INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN

INDIA –

Difference between Indian Buddhist ,Jain, Hindu

architecture and Indo Islamic Architecture:

There was a great religious and racial diversity. The

architecture was Hindus was restricted to temple but the
architecture of Muslims can be described into –

1. Religious – Mosques and Tombs

2. Secular , public and civic buildings, houses, town, gates,
wells, gardens, palaces, forts, cities.

The contrast between the respective places of worship of

Hindus and Muslims is represented by characteristic feature
of temple and mosque.

TEMPLE :

1. Mysterious, dark atmosphere.

2. Enclosed, massive ,dark and introspective
3. Guarded, dark, dim cells.
4. Focal point is the Garbhagriha.
5. Complex and indeterminate form.
6. Imaginary and iconography of human figures.
7. Natural tints and textures of the stone used and mono
color scheme.
 8. Size of temple are smaller than mosque.
9. Method of praying is individual offering.
10. The difference in the size of mosque and temple
resulted from Hindu and Jain practice of individual
expression of personal worship of God at any time of day.

MOSQUE:

1. Clarity of features, courts are open to air and light.

2. In many door, uninviting character.
3. No need of central shrine. Only need to turn towards
mecca.
4. Architecturally the whole form is visible and intangible.
5. Representation of natural forms is prohibited, decorative
text attained sculptural form.
6. Use of different color marble painted plaster , brightly
glazed tiles.
7. Size of mosque is large.
8. Praying is in mass.
9. Whereas in Islam the Muezzin summons the faithful to
commence prayers in the mosque.

Characteristic of Indo- Serasenic Architecture :

It was union of ideas. They unified efforts of sculptural

craftsmanship and the knowledge of material and construction
of Hindu mason. Indian masons had experienced in great stone
temples which were exquisite design but not improved or
invented new scientific and practice which could be used
under all conditions. There was difference in construction
method of hindu and muslim masons. Hindu followed tribeate
style where as Muslim followed arcuate style (Arch system)
trabeate, employing pillars, beams and lintels. The Islamic
Rulers brought in the arcuate style of construction, with
its arches and beams, which has scientific advantages ,which
was adopted by the Romans. Major Muslims influence was that
derivations from tribeate system to arcuate system.

Dressed stones were used. Instead of pressure downwards

,Muslims brought scientific and mechanical formula to combat
lateral and oblique forces. Hence achieved greater stability,
strength and economy of material , flexibility.

Skylines changed from pointed shikhara to bulbous domes.

THE INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE :

In this period great building came up in India. The two factors

responsible were –

1. Relative late development- Maturity in style developed

only after experimentation.
2. Great style developed only because the living knowledge
and skill of Indigenous craftsmen.
FUSION OF PERSIAN ART AND INDIAN MASON ART:

1. Difference in racial temperature.

2. Persian craftsmen – genius in handling – media textile and
earthenware.
3. Use of plastic material such as brick and glazed tiles,
that is use of lavish and brilliant colors rather than
structural forms.

For Indian master mason architecture meant composition of

blocks of solid stone and its enrichment was done by
sculptural treatment. The characteristic feature of Islamic
architecture is the vault and dome were put into practice by
the Persian builders but accepted by Indian masons after
sometime.

Mughal period of Islamic architecture was entirely under

Persian influence.

Final stage ( Shahajan reign). Construction of brick double

some came into picture. Recessed arcades and marble overlay

Evolution of arch: arch was an indispensable element in

building construction

1. Saljuqian arch: decorative, pointed horse-shoe, narrow,

insufficient for spanning wider spanning
2. Timurid arch: one centered or Tudor arch in combination of
supporting beam or lintel (hindu building tradition of columns
and beams) i.e. combination of arch and beams (buildings of
Tughlaqus 14th century)

3. The true four centered arch without additional support

was used (in tombs and mosque of Sayyidis and Lodhis- 15th-
16th century)

Basic development of Dome:

Canopy Dome ( Hindu Dome ) Construction of dome over

square columns ( hindu & jain architecture ) . Short
architraves laid across corners square base converted into
octagon . Extra support at 8 corner given for large span
( Natmandir & Bhogmandir ) ( use of raked bracket in Jain
temples ) . Rings of stone were corbelled over octagon & size
of the aperture was progressively reduced & top was covered
with cap stone .

Indo Islamic Canopy Dome :

Similar construction was used , this type of

construction gave shape of truncated pyramidal cone , but
they needed circular outline . This problem was solved by
Hindu craftsman by applying thick layer of mortar & thus
making the exterior hemisphere in shape , such type of earlier
canopy domes were native in origin .
Masonary Domes :

The domes of Persian origin .

1. Compact masonary structure .

2. Square or octagonal ground floor plan .

3. Domes were not built up of corbelled coarse but

consisted of bricks vouissours or brick set radial .

First monumental Islamic dome in India was Iltumish

Tomb , situated in Quwat-ul-Islam mosque , New
Delhi .

( phase of transition or squinches were used )

Mosque: derived from dwelling of Mohammed prophet at

Medina in Arabia. Elevational character of mosque: the
sanctuary containing ‘mihrab’ or the symbol of direction was
developed into principle architectural features. The courtyard
and its cloister leaded upto the mihrab. To give architectural
importance screen was placed on the front façade of
sanctuary portion. Above the central space a dome was raised.

 Mosque is the place of worship for Mohammedans

 It is the Friday worship place of prostration (Namaz)
  The traditional layout as spatial concept of ground plan
of typical mosque is based as a rule on Mohammad’s house
as ‘Medina’
 It consisted of rectangle court surrounded by brick walls
inside which were arranged as the living and domestic
quarters. One side of the clay roof supported by trunk of
palm trees towards west. Prophet Mohammed has
rejected representation of divine being
 Original intension was to provide no specific structure
for devotional purpose as prayer could be performed in
open air with nothing between devotee and god, but
according to mankind in an enclosed building worship
could be conducted in an appropriate environment to
protect from heat and dust and away from the
disturbance of every way life

Evolution of mosque

 In the earliest period of Islam devotional prayers

(namaz) were offered in open by prostrating towards
Mecca and Medina .In the next stage wall with niche in
west direction (this wall represents direction of mecca
was constructed) the devotee could offer prayer facing
this wall. Later enclosed walls were added to this wall
with niche and courtyard was created
  This enclosing wall was later added with spring cloisters
thus creating an enclosed protected environment for
prayer
 As influence of Islam increased, the west wall developed
into elaborate sanctuary with dome.
 A tank was added at center of courtyard for ablution and
for evaporative cooling
 Elaborate gateways were added on 3 sides of courtyards.
The entry from these gateway were reserved according
to hierarchy of social structure
 Later, to give prominence to mosque building, high plinth
was provided. the entrance gate were approached by high
flight of steps
 Minarets originally used announcing aazan or prayer ,
they were later added as architectural elements to give
identification to mosque building

Essential parts of mosque

o Sahan: there is large rectangular open space called

sahan
o Liwan: sahan is enclosed by arcades or colonnades or
cloisters. This is called liwan. Liwan ensures
 protection from heat and dusty winds. They also
provide resting place for devotees
o Tanks: a rectangular fountain or tank is located at
center for ablution and cooling by evaporation
o Mihrab: liwan on the Mecca side is expanded
elaborately forming the sanctuary with the wall at
the back containing an elegant foliated niche called
mihrab. This niche indicates ‘quibla’. (direction of
prayer, in India towards west)
o Mimbar or Pulpit: on right side of mihrab, pulpit is
provided with a reading desk ‘tikka’ from which the
priest or Iman reads Quran
o Maqsura screen: a portion of sanctuary is screen
off into a compartment of women known as Maqsura
screen
o Entrance gates: elaborate entrance gates are
provided on North, south and east side. East gate
being main gate is reserved for priest and royal
families. These gates were approached by high flight
of steps. Because of high plinth arcades were
provided from external sides
o Minarets: a tower or minarets were provided from
which Azaan was given by Muezzin or maula to call
the faithful for prayer at fix time of the day
  In later period, minarets increased in number
and meant solely for picturesque effect. Small
scale domes were added at the four corners of
liwan for architectural effect.

Tombs ( Rauza) -

Tombs were imposing buildings of vaulted halls and towering

domes. The tomb buildings were enclosed in spacious gardens.
The mortuary chamber was actually very small as compared to
this large scale of tomb building which housed it. The tomb
buildings became one of the finest examples of Indo Islamic
Architecture.

The rauza (Quabristan) consists of a single compartment or

Tomb chamber known as ‘Huzrah’ or ‘Eastanah’. Islamic Tomb
Architecture in India developed parallel with that of mosque.
The tomb consist usually of Huzurah a square building with
one chamber standing on a raised platform and crowned by
Ghumbad (dome). In the center of huzrah stands the ‘Zarih’
(cenotaph) possibly more than one if a no. of people are buried
below. This is always a rectangular structure, placed exactly
above the actual Qubra( grave) in the Maqbara (chamber
below). The western wall of huzrah usually contains a ‘Mihrab’
The ‘Ziarats’ (Tombs of Muslim saints) are often surrounded
by mosques,pilgrim halls and other tombs, forming a Dargah
(Place of pilgrims).
The Islamic architecture may be divided into three
phases:

1. To gain strong hold over Indian territory, elephant

power was used to demolish Hindu buildings

2. In this phase Hindu and Jain temples were not entirely

demolished but ready made materials (columns, beams,
stone blocks etc.) were carried from the Hindu temples
by elephant power for building of mosques. This saved
time and money. For quick establishment of mosque
buildings, extra stone required was quarried from
nearby quarries. This period suffered most damage to
Hindu temples in North India.

3. In the third phase the entire stone for the Islamic

building were quarried and dressed especially for the
purpose. This was the phase when Islamic architecture
in India arrived its true character and achieved its
greatest splendor .

Islamic architecture divided into following three

divisions:
1.The Delhi or Imperial: There were 2 dynasties of
Turkish origin ,1st Khalji & 2nd Arab descents. The
architecture associated with rule at Delhi – the capital city,
center of imperial power, had imperial character. Beginning at
close of the 12th century, establishment of Islamic rule Delhi
Imperial style continued for 400 years

Provincial style: In A.D.1400 when central power at Delhi

was broken by Timur and imperial power became weak, this
style was practiced in regions of India ,where the governor
had thrown allegiance of Delhi. Provincial style Islamic
architecture had local influences and developed according to
individual ideas of the provincial governor.

Mughal Style: Mughals brought the whole India under rule.

Mughal style was ripest form of Indo Islamic architecture
emerging at middle of 16th century continued till 18th century

The Delhi or imperial style of Islamic architecture

beginning Slave kings (A.D 1200-1246):

Establishment of Islamic capital in India, Delhi- happened

between end of 12th century A.D. and late years of 13th
century. Delhi established as capital of Sultanate and then
Islamic architecture in India began

 Flourished under Muslim capital at Delhi

  Period 350 years. During this period a lot of
architectural evolution took place
 This is the earliest appearance of Islamic architecture in
India
 Divided into 5 phases according to 5 dynasties

I. Slave (A.D. 1191-1246)

II. Khalji (A.D. 1290-1320)
III. Tughlaq(A.D. 1320-1413)
IV. Sayyid (A.D. 1414-1444)
V. Lodhi (A.D. 1451-1557)

SLAVE DYNASTY: founder was Qutub-ud-din-

Aibak (December 1210) , earliest Muslim rulers in
India, Delhi. The slave dynasty was so named
because they were not royal blood, but slaves of
Mohammed Ghuri (the Persian king). Qutu-ud-din-
Aibak was appointed as governor of Ghuri. He
became the ruler and established slave dynasty
after Ghuri’s death in 1206. There were nine slave
kings in this dynasty. Qutub-ud-din-Aibak and
Shamud-din Iltutmish (Altutmish) were active in
building and produced important buildings of this
style.

Qutub-ud-din-Aibak:
 Qutub mosque – 1195 erected a substructure of a
Hindu temple, compiled from parts of hindu temples
in that area, Qutub mosque,Qutb Minar and
Arhaidin-ka-Jhompra (Ajmer). These three
buildings (1195-1205) earliest Islamic buildings laid
foundation of Islamic architecture in India

This initial period was influenced by architecture of

Seliuks of Asia manor. Alai Darwaza in Qutub
mosque and surface treatment of Qutub minar
Seljuk influence

Later influence of prevailing Persian art in period of

Timurid rulers 15th-16th centuries

His Major Contributions :1) Quwwat-ul-islam mosque:

introduction of might

2) Qutb mosque

3)Ajmer Mosque (Arhai-din-ka Jhompra)

Qutub-ud-din aibak captured Hindu fortress of Qal’a-i-rai

Pithura and converted into Muslim capital city, Delhi. In the
center of the captured fortress, a large Hindu temple was
dismantled. Its plinth was expanded and a mosque of size
212’x150’ was erected using stones brought from dismantling
of nearby Hindu temples. The mosque was known as Quwat-
ul-islam mosque. It was the first Islamic building erected in
India, made of dressed stone.

 The large mosque consisted of a courtyard 141’x105’

surrounded by pillared cloisters (liwan) on three sides
 Short, beautifully carved columns, from Hindu temples were
placed one above the other to raise them to required
height. This has resulted in patchwork effect of the
Islamic design and Hindu material.
 The west side (MECCA side) of courtyard was more
spacious and elaborated to form the SANCTUARY, with
shallow dome ceiling
 In front of the sanctuary was erected the famous Iron
pillar, without the crowning element, the Garuda. It
originally belonged to the Mathura region
 A few years later in 1199, an arched façade in red sand
stone was built across the entire front of the sanctuary.
This screen was a massive stone wall, of 50’ in height, 108’
wide and 8 ½ thk. This wall had five openings, a large central
arch (44’ high and 22’ wide in span, with pointed shape and
ogee shape and ogee curve i.e. ‘S’ shape) and two smaller
ones (25’ in ht) on each side. Four smaller arches one above
the other formed a kind of clear storey. This was a copy of
mosque design of Persia during that period. The entire
surface of this wall is richly carved with decorative
 inscriptions. It is an example of indigenous workmanship
with combination of decorative Islamic inscriptions and
floral Hindu design. Arches of this façade are corbelled
arches. True arches, with radiating vossoirs had not yet
been introduced. The true arch was inherited by Muslim
rulers from Romans.

(Note to be given with the sketch of arch of Quwwat-ul-islam

mosque)

Shape of the arch resemble arched recess on the Dhamak

stupa at Sarnath of 6th century A.D. the notch at the apex
being cut to accommodate wedge to hold the slab in
position. Converted by enlargement into a curve, this
notched apex is expanded into an ogee or ‘S’ shaped in the
arches of Delhi mosque. In the later Indo-Islamic buildings
the curves remained only a notch. This notch or peak in the
pointed arch of indo Islamic buildings is of Indo Buddhist
origin.

Qutub minar
 Qutub-ud-din Aibak converted Qal-a-i-pithaura into Muslim
capital. One of the first seven historical cities of Delhi
 Became important strategic and political center
 He who holds Delhi, holds India
 He constructed Quwat-ul-Islam mosque to give it
importance
 To further strengthen the importance of the capital
Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, in last year of 12th century laid
foundation of Qutub minar
One of the most remarkable architectural monument
 Immense and lofty tower
 Originally 238’ in height
 Objective was to show to the world the prestige and
authority of Islam. It signifies a pole, an axis and pivot of
Justice, sovereignty, faith in Islam. The shadow of God
over the East and over the west. This was all written in the
beautifully and boldly carved inscriptions of the surface of
minar.
 Minars, towers, columns was a common feature in Islamic
architecture. Earlier it was isolated structure in vicinity of
mosque. Later it became attached to mosque, from its
balconies the muezzin called for prayers.
 Qutub minar was situated outside the mosque, to left of
main entrance
 Earlier there were four diminishing stories, projecting
balconies dividing each storey. 4th storey was composed of
bricks, circular kiosk with window openings and a domical
roof crowning the entire structure. Later additional upper
storey was built.
 Dimensions in plan
- 46’ diameter at base

- At summit 10’ diameter

 Each four stages have different plan
 Lowest storey is stellate (wedge shaped)
 Alternately with rounded flutes
 Second storey has circular projections
 3rd storey has star shaped projections 4th storey is simply
round
 The tower is entered northern side by a doorway
 Inside tower is spiral stairway leading to balcony at each
level

Balconies

 Balconies are elegant architectural feature Balustrades

around the balconies are form of stepped battlement or
merlons called as ‘KANJURAS’.
 A system of stalactite bracketing or vaulting the balconies
support the balconies and transmit the load to the body of
the structure
 At qutub minar the stalactite bracket is in form of cluster
of miniature arches, with bracket in between
Aesthetic qualities

 Colour of red sandstone is impressing

 The texture of minar changed due to fluted stories. There
is contrast in between alternating spaces of plain masonry
and rich carving of Islamic inscriptions
 Tapering cylindrical form gives an upward impulse and
illusion of increased height. The form is similar to the form
of pyramids denoting stability

Other contributions of Qutub-ud-din Aibak

 At Aimer in Rajputana, same course of dismantling a large

number of neighbouring temples and re-erecting them as
mosques was carried out
 Arhai- Din- Ka Jompra (hut for 2 ½ days) mosque was
constructed on fair (mela) ground
 Construction of mosque began- @1200 A.D.
 Compilation of Hindu material, but twice as large as Qutub
mosque at Delhi

Aesthetical values: Slender pillars are graceful, finer

proportions in its columned isle and more finished roofing

Construction : Increase in height was achieved by

superimposing three hidden columns to form each pillar

 Ceiling is 20 feet from flooring

 This eastern façade wall was well designed. It consists of
seven arches with total width of 200’. The main entrance
was provided with a tall stairway going up to top of central
arch, with a fluted minaret at each end of main entrance
archway. Total height of central arch at parapet level is 56’
the wall is 12’ thick.
 Earlier the mosque consisted of an open colonnade
surrounding its courtyard, but afterwards SHAMS-UD-DIN
ILTUTMISH (successor of Qutub-ud-din Aibak) built an
arched screen across the front of sanctuary to form the
façade
 There are small rectangular panels in the spandrel of each
archway (it has origin in the lighting system of ancient
mosques in Arabia)

Shams-ud-din Iltutmish

 Was 2nd great building monarch of the slave dynasty

 His reign A.D. 1211 to 1236
 Four important work were recorded
I. Addition to the Ajmer mosque
II. Extension to Qutub-Ud-Din mosque at old Delhi
III. Tomb of his son (1231), old Delhi
IV. His own tomb, old Delhi

I.Addition to the Ajmer mosque

 Inspired by his predecessor, Qutub-ud-din who made a
similar addition to qutub mosque at Delhi 25yrs earlier,
Shams-ud-din erected facade screen of Ajmeri mosque

Comparison of the two façade (Qutb mosque also known as

Quwat –ul –islam mosque)

 At ajmer there is no upper clear storey openings in façade

as in case of Delhi mosque
 At ajmer, above the parapet over the main archway are
fluted minarets, one on each side
 Outlines of the main arches in the two structures differ,
those at Ajmer are less curved, coming closer to four
centered type( commonly referred to as Tudor gothic. This
shape is most popular in Indo Islamic architecture
 The smaller side arches at Ajmer mosque facade are
multifoiled (probably derived from Arab sources)
 A major difference is seen the character of treatment of
the two facades. The floral, (free and flexible) decoration
produced by the indigenous workmen at Delhi is replaced by
stylized and mechanical order of Koranic inscriptions