HOA - Tombs (Iltutmish & Balban), Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty

Tomb of Iltutmish
By Ar Sukriti Gopalakrishnan
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
The Mausoleum of
Shams al-Din Iltutmish
(reg. 1211-1236), is
located in the
northwest corner of
the Qutub complex
next to Iltutmish's own
extensions to the
Qutub Mosque.
• Iltutmish, also called Shams al-Dīn Iltutmish, Iltutmish also
spelled Altamash, (died April 29, 1236), third and greatest Delhi sultan of
the so-called Slave dynasty.
• Iltutmish was sold into slavery but married the daughter of his master, Quṭb
al-Dīn Aibak, whom he succeeded in 1211.
• He strengthened and expanded the Muslim empire in northern India and
moved the capital to Delhi, where he built the great victory tower,
the Quṭb Mīnār.
• A wise and patient statesman who had been trained as a trusted
administrator under his predecessors Muʿizz al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn
Sām and Quṭb al-Dīn, Iltutmish was faced upon his accession not only with
the deterioration of Muslim rule but also with the claim of Tāj al-Dīn Yildoiz,
the Ghazna ruler, to succession to all of Muʿizz al-Dīn’s conquests and with
the attempts by the Hindus to recover portions of their lost territory.
• In 1215 he captured Yildoiz, who died in prison. In 1225 he forced the
unruly Bengali governor to acknowledge the authority of Delhi, and shortly
thereafter he consolidated again the Muslim holdings.
• Iltutmish was able to preserve his kingdom against the ravages of
the Mongol invasions that coincided with his reign, and he succeeded in
building an administrative machinery for the empire.
• He sought out 11th-century Islamic classics on the art of government; and
the Ādāb al-muluk (“Conduct of the Kings”), the first Indo-Muslim classic on the
art of government and warfare, was written for him.
• He was tolerant of the Hindus despite the urgings of his advisers, and he built up
the waterworks, mosques, and amenities at Delhi to make it for the first time a
fitting seat of government.
• His reign and his advisers, especially the vizier Junaydī, were praised by
contemporaries. Iltutmish’s eldest son died before he did, and his other sons
were incompetent.
• He gave an excellent education to his daughter Raziyyah (Raziyyat al-Dīn) and
desired that she should succeed him. His wishes were offensive to the
administrative Council of Forty, Iltutmish’s personal slaves who served as his
advisers.
• Raziyyah did succeed briefly to the
throne, but her appointment of an
African to an important position was
considered insulting to the council,
which shortly brought about her
downfall. This marked the beginning of
the decline of the line of Iltutmish.
• Built in A.D. 1235 just outside the Quwat-ul-Islam mosque.
• A compact square structure of 42′ side with entrances at three sides and
western wall enclosed to accommodate 3 miharabs.
• Exterior is relatively plain, but interior is richly decorated.
• A square hall of 30′ side, its walls are relieved with white marble insertions.
• Quranic verses in Kufri, Tugra and Nashtalik characters with geometrical
patterns interspersed.
• Most of the roof has collapsed, but remains show it to have been a shallow
dome composed of concentric rings of masonry which collapsed due to
excessive span.
• The most interesting feature is the ﬁrst appearance in India of the ‘Squinch’. This
consists of projecting a small arch across the upper side of the corners of the
square room, turning it into an octagon, then repeating the process to turn it into
a 16 sided base in which a dome can rest. In this case, the squinch is a half-
dome, though built on the corbelling principle. Thus, this is an Indianized version
of the squinch.
The square base of the tomb
structure is transformed into
an octagon overhead with
ogee squinch arches. These
arches are constructed with
corbels rather than with true
arches. The structure has no
dome or other roof. It has
been conjectured that the
original dome collapsed; it
has also been noted that the
exterior walls of the tomb are
comparatively thin (2.2
meters), and might not have
been able to support the
outward thrust generated by
a dome.
Detail of the variety

Interior view of decoration inside
from east the tomb
showing column
base detail on
the first qibla bay
to north
• The sandstone structure is square,

measuring 9.1 meters along each
side, with a height of 8.41 m to the
base of the (conjectured) dome.
• It was constructed of new material,
not making use of the spolia used in
other buildings in the Qutub
complex.
• Steps on the northern side leading
down to the burial chamber below.
• It has coarse nature of masonry,
which is a rubble foundation
covered with cement.
• The entrance and parts of the exterior are
laid with quartzite, and the gates are
decorated with carvings; however, the real
decorative richness of the tomb is found
within.
• Elaborate epigraphy on walls, arabesques,
and geometrical designs adorn the western
niches and mihrab.
• The inscription panels include Kufic, Tughra
and Nakshi scripts illustrating chapters of the
Quran.
• Hindu motifs such as lotus flowers and bells
on chains are also found in the sandstone
carvings.
Detail view of the mihrab decoration arabesque

Detail view of
and geometric designs with Nakshi epigraphy
the carvings
done on the
higher walls of
the tomb,
done in
different
bands of
motifs and
Kufic
inscriptions
Interior view of the western wall showing a richly decorated
niche and mihrab in marble and sandstone
Tomb of Balban
• The Tomb of Ghiyas ud din Balban is located in
Mehrauli, New Delhi, India. Built in circa 1287 CE
in rubble masonry, the tomb is a building of
historical importance in the development of
Indo-Islamic architecture, as it was here that first
Islamic arch made its appearance in India, and
according to many, the first Islamic dome as
well, which however hasn't survived, making
Alai Darwaza built in 1311 CE, in the nearby
Qutb complex, the earliest surviving dome in
India.
• Ghiyas ud din Balban was a Turkic ruler of the
Delhi Sultanate during the rule of Mamluk
dynasty of Delhi from 1266 to 1287. He was one
of the most prominent rulers of the Slave
Dynasty. The tomb of Balban was discovered in
the mid-20th century.
• Ghiyas-ud-din was the
last and ninth ruler of the
slave dynasty who
himself was captured as
a slave by the Mongols.
• He had an extremely
humbling start to his life
as a water carrier boy
and was sold as a slave
in Afghanistan's Bazaars
of Ghazni.
• The Slave Dynasty, also referred to as the Mamluk Dynasty,
was prominent between 1266 AD to 1287 AD. After being
captured as a slave, Ghiyas-ud-din was sold to Ghazni
Khwaja Jamal-ud-din Basri, a Baghdadi merchant.
• The merchant further sold Ghiyas-ud-din to Iltutmish and
was released from bondage as per Iltutmish’s Emperor’s
order, Qutub-ud-din Aibak who then ruled the Delhi
Sultanate.
• Qutub-din-din Aibak was fond of Balban and took great
care of him as if his own boy in a manner suitable to a
prince.
• The Persian culture of ‘Zaminbos’ was introduced by
Balban where people greeted the emperor by lying face
down flat on the ground.
• Balban has served as a personal assistant and confidante
of the emperor and the leader of ‘Chalissa’ which was a
forty-membered Turkish Nobles group.
• Upon Razia Sultan’s demise, Balban conquered many neighboring areas
and was later appointed as the Prime Minister by the ruler Sultan Nasir-ud-
din Mahmud. Balban got married to Sultan’s Daughter and was
announced as the ruler after Sultan Mahmud’s demise. He was 60 years old
when he took up the throne as a ruler and was known to be a ruler with an
Iron Fist.
• Ghiyas-ud-din Balban was a fair and just ruler who enforced law and order
in the area. The system of ‘Chihalgani’ was demolished by Balban who
were the military and administrative elite of a tribal clan called Ilbari. He
also introduced the concept of outposts to curb crime, especially in high
crime areas. These areas were supervised by the people of his utmost trust
and helped establish peace and harmony in the area. He also introduced
the concept of surveillance in the area wherein people of his trust and
loyalty were deployed in various areas and were supposed to bring him the
news on a daily basis.
• Upon Balban’s death, the throne was succeeded by his grandson, Muiz-ud-
din Qaiqabad. Qaiqabad ruled only for three years from 1287 AD to 1290
AD and was later killed by Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji in 1290 AD due to his
incompetence and disinterest in ruling and inclination towards women and
alcohol.
• Balban had two sons, Mahmud was the elder one and got killed when he
was posted in Multan region while protecting the sultanate from Mongols.
Balban could not bear the news and was on his death bed within a few
months. His younger son, being frightened of the attacks by Khilji, never
came to see his father who was then on his deathbed. Balban had to then
announce his grandson as the successor.
• Balban was buried with great honor and royalty in the year 1287 AD at
what today is known as Archaeological Survey Park at Mehrauli in South
Delhi. Due to its late discovery and further negligence, the tomb is now just
ruins of what once used to be a symbol of splendor. The grave of Balban is
now just a squared stone left open to the sky to witness all the changes that
this world is going through.
Just a few steps away from the Balban’s grave is the square gateway to this
tomb complex. Although the tomb, the surrounding walls and other structures
have surrendered to the harsh climate and negligence, the square gateway
still stands tall and proud as the witness of once glorious days of Slave dynasty
of 1266 AD to 1287 AD.
• Balban’s tomb is the first monument to be built in
Indo-Islamic architectural style in the country and
was discovered in the mid-20th century. Before its
discovery, Alai Darwaza in the Qutub Minar
complex was considered to be the first one of such
style built in the year 1311 AD. Close to Balban’s
tomb is his son Khan Shahid or Mahmud’s tomb who
died in 1285 AD while fighting against Mongols.
Mahmud’s tomb is inscribed with beautiful Persian
calligraphy.
• Balban’s tomb was the first one to be built with total
arch. Earlier, Indian architects knew only Corbelled
arch wherein the stones are laid horizontally and the
upper layer extends the lower one. The side
extensions are curved into an arch. Such kind of true
arch which is made from the circular arrangement
of stones was then new to the Indian Architecture.
Khilji Dynasty
• Khalji means 'Swordsmen' in the Turkic language, 'Long Hand' in Ottoman-
Turkic language and 'Thief' in the Pashto language. They mainly originated
from central Asian continents and came along with the Turks and Iranian
Slaves.
• FirozJallal -ud - din Khalji (1290) - ascended the throne of Delhi at the age of 70
• Ala-ud-din Khalji - murdered Jallal-ud-din - crowned himself the King
• He stamped out the last members of Hindu rule (by annexing Gujarat,
Ranthambor and Chittoor)
• Architectural projects- marks the evolution of another innovative feature in the
Indo-Islamic architecture.
• Alai Darwaza at Qutb complex (Darwaza near the Qutub Minar which served
as an entrance gateway to the mosque at the Qutub complex)
• New city of Siri fort(second city of Delhi)
• Alai minar inQutb Complex, Mehrauli, Delhi
• Jamat Khana Masjid near Nizamuddin in Delhi
• Ukha Masjid in Bharatpur, Rajasthan
• The reign of Alla-ud-Din Khilji marked a new phase in the history of
medieval architect. His architectural design was an improvement upon
that followed by the previous Sultans. Even his successors (the Tughlaqs)
could not produce as magnificent structures as were raised by Ala-ud-Din.
• Most of these monuments were built in the Arabian style of architecture.
• Ala ud-Din was an ambitious builder and started the construction of a
huge Minar near the Qutab Minar. However, he could not implement this
project due to his death. However, he succeeded in completing Alai-
Darwaza which is one of the most treasured gems of Islamic architecture.
• This building consists of square hall covered by dome, with arched
doorways on each of its four sides. The building was built with red- stone,
while its surface was made of white marble. It contained calligraphic
inscriptions and decorative patterns.
• This darwaza was only a part of Ala-ud-Din’s ambitious architectural

project, which, if completed, would have been one of the grandest
architectural achievements of the Muslim rule in India In 1296 A. D.
• Ala-ud-Din built a Hauz-i-Khas or Hauz i-lllahi, a tank covering in area of
nearly 70 acres. It had stone and masonry wall around it and provided
water to the city during the year.
• Another important construction of Ala-ud-Din Khilji was Siri (the second of
the 7 cities of Delhi). This city was situated in the north of Qutab and its
construction was started in 1303 A.D. The most outstanding feature of this
city was the palace of Thousand pillars. This city was built mainly with a
view to protect the overgrowing population of the suburbs.
• The city was destroyed by Sher Shah in 1548 and is now in complete ruins.
• Another important building of Ala-ud-Din was the famous mosque Jamai
Khana built within the enclosure of Nizam-ud-Din Aulia’s shrine.
Alai Darwaza
The Alai Darwaza is the
only entrance
remaining of four
added to the Qutb
Complex by Ala al-Din
Khalji (reg. 1296 -
1316). Located on the
southeastern edge of
the complex, its
elaborate treatment
suggests that it may
have been used as a
gate to the city itself
through the extension
of the Qutb mosque.
• In contrast to the existing Qutb
Mosque, which was built with the
spolia of the existing temples on the
site, the Alai Darwaza was a new
structure.
• The gate is square in plan: its exterior
length is 17.22 meters, its walls are 3.3
meters thick, and its interior length is
10.6 meters.
• From its floor to its domed ceiling, its
height is 14.3 meters.
• Its wide, shallow dome rests on an
octagonal base, and the transition
from the octagonal base to a circular
dome is achieved with squinches
(muqarnas).
• On the exterior, the dome is plastered.
• The gate stands on a plinth clad with red sandstone with
carved friezes.
• On the south (main) elevation of the gate, steps beginning at
the plinth lead into the gate itself.
• Its exterior is clad with intricately carved red sandstone and
white marble bands carved with calligraphic inscriptions in
Naksh script or geometric patterns.
• In the center springs the gate itself, a true arch (as opposed to
the older, local trabeated construction visible in other parts of
the Qutub complex), ornamented with slender pillars.
• The gate is bilaterally symmetrical on its south elevation:
flanking the gateway on either side are two small arched
windows with delicate latticework (jalis) just above the plinth
level.
• Above these lower-level windows are shallow rectangular
niches (again, two on either side of the gate) created with
concentric bands of red sandstone and white marble carvings.
• On the eastern and western sides, the arrangement of central
archway flanked by a jaliwork window on the lower level and
rectangular niches on the upper level is repeated. However, on
the western elevation, this sandstone and marble niche
revetment has fallen off.
• Where the volume of the gate joins the complex wall, the blind
window on the northwestern corner has been half-covered by
the complex wall.
• The gate of the north elevation, facing into the complex, is a
semicircular arch.
• The south, east, and west elevations each feature horseshoe
arches with spearheaded decorations in the intrados and a
decorative parapet above.
• In addition to its pleasing symmetry, the Alai Gate is notable for
its finely carved surfaces.
• On the south elevation, patterns range from arabesques to more
Hindu motifs such as rounded lotus buds and leafy tendrils.
Detail at
southern
plinth,
showing
carved
arabesques
and
geometric
patterns
Detail of window
openings with jali Detail of southern
work on southern plinth, showing floral
elevation above the motifs with intricate
plinth arabesques indicating
Hindu craftsmanship
influence
Partial view of south elevation with details of panel decoration
View looking up
at the wide
shallow dome of
the Alai Darwaza
Jamat Khana Masjid
• The Khilji mosque is the earliest
mosque in Delhi that continues to
be used for worship.
• Built by Khizr Khan, son of Sultan
Alauddin Khilji (Khilji Dynasty) in
1315-1325 AD, the mosque is the
largest structure in the Dargah
enclosure.
• Each of the three bays has a
domed roof with the central one
being the largest, as is the practice. Aerial view over the Shrine complex
• Marble finials adorn the top the
domes.
• The central bay and the entrance
archway are embellished with
bands of exquisite geometric motifs
and Quranic inscriptions.
• Is located west of Nizamuddin’s tomb in the
same complex.
• built with red sandstone.
• First of these large spaces to be produced
by rationally conjoining together 3 cubic
compartments each with its own dome,
was assembled in the building of Jamat
Khana.
• For the first time the prosaic Iiwan is
transformed into one composite
rectangular hall, uninterrupted by columns.
• The 3 attached openings in the eastern
wall satisfactorily replace the maqsura or
attached screen of arches.
• The structure resembles the Alai Darwaza
because the central bay is a little higher
with ‘lotus-bud’ decoration on its arches.
View of the mosque forecourt Interior view of mosque from entrance under
the central dome with a view of the mirhab
Interior view
of detail of Layers of paint
arch and cover the
decoration interior
The Jamaat Khana Masjid to the right of the shrine of

Nizamuddin Auliya Exterior view of Shrine from mosque
Tughlaq Dynasty
• In 1320, a group of officers led by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

raised the banner of revolt against the last Khalji Sultan
Nasiruddin Khusrau Shah
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq established a new dynasty which
ruled till 1412CE.
• The Tughlaqs provided three competent rulers:
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, his son Muhammad bin Tughlaq
(1324-51), and his nephew Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-88).
• After the death of Firuz ShahTuqhlaq, the Delhi Sultanate
disintegrated and north India was divided into a series of
small states. Although the Tughlaqs continued to rule till
1412, the invasion of Delhi by Timur in 1398 may be said
to mark the end of the Tughlaq empire
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq ruled from1320-1325 CE, was the first ruler to
take the title of Ghazi/Slayer of infidels.
• He was also the first Sultan to start irrigation works.
• He built a strong fort called Tughlaqabad near Delhi.
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq dispatched his son Muhammad bin Tughlaq
to re-establish authority in Warangal and Madurai.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1324-51) is best remembered as a ruler
who undertook a number of bold experiments, and showed a
keen interest in agriculture.
• In some ways, Muhammad bin Tughlaq was one of the
remarkable rulers of his age. He was deeply read in religion and
philosophy, and had a critical and open mind.
• the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, while marking the zenith of
the Delhi Sultanate, also saw the beginning of the process of its
disintegration. Muhammad bin Tughlaq died in 1351CE.
• After his accession, Firuz Tughlaq was faced with the
problem of preventing the imminent break-up of the Delhi
Sultanate.
• He adopted a policy of trying to appease the nobles, the
army and the theologians, and of asserting his authority
over only such areas which could be easily administrated
from the centre.
• He, therefore, made no attempt to re-assert his authority
over south India and the Deccan.
• Firuz Tughlaq was by no means a distinguished military
leader. But his reign was a period of peace, and of quiet
development.
• Firuz Shah Tughlaq died in 1388CE following again power
struggle for the throne broke out.
City of Tughlaqabad
Tomb of Ghias-ud-Din
• Ghias ud Din Tughluq Shah I (r. 1320-1325)
was the first Tughluq ruler who, upon
succeeding the Khaljis, established the
Tughluqabad Fort on the southeastern
side of the Qutb complex in old Delhi.
• Built during his lifetime, his tomb is a
fortress-like complex, constructed on an
(now-dry) artificial lake, which separates
the tomb from the Tughluqabad Fort.
• A 229-meter-long causeway, supported
by 26 arched piers, crosses the lake to
connect the tomb to the fort.
• Water also added a dimension to the
paradise imagery in tomb architecture, a
theme that would be carried on from the
Tughluq tombs to reach its height with
Mughal architecture.
• The tomb complex has an
oblique pentagonal plan with
a battlement perimeter wall
supporting conical bastions at
each angle.
• Measuring 11.75 meters in
height, the perimeter wall
inclines inwards and has a
continuous crenellated
parapet.
• One enters the court through
a strategically staggered,
decorated entrance gate.
• Arched corridors and vaulted
chambers run along the
interior side of the court
perimeter wall.
• Placed diagonally within the court, the tomb itself is constructed of rubble
masonry, unadorned on its exterior and faced with red sandstone and a
white marble decorative course on the interior.
• Square in plan, its battered walls are massive: the interior tomb walls
measure 11.74 meters in length (18.74 meters on the exterior), with an
overall height of 24.4 meters and a 75 degree slope.
Its pointed dome, which rests on a transition of corner squinches, has an an
interior diameter of 10.41 meters and an exterior diameter of 13.41 meters.
• Crowned with a vase and melon (kalash and amala) finial, the dome
follows the typology of Hindu temples in the Delhi region.
• Three sides (north, south, and east) of the tomb have horseshoe-arched
doorway openings with spearhead extrusions in their intrados and are
flanked by a niche on either side.
• A marble band begins at the base of these horseshoe arches, running
across the architrave.
• The western wall of the tomb accommodates the mihrab.
• The interior of the tomb is
faced in red sandstone up to
the base of the dome, above
which it is clad in white
marble.
• Three tombstones are housed
within the tomb structure itself.
• With the exception of the
marble-clad mihrab, the
interiors are unplastered and
undecorated.
• In addition to the grave of
Ghiyath al-Din, the tomb also
contains the graves of his wife
Makhdima-Jehan, and his son
Sultan Muhammad Adil
Tughlaq Shah (d. 1351).
City of Firoz Shah Kotla
• Erected in 1354 by Emperor Firuz Shah III (Tughluq) on the western banks of the
Yamuna River in the fifth city of Delhi, Ferozabad, the Kotla of Firuz Shah
became a sixteenth-century prototype of Mughal city palace architecture.
• Conforming to an irregular rectangle plan of 2,624'-6" (800m) x 1,312'(400 m) its
longer side follows the north-south axis.
• The entire formation is encased in high solidly fortified walls composed of stones.
• Most of the complex's structures are in a state of ruin offering fragmented
evidence of the original design.
• The central entrance on the west side is a fortified gate with barbican towers on
the approach and is protected by a curtain wall with the guard's quarters and
soldier's barracks in the inner courtyard. Inside the gate a huge rectangular
courtyard surrounded by a pillared verandah, that was the Mahall-i Bari Amm or
Palace of the Public Court, was used for public receptions and was also called
the Central Quadrangle. Immediately behind this space is a square pillared hall
similar to the Diwan-i-Khass, a private hall for the king to receive his counselors
and chief administrators.
• The private palaces, harems and mosques along the riverbank to the north and
south are divided into various rectangular and square courts.
• In each there were different activities: 'such as pavilions of differing uses, tree-
lined gardens with water, baths, fountains, barracks, armories and the servants'
quarters, all arranged so as to be connecting.’
• Descriptive accounts mention mirrored halls, as well as sandalwood sculptures
and figural and landscape murals. None of these expressions survived, having
all been destroyed in the civil wars following the death of Firuz Shah and the
destruction in 1398 wreaked by Timur.
• Historian Shams-i Siraj Afif describes the palaces within Kotla: Mahall-i Sahan-i
Gilin (Palace of the Clay Quadrangle), also called the Palace of Grapes. It was
reserved for receiving princes, governors, officers and men of letters; and the
Mahall-i Chhajja-i Chobin (Palace of the Wooden Gallery) was for staff close to
the sovereign. The Kushk-i-Feroze was the palace of Firuz Shah Tughluq. The
Kushk-i-Shikar was the Hunting Palace. And the Hawa Mahall, or 'palace of the
winds' or 'airy palace', was likely where the king's concubines lived.
• Little remains of Kushk-i-Shikar, which contains one of the pillars of
Ashoka.
• The Hawa Mahal still stands in the form of a stepped pyramid with
diminishing floors, which are linked with private rooms via a secret
corridor in the western wall of the jami masjid, now for the most part
in ruins.
• The Hawa Mahall served as a prototype for sixteenth century
Mughal city palaces and the narrow connecting corridor behind
the qibla wall became a common feature of mosques built later on
in the sultanate.
• The Hawa Mahall is also known as the Lat (pillar) Pyramid because
Firuz Shah mounted one of the pillars (lat) of Ashoka atop the
palace.
• The mosque is famous because it is said that Timur who defeated
Muhammad Tughluq and sacked Delhi in 1398 offered his Friday
prayers here.
• The northern part of the
Kotla still has a baoli (a
deep well surrounded by
underground rooms)
where the atmosphere is
fresh even on the hottest
day of summer.
• Further north in the
direction of the mosque is
an open L-shaped
building that probably
was the assembly hall for
holding important
debates. There are some
funerary buildings to the
east.
Khirki Masjid
• The Khirki Masjid is located in the
settlement of Jahanpanah, Delhi,
and was commissioned by by Khan-i
Jahan Junan Shah, vizier to the
Tughluq Sultan Firoz Shah (reg. 1351-
1388).
• The Khirki, named for the perforated
windows, or khirkis, that decorate
the upper floors, has four open
courtyards that provide light and
ventilation to the internal prayer
spaces.
• Occupying an area of 87 square
meters, the mosque is built on a
raised platform with arched
recessed openings (taikhana) that is
3 meters in height.
• Located in the settlement of Jahanpanah
in Malviya Nagar, Khirki Masjid is one such
ancient mosque which is known for
unique architecture and historical
significance.
• With more than 85 domes in its vicinity, the
Khirki Masjid is said to be one of the finest
Muslim heritage sites in Delhi that was
constructed by Khan-i-Jahan Junan Shah.
• Unlike the other mosques, the Khirki Masjid
is a quadrangular-shaped mosque which
is subdivided into two parts with each of
the part having its own courtyard.
• Throughout the year, the masjid receives
a lot of visitors from far and wide making it
one of the prominent travel places in
Delhi.
• Unlike an open courtyard (hypostyle) congregational mosque, the Khirki Masjid is
square in plan, subdivided into quarters; each quarter has its own inner courtyard.
• Internally, arcades running north-south divide the mosque space into aisles. These
arcades are formed by 180 square structural columns and 60 pilasters.
• The main entrance to the prayer hall is through the southern entrance: one climbs
a flight of stairs to a gateway flanked by tapering turrets. This gateway fronts a
small vestibule, square in plan, which extends out from the main southern exterior
wall.
• Larger round tapering bastions appear at each of the four corners of mosque's
exterior walls.
• The southern entrance doorway shows a mixture of arch and trabeated
construction: within a decorative rectilinear frame, a blind ogee arch contains
the door opening (itself a lintel frame with a corbel infill).
• In the interior, bays of arcades signify non-hierarchical space, and an outwardly
projecting mihrab is found on the western qibla wall.
• The square courtyards, which are enclosed by these arcades, measure 9.14
meters on each side.
• The roof of the Khirki Masjid is
divided into 25 squares equal in
size.
• Group of 9 small domes together
alternate with flat roofs (and the
four open courts) to cover the roof.
• The small, plastered domes total 81;
the flat roofs, 12.
• The external surface of the mosque
is plaster; its interiors are
undecorated save for traditional
carved stone screens (jalis) that
also admit light. Interior view of fallen domes on northeastern side
• The rubble core construction of the
mosque's walls, both exterior and
interior, can be seen where the
plaster has fallen off.
Exterior view of qibla wall looking west-southwest
Entrance to mosque from southern side

View from the
courtyard showing
plastered surfaces
and projecting
brackets over the
pointed arches
View from roof

showing a
courtyard
enclosure on Photo of southern
southwestern side gateway to mosque taken
from southwest
Interior view
of mosque
showing cross
aisles running
west to east
Interior detail
showing
pendentives
supporting
overhead
dome
Interior view of mihrab

HOA - Tombs (Iltutmish & Balban), Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty

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HOA - Tombs (Iltutmish & Balban), Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty

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Tomb of Iltutmish

Detail of the variety

• The sandstone structure is square,

Detail view of the mihrab decoration arabesque

• This darwaza was only a part of Ala-ud-Din’s ambitious architectural

Partial view of south elevation with details of panel decoration

The Jamaat Khana Masjid to the right of the shrine of

• In 1320, a group of officers led by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

Exterior view of qibla wall looking west-southwest

Entrance to mosque from southern side

View from roof

Interior view of mihrab

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