MALWA

PROVINCIAL
Indo- Islamic Architecture in Malwa:
Malwa province experienced the Indo-Islamic architecture in the late
medieval period with the invasion of Muslim invaders.

This province which included the cities of Dhar and Mandu also experienced
a large number of Islamic architectures during the Muslim dynasty.

Initially they constructed new buildings on the ruins of Hindu and Jain temple
materials. Gradually they developed their own style in building art of Islamic
culture.
Their skilled artisans constructed the buildings to its distinctive appearance
and decorated wonderfully in which colour played an important role in their
architectural scheme.

They obtained this colour sequence partially by the use of various coloured
stones and marble, and partially by means of encaustic tiles and used sand
stone, marbles and semi precious stones for the construction of the buildings.
• Malwa was influenced more by the early Tughlaq style from Delhi. This was
due to the lack of significant local traditions in Malwa and hostile relations
with neighbouring Gujarat.

• Salient Features:

• Battered walls.
• Pointed arches with spear head fringe.
• Combination of Arch, Lintel and Bracket.
• Boat keel domes.
• Most artistic combination of arches with pillar and beam.
• Buildings are raised on high plinths, accessed by long and stately flight of
steps.
• Prominent use of colour in decoration. Use of different coloured marble,
semi-precious stones and glazed tiles. The artisans in Malwa possessed a
secret formula for creating Turquoise blue colour.
The style can be divided into 3 phases:

First Phase:
Dismantling of temples and converting them into mosque.

Second (Classical) Phase:

Monuments of original character. Sober and elegant. More substantial
and formal order.

Third Phase:
Less austere and more fanciful structures, implying a life of ease and
luxury. Main examples are pavilions, loggias, kiosks, terraces etc.
First Phase
Kamal Maula Masjid (Dhar)
Lat Masjid (Dhar)
Malik Mughis Masjid (Mandu)

Second (Classical) Phase

Jami Masjid at Mandu
Ashrafi Mahal
Hushang Shah's Tomb
Hindola Mahal
Jahaaz Mahal

Third Phase
Baz Bahadur's Palace
Kushk Mahal (Chanderi)
Jami Masjid at Chanderi
JAMI MASJID AT
MANDU
• The Jami-Masjid near the centre of the Mandu plateau was one of the finest
achievements of the Ghauri dynasty.

• A mosque, with its necessarily vast scale to accommodate numerous worshipers, is

monumental by its nature, and to endow it with elements of humanism can be
counted as a very difficult exercise in design.

• Of the elements that make up this mosque, the monumental entrance from the east with
a main arched doorway flanked by two smaller openings.

• A squat yet well-proportioned dome crowns this entrance, with its profile being reflected
in smaller domes over the cloisters surrounding the central court, their proportions being
‘not unlike in profile to the so-called shoulder shaped contours of the shikharas of Orissan
temples.

• The courtyard is surrounded on three sides by columned cloisters with galleries of majestic
arches.

• The whole building is faced with red sandstone, with little concession to decoration.
Indeed, the only departure from sobriety is in the chattri inside the mosque, next to the
mihrab, which shows influences from florid Gujarati architecture.
HOSHANG SHAH
TOMB
ASHARFI
MAHAL
HINDOLA
MAHAL
JAHAAZ
MAHAL
Jahaz mahal is located in MANDU which is a popular monumental building.
• Jahaz Mahal is a jewel built somewhere around 1436-1439. (15th century) It's built by
SULTAN GHIYAS-UD-DIN-KHILJI.
• The Mahal is standing in the middle of two artificial lakes Munj Talao and Kapur Talao.
upon a narrow strip of land. It given an impression as floating structure on water .It has
been named as "Jahaz"means "ship" and "mahal" means " palace ".

Jahaz mahal is 110mt in length and 15mt in width .

• Jahaz mahal is two storied architecture marvel . It is a rectangular structure, three feet
tall with two floors and thick walls.

• Inside the fort, there are three huge halls, separated by corridors, having small rooms in
the end. Northern end of the terrace leads to a bath with broad steps leading into it.
At the southern end of the Jahaz mahal are the remains of complex system of waterworks
that at one time have equipped with design such Persian wheels to maintain a balance
between the water tanks on ether side of this ' ship palace '

• A board flight of steps , probably necessitated by the waterworks , takes one straight up
to the terrace from the Southern end .
Jahaz mahal (munja talao) • MUNJA-city of joy

• By knowing the potential of Jahaz Mahal, later Khalji kings surrounded the Munja
talao with a series of summer retreats and fancy palaces

• These includes Champa Baori ,consists of subterranean passages communicating

with vaulted rooms.

• The talao and its waterfront architecture of summer houses ,pavilions and palaces
had provided an ideal enviroment away from reality .

• The atmosphere of munda attracted mugal ruler Jehangir to visit and spend
amounts on its maintance .

• Having space on the bank of munja talao , the khalji kings spread out their building
operation,and proceeded to erect an endless series of private pleasure pavilion.