THE ORIGIN & EVOLUTION OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA-THE BEGINNING

• Islam-established by prophet Mohammed in AD 610
• By 8th cent. grew as a world religion from Spain to central Asia
• Due to strong trade relations with Arabs Islam reached the Malabar coast & regions near Sind which
was once part of Abbassid rule, during its early days itself.
• Earliest mosques to be built in India was in Muzriz (kodungallur) in AD 629 ,followed by a mosque in
Sind in AD 729 built under Abbasid rule.

Cheraman Perumal Masjid,Muzriz

• Construction these mosques did not create any major impact on the larger cultural scenario in India.
• Islamic political power was established in India in AD 1206 ,when Mohammed Ghori defeated
Prithviraj chauhan of Delhi & established his rule in N-W parts of India
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA- EVOLUTION
• Traditional Indian Architecture had already reached its zenith & spread to S-E countries.
• The new religion brought a different architecture using new techniques, new materials ,new elements
& new building typologies
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA- EVOLUTION
ISLAMIC
• Architecture of space-interior spatial quality is more imp.than exterior.
• Arcuated system for creating large spaces inside.
• light,colour,texture,water,vegetation for enhancing the spatial experience inside.
• Interior spaces richly decorated in polychromy using calligraphy, geometry, arabesque
• Brick & mortar with external cladding in using glazed tiles, mosaic or stucco plaster.
INDIAN
• Architecture of Mass- emphasis given to composition of exterior masses.
• Trebated system resulted in smaller interior spaces.
• Scale,proportion,symmetry,harmony created by following vastusasthra.
• Both exterior & interior are richly decorated using sculptures& carvings depicting epics.
• Stone masonry without mortar joints-often monochromatic except when murals are used.
The evolution of Islamic Architecture in India can be classified into 3 stages:
1. Early period: under Delhi sultanate, Islamic Architecture trying to establish in India, Craftsmen not
experienced in Arcuated system. new building typologies such as mosque, minaret, tomb appear for
first time
 2. Middle period: at new Islamic kingdoms in various provinces such as
Punjab,Bengal,Gujrat,Malwa,Deccan-a new vocabulary originated from regional influences ,arcuated
system was perfected.
3. Late period : classical period under Mughals when Art & architecture reached its zenith creating
masterpieces in Architecture.
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN DELHI
DELHI IMPERIAL STYLE:
The five dynasties were
• the slave/Mamluk dynasty (1206–90)
• the Khilji dynasty (1290–1320)
• the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414)
• the Sayyid dynasty (1414–51)and
• the Afghan Lodi dynasty (1451–1526).
SLAVE DYNASTY( AD 1206-90)
QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM MOSQUE (AD 1195)
In the late 12th century, Muhammad of Ghor (1162–1206) conquered most of northern India, appointed one
of his generals, Qutb al-Din Aibak as governor of the land 1191 AD . However after the death of Ghori in in
1206 AD he declared his independence and
proclaimed himself sultan of Delhi,establishing
the slave dynasty.

Quwwat-ul-Islam was the first mosque ever

built in Delhi, It was built 1193 immediately
after the Qutub-ud-din took control of Delhi
(known as Qila Rai Pithora at that time) from
Prithviraj.
it consists of the courtyard 217’x150’ surrounded by the pillared cloisters on the 3 sides. On the western side
pillars are arranged in more elaborated fashion to form the sanctuary
Local craftsmen not familiar with arcuated system used known technique of corbelling to create the domes
&arches.

Built using materials reused from existing temples in the citadel.

2 pillars were placed one on top of other & joined by mortar

A screen wall of 7 arches with ogee shape was added later t give emphasis to W.wall

Arch having a shape similar to Buddhist chaitya arches. The rubble masonry work was covered with a veneer
of red sandstone& covered in graceful carvings.
QUTUB MINAR (AD1199 )
The construction of the Qutub minar was started in 1199AD by Qutub-ud-din as minaret for the Quwwat-ul-

Islam mosque

Tallest stone tower in the Islamic world238’ (73m) -Inspired by Central .Asian prototypes , this tower was a
new idea in india.
Started by qutub –ud-din aibak & completed by Iltumish
Intricate carvings in sandstone, shows stone masons mastery of craftsmanship.
MOSQUE AT AJMER (AD1193
Adhai din ka jhonpra was built by Qutub-ud-din using elements sourced from existing temples in the site.built
on a larger scale over a raised platform

3 columns placed on top of each other to get the required height for prayer hall
Roof had 7 shallow corbelled domes over square pillared bays.

Ogee shaped false arch at entrance resembling Buddhist chaitya arches.

screen of 7 arches were added by Iltumish, more ornate ,trefoil & ogee shape for arches.2 small minarets over
central arch.

SULTAN GHARI (AD 1231)

Sultan ghari was the first Islamic Mausoleum (tomb) built in 1231 AD for Prince Nasiru'd-Din Mahmud, eldest
son of Iltumish
Octagonal tomb placed in the square courtyard of a mosque.
The crypt or the tomb is implanted in a Ghari (cave), approached by winding steep stairs made of stone, and
supported by pillars and flooring
The mosque sanctuary has a central domed nave with a foliated arch as mihrab and aisles on either side. The
whole is fronted by a colonnade of marble pillars with bracket capitals
The exterior is built of grey granite with circular bastions projecting from each corner of the square.

The structure is raised on a high plinth 10’ (3m) with a massive portal on the east.
White marble used to create emphasis on important elemnts.
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
TOMB OF ILTUMISH ( AD1235)
North-west of the enlarged mosque at the Qutb. The mausoleum square structure 42’ side & a height of 30’
with entrance on the 3 sides, while western side is closed to accommodate 3 beautifully carved mihrabs.
Its plain exterior contrasts with its interior - the whole of which is covered from top to bottom on all four sides
by rich carvings on the sandstone-clad walls.
The cenotaph and the arches of the mihrab towards the west(marking the direction of Mecca) are both in
marble, again a garland of inscriptions from the Quran.
Iltutmishs tomb is interesting as it reveals quite clearly the first attempt in India to solve the dome on a square
problem - a squinch was employed
Squinch is basically a mechanism of supporting arches at the corner of the square hall to convert it into
circular shape on the upper side so that it can support the circular dome

KHILJI DYNASTY( AD1290-1320)

Firoz Jallal –ud – din Khalji (1290) – ascended the throne of Delhi at the age of 70. This period marks the
evolution of another period in the Indo-Islamic architecture-ARCHITECTURE USING TRUE ARCHES & DOMES
ALAI DARWAZA ( AD1311)
Ala-ud-din Khalji – murdered Jallal-ud-din – crowned himself the King. He expanded the qutub complex 6
times original size by adding another courtyard. Built Alai- darwaza as a gateway to the complex.
Square plan 56 ft (17m) square base. Dome – 34ft (10.3m). Squinches constructed of true arches Blend of red
sandstone and white marble as facing materials. Proper stone masonry course with stretcher & header.
This is the first building in India to employ Islamic architectural principles in its construction and
ornamentation
Sitting atop a high plinth, it is pierced by arched doorways on all its sides – the one facing the mosque is
slightly circular, while the rest are horse-shoe shaped arches with arrow-like indentations across their curved
surface
On the outside, bands of marble and sandstone add a certain flair to the gateway’s surface – these bands,
depicting calligraphy and floral patterns, cover the gateway’s entire surface.
treatment of outer façade as two storeyed 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.
Interior & exterior are covered with intricate carvings in calligraphy, geometric & floral patterns.
Small pilasters on both sides of the arch opening
Proper use of arched squinch for supporting the dome
JAMAT KHANA MOSQUE ( AD1320)
This mosque marked a major departure from the usual cloisters and courtyard scheme. Here, for the first
time, liwan was transformed into one composite columnless rectangular hall.
It was also the first mosque without maqsura, the attached screen of arches. It was replaced by a three-arched
opening in its east wall.
Jamat Khana mosque, located just next to the great Sufi Nizam Ud Din Auliya saint’s final resting place.
Like most other structures of this era and indeed the entire Islamic era, red sandstone was majorly used in the
structure.
The Indian builders too were getting more comfortable with arches. The span of arches is an indication of this
growing level of comfort.
The interior design of the mosque closely resembles that of the Alai Darwaza. However, one major difference
between the two is that here, the curves of the arches incline to develop a slightly ogee shape at the top. Also,
the horseshoe shape of these arches is not as perfect.

TUGLAQ DYNASTY (1320-1412 AD)

By the time Khalji dynasty ended, the Islamic building traditions were more or less firmly established. It was
now left for the future kings and Sultans to innovate, experiment and consolidate.
It was early fourteenth century. Islam was a powerful component of the mainstream. Islamic rulers were
ruling over a major part of the country, and influencing its culture and lifestyle in a major way.
CITY OF TUGLAQUABAD (1320-1412 AD
Tughlaqabad today stands on the highest point of the rock formation on which it was built. It is a huge fort,
spread over six square kilometers
Ghiyas Ud Tughlaq declared himself as the Sultan and started building Tughlaqabad, the next city of Delhi
It is said that when Tughlaqabad was being built, the great Sufi Nizamuddin Auliya was also building his dargah
in Nizamuddin, then known as Ghiyaspur. The emperor had employed all the laborers on his project, leaving
none for any other. Work was on night and day. The saint managed to get some workers to work for him
during night, under the light of the oil lamp. This enraged the emperor who, a victim of his ego, prohibited the
sale of oil.
Its sloping walls, made of huge irregular stones and rubble masonry and huge circular bastions at close
intervals, give an impression of great strength and solidity. But then, appearances can be very deceptive.
Within five years of the completion of the construction, the dream fort of Ghiyas Ud Din Tughlaq was deserted
due to a severe scarcity of water
The tomb is situated in an unusual pentagonal fortified enclosure. This fortress like design was a reflection of
political instability of the times.
Tomb of Giyas ud-din Tughlaq
 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 of a Hindu temple.
 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) bridge, 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
Feroz Shah Kotla
A fortress built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq to house his version of Delhi city called Ferozabad, which was
established in 1354 on the banks of Yamuna river.
A pristine polished sandstone pillar, 13.1 metres high, from the 3rd century B.C. rises from the palace's
crumbling remains, one of many pillars left by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka; it was moved from Ambala,
Punjab (currently in Haryana) and re-erected in its current location in 1356.
 Citadel of Firoz shah kotla is 800 m X 400m
 Consists of private palaces, mosques, harems of royal court, gardens, baths, tanks, barracks, armory,
servant quarters E River Yamuna Diwani khas Diwan-i-am
 Main entrance is in the western side
 Three tiered structure
 Every platform is set back from the preceding one to create terraces in front of a series of
compartments
 Inspiration - terraced Buddhist viharas Inhabited by the concubines of the King
- pseudo militaristic style of Ghiyas-ud-din
Khirki Masjid

Approached from the Khirki village in South Delhi and close

to the Satpula or the seven arched bridge on the edge of
southern wall of Jahapanah (the fourth city of Medieval
Delhi)
Built by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah, the Prime Minister of
Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1351–1388.
The word 'Khirki' prefixed to masjid is an Urdu word that
means "window" and hence is also called "The Masjid of
Windows
 Khirki Masjid belongs to the Indo-Islamic style of
architecture - a distinctive blend of Islamic as well as
traditional Hindu style of 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.
 The mosque, which is built with rubble masonry
covered externally with plaster, has majestic steps leading up to it.
 The Mosque has a 52 m (170.6 ft)x52 m (170.6 ft) square plan in an area of 87 m2 (936.5 sq ft).
 It is raised on a plinth of 3 m (9.8 ft).
 There are four open courtyards (square in size of 9.14 m (30.0 ft) on each side) encircled by arcades
built with 180 square structural columns and 60 pilasters, which run in north–south direction and
divides into aisles. The open courtyards are the source of light and ventilation to the internal prayer
spaces.
 The roof is partitioned into 25 squares of equal size with 9 small domes in each square (totaling to 81
domes) and alternated by 12 flat roofs to cover the roof. There are four open courts. This internal
layout gives a spectacular view. Sunlight streams in through these square openings.
 The four corners of the mosque are adorned with towers with three protruding gateways, one in the
middle of each face, with tapering turrets flanking each gate.
 The southern gate, with imposing steps at the main entrance, exhibits a combination of arch and
trabeated construction. It has an ornamental rectilinear frame.
 The main gate, which leads to the qibla on the western wall, has a projecting mihrab.
 However, the foyer in front of the mihrab is not well lighted since light from the latticed windows on
the second floor do not penetrate this space.

SAYYID & LODI DYNASTY ( 1414- 1526 AD)

Khizr Khan who was the governor of Punjab under the Lodi dynasty took over the reins at Delhi, in 1414 AD,
after defeating Daulat Khan Lodi. He established the Sayyid dynasty, which had four successors till 1451 AD.
His son Muizud Din Mubarak Shah succeeded him
The Sayyids ruled at a chaotic time as India recovered from Timur's invasion. There were four Sultans in the
period of 37 years.
• Khizr Khan (1414 - 1421)
• Mubarrak Shah II (1421 - 1435)
• Muhammad Shah IV (1435 - 1445)
• Aladdin Alam Shah (1445 - 1451 )
Sayyid dynasty's 37 years remained troubled with internal chaos, provided way for Buhlul Lodhi, an Ahgan
chief to come to power in Delhi -Lodhi Dynasty.
• Bahlul Lodhi (1451-1489)
• Sikander Lodhi (1489-1517)
• Ibrahim Lodhi ( 1517-1526)
Tomb architecture under Sayyids & Lodhis:
Delhi became a necropolis with as many as 50 tombs built around Tughlaquabad.2 Types of Tombs Evolved:
Octagonal type:
• Mostly for royalty due to association with first shrine-Dome of the Rock
• Inspired by tomb of Khan –e- Jahan Telengani
• Octagonal space surrounded by open verandah ,huge dome on top
Square type:
• Typical cube & dome type –also called a Gumbad, for nobles
• Inspired by Alai Darwaza with 2/3 storey facades.
• Huge Boat keel Dome on top
During British Raj, it was landscaped by Lady Willingdon, wife of Governor-General of India, Marquess of
Willingdon, and hence named the 'Lady Willingdon Park' upon its inauguration on April 9, 1936 and 1947,
after Independence, it was given its present name, Lodi Gardens.

TOMB OF MOHAMMED SHAH SAYYID ( 1444 AD)

The architecture of the tomb building of the three
rulers Mubarak Sayyid, Muhammed Sayyid and
Sikandar Lodi are identical, the only exception is the
crown of the dome of Mubarak Sayyid which is four
feet lower than the other two tombs.
. They measures 30 feet each to the octagonal side, 74
feet width, and the height of the dome, excluding the
finial is 54.’ unique feature of proportions, ht to width
ratio same for octagons.ht of octgon is half the total ht. ornamental pinnacle called guldasta t corners.

TOMB OF MUBARAK SHAH ( 1434 AD)

• Octagonal plan with 30’ sides, surrounded by an open verandah.

• 50’ high dome (boat keel shape) with 70’ base surrounded by chatris.
• The hall and the verandah are provided with supporting sloping buttresses at the corners.
• 8 pillared chatris surround the dome.
• A sixteen sided fortification, with turrets in each corner, supports the low dome structure. The turrets
are crowned by a lantern.
• Three tiers of Quranic inscriptions adorn the springing of the ceiling of the dome .,carved plaster
decorations.
• After the death of Mubarak Khan Shah, his nephew Muhammad Khan ascended the throne and styled
himself as Sultan
Muhammad Shah.

BARA GUMBAD
( 1490 AD)

Though it looks like

a tomb it has no
graves inside and
is more like a
 colossal gateway to a mosque. The gate, which stands on a platform furnished with arched recesses, is
called the Bara Gumbad on account of its lofty dome. It measures 18.89 meters square & has a height
of 29 m. Similar to Alai Darwaza in its form.
The walls of the Bara Gumbad are approx. 12 meters tall, above which a hemispherical dome on a
hexadecagonal drum extends another 14 meters from the roof level, for a total building height of 29
meters above ground level.
A projecting portal composed of an ogee arch set in a rectangular frame (approx. 8 meters wide), is
centered in each elevation
SHISH GUMBAD ( 1490 AD)

Typical cube & dome

construction in local
stone-Delhi
Quartzite. Exterior
decorated using Blue
glazed tiles .Dome
ceiling decorated in
floral motifs &
Quranic verse.West side wall closed with a Mihrab. Receding
arches ,beam & bracket for upenings.

GARDEN TOMB OF SIKANDER LODI (1518 AD)

• Built by Ibrahim Lodi, for his father Sikander Lodi in 1518
• The tomb is set in the middle of garden 76 m square with walls 3.5m high.
• The western wall has quibla marked by arches & paved area.
• The most important structural feature of the tomb is the double dome, which was designed to
preserve the symmetry and relative proportions of the body of the building.
• This feature was probably borrowed from Iran
• Interior has tile work & painted –palsterd ceiling.