closed on top
• Mosques usually have an open courtyard where the faithful offer

their prayers to God.
• Khirki Masjid has elaborate latticework on its windows (carved stone

screens), but compared to the intricate patterns of the later-day
Mughal buildings, it is simple.
•The pillars and brackets in the mosque show a high degree of

indigenous influence.
•The roof of the Khirki Masjid is divided into squares through which
sunlight streams in. Most of the squares, however, sport groups of
domes on them.
•The mosque, which is built with rubble masonry covered externally

with plaster, has majestic steps leading up to it.
Kalan masjid
• Kalan masjid Built over a platform

or basement often raised more than
12ft (3.6m) above ground level
Imposing flights of steps leading from
ground level upto the entrance
gateway
• Dominating gateway Central

courtyard
• Lower periphery of the erected

basement became deep arched
niches, big enough in size to use
either as living rooms or the
attendant priests, or hops or even
dormitories for pilgrims on festive
occasions
Kalan masjid
Kalan masjid
Hauz Khas Complex
Hauz Khas Complex
• The etymology of the name Hauz Khas
in Urdu language is derived from the
words „Hauz‟: “water tank” (or lake) and
„Khas‟:“royal”- the “Royal tank”.
• Hauz Khas, South Delhi houses a water

tank, an Islamic seminary, a mosque, a
tomb and pavilions built around an
urbanized village with medieval history
traced to the 13th century of Delhi
Sultanate reign.
• The large water tank or reservoir was

first built by Khalji {the plaque displayed
(pictured in the gallery) at the site
records this fact} to supply water to the
inhabitants of Siri.
• It was part of Siri, the second medieval

city of India of the Delhi Sultanate of
Allauddin Khilji Dynasty (1296–1316).
Hauz Khas Complex
Hauz Khas Complex: Tomb of Firoz Shah
• Among the notable buildings of

historical importance that he built
within Hauz Khas precincts is the
domed tomb for himself.
• The tomb which is very austere in
appearance, is located at the
intersection of the two arms of the
L– shaped building which
constitutes the madrasa.
• Entry to the tomb is through a
passage in the south leading to
the doorway.
• The passage wall is raised on a
plinth which depicts the shape of
a fourteen phased polyhedron
built in stones.
• Three horizontal units laid over
eight vertical posts that are
chamfered constitute the plinth.
• Squinches and muqarnas are seen in the solid interior walls of the tomb
and these provide the basic support to the octagonal spherical dome of
the tomb.
• The dome with a square plan – 14.8 m (48.6 ft) in length and height – has
a diameter of 8.8 m (28.9 ft).
• The maximum height of the tomb is on its face overlooking the reservoir.
• The domed gateway on the north has an opening which has height
equal to two–thirds the height of the tomb.
• The width of the gate is equal to one-third of tombs width.
• The entrance hall has fifteen bays and terminates in another doorway
which is identical to the gateway at the entrance.
• This second doorway leads to the tomb chamber and cenotaph, which
are accessed from the gateway through the L–shaped corridor. Similar
arrangement is replicated on the western doorway of the tomb leading to
the open pavilion on the west.
• The ceiling in the dome depicts a circular gold medallion with Quranic
inscriptions in Naksh characters.
• Foliated crenellations are seen on the outer faces of the base of the tomb.
Interesting features seen on the northern and southern sides of the tomb,
considered typical of the Tuglaq period layout, are the ceremonial steps
provided at the ground level that connect to the larger steps leading into the
reservoir.
• The tomb, a square chamber, is made of local quartzite rubble with a

surface plaster finish that sparkled in white colour when completed. The door,
pillars and lintels were made of grey quartzites while red sandstone was used
for carvings of the battlements. The door way depicts a blend of Indian and
Islamic architecture. Another new feature not seen at any other monument in
Delhi, built at the entrance to the tomb from the south, is the stone railings.
• There are four graves inside the tomb, one is of Feruz Shah and two others
are of his son and grand son.
• The main impression is one of solidity and lack of decoration(typical of

Tuglaq style).
Hauz Khas Complex: Tomb of Telangani
• This was the tomb of firoz’s shah Prime
Minister, Khan-E-Jahan Telangani, built in
the Nizam-ud-din Auliya area.
• The Tughlaq builders decided that since

the inner space of a tomb served only the
function of accommodating a gravesite
need not necessarily be square in plan but
could very well be an octagon.
• The spread-out base provided by the

surrounding veranda certainly lent visual
credence to the structure.
• The entire composition is further

appropriately graded by the installation of
small kiosks along the base of the dome
and over the veranda.
• Use of the typical Hindu chajja added a

new dimension.
Introduction of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style: Sayyid Dynasty
• In the 14th century under the Timurid rulers, Islamic architecture

underwent a change.
• The narrow horseshoe arch was replaced by the true arch, an

idea imported directly from Persia. However, Indian masons
weren't completely convinced of its holding power.
• They began using wooden beams as supports, and eventually

the four- centered arch minus the beam support came into
vogue.
• During the Sayyid and the Lodi Dynasties, more than fifty tombs
of different sizes were constructed.
• The Tombs of Mubarak Sayyid (d. 1434 AD), Muhammad Sayyid

(d.1444 AD) are of the octagonal type.
Tomb of Mubarak Sayyid
• The Mubarak Sayyid Tomb is
octagonal in plan with a massive
dome and eight octagonal roof
kiosks (chhatri) on each side.
• The roof kiosks occupy the

middle of the sides and stone
buttresses are set at the vacant
corners of the structure.
• This design gives the tomb a

pyramidal effect as a whole.
• The funerary mosque stands

near the tomb, and it is assumed
that the tomb and mosque once
stood within precinct walls.
• This is the only mosque built by

the Sayyids.
Tomb of Mubarak Sayyid
• Enlargement and refinement of

the proportions of Tughlaq
prototype
• 9 m long side of octagon with

arched colonnade
• The merlons on the parapet and

kiosks above the verandahs
• 15 m high dome squatly placed

over 21 m wide octagonal base –
improved in tomb of Muhammed
Sayyid a decade later
Tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyid
• This beautiful octagonal Maqbara
(tomb) of Muhammad Shah Sayyid is
located near the south-west corner of
the Lodi Garden.
• The tomb was built in 1444 for the
third Sayyid sultan Muhammad Shah.
• The architecture follows the style of
the Khan-i-Jahan Telangani maqbara
and the Mubarak Shah Sayyid
maqbara with some modifications.
• It has a fuller dome on a raised seat
surrounded by chhatris.
• Each of the octagonal side has a
three-arch opening, bordered by
inclined columns at each corner. This is
arguably the best example of Sayyid
monuments.
• The tomb is beautifully ornamented
and some of the orginal coloured
plaster-work is still visible.
Introduction of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style: Lodhi Dynasty
Lodi Dynasty (1451-1557)
• The Lodis introduced the concept of double domes built one upon
the other, leaving some space in between.
• Two different types of tombs with octagonal and square plans

respectively began to be constructed.
• The Tombs of Sikander Lodi (d.1517 AD) is of the octagonal type.
• The square tombs are represented by such monuments as the

Bara Khan Ka Gumbad, Chota Khan Ka Gumbad, Bara Gumbad
(1494 AD), Shish Gumbad, Dadi Ka Gumbad and the Poli ka
Gumbad.
• The Tomb of Isa Khan (1547 AD), the Tomb of Adham Khan (1561
AD), Moth ki Masjid (c.1505 AD), Jamala Masjid (1536 AD) and the
Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid (c.1550 AD) belong to the final phase of the
Delhi style of architecture.
Garden tombs of Lodi
• Double Dome – outer dome to splendid

heights, without allowing the inner
chamber to appear un proportionately tall.
• Inner and outer dome with void inside –

perfect proportion in interior as well as
exterior
• Ornamental garden – tombs in gardens,

formal and elaborate arrangement.
Garden tomb of Sikander Lodi

• A copy of tomb of Mubarak Sayyid, the kiosks being
removed and replaced by semi – minarets called
Gulsastas attached the base
• Placement of tomb within a garden, Lodi Gardens in

New Delhi – a formal and elaborate arrangement along
with impressive gateways – clue for the development of
“Garden and tomb” of the Mughals


Sikandar Lodi was the second of the Lodi sultans, who
had built his capital in Sikandarabad near Agra. His
maqbara (tomb) was built in 1517-18 in the Sayyid-Lodi
style of octagonal tombs.
This maqbara is similar in design to the Muhammad Shah

Sayyid maqbara in the South-West corner of the Lodi
Garden, except that: a) A large wall enclosure
surrounds the tomb, of which the western wall serves the
purpose of a mosque b) There are no chhatris around
the dome c) The dome is a double-dome d) At the top
of the dome, there is a lotus in stead of a small chhatri
56. Garden tomb of Sikander Lodi• Further into the
gardens, are remains of a
• Further into the gardens, are remains of a watercourse

connected to the Yamuna River to Sikander Lodis tomb.
• The tomb of Mohammed Shah, the last of the Sayyid

dynasty rulers, the earliest of the tombs in the garden,
was built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah as a tribute to
Mohammed Shah.

Bara Gumbad
• Bara Gumbad, or Big Dome, consist of a square tomb with a

predominant white dome, built during the Lodi period (1451-
1526).
• It consists of a large rubble-construct dome, it is not a tomb but

a gateway to an attached a three domed Masjid (mosque),
both built in 1494 during the reign of Sikander Lodi, there is also a
residence surrounding a central courtyard, where the remains of
a water tank can be seen.
Bara Gumbad
With three domes Mosque

and five arched
Bara Gumbad Mosque openings.
• The interior of the

mosque is heavily
decorated with florals,
geometric designs and
holy inscriptions.
• The hall in front of the

mosque served as a guest
house.
• There are remains of a

water tank in the
courtyard.
Bara Khan ka Gumbad

Sheesh Gumbad
Sheesh Gumbad
• Opposite the Bara Gumbad is the Sheesh Gumbad ("Glass
dome") for the glazed tiles used in its construction, which
contains the remains of an unknown family, this was also
built during the reign of Sikander Lodi.
Chota Khan Ka Gumbad
• Sited next to the larger Bara
Khan Tomb, this square-plan
tomb has a double-storey
division on the exterior, with a
central liwan projecting out on
each façade.
• The spandrels of the portal

arch are decorated with
carved stucco.
• Its high dome is flanked by

four hexagonal roof kiosks
(chhatri) at the corners.
• The interior has a mihrab

niche on the western side,
decorated with a lamp motif.
Moth-ki- masjid
Pavilion Tombs
• "Pavilion" tombs are open

Pavilion Tombs tombs also
known as chattris (literally
"umbrellas") or twelve- pillared
tombs.
• They were present in

Tughlaq architecture, such as
in Shah Alams tomb
enclosure and the Hauz Khas
madrasa and carried on into
the Lodhi period.
Tughlaq-era pavilion tombs

(second half of 14th c.) at the
Hauz Khas madrasa
Introduction of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style: The Suris (1540-1555)
The Suris (1540-1555 AD)
• An Afghan usurper, Sher Shah Sur seizes the throne

of Delhi in 1540 AD for 15 years period – results in
Humayun’s exile to Persia
• Built Purana Qila or Old Fort (the sixth Delhi) – a

walled enclosure of considerable size forming citadel
• Inspired by Lodis – use of Lodi prototype

The history of Old Fort (purana quila)

• The Old Fort is one of the most visited
tourist places of Delhi.
• Purana Qila is a citadel which was

partly raised by Afghan ruler Sher Shah
Suri, who was temporarily deposed
Humayun.
• Sher Shah made a major contribution

to public works, built the Qila Kunha
Mosque and the Sher Mandal within the
citadel in 1541 A.D.
• The purpose of the later is not quite

clear though it is thought that Humayun
housed his library there.
• He fell on its steep stairs while

answering the call to prayer, and died
as a result three days later.
Sher Mahal
• Located at the highest point of the
Old Fort in Delhi known as Purana Qila,
Sher mandal Sher Mandal may have
been built by Mughal emperor Humayun
as an astronomical library and pleasure
tower during his rule in Delhi between
1530 and 1556, which was interrupted for
fifteen years by the Afghan Suri Dynasty.
• Some historians attribute it to Suri ruler

Sher Shah Sur (1540-1545) based on
vague references to the building in his
biography Tarikh-i-Sher Shahi,
commissioned by Mughal emperor
Akbar in 1579.
• There is no epigraphical evidence to

support either claim.
Sher Mahal
• In any case, Sher Mandal along with Qila-i-
Kuhna Masjid, is one of two surviving Sher
mandal structures within the fort ramparts
from the mid sixteenth century.
• The building is a two story octagonal

structure crowned with a pillared and domed
pavilion (chattri).
• Built entirely of local red sandstone, both
stories are punctuated with deeply recessed
arched niches on each side of the octagon.
• While the niches on the second story are

connected to form a verandah around a
central chamber, those on the lower story
only allow for entry arches into the tower.
• The upper chamber is cruciform in plan and

opens into a verandah through four doors.
Continuous eaves (chajja) runs below the roof
parapet.
Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, Sasaram, Bihar

• His tomb is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture, it was
designed by the architect Aliwal Khan and built between 1540 and
1545, this red sandstone mausoleum (122 ft high), which stands in
the middle of an artificial lake, which is nearly square.
• The tomb stands at the centre of the lake on a square stone plinth
with domed kiosks, chhatris at each of its corners, further there are
stone banks and stepped moorings on all sides of the plinth, which is
connected to the mainland through a wide stone bridge.
• The main tomb is built on octagonal plan, topped by a dome, 22-

metre in span and surrounded ornamental domed kiosks which
were once covered in coloured glazed tile work.
• The tomb was built during the reign of his son Islam Shah.
• An inscription dates its completion to August 16, 1545, three

months after the death of Sher Shah.


• Lodi prototype as base for design
• Octagonal in plan and raised to the height of 45.6 m up on the

square base of 76 m side
• Huge pyramidal mass arranged in five distinct stages
• Pillared kiosks in each storey
• Located in the unique setting, as placed in the middle of 426.7

m sided artificially created water body approached through a
gateway along a causeway
• Advanced structure till date with great imaginative efforts
• The upper structure (tomb) being placed slightly off in diagonal

way with the lower platform probably due to the correction of
error in the orientation of tomb

MODULE V - Evolution of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

MODULE V - Evolution of Indo Islamic Architecture in Imperial Style

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MODULE IV

Evolution of Indo Islamic

Islamic architecture under Imperial style The Delhi or the Imperial

Slave dynasty (A.D.1200-1246)

KhIlji dynasty (A.D. 1290-1320)

Tughluq dynasty (A.D. 1320-1413)

Sayyid dynasty (A.D. 1414-1444)

Lodhi dynasty (A.D. 1451-1557)

The Slave Dynasty was established by Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, a

Arhai Din ka Jhompra

Tomb of Nasir-ud-Din Mohammed (Sultan Ghari)

Tomb of Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish

•The Qutub complex is an array of monuments and buildings at Mehrauli in Delhi,

It is particularly remarkable for its

Hindu techniques of constructing

The entire building with its walls,

• Built near Quwwat-ul-Islam

• The height of the tower is

• The tower was originally

• The tower is entered from

• As the mosque plan developed a more symmetrical design became the

• Qutb minar when completed consisted of four stories, diminishing as they

• Renovations have made an additional upper storey, increasing its height

• Below the balcony there is system of stalactite bracketing by which the

• This stalactite bracketing, is represented by means of miniature arches or small

• The tapering appearance was given to give an appearance of increased height

•It occupies twice the space of the Delhi mosque.

•It gave more scope to the builders

•Increased height obtained by superimposing three columns to form each pillar.

3.Arhai Din Ka Jhopra

3.Arhai Din Ka Jhopra

cusped and multifold . four centers type

3.Arhai Din Ka Jhopra

Arhai Din Ka Jhopra

4. NASIR-UD-DIN MOHAMMAD'S TOMB (SULTAN GHARI)

Khalji Dynasty 1290 – 1320

Architectural projects – marks the evolution of another innovative feature

• Slender pilaster works

• Intrados of the arch – spear head fringe

• treatment of outer façade as two storied

• Star and hexagon jaalis – create intricate

• Jaali – sensible architectural device

Blend of red sandstone and white marble as facing materials

• 56 ft (17m) square base

•Quwat-ul-isam mosque – Iltumish enlarged the size by three

•Northern side - added Alai Minar – 21.3 m high rubble stump

• The rulers of the Tughlaq Dynasty also undertook considerable

• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325 AD) built Tughlaqabad, the

• The Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, built of red sandstone, is an

Tomb of Giyasudin Tughaq

Citadel of Firoz shah kotla

His construction works were of a unique simple style

 It was only Feroz Shah Tughlaq who took up large-scale

The Kali Masjid (c.1370 AD),

• The Indo-Islamic style of architecture

• Its roof is a unique thing, which is

• The presence of a number of

•The pillars and brackets within this

• It is a small quadrangle-shaped mosque, and the only one of its

• Mosques usually have an open courtyard where the faithful offer

• Khirki Masjid has elaborate latticework on its windows (carved stone

•The pillars and brackets in the mosque show a high degree of

•The mosque, which is built with rubble masonry covered externally