Indo- Islamic Architecture 6q2p1b

INDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

 Persian, Greek, Chinese and Mongoloid influence  Initially had Mongoloid influence and showed the conflict between Hindu system and Islamic formal mind  Later the differences merged in the united effort of craftsmanship and led to cooperation and collectivism

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Muslims introduced Arches based on “true arch principle” Minarets (minar) Scientific formulae Mortar as cementing agent Artistic calligraphy Jali work

Religious structures  Mosque (Masjid)  Tomb (Maqbara) Mosque: Elements –  Mimbar (Pulpit) – platform attached to miharab having series of steps for Imam to stand and lead the Namaz  Mihrab (prayer niche in the centre of western wall facing Mecca)  Aiwan (prayer hall)  Haud (ablution tank)

 Sahn or Sehan (open courtyard)  Riwaq (arcade)  Minar (minaret) Tomb:  New kind of structure introduced by the Muslims which contain the grave  Always has entrance from the southern side  Rauza – tomb : situtated in a garden and its significance is architectural rather than religious  Makbara – chamber which contains a grave  Cenotaph – tombstone without actual grave SECULAR ARCHITECTURE:  No definite classification  Varied structures – forts, houses etc. THE SULTANATE PERIOD:  DIVIDED INTO 2 PARTS 1) Imperial or Delhi 2) Provincial IMPERIAL STYLE  Imperial style witnesses continuous architectural evolution 1) Slaves 2) Khaljis 3) Tughlaqs 4) Lodis

SLAVES:  Architectural phase exhibit elements of confrontation b/n the Hindus and Muslim world  Phase of introduction of Muslim architectural elements and use of Hindu motives, raw material and ideas in building activities FAMOUS MONUMENTS – Qutab Minar:  4 projecting balconies and 5 storeys tapering as they go up is the most famous  Built by Iltutmish  Uppermost 2 storeys of this minar is round rather than with alternating flute and flanges and is of later addition by Firoz Shah Tughlaq and is faced with marble rather than red sandstone which has been used for the first 3 storeys  It has symmetry and rich ornamentation  British later added railings to the projecting balconies Arhai Din-ka-Jhopra:  Ajmer  Closely resembles Quwatul-Islam mosque in style and construction  Exlusively carved mihrab of white marble in the West hall Tomb of Sultan Ghari  Mehrauli  Unique in plan and form

 Iltutmish  Square chamber and octagonal flat roof with round towers at the four corners  Resembles a small fortress and is the 1st monumental tomb in India  Used by the Gupta temple structures as raw material Balban’s Tomb:  Shows the 1st example of true voussoired arch Khaljis: Famous Structures Incomplete tower just near Qutub Minar which was supposed to be twice the height of Qutab Minar  Alai-Darwaja near Qutab Minar with excellent calligraphy and intricate designs uses horse shoe “keel arch” for the first time  Jamat Khana Masjid – earliest example of a mosque built on wholly Muslim ideas > used scientific arches and domes Tughlaqs:  Most of the structures are located at Tughlaqabad

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Features – Buildings were placed on a platform Tomb had fort like appearance Tall gateways and towers Sloping walls Use of grey sandstone, rubble and plaster Use of minimum decoration

 Stress on strength and austerity as a reaction to Khalji decoration  During Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the Principle of Arch, lintel and beam combination was used showing Tartar influence Lodis :  Emergence of independent style >> more elegant

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Features – Use of double dome Use of thick walls Enameled tiles were used for decoration showing the Persian Influence Balconies and Kiosks showed influence of Rajasthani and Gujarati styles Buildings were on platforms with gardens at the sides Octagonal shaped tombs introduced by them which were later adopted by the Mughals

PROVINCIAL STYLE:  Architecture showed influence of local traditions  Main styles – Bengal, Gujarat, Kashmir, Jaunpur, Khandeshi or Faruqi, Deccan Bengal: Features –  Use of black marble and schist

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Use of bricks Delicate decorations Convex roofs – suited to the heavy rainfall in that area Buildings – massive

Gujarat: Features –  Tradition of temple architecture carried on  Use of limestones carvings and geometrical designs  Richly decorated buttresses Malwa: Features –      

Transformation of the Tughlaq style Massive. Slim and elegant Domes on high drums Absence of minarets in mosques Use of ogival arches and fine Jali European and Egyptian influence

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Features – Wooden architecture Hindu temples converted to mosques Show Buddhist influence Few buildings are of stone and there is occasional use of brick and mortar

 Square hall with pyramidal roof crowned with long slender spire Ex: Kanka Shah mosque Jaunpur: Features –  Used arch and beam combination  Lofty propylon consisting of tapering square minars and recessed arch  Absence of minarets Ex: Atala mosque  Arcuate and Trabeate systems were used as architectural technique to the weight of the ceiling Khandesi or Faruqi: Features –  Similar tombs as Mandu shows influence of Gujarat style Deccan:     

Features – Influence of Hindu, Persian and Malwa styles Bulbous dome, with lotus neck Ex: Gol Gumbaz Military architecture, typically Tughlaq style Use of thick walls, falt dome and use of squinch system Combination of Mosque and Gateway Ex: Charminar

MUGHAL PERIOD Babur:     

Criticized Indian Art and Architecture Invited Sinan from Persia and employed Indian Masons Built mosques @ Panipat, Rohikand, Agra and Ayodhya But there is no architectural significance Babri Mosque at Ayodhya became controversial and was destroyed in 1992

Humayun:  No time for building activities due to his troubled life  Only one mosque at Fatehabad in Punjab decorated with Persian tiles remain  Completed the Jamali-Kamali masjid at Mehrauli which had been commenced during Babar’s reign

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Great builder Architecture was nationalist in character Borrowed from Rajputs & others Building activities @ Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Lahore Humayun’s Tomb: Shows 1st real Mughal style Ground Plan – Persian tiles and White marble + swelling double dome with high neck 1st of the Mughal scheme of tomb gardens Foreign influence :- square plan with flattened corners, Octagonal central chamber & double dome treatment Taj Mahal was inspired by this monument >> called as “Precursor of Tajmahal”

Agra Fort:

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Plan – irregular semicircle Masculine in appearance Massive walls Borrowed features from Gwalior Fort Jahangiri Mahal – Built by Akbar, rest of the buildings in this fort belong to ShahJahan(house arrested by Aurangzeb)  Most of construction part – Shah Jahan >> Moti Masjid, Diwan-eaam, Diwan-e-khas  Marked by liberal use of marbles featuring 1. Use of red sandstone and limited use of white marble 2. Liberal outlook of the building

3. Use of trabeate and arcuate systems for decorations  Charbagh style  Haram – places where women were captured by emperors Fatehpur Sikri:  Built in red sandstone  Buildings – official, residential and religious  Gateways and lake Notable structures –

Panch Mahal:  Influence of Bengal and Gujarat  Pyramidal in shape with open pavilions, decorated pillars  Persian influence can be seen in blue glazed tiles

Buland Darwaza:  Style – half dome portal

 Smaller gates are found in the rear wall showing Iranian influence  Commemorate his triumph over deccan

Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti:

 White marble  Famous for its Jali (marble screen)

Mariam’s palace: Persian style

Jodha Bai’s palace and Birbal’s palace: Jain and Gujarati influence

Diwan – I –Khas: central pillar with suspended radiating bridges

Jahangir:  Akbar’s Mausoleum @ Sikanadara was built >> famous for its massive terrace

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3 storeys open courtyard with kiosks and pavilions Red sandstone Topmost storey – Marble Main entrance – 2 minars fused on the corners >> first time in Mughal monuments  Pietra dura  Moti masjid at Lahore  Built own tomb @ Lahore (only ruler to do like this) Shah Jahan:     

Structures – inferior in grandeur compared to Akbar’s structures Superior in lavish display of rich and skillful decorations Jewellery work on bigger scale Main characteristic – feminine beauty Mosque building reached climax under Shahjahan Ex: Moti Masjid(marble) & Jama Masjid(red sandstone) designed by Ustad Khalil

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Agra fort – white marble @ Moti masjid, Musamman Burj

Red fort  Irregular octagonal plan  2 gateways – Lahore & Delhi gate  Famous buildings – Moti Mahal, Hira Mahal  Diwan-i-khas : “Paradise on Earth”  Hammam of RangMahal – decorated in marble  8 types of calligraphy – decoration purpose  Text Quran is quoted  Vase designs with mosaic ornamentation  ShahJahan’s contribution twds Indian art – Taj Mahal

 Architect – Ustad Isa  22 yrs construction period

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Built on the line of Humayun’s Tomb Octagonal walls the dome Marble and Petra Dura were used Symmetrical garden tomb Double dome >> bulbous in outline 4 white marble minarets with 4 storeys Octagonal kiosks @ corners Garden, platform, tomb combine to give a composite whole Others – Moti Masjid, Shalimar Bagh @ lahore, Jama Masjid, City of Shah jahanabad

 Took initiative to build peacock throne by Bebudal Khan >> famous couplet of Amir Khusro

Aurangzeb:  Economy minded – few buildings are credited to him Contribution twds Mughal Architecture  Bibi – ka – Maqbara >> imitation of Taj at Aurangabad

 Badshahi Mosque – Lahore

 Moti Masjid – Lal Quila, Delhi Features of Mughal Architecture:        

Perfect or bilateral symmetry Red sandstone with white marble inlays Later pure white marble surfaces Geometric ornament Domes – slighly pointed Garden surroundings Construction of walls – rough rubble stone Construction of domes & arches – baked brick

 Gardens – relaxation &for tombs and palaces  Buildings – ceramic tile work, pietra dura inlay, carved stonework (jalis)  Persian and Hindu influence