3AR2: History of architecture-I

TOPICS
Islamic architecure in india – pre mughal period
• Delhi region
– Salient features of the religion, its philosophy and method of worship
– Evolution of the Islamic architecture in India and its development covering mosques, tombs, forts & other
structures,
– Focus on new construction techniques like arch, dome, squinch, surface decoration, etc.
– Examples Qutub complex, incl Quwwat-ul-islam, Qutub Minar, extensions by the khaljis, Alai Darwaja, Alai
Minar, Tughlaqabad, Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, Khirki Masjid, Ferozshah Kotla & Hauz Khas
• Regional Sultanates
– Growth and development of indo-islamic architecture in areas outside Delhi.
– Gujarat, Gulbarga & Bijapur.
– To study the influence of local traditional architecture and fusion with Islamic architecture, Both religious
and nonreligious
– Examples: (Jami Masjid, Ahemdabad), Dada Hari’s Wavdi, Jami Masjid ( Gulbarga), Sayyad Usman’s Rauza
( Ahemdabad), Ibrahim Rouza & Gol Gumbaz, (Bijapur)
 TOPICS
Islamic architecure in india – Mughal period
• Growth and development of Indo Islamic during Mughal
period
• Focus on newer Construction technology, Material and
architectural influences in tomb and palace architecture
• Examples: Tombs of Mubarak Shah, Sikandar Lodi, Shershah
Suri, Humayun, Itmad-ud-Daula, Akbar & Taj mahal, Palace
complex at Fatehpur Sikri
 Islam
Islam is the monotheistic religion articulated
by the Quran, a text considered by its
adherents to be the verbatim word of God
(Allah)
ISLAM means ‘submission to god’.
Youngest of the world’s religions professes
its faith in ALLAH , the one god.
Year of birth : 622 AD
Founded by Prophet Muhammad
Islamic architecture

Types of Islamic Architecture

• Mosque – muslim centre @ place
for worship
• Madrasah – public school
• Hammam – A structural design
for a hot bath house
• Caravanserai -A road side inn for
travellers
• Casbah/Citadel – a fortress
• Mausoleum – a tomb or a
monument
Mosque Typology
Mosque Architectural Features

Mashrabiya–
projecting window
Arch – structure enclosed with
that spans a space carved wood
while supporting latticework
weight

Dome -focal point
and covering the
main prayer hall
Mihrab -
semicircular niche
in the wall of a
mosque that
indicates the qibla
 Mosque Architectural Features

Mimbar– a pulpit where imam

deliver khutbah

Sahn – a courtyard Minaret - visual focal point

combine with ablution and are used for the call to
area prayer
 Mosque Architectural Features
Islamic Decorative Elements

Geometric Pattern
These patterns exemplify the Islamic interest in
repetition, balance, symmetry and continuous
generation of pattern.
Arabesque (islimi) - Arabesque designs are
biomorphic, floral patterns representing the
underlying order and unity of naturewith a
great deal of accuracy. flowers and trees
might be used as the motifs for the
decoration of textiles, objects and buildings
 Mosque Architectural Features

Water In hot Islamic climates, the

Calligraphy Like other Islamic decoration, Light can add a
water from courtyard pools and
calligraphy is closely linked to geometry. dynamic quality to
fountains cools as it decorates.
The proportions of the letters are all architecture,
Water can not only reflect
governed by mathematics. Inscriptions extending patterns,
architecture and multiply the
are most often used as a frame along forms and designs
decorative themes, it can also
and around main elements of a building into the dimensions
serve as a means of emphasizing
like portals and cornices. of time.
the visual axes.
 Qutub Complex

SCREEN ILTUTMISH TOMB

IRON
PILLAR
QUTUB MOSQUE
MINAR

ALAI MINAR
ALAI
DARWAZA
Qutub Complex
 Qutub Complex
QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM MASJID
To mark victory over Rai Pithora,
Qutub-ud-Din Aibak built the
Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid in 1192
which was completed in 1198.
It is the earliest mosque in India,
having a rectangular court.
The court is enclosed by cloisters
which were erected with carved
columns and other architectural
members from the 27 Hindu and
Jain temples, which were later
demolished.
 Qutub Complex
QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM MASJID

The walls and pillars are having Brahmanical motifs like

intrinsic Hindu architectural motifs. the kalasa and lotus on
pillars
 Qutub Complex
QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM MASJID

IRON PILLAR

The Iron Pillar dates back to the 4th century

BC.
It is a 7 m (23 ft) column in the Qutb complex,
notable for the rust-free composition of the
metals used in its construction.
The pillar was cast in its present form not
forged.
 Length 7.2m of which 93 cm is underground.
Diameter - 0.41 m.
Garuda idol at top missing.
 Qutub Complex
ILTUTMISH TOMB
It is a landmark in Indo-Islamic architecture.
It is believed to have had a dome which was later
damaged.
There are 3 entrances on all 3 sides, but the west,
which was for the mihrabs.
 It is a simple square chamber, covered originally by
a circular dome that was carried on a form of
squinch arch.
Inside is decorated and elaborated with Quranic
verses.
 Marble is used in mehrab and cenotaph.
It is made of red sand stone, situated northwest of
the minaret.
 Qutub Complex
ILTUTMISH TOMB
 Qutub Complex
ALAI DARWAZA
It is the southern gateway of the mosque,
and is a gem of Islamic architecture in India.
It was built by Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1311.
It is 17.2m square and pierced by ached
openings that echo the contours of the
covering dome.
The arch to the north is semicircular while
the others are of pointed horse shoe shape.
It has intricate carvings in red sandstone and
marble.
 It has red stone jalli screens.
Qutub Complex

ALAI DARWAZA
 Qutub Complex
ALAI MINAR

Ala-ud-Din wanted to build a second tower of

victory twice as high as Qutab Minar but
when he died the tower had reached only
24.5 meters and later no one was willing to
continue his over ambitious project.
It stands to the north of the Qutab Minar
and the mosque.
It was to have ramps instead of stairs.
Windows are at regular quadrant heights,
for a gradual ramp to be made.
VARITIES OF SQUINCH
VARITIES OF ARCHES
ESSENTIAL PART OF INDIAN MOSUE
 TUGHLAQ DYNASTY

Major Architecture Strctures Major Architecture Features

• Tughlaqabad • Fortified cities
• Tomb of Giyas-ud-din Tughlaq • Tapered multilevel Circular Bastions
• Feroz Shah Kotla • Sloped Thick Walls
• Khirki Masjid • True Arch and Domes
• Hauz Khas • Indo Islamic fusion – Arches with lintels.
• Rubble masonry finished with dressed and
polished sandstone.
• Pointy Barbicans
 Tughlaqabad Qila
 It is considered to be
one of the seven
historical cities of
Delhi, which
flourished during the
time of the Tughlak
dynasty.  
 It was between 1321
and 1325 AD, that
 The fort was abandoned after 15 years of its
Tughlakabad was
construction due to water scarcity.
founded, 8 kilometers
Acc. to certain legends, Tughlakabad was devastated
from the Qutab and
due to the curse of a religious leader named
15 kilometers away
Nijamuddin. 
from the city.
lies along the Mehrauli-Badarpur road.
 Tughlaqabad Qila
Tughlaqabad is
divided into three
parts :
a) a palace
c section
a
b) a citadel and
c) a residential
b
city.
 Tughlaqabad Qila

Rampart Leading to the Fort Entrance Ruins of the Palace Complex Arch within Palace Complex
• Dual purpose of a defensive structure as well as the imperial capital
• Palace complex Built around Courtyards
• The borderline walls are inclined inward and stand tall at a height of 11.75
meters.
• The arch shaped corridors and concave chambers stretch along the interiors
of the courts borderline wall.
• number of monuments within the precincts of this massive fort now in ruins
 Tughlaqabad Qila
• The fort of Tughlaqabad was completed rapidly in a short span of four years
(1321–25).

• It had huge walls, double-storied bastions, and gigantic towers to house grand
palaces, splendid mosques, and audience halls.

• The walls are thick, sloping and high, capable of withstanding Mongol attacks.

• Rubble masonry is used to make up the shape of the structure, with huge
sandstone blocks, probably quarried from the surrounding hills, enveloping the
rubble.
Tughlaqabad Qila
The most interesting structure within the fort is - an
underground passageway with chambers along the length
linking to the palace area.

• There is a
building with a
roof – the only one
in the
fort that is still
complete. It has
been conjectured
that it functioned
as a house.
 TOMB OF GHIYAS-UD-DIN TUGHLAQ
 It is situated in the south of the fortress of
Tughlaqabad
 It was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq in AD
1325 within an unusual irregular pentagonal
fortified enclosure.
 The structure of this building is simple but
elegant.
 The tomb is connected to the fortress by a
228.6 m long causeway,  that is supported by
26 piers and arches.
 the mausoleum is built from red sandstone
and is topped by a white marble dome which
is raised on an octagonal drum.
 TOMB OF GHIYAS-UD-DIN TUGHLAQ
• The structure of this simple but elegant
Building.
• The plan was dictated by the contours of
the hillock just outside the southern gates
of the fortress over which this barbican-like
structure was planted.

ARCH AND LINTEL

• The most characteristic of these is the mixed attitude of
the Hindu builder to the arched form of construction
and the lintel and beam method.
• In spite of using true arch to span the openings ,a
redundant stone lintel was installed just below the
springing of the arch
 TOMB OF GHIYAS-UD-DIN TUGHLAQ
KALASA OVER THE MUSLIM DOME
• The Dome is crowned with the KALASA pinnacle
and hence depicts Hindu architectural influences as
seen in Hindu Temples across Delhi.

GRAVE
• Here lie the remains of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq,
his wife , Begam Makhdima Jehan, and his son
and later Sultan, Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
 Firoz shah kotla

 Built by the famous ruler, Sultan Firoz

Shah Tughluq in the year 1354, it is a
typical structure of that era.
• Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq established
Ferozabad and Feroz Shah kotla.
 It was the grand royal citadel of the
city.
 Firoz shah kotla

 The entrance has a huge iron gate with a board that bears the name of Feroz
Shah Kotla.
 The boundary walls of the fort, built as a stone masonry, are 15 meters high
 The 13 mts high Ashoka Pillar stands tall on the top of a pyramidal three-tiered
structure was brought by Feroz Shah Tughlaq from Ambala to Delhi.
 Firoz shah kotla

PYRAMIDAL STRUCTURE
 It is a three-storey building which was specially
commissioned by Feroz Shah to support the
Ashoka pillar.
 This monolith pillar is 13 meters high, with a
diameter of 65 centimeters at the top and 97
centimeters at the bottom.
 It was crowned by a capital of colored stones and a
golden globe with a crescent on top.
 Firoz shah kotla
JAMI MASJID
 Built inside Feroz Shah’s Kotla, Jami Masjid
used to be one of the largest mosques of the
Tughlaq period.
 It was built on a series of underground cells
and made of quartzite stone covered with
lime plaster and surrounded by a huge
courtyard with cloisters and a Prayer Hall.
 The entrance of Jama Masjid lies on the
northern side and was connected by a
causeway to the pyramidal structure of the
Ashoka Pillar.
 Firoz shah kotla
BAOLI

 The circular Baoli, which means 'step well', lies towards the north western
side of the Ashokan Pillar.

 This Baoli served as a summer retreat for the Royalties where they spent time
cooling off and bathing in the water of this well.
 KHIRKI MASJID

 Entrance of khirki masjid is from

south.
 The word 'Khirki' prefixed
to masjid is an Urdu word that
means "window" and hence is also
called "The Masjid of Windows"
 The Masjid, which is in a
quadrangular shape, was built as a
fortress with an unusual fusion
of Islamic and
traditional Hindu architecture.
 KHIRKI MASJID
THE LAYOUT
 Instead of one big open courtyard, the
mosque has four smaller square
courtyards measuring 30 Ft x 30 Ft.
 Another interesting aspect of this
mosque is its design of the terrace.
 Partitioned into 25 squares of equal
size, each square has 9 domes on each
side, measuring 81 in all & these
square blocks are alternated by 12 flat
roofs, giving a very distinct shadow
upon the interiors.
 HAUZ KHAS
  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
• The notable structures built by Firuz
Shah on the eastern and northern side
of the reservoir consisted of
the Madrasa ,the small Mosque, the
Main tomb for himself and six domed
pavilions in its precincts, which were all
built between 1352 and 1354 A.D.
• The madrasa complex measures 76
metres N-S by 138 metres along the E-
W.The six individual domed
pavilionsare all scattered in the
gardens of the eastern part of the
complex.
 HAUZ KHAS
FIROZ SHAH’S TOMB
• 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
fourteenfaced 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).
 HAUZ KHAS
• The tomb, a square chamber, is made of
local quartzite rubble with a surface
plaster finish that sparkled in white color
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.
 HAUZ KHAS
Three Pavilions (Front View) Adjoining Complex
Regional Sultanates
• Growth and development of indo-
islamic architecture in areas outside
Delhi.
• To study the influence of local
traditional architecture and fusion with
Islamic architecture, Both religious and
nonreligious
• Examples:
• Jami Masjid
• Sayyad Usman’s Rauza Ahemdabad

• Dada Hari’s Wavdi,

• Jami Masjid Gulbarga

• Ibrahim Rouza
• Gol Gumbaz Bijapur
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
• This Islamic style of architecture flourished for a period of 250 years from the early 14th
century when the Governors appointed by the Khalji Sultans of Delhi established
themselves in the western seaboard in Anhilawada (Patan), until the rule of Ahmed Shahi
dynasty declined in the last half of the 16th century.
• 2 factors are responsible for the prodigious output of architecture :
• The powerful Ahmed Shahi dynasty, wanted to surround
themselves with architectural evidences of their might.
• The supply of skilled indigenous workmen.
• The tradition of the local craftsmen of Guj, though ancient, was so
vibrantly alive that the Muslim rulers had no choice but to opt
themselves this style for preparation of mosques & tombs.
• Many structures are adaptations or extracts of local Hindu and Jain
temples.
• The Gujarat style is the most indigenous Indian style of all the
provincial styles.
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
• This Islamic style of architecture flourished for a period of 250 years from the early 14th
century when the Governors appointed by the Khalji Sultans of Delhi established
themselves in the western seaboard in Anhilawada (Patan), until the rule of Ahmed Shahi
dynasty declined in the last half of the 16th century.
• 2 factors are responsible for the prodigious output of architecture :
• The powerful Ahmed Shahi dynasty, wanted to surround
themselves with architectural evidences of their might.
• The supply of skilled indigenous workmen.
• The tradition of the local craftsmen of Guj, though ancient, was so
vibrantly alive that the Muslim rulers had no choice but to opt
themselves this style for preparation of mosques & tombs.
• Many structures are adaptations or extracts of local Hindu and Jain
temples.
• The Gujarat style is the most indigenous Indian style of all the
provincial styles.
Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat

•Many buildings were built

using materials from Hindu •3 cities founded by
temples mostly pillars would Mahmud Begarha are
be used as they were, while Bitwa, Mahmudabad,
the walls would be built of
Champaner
original masonry, sometimes
using stones taken from the
temples and re-cut to suit the
requirements.
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
Phase 1 : Jami Masjid, Bharoach •Square sunk
coffered ceilings
are decorated
with cusped and
other
geometrical
patterns as
found in temple
roofs.

• All 48 pillars of the sanctuary are of bracket

pattern.
• They are arranged so as to divide the interior into
3 compartments, each corresponding to the three
temple mandapas from where the pillars were
taken. (octaganally aligned supports for erecting 3
corbelled domes)
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
Phase 2 : Jami Masjid, Ahemdabad

• Built by Ahmed Shah in CE 1423

• measuring 116m x 79m, considered to be the high
water mark of mosque design (nadir of mosque design)
on western India.
• Flagged courtyard of 255’ X 220’
• Most Architecture effect in Santuary
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
Phase 2 : Jami Masjid, Ahemdabad

Sanctuary façade:
• The architect has combined the two types of sanctuary facades,
the screen of arches and the pillared portico, with the screen in
the centre and the portico on the wings.
• The juxtaposition of the two elements creates contrast between
the volume and strength of the wall surface and the depth and
airy lightness of the colonnade.
• The large central archway has large moulded buttresses of
minarets on either sides whose upper parts have now
disappeared.
• 2 smaller archways are placed on either side of the central one.
• Directly visible through the archway in the shadows is the
colonnade of the interior with its engrailed arch springing lightly
from its slender columns
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
Phase 2 : Jami Masjid, Ahemdabad
• Sanctuary Interior:
• The santuary is a hypostyle hall consisting of
around 300 pillars symetrically arranged at
distance of 5’
• The central compartment of the nave rises up to 3
storeys, the side aisles are 2 storeys and the rest of
the hall is single storeyed
• The nave is composed of two pillared galleries one
above the other. The enclosed triple height space
which is overlooked from the galleries is square in
plan on the first floor and octagonal on the second
and is covered by a dome.
• Each overlooking balcony is provided with an asana
or a sloping backed seat as seen in temples.
• Around the exterior of the balconies are pillared
verandahs and in the arcade between the pillars
are stone jalis through which the galleries are
illuminated.
 Provincial Architectire - Gujarat
Phase 2 : Jami Masjid, Ahemdabad
• Sanctuary Interior:
• The santuary is a hypostyle hall consisting of
around 300 pillars symetrically arranged at
distance of 5’
• The central compartment of the nave rises up to 3
storeys, the side aisles are 2 storeys and the rest of
the hall is single storeyed
• The nave is composed of two pillared galleries one
above the other. The enclosed triple height space
which is overlooked from the galleries is square in
plan on the first floor and octagonal on the second
and is covered by a dome.
• Each overlooking balcony is provided with an asana
or a sloping backed seat as seen in temples.
• Around the exterior of the balconies are pillared
verandahs and in the arcade between the pillars
are stone jalis through which the galleries are
illuminated.
 Provincial Architectire - Gulbarga
Jami Masjid, Gulbarga

Built By: Bahamani Dynasty

Year Of Completion: Approx.1300s
 Provincial Architectire - Gulbarga
Jami Masjid, Gulbarga
Main points:
• Shape: Rectangular
• Mihrab on west end with trefoil arch
• No Courtyard
• No Minarets
• Instead of courtyard arcade of pointed
arches.
• Domes :
• 1 large dome(west)(abovemihrab)
• 4 medium sized (corners)
• 75 small domes
• Vaulted Barrel Roof Above Bays
• 27 Barrel vaulted roofs above bays:
• 10 bays on both sides of prayer hall
• 7 bays on east end
 Provincial Architectire - Gulbarga
Jami Masjid, Gulbarga
Ornamentation:
• Pointed arches
• Trefoil Arch : Mihrab And
Circling The Huge Dome
• Interior Archways--“Moorish
Stalactite Pendentive
Bracketing”… (“Moorish”-north
African Stalactite work: also
known as “honeycomb work”
or Muqrana)
• Petal detailing on turrets
• Small niches with a little carving
• huge dome supported with
squinches
• Small domes supported by
pendatives of archway
 Provincial Architectire - BIJAPUR
Style of Architecture
• Architectural constructions were influenced from the regional culture and thus
became the amalgamation of Turkish culture (as they belong from the Turkish
origin) with that of Indian culture.
• The main features of the building art of Bijapur were the dome, which, in buildings
of average proportions.
• They were almost spherical in shape, and rises out of a band of conventional petals
at its base.
• These forms were repeated to the turrets to provide an ornamental finishing,
surmounted the principal angles of the minarets.
• This specific Bijapur arch was fuller in its curve and had four-centre.
• In the Islamic architecture of Bijapur province, they used cornice, a characteristic
architectural ornament in most of the buildings which were famous for their
remarkable size and projection.
 Provincial Architectire - BIJAPUR
Style of Architecture
• Apart from their separate architectural style, the Indo Islamic architectures of
Bijapur province were also famous for their sculptural element. T
• he patterns which they used to decorate their buildings were from plastic art, so
individual in character.
• Among these different sculptures, one important and famous pattern was the arch
spandrils, consisting of a voluted bracket holding a medallion, and above the arch
was a foliated finial all singularly graceful.
• Several other sculptures were either carved in stone or moulded in stucco with this
typical design such as conventional hanging lamps, running borders, and interlaced
symbols