IMPERIAL DELHI SULTANATE ARCHITECTURE (5:03 PM)

• Slave Dynasty (1206-1290)
• In the Slave period, no new introduction happened, but in fact, old religious buildings of India were converted into Islamic premises
• For example, the building in Mehrauli complex in Delhi
• Quwat-ul-Islam mosque was constructed with fallen debris from Prithvi Raj Chauhan's Kila Rai Pithoda
• Another notable building was Qutub Minar, created in memory of Sufi saint Qutub-ud-din Bakhtyar Kaki (The entire development of Qutub Minar took place in many phases like Iltutumis period, Firoz Shah Tughlaq times, and finally by Sikander Lodi)
• In Ajmer was also a converted religious structure
• Arhai-din-ka-Jhopra in Ajmer was also a converted religious structure
• In this phase, they mainly used red sandstone
• Khilji Period (1290-1320)
• In this phase, true arch and dome method construction were introduced
• The preferred stone at this time was once again red sandstone
• Alai Darwaja in Mehrauli complex is the first building that had a true arch and dome
• In 1304, Alaudin Khilji laid the foundation of one of the precursor cities of Delhi, Siri
• Tughlaq Period (1320-1414)
• This period is often referred to as the crisis period of architecture
• Tughlaq rulers were fearful that buildings created by the previous rulers were not strong and resilient
• They made many changes in the architecture of that time
• For example, red sandstone was replaced with grey sandstone which was easily available, stronger, and cheaper than red sandstone
• They also introduced the Battar effect in the buildings, whereby walls of the building were slanted a little bit so as to provide establish to the buildings
• Moreover, the base of the wall was reinforced with concrete structure
• Tughlaq rulers mainly created fort structures in the cities
• They founded the following three precursor cities of Tughlaqabadh created by Ghias-ud-din Tughlaq, Jahapannah by Muhammad-bin-Tughlar, Firoz Shah Kotla by Firoz Shah Tughlaq
• Sayyid Period (1414-1451)
• Sayyid introduced the Guldasta form of decoration and octagonal tomb in India
• They also introduced blue enameled tiles
• For example, Muhammad Shah's tomb in Delhi
• Lodhi Period (1451-1526)
• It was also the crisis period of architecture but Lodi rulers turned the crisis into an opportunity
• They introduced a double-dome structure
• It was not only beautiful but also strong and resilient
• Once it was introduced, the tradition of making double-dome structures continued till the British period
• They also incorporated the Indian concept of Varanda in the Sultanate buildings
• Lodis were the first to start the practice of planting gardens around the buildings
• For example, the tombs of Behlul Lodi, Sikander Lodi, and Ibrahim Lodi in Lodi Garden in Delhi

PROVINCIAL ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI SULTANATE (5:45 PM)

• Bengal Architecture
• They mainly used brick and Blackstone in construction
• The specialty of Bengal architecture was the creation of sloping Bangla roof
• They also used thin terracotta bricks in the construction
• The expanse of buildings was very large, but their heights were stunted
• For example, the Kadam Rasul mosque of Gaur and Adhina Masjid of Pandua
• Jaunpur Architecture
• It is also referred to as the Sharqui style
• The special feature of this area was the development of huge propylon gateways
• Moreover, they did not create Minars or Minarets in their mosque
• For example, Atala masjid of Jaunpur so as Jama masjid of Jaunpur
• Malwa Architecture
• It was developed by the Pathan rulers of Malwa
• It was the finest of provincial architecture
• Features
• They used a wide variety of stones in construction
• Large windows were created and special emphasis was given to cross-ventilation
• They created well-proportioned staircases
• Arches were beautifully created in the hallways of the buildings
• At some places high rise pavilions were created to capture the best view of Narmada Valley
• For example, Maudu Fort, Ashrafi Mahal, Jahaz Mahal, Rani Rupmati Pavillion, Hindola Mahal, etc. in Mandu
• Gujarat Architecture
• It was developed by Islamic rulers of Gujarat like Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Shah, and Bahadur Shah
• Gujarat architecture is noted for its close resemblance to Hindu architecture
• For example, Jali works, a large number of pillars in the buildings, and a lintel roof
• Some of the finest Jalis of India were created in Sidi Saiyyed
• Tim Darwaza, Lal Darwaza, old Ahmedabad city complex, etc. are some other examples
• Bijapur Architecture
• It developed under the rule of Adil Shah of Bijapur
• This style of architecture is noted for the creation of the highly bulbous and almost spherical dome
• They also created cornices in their buildings and three three-facet arch
• Of these arches only one was functional and the other two were blind
• For example, Gol Gumbaz, Adil Sahah Moselum, and Jama Masjid of Bijapur

MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE (6:25 PM)

• Neither Babur nor Humayun had enough time or opportunity to create landmark structures in India
• Though Babur created two mosques one at Panipat and the other at Sambhal in UP
• Humayun led the foundation of one of the precursor cities of Delhi, Dinpannah but he was not able to complete it
• Humayun's tomb, made by Hamida Begum and Begha Begum was the first landmark architecture of the Mughal period
• This building is considered as perfect balance of arch and dome construction and the best blend of red sandstone and white marble
• It was also the first building around which Chahar Bagh (four similar identical gardens were planted)
• Akbar's period architecture (7:21 PM)
• Initially, Akbar led the foundation of Red Fort Agra, but later in reverence of Sufi Saint Salem Chisti, he decided to shift his capital complex to Fatehpur Sikri
• At this particular place, all the architectural things were a combination or fusion of  Islamic, Hindu, Rajput, and other local elements
• One of the marvels of Sikri town was Buland Darwaza, created after the Gujarat victory by Akbar
• It is noted for Tudor type of arches
• One of the unique architectural pieces was the Punch Mahal, created in trabeate Rajput style
• It has a large number of pillars and it is a five-storey flat roof building with receding structures
• Huge Rajput-style balconies were also created in this building
• Some other notable buildings in Fatehpur Sikri are as follows:
• 1. Birbal palace
• 2. Jodha Palace
• 3. Jahangiri Mahal
• 4. Salim Chisti's tomb: It was the best example of Jali work or stone tracery work
• 5. Ibadat Khana: This building was meant for religious discussion and deliberation with the representatives of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity
• One of the outcomes of these discussions was the creation of a new theology by Akbar popularly known as Din-e-Illahi
• With this new religion, Akbar wanted to spread the message of Suhl-i-Kuhl (universal peace and brotherhood)
• 6. Diwan-e-aam: Meeting place with common public
• 7. Diwan-e-Khash: Meeting place with special people
• One of the luminaries of Akbar's Court Raja Man Singh of Amer created the Gobind Dev temple of Vrindavan which was also highly funded by Akbar

Topic for the next class: Mughal Architecture (Jahangir onwards), Religion and Philosophy