History of Architecture and Culture - 2

History of
Architecture
and Culture -2
UNIT - 4
Sem: 03
Regulation: 2017
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA & ARCHITECTURE OF THE DELHI SULTHANATE
Introduction:
Indo- Islamic Architecture: defn
Success factors of IIA:

stone masonry and craftsmanship
arcuated system
true domes and arches.
Stone masonry:
Indian craftsman- highly skilled (Eg: temples)
temples more structural than architecture
Persia and Arabia were adopting Brick and rubble as their Building material
Indians were already skilled in stone masonry, So built structures with stone
2
Arcuated system:
Indian: Trebated system- Post( vertical) and lintel( horizontal)
Arcuated: arches used for bridging a space
cementing agent in the form of mortar was introduced by the Islamic
people, so for the first time mortar masonry was used in Indian
Construction.
Also bought their scientific principles- gained through experience
More flexible and material economy
TRUE DOMES AND ARCHES:

Cairo, Baghdad, Cordoba and Damascus – already experimented
mosques
So, in India-Structures were just reproduced
Slave dynasty: false archs and false dome
From Alai dharwaza in Qutub minar : true arches and true dome
3
Development and classification under different styles and region :

1) The Delhi or imperial
2) The Provincial
3) The Mughal
The Delhi or imperial:

Delhi- capital city, centre for imperial power
Had its own architectural expression
though subjected to various developments never lost its
imperial character.
Beginning: 12th c
Mughals took over: 16th c
4
The Provincial
More self contained parts of the country
Associations with Delhi Imperial-
Followed their own Architectural character- had mixed influences- also
influenced by Delhi Imperial
1400- the central power in Delhi was broken by the invasion of the Timur.
The Mughal
Latest form of Islamic architecture in india
Timeline: mid 16th c - 18th c
5
Sources of Islamic Architecture in India:

Beginning: 12th c
Early beginning: 8th c- Caliphs of Baghdad
introduced glazed tile decoration imported from Babylonian cities, which is still a living art in Multan and other
places.
12th century- Ghaznavids from Afghanistan occupied Punjab and Lahore- Ghori destroyed their structures in 12 th c
itself
Evidences:
Wooden doors with ornamental niches – found in west Asia.
These elements are frequently incorporated in the Indo Islamic Architecture.
6
Persian Influence:
Timeline: 15th, 16th c
introduction of four centred arch ―Tudor arch
solved the problem of spanning larger openings.
But Indian masons where not familiar – so they introduced lintels below tudor arch (Tughluq dynasty)
15th c and 16th c – Sayyid and Lodhi dynasty- true 4 centered arch
7
8
Delhi Sultanate:
new styles of art and architecture
existing Indian styles and the new ideas had many common features – therefore adapted to each other
Eg : both the temple and mosque had large open courtyards. Also many temples were converted to mosques by the
foreign invaders,
created a blend of Indian and foreign styles.
Architectural Characteristics:
introduced - dome and pointed arch.
Dome - decorative structure in Islamic buildings, implemented in other structures as well.
pointed arch – different from the earlier arches
The earlier Indian style of creating arches was to first put up two pillars. The pillars would then be cut at intervals
accommodate 'plug in' projections.
There would be a sequence of squares that would gradually decrease in size creating an arch. The new artisans
introduced the true arch.
9
Slave Dynasty
First dynasty - Delhi Sultanate period

Founder : Qutub-ud-din Aibak , - contested with
Taj-ud-din(sultan of Afganisthan)
(1206-1210)
Capital : Lahore then Delhi

"Lakh Baksh“ - giver of thousands
1210- died- accident
Successor : Aram Shah- incapable ruler

Decline : defeated in one year by Iltumish
10
QUTB COMPLEX
Location :Mehrauli in Delhi,India

Qutb complex : Array of monuments and buildings
Most famous : Qutub Minar
Built by :
• Qutub-ud-din Aibak
• continued by Iltumish- Qila-Rai-Pithora near Prithivraj
Chauhan's older city.
• Also continued by Ala ud din Khilji as well as the British
Other important constructions in the complex :

Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque,
the Ala-I-Darwaza,
the Alai Minar and
the iron pillar 27 Jain temples destroyed – their materials used for
construction- Qutb complex
11
Timeline: 1192-1316
Built by: Qutub ud dn Aibak
• Hindu stone masons re-used columns from
the destroyed temples
• Hasty construction
• Issue- usage of images in Mosque
• Solution – Plastered around the sculpted
Hindu columns – used geometric designs
• Centuries later : plaster had fallen, original
carvings revealed
Tower of victory
built of : red sandstone, gray quartz, and white
marble
Inspiration : iron "Pillar of the Law"
Mauryan- 6th c – Only standing
hindu temple
Mosque- built around it
12
Expansion of the mosque continued after the death of Qutb ud din:

Iltutmish – added 3 more prayerhall screens
Replaced Hindu masons with Islamic ones- Therefore appeared more
Islamic
Iltutmish-built his own tomb- first to be erected for the Delhi
Sultanate mostly Hindu in design
Materials : pillaged materials
Body buried – underground chamber
Ala-ud-din - 1296-1316
Added a large new courtyard wall and erected the base of a huge
new minar
Dreamt so big- left Lal Kot (Delhi) – therefore lost its importance
13
14
Qutb Minar:
Height – 238 ft
Objective : proclaim the whole world- prestige of Islam
Location : outside the mosque to the left of main entrance

symmetrical design - mosque
minars attached to the facade of the main building
Plan : 4 stories, diminishing as they ascended
projecting balcony dividing each stage
upper most storeys - circular – with window openings
domical roof crowning the entire structure
Renovations- added a new floor
Dimension : base – 46ft
top – 10ft
15
rounded
star shaped
circular projections
stellate – the wedge shaped flanges

alternating with the rounded flutes
16
North - doorway leading to a

spiral staircase up to each
balcony
contrast between plain masonry

and rich carving and the shadows
underneath balconies – effect of
vitality
tapering above – shows a
increase in height- visually
17
TOMB OF SULTAN GHARI, Ajmer, Rajasthan:

1231-32 A.D
Location : middle of a square fortress-like enclosure with
round turrets (small tower) at the 4 corners
Materials : Enclosure – grey granite
mosque and entrance portico- white marble
Built by breaking down a Buddhist Monastery
Iltutumish- added screen
Comparison with Quwwat-ul-Islam :

Area – double
Space- more dignified and spacious
pillars, roof, stones and dome all show the use of Islamic
Architectural Style.
18
ADHAI DIN KA JHOMPRA, Ajmer, Rajasthan:
Means - hut of two and a half days

1200 AD
the compilation of materials from Hindu temples
gave more scope to the builders – slender pillars, columned
aisles
More height - superimposing 3 columns to form each pillar.
open courtyard surrounded by an open colonnade
West- arched screen- form a façade
Minnarts on either side
7 arches- central arch- tudor
19
Khalji Dynasty
1290-1320
founded by Firuz Khalji
Khalji dynasty Architecure - formative stage
Ala-ud-din Khalji - important developments in Architecture took place
Qutb Mosque development , Siri fort in Delhi.
Architectural Development
Alau ud din – ambitious ruler
Alai Darwaza - one of the 4 grand gateways
Other structures were
- the city wall of Siri, Fort in Delhi
- the tomb of Alauddin Khilji
- the Madrassa
20
Alai Darwaza
entrance to mosque
55 ft, cubical plan
height – 60ft till dome finial
4 sides- 4 doors
Either side of each door- windows
Doorway inner room(36 ft wide) –
domed ceilng
!st building- Islamic principles- arches and
geometric ornamentation
21
characteristics of Alai Darwaza :

-wide and bulging dome with a central knob
-pointed horse shoe shaped arches and squinches lotus bud fringes of the arches
-lotus bud fringes of the arches.
pointed horse shoe shaped arches

wide and bulging dome with a central knob
22
gateway - arched openings – all sides

octagonal base
Squinch- is a construction filling in the upper angles of a square room so as to form a base to receive an octagonal
or spherical dome
northern arch is semi circular , others- pointed horseshoe shape arch
South Gateway- high Islamic ornamentation
Exterior:
tall archway
steps leading to higher floor of the interior.
23
Material: Red sandstone and white marble

Arabic Calligraphy
upper storey –rectangular

panels
Wall – 2 stories
lower storey -arched with stone grilles

plinth - carved faces and horizontal bands
24
horse shoe or keel shaped

Fringes of lotus buds- spandrel has sockets- projecting bosses- True arch
typical of the saljuq doorways
bordered with bands of inscription patterns in white marble
Interior: Fringes of lotus buds

transition from square to octagon – in roof – (spearheads)
squinch arch is used
semi vault of pointed arches
Square octagon circle ( dome was placed )
25
Siri Fort:
Built by : Ala-ud-din Khilji
Objective :protect invasion prevent frequent invasion of mongols
Imperial capital / Administrative capital
Strong Defense walls

conveys architectural skills of people – not much remains now
Fort was never attacked- plundered by other rulers
Eg: Sher Shah Suri- materials- to build his own city
Most of it destroyed
26
Tomb and Madrassa of Ala-ud-din Khalji

brick structure without decorative carvings
Location : corner of the Qutub complex
next to Alai Minar- (to rival- But Alau ud
din died, only one floor built- abandoned )
madrassa next to the Quwwat mosque – L shaped

building
stands out from the rest even today- simplicity
madrassa also houses Alauddin‘s tomb, though the

dome that covered it had fallen
27
Thuglaq Dynasty
Ghiyath al-Din Tughlaq – Turkish origin – India: 1321
strong allies - Turks, Afghans ,Muslim warriors
Founded - thuglaqabad outside Delhi
Defended against mongols- able ruler
Territory : East Bengal
Ruled : north India & Delhi - 100 years14-15th c

forts, palaces, and tombs throughout Delhi, while their governors replicated the easily-identifiable style
in religious and military buildings across the country
Mohammed bin Tughlaq:

Shifted capital from Delhi to Daultabad- Provided highway& incentives to move there
28
Firoz Shah Tughlaq:

established four new towns - Firuzabad, Fatebabad, Jaunpur and Hissar.
Constructed canals for irrigation from

- Yamuna to the city of Hissar
- From the Sutlej to the Ghaggar
- From the Ghaggar to Firuzabad
- From Mandvi and Sirmour Hills to Hansi in Haryana.
rediscovery of Islamic Architecture

Master builders - new sultan - new empire full of creativity in IIA
Architecture- flourished - 3 rulers-

-Ghiyas-ud-din-Tughlaq
-Mohammed shah Tughlaq
-Feroz shah Tughlaq
29
Architecture developments :
- Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan (Pakistan)
- Feroz shah Kotla ( fifth city of Delhi )
- Feroz shah Tughlaq - Tughlaqabad ( third city of Delhi )
- Ghiyas-ud-din-Tughlaq
- Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din
- Khirki Masjid
- Jahanpanah, Delhi (India)
30
Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan (Pakistan):

huge dome can be seen for miles around – from all sides
Material : red Brick
Construction Tech: Slopping wall
lower walls- high octagon - corners with round and tapering
buttresses second story - smaller octagonal structure - narrow
uncovered walkway on the second level.
Top : hemispherical dome.
exterior : ornamented with glazed tile panels, stringcourses and
battlements
Colors - dark blue, azure, and white, contrasted with the deep red of
the finely polished bricks.
31
Feroz shah Kotla (fifth city of Delhi):

3 rubble-built walled rectangular enclosures
irregular polygonal plan
East wall- Yamuna river’s bank
3 palace in Delhi – Water shortage- so he built this
3 enclosures- central- largest- called kotla Feroz Shah
Central enclosure – gateway: west, bastions either side
Abandoned : 1490 AD
1.Ashokan Pillar of 3rd Century BC :

north of the citadel
13m height
sandstone
rubble-built three-tiered pyramidal structure
brought to Delhi from Ambala - Ashoka erected it
similar to the one fixed on the ridge ( also brought by Feroz Shah)
32
2. Jami Masjid:
South &West walls- remains of Masjid
Next to Ashokan pillar
local quartzite stone
Cloisters- women – now disappeared
Rests on Underground cells
Entrance – north, was once connected to the
pyramidal structure by a bridge
3. Baoli and other structures:

NW – of Ashokan pillar
center of the garden - circular baoli or step well
subterranean apartments
large underground drain - east side.
Purpose : cool retreat in summer, used by royals
33
Tughlaqabad (third city of Delhi):

Fort- battlements and bastions : 15-30m high
built of : stone
Walls - 10 m thick
Enclosed by : sky-touching walls, double-storied
bastions , gigantic towers
Inside : palaces mosques with audience halls
three parts:
1) The wider city area with houses built along a
rectangular grid between gates.
2) The Bijai-Mandal (citadel with a tower, several
halls and underground passage)
3) The adjacent palace area
34
The Tughlaqabad fort :
circular bastions - built by Ghiyas-ud-din
- to protect his subjects
Many monuments inside fort
high rocky ground to withstand invasion
massive walls – not aesthetic – no one can penetrate it- solid masonry
ramparts : Distance -: 9-15m

Height : 30m around citadel
Fort : half-hexagonal in shape
outer walls – silhouette- surrounding land
N, E, W – trenches
S – lake – keep watch
parapets have spot invaders
Fort :13 portals , inner citadel : 3 portals
huge reservoir to store rainwater in the fortress
35
Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din:
Location : South of Tughlaqabad
large reservoir – present – no water
pentagon in plan
Entrance : massive portals
sloping red sandstone walls – signature style of Tughlaqs
Wall - arched – decorated latticework & white marble. dome -
white marble
inscribed panels, arch borders, latticework screens and 'lotus-
bud' edges which decorate it.
36
Khirki Masjid:
many windows with stone - entire outer
wall
(partially) covered masjids in India
blackened with age
Still shows its character -(Delhi Sultanate
period) -stark, highly fortified - strength
and solidity more than grace and beauty
Plan: rectangular
monumental entrance- was Firoz Shah‘s greatest architectural achievement

courtyard – surrounded by- two storied cloister - arches – topped by roof
Roof: top- small, hemispherical domes
Arched windows - intricate jali patterns.
37
Blue Book Questions:

1) Fatehpur Sikri – illustrate
2) Taj Mahal and Humayun’s tomb - Illustrate
3) Cross cultural reference- Mysore - Illustrate
38
39
Thank You!

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History of

Success factors of IIA:

TRUE DOMES AND ARCHES:

Development and classification under different styles and region :

The Delhi or imperial:

Sources of Islamic Architecture in India:

First dynasty - Delhi Sultanate period

Capital : Lahore then Delhi

Successor : Aram Shah- incapable ruler

Location :Mehrauli in Delhi,India

Other important constructions in the complex :

Expansion of the mosque continued after the death of Qutb ud din:

Location : outside the mosque to the left of main entrance

stellate – the wedge shaped flanges

North - doorway leading to a

contrast between plain masonry

TOMB OF SULTAN GHARI, Ajmer, Rajasthan:

Comparison with Quwwat-ul-Islam :

ADHAI DIN KA JHOMPRA, Ajmer, Rajasthan:

Means - hut of two and a half days

characteristics of Alai Darwaza :

pointed horse shoe shaped arches

gateway - arched openings – all sides

Material: Red sandstone and white marble

upper storey –rectangular

lower storey -arched with stone grilles

horse shoe or keel shaped

bordered with bands of inscription patterns in white marble

Interior: Fringes of lotus buds

Strong Defense walls

Tomb and Madrassa of Ala-ud-din Khalji

madrassa next to the Quwwat mosque – L shaped

stands out from the rest even today- simplicity

madrassa also houses Alauddin‘s tomb, though the

Ruled : north India & Delhi - 100 years14-15th c

Mohammed bin Tughlaq:

Firoz Shah Tughlaq:

Constructed canals for irrigation from

rediscovery of Islamic Architecture

Architecture- flourished - 3 rulers-

Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan (Pakistan):

Feroz shah Kotla (fifth city of Delhi):

1.Ashokan Pillar of 3rd Century BC :

3. Baoli and other structures:

Tughlaqabad (third city of Delhi):

ramparts : Distance -: 9-15m

monumental entrance- was Firoz Shah‘s greatest architectural achievement

Blue Book Questions:

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