HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE - V

(CBCS - 2018 SYLLABUS)

Ar. SAHANA S. V SEMESTER, ‘C’ SECTION

Asst. Prof., BMSCA
 ISLAMIC & COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE IN
INDIA

CIE- max 50
SEE- max 100

OBJECTIVE
To provide an understanding of the evolution of Islamic and Colonial Architecture in India in their
various stylistic modes characterized by technology, ornamentation and planning practices.
 ADVENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA

Timeline Event Person/tribe Architectural Intervention

responsible
8th Cent. AD Capture of a Muhammad bin Qasim Obliterated due to natural
(712 AD) few areas of – an Arab who came calamities and time, if any
Sindh to safeguard trade
interests

11th and 12th Multiple raids Ghaznavid and Extensive historic and political
Cent. AD by Turks and Ghorid rule influence but architecturally has not
(1026 AD, Afghans contributed much
1173 AD)

Early 13th Subsequent Qutb-ud-din Spearheading Islamic

Cent. AD Muslim Aibak – Turkish building activity in India.
(1206 – invasion slave of Confluence of Islamic
1210 AD) Muhammed building types with Hindu
Ghori building techniques and
SLAVE existing building
DYNASTY elements gave rise to
Indo-Islamic Architecture
(1191 – in the Indian Sub-
1246 AD) continent.
Important examples include
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
and Qutb Minar at Delhi
 ADVENT OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA – contd……

Timeline Event Person/tribe Architectural Intervention

responsible
Early 13th Building Shams-ud-din Expansion of the Qutb Complex –
Cent. AD activities Iltutmish – enlargement of Quwwat-ul-Islam
(1211 – 36 continued Turkish Slave, mosque
AD) son-in-law of
Qutb-ud-din Erection of Muslim Tombs – Sultan
SLAVE Aibak Ghari and Tomb of Iltutmish
DYNASTY - Experimentation of structural and
geometric techniques and solutions
(1191 – for construction of dome and arch –
1246 AD) essential elements of Islamic
architecture.
Late13th and
early 14th
Cent. AD
(1026 AD,
1173 AD)

KHALJI TO BE UPDATED IN THE COURSE OF THE SEMESTER………….

DYNASTY

(1290 –
1320 AD)
ARRIVAL OF ISLAM TO INDIA
• Islam is the second largest religion in India.
•Islam first came to the western coast of India when Arab traders as
early as the 5th century CE came to
coastal Malabar and Konkan-Gujarat.
•Cheraman Juma Mosque in Kerala is thought to be the first
mosque in India, built in 629 CE by Malik Deenar.
•In the 8th century, the province of Sindh (in present-day Pakistan) was
conquered by an Arab army led by Muhammad bin Qasim.
•In the first half of the 10th century, Mahmud of Ghazni added
the Punjab to the Ghaznavid Empire and conducted 17 raids on
modern-day India.
•In the 11th century, Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud played a significant
role in the conversion of locals (Hindus) to Islam.
•Islam arrived in North India in the 12th century via
the Turkic invasions and has since become a part of
India's religious and cultural heritage.
•A more successful invasion came at the end of the 12th century from
Muhammad of Ghor. This eventually led to the formation of the
Delhi Sultanate.
• Over the centuries, there has been significant integration
of Hindu and Muslim cultures across India .
•Muslims have played a prominent role in India's economic rise and
cultural influence.
 5TH CENTURY
TIMELINE
BC = Before Christ
AD = Anno Domini (in the year of ourLord)
BCE = Before the Common Era
CE = Common Era
 INFLUENCE OF ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES ON BUILDINGS:
• Islamic architecture came to India after developing in Central Asia
• Sculpture skill of the Indian craftsman meets the technical genius of Islamic invaders
• Primarily the used of dressed stones
• Indo-Islamic architecture produced some of the earliest examples of stone buildings
• The Islamic rule in India saw the introduction of many new elements in the building
style also.
•This was very much distinct from the already prevailing building style adopted in the construction of
temples and other secular architecture.
• The main elements in the Islamic architecture is the introduction of arches and beams,
and it is the arcuate style of construction while the traditional Indian building style is trabeated.

trabeate, using pillars and ARCHED

beams and lintels.
 INFLUENCE OF ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES ON BUILDINGS:
Islam reflects oneness, truthfulness, unity & simplicity
•Orientation- all the religious buildings are oriented towards Mecca medina. All the elements of
the religious buildings like the spire etc. are pointed towards the sky-towards almighty
•Form- the form of the structures are mainly based on the functions performed in the space.
•Spatial Arrangement- as per the sequence of the functions in the spaces.
•Mode of worship- as everyone prays to Allah 5 times a day individually & congregationally the
spaces formed are different (pray in open air- leads to formation of courtyards)
•Ornamentation- simplicity & truthfulness seen in buildings as exposed stone work is used.
Interior spaces more decorated when compared to exterior of buildings.

INDO-ISLAMIC BUILDING TYPOLOGIES:

1)RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS 3)SECULAR BUILDINGS
Mosques Tower/minaret
Madrasa Gateway/
Tomb Ablution Darwaza
Tank Gardens/Bagh
Baoli/Stepped Well
2)RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Fort
Haveli
Serai
 ELEMENTS OF INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
The elements are of 2 types:
•Structural(load bearing)
•Decorative(non load bearing)

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE:

1)ARCHES:

•An arch is a
curved element
that spans an
opening &
supports a
structural load or
weight above it

•Arches are
constructed in
various shapes &
sizes
2)DOMES: is a circular roof over a 3)SQUINCHES: is a filling done to give an octagonal
circular/square/Octagonal opening base over a square plan to place a dome at the upper
level. Its originated from Persia
4) LIWAN: it is a cloister or a pillared verandah which generally surrounds the
courtyard where prayer or teachings happen.

5) SPANDRELL: it is the triangular space between two

consecutive arches places side by side. They are
generally decorated with geometrical patterns or
famous quotes from the Quran.
[Link]
 6) MUQARNA: it is a Persian element
which helps in covering the ceiling.
Muqarnas appear like a honey comb
motif of a group of small arched cells.
They are used to fill up the space at
the
squinches.

7) MIHRAB: it is a niche created in the

interiors in the center of the western
wall of the mosque. It denotes the
direction of the qibla (direction to be
faced for prayer) as well as the place
for Imam (the leader during the
prayer) it is intricately decorated
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE:

1) SYMMETRY
2) JALI WORK
3) GEOMETRIC DESIGNS
4) ARABESQUE(type of decoration with floral motifs)
5) CALLIGRAPHY
6) FINIALS
7) GLAZED TILES
8) MOSAIC WORK
 PHASES OF EVOLUTION OF INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE:
1) DESTRUCTION: Existing buildings and towns crushed under the feet of the victor armies
2) RE-SHAPING: Systemic dismantling and using parts as building materials
3) CONSTRUCTION: Commissioning of new and grand buildings

THIS RESULTED IN ALTERED SKYLINE

HINDU ISLAM
 IMPERIAL STYLE/ INDO SARCENIC STYLE:
The Delhi or the Imperial Style of Indo-Islamic architecture flourished
between 1191 – 1557 AD and covered Muslim dynasties – viz.,

Slave (1191 – 1246)

Khalji (1290 – 1320)
Tughlaq (1320 – 1413)
Sayyid (1414 – 1444)
Lodi (1451 – 1557)
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.
IMPERIAL STYLE/ INDO SARCENIC
STYLE:
SLAVE DYNASTY
•Slave Dynasty in India is also referred to as
Mamluk dynasty and Ghulam dynasty.
•It was founded by Qutubuddin Aibak.
•Muhammad Ghori(@ that time ruler of
turkey) died in 1206 A.D. and his Indian
kingdom passed into the hands of his
favourite slave, and general Qutub-ud-din
Aibak, whom Ghori had earlier appointed
as the Governor of India.
•Three families of the slaves are known in
history after their founders, i.e. Qutub-ud-
din Aibak, Iltutmish and Ghias -ud-din
Balban
•The slave kings ruled about eighty four
years, from 1206 A.D. to 1290 A.D.
 STRUCTURES BUILT DURING THE SLAVE
DYNASTY PERIOD:

1)QUWAAT-UL-ISLAM MOSQUE
2) QUTUB MINAR
3) ENLARGEMENT OF QUWAAT-UL-ISLAM MOSQUE BY
ILLTUTMISH
4) TOMB OF ILLTUTMISH
LEGEND:
1) ruins of old buddhist/ jain temple
2) Tomb of Iltutmish
3) Iron Pillar
4)Qutb Minar The rectangular blue
structure encompassing the Iron pillar
and Qutb Minar is the Quwwat-ul-
Islam mosque.
5) Alai Gate
6) Tomb of Imanzam
7) Gateway
8) Alai Minar
9) Gateway
10) Major Smith Cupola
11) Chaumukha Gate
21) Mosque
22) Gateway.

[12) Canteen,13) Rest house, 14) Cycle

stand,15) Car park, 16) Garhgaj, 17)
Office, 18) Lawn, 19) Car park, 20) Main
gate]
 QUWAAT-UL-ISLAM MOSQUE
•Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque was the first mosque built
in Delhi to signify the victory against the Rajputs
•The work at original mosque began in 1193 A.D. and
was completed in 1197 A.D. Subsequently additions [Link]
were made to Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque by Iltutmish in ?v=XqpK_6HoQ4I
1230 A.D. and Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1315 A.D.
•The mosque is built on a raised and paved courtyard
measuring 43 m X 32 m.
•The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque consists of an inner
and outer courtyard. The inner courtyard is
surmounted by an exquisite colonnade.
•Hindu influence is traceable in this building, for we
can still see in the pillars the typical Hindu
ornamentation, these have been mutilated.
•The construction of Qutub Minar began side by side
with the mosque, but only one floor was finished in
Aibak’s period of reign.
•Iltutmish’s extension of the mosque in 1230 A.D. is
fundamentally Islamic in character and design,
although Hindu shafts, capitals and architraves are still
there.
•Iltutmish also erected a tomb for his own burial. He
also conceived of a Minar which should rival the glory
of the Qutb Minar.
 QUTB MINAR:
•Qutub Minar is a minaret that forms part
of the Qutb complex, made of red
sandstone and marble.
•Qutub Minar is a 73-metre tall tapering
tower of five storeys, with a 14.3 metre
base diameter, reducing to 2.7 metres at
the peak.
•It contains a spiral staircase of 379
[Link] design is thought to have been
based on the Minaret of Jam, in western
Afghanistan.
• Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, founder of
the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of
the Qutub Minar's first storey around 1192.
In 1220, Aibak's successor and son- in-law
Iltutmish completed a further three storeys.
In 1369, a lightning strike destroyed the top
storey. Firoz Shah Tughlaq replaced the
damaged storey, and added one more.
 ENLARGEMENT OF QUWAAT-UL-
ISLAM MOSQUE BY ILLTUTMISH:
•Expansion of the mosque continued after the
death of Qutb.
•Qutbuddin's successor Iltutmish, extended the
original prayer hall screen by three more
arches.
•By the time of Iltutmish, the Mamluk empire
had stabilized enough that the Sultan could
replace most of his conscripted Hindu masons
with Muslims.
•This explains why the arches added under
Iltutmish are stylistically more Islamic than the
ones erected under Qutb's rule, also because the
material used wasn't from demolished temples.
•Some additions to the mosque were also done
by Alauddin Khilji, including the Alai Darwaza,
the formal entrance to the mosque in red
sandstone and white marble, and a court to the
east of the mosque in 1300 AD.
•To the west of the Quwwat ul-Islam mosque is
the tomb of Iltutmish which was built by the
monarch in 1235.
 TOMB OF ILLTUTMISH
•The tomb of Iltutmish, second Sultan of Delhi,
built in 1235 CE.
•The central chamber is a 9 mt. sq. and
has squinches, suggesting the existence of a dome,
which has collapsed.
•The main cenotaph, in white marble, is placed on a
raised platform in the centre of the chamber..
•The facade is known for its ornate carving, both at
the entrance and the interior walls.
•The interior west wall has a prayer niche (mihrab)
decorated with marble, and a rich amalgamation
of Hindu motives into Islamic architecture.