Indo-Islamic Architecture Lecture-9 – Indian Art & Culture

Table of Contents

With the Arab conquest of Sind in 712 AD, the arrival of the Islamic rulers to the western frontiers of India had started.
By 12th century AD, the throne of Delhi had been occupied by an Islamic ruler, which marked the onset of the medieval period of Indian history.
In the subsequent years, Indian architecture underwent a massive change. New elements such as calligraphy, ornamentation using inlay work, etc. were introduced to reflect the tastes and preferences of the new rulers.
However, the local architects retained certain flavours of the local architectural traditions as well. Thus, in the architecture of this following period, we see a confluence of Persian style with the Indian style.
Hence, it is known as Indo-Islamic architecture or Indo-Saracenic architecture.
Some of the features of Indo-Islamic architecture are given as follows:
The use of arch and domes gained prominence during this period. It was known as ‘Arcuate’ style of architecture and replaced the traditional Trabeate style of architecture.
The Islamic rulers introduced the use of minars around the mosques and the mausoleums.
Mortar was used as a cementing agent in their constructions.
The Indo-Islamic architecture avoided the use of human and animal figures.

While the Hindu architecture had become too congested, the IndoIslamic architecture introduced spaciousness, massiveness and breadth to it.
While the previous structures used sculptures as means of decoration, the Indo-Islamic architecture used calligraphy as means of decoration.
Arabesque method was also used for decoration. Arabesque meant the use of geometrical vegetal ornamentation and was characterised by a continuous stem which split regularly, producing a series of counterpoised, leafy, secondary stems. The secondary stems, in turn, split again or returned to merge with the main stem creating a decorative pattern.
The architecture of this period heavily used the principles of geometry – from decorative pattern to imbibing a sense of symmetry.
The buildings had intricate jaali works, which signifies the importance of light in Islamic religion.

An important feature of the architecture during this period was the use of water in the premises of the constructions in the form of courtyard pools, fountains and small drains.
Water was used primarily for three purposes:

Religious purpose
To cool the premises
Decorative purpose

The Islamic rulers introduced the Charbagh style of gardening, in which a square block was divided into four adjacent identical gardens.

The architectures of these times also used the pietra-dura technique for inlay of precious coloured stones and gems into the walls for decoration.

Architecture during Delhi Sultanate Period

Slave dynasty:
The Slave dynasty or the Ilbari dynasty remained in power from 1206 to 1290 AD. During this period, the style of architecture came to be known as the Mameluke style of architecture.
Qutub Minar being a prime example. It is a five-storey structure initiated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who made only the ground floor. The next three storeys were completed by Iltutmish and the fifth storey was made by Feroze Shah Tughlaq.
Khilji Dynasty: They ruled from 1290 AD to 1320 AD and established the Seljuk style of architecture. The constructions of this period were marked by the use of red sandstone.
Also, the prominence of Arcuade style begun from this period. Mortar began to be used prominently in all the constructions as a cementing agent. Examples: Alai Darwaza by Ala-ud-din Khilji, Siri Fort, etc.

Lodi Dynasty:
Under the Lodi dynasty, architecture continued to take a back seat. Only tombs were commissioned during this period. However, one important feature of architecture during this period was the introduction of double domes. It consisted of a hollow dome inside the top dome

The reasons for the use of double domes were:
To give strength to the structure, and
To lower the inner height of the dome. The tombs built during this phase were hard and bare, without any lavish decorations. They were built in octagonal shapes, with a diameter of roughly 15 metres. Example: Lodi Gardens, the city of Agra was established by Sikandar Lodi, etc.

Mughal Architecture

The Mughals were great patrons of art and architecture. Under them, architecture regained its place of importance, as new buildings were built with great vision and artistic inspiration

Akbar

Akbar took a keen interest in the development of art and architecture. The principal feature of the constructions during Akbar’s reign was the use of red sandstone. He also introduced the use of ‘Tudor arch’ (four centred arch).

Agra Fort
It was one of the first constructions which started during the reign of Akbar. However, most of the structures present inside the fort were done during the reign of Shah Jahan.
Some of the prominent buildings here are: Moti Masjid, by Shah Jahan. Diwan-i-aam (Hall of Public Audience) by Shah Jahan. Diwan-i-khas (Hall of Private Audience) by Shah Jahan. Jahangiri Mahal Sheesh Mahal (Turkish Bath) The gardens inside the fort are built using the Charbagh style.

Fatehpur Sikri

One of the highlights of Indo-Islamic architecture was the creation of a new capital city by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri.
It has been described as a “frozen moment in history” as the buildings here represent a unique blend of Hindu and Persian styles.
Some of the important buildings inside the city are:
Buland Darwaza the imposing 40 metre red sandstone structure was built in 1576 AD, to commemorate Akbar’s victory over Gujarat. It is the highest gateway of the world. •
Salim Chishti’s tomb was built in 1581 AD. It has beautiful Jaali work in white marble. It has arabesque patterns with inscriptions of Quranic verses on the walls. It is in the imperial complex which also has Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid. It was further decorated by Jahangir in 1606 AD.
Buland Darwaza the imposing 40 metre red sandstone structure was built in 1576 AD, to commemorate Akbar’s victory over Gujarat.
It is the highest gateway of the world

Salim Chishti’s tomb was built in 1581 AD. It has beautiful Jaali work in white marble. It has arabesque patterns with inscriptions of Quranic verses on the walls. It is in the imperial complex which also has Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid. It was further decorated by Jahangir in 1606 AD.
Panch Mahal is a five-storied structure made of columns and is inspired by the concept of Persian badgir (wind-catcher).

Jodha Bai’s Palace or Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace (Mary of the Age) has beautiful interiors with Hindu motifs of bell and flowers.
Ibadat Khana: Akbar used to meet the leaders of different religions here to have discussion.

Pachisi Court in the courtyard where Akbar is said to have played chess.

Hiran Minar was built in memory of Akbar’s favourite elephant, named Hiran. It also served as lighthouse for travellers. It is uniquely designed and its exterior wall contains tusk like spikes.

Akbar also built a temple of Govind Dev in Vrindavan

Jahangir During the reign of Jahangir, architecture took a back seat as he focused more on paintings and other forms of art.
However, he oversaw the construction of some noteworthy monuments including Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra. Further, he developed a number of gardens during his reign, e.g. the Shalimar Bagh in Kashmir. He also built the Moti Masjid at Lahore.
Shah Jahan
Under Shah Jahan, Mughal architecture reached its climax. Some of his principal works are described below: Taj Mahal Taj Mahal is the finest specimen of Mughal architecture, exhibiting the full range of grandeur and opulence. It was constructed in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
It had all the features of Mughal architecture including the use of calligraphy, pietra-dura works, foreshortening technique, Charbagh style gardens and the use of water in the premises for decoration.
Apart from this, some of the unique features of Taj Mahal are: The jaali work in Taj Mahal is lace like and is extremely fine.

Apart from Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan constructed a number of other monuments, gardens and buildings such as:

Red Fort in Delhi
Jama Masjid in Delhi
Shalimar Bagh in Lahore
City of Shahjahanabad

Besides such large scale constructions, one of his best works was the construction of Peacock Throne that is one of the finest examples of metal work during this period.
Aurangzeb
During the reign of Aurangzeb, Mughal architecture declined. Being a puritanical, he did not take an active interest in the pursuit of art and architecture.
Although, Aurangzeb commissioned the construction of Bibi-ka-Maqbara in memory of his wife Begum Rabia-ud-Daurani. It is situated in Aurangabad and is described as a poor imitation of Taj Mahal.