Architecture in Medieval India
The entry of Muslims in India marks a critical chapter within the country’s wealthy and differing history. The early Muslim nearness in India can be followed back to the 7th century when Middle easterner dealers started to visit the western coast, especially the Malabar locale in present-day Kerala. These dealers built up little communities and mosques, cultivating a social trade between the Middle easterner world and the Indian subcontinent.
The more significant effect of Islam in India came with the attacks of the Turkish and Afghan rulers within the 11th and 12th centuries. The foremost striking among these was Mahmud of ghazni, who conducted a arrangement of attacks into northern India, and afterward Muhammad of Ghor, whose triumphs driven to the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206. The Delhi Sultanate, ruled by different traditions, counting the Mamluks, Khilji, Tughlaqs, and Lodis, checked the starting of extensive Muslim run the show in India.
The entry of the Mughals within the 16th century, beginning with Babur, proclaimed another critical time of Muslim nearness in India. The Mughal Realm, famous for its structural wonders, regulatory developments, and social commitments, significantly impacted Indian society. The Mughal rulers, such as Akbar, who advanced a arrangement of devout resistance and social union, and Shah Jahan, known for building the Taj Mahal, cleared out a permanent stamp on Indian history.
All through the centuries, the interaction between Muslim rulers and the different communities in India driven to a one-of-a-kind social amalgamation. This period saw the blossoming of Indo-Islamic engineering, writing, and craftsmanship. Sufi holy people and researchers played a vital part in spreading Islamic lessons, frequently emphasizing adore, resilience, and communal agreement.
The entry of Muslims in India, in this way, is not just a story of victories and kingdoms but moreover one of exchange, culture, and otherworldly trade. It molded the subcontinent’s socio-cultural scene, contributing to the wealthy embroidered artwork of India’s legacy.
Arrival of Muslim rulers
With the Arab Conquest of Sind in 712 AD, Muslim rulers arrived on the western borders of India. By the 12th century Ad, an Islamic ruler, took over the throne of the Delhi. This marked the beginning of the mediaeval period in Indian History.
Architecture in Medieval India New elements such as calligraphy and inlay decoration, become prevalent, reflecting the tastes and preference of the new rulers. But at the same time local architects maintained. Some aspects of local architecture are traditional. This further in architecture we see the confluence of Persian style and Indian style also. It is known as Indo-Islamic architecture or Indian Arabic architecture.
Features of indo- Islamic Architecture in Medieval India
The use of arches and Domes gained prominence during this period. This became known as ‘arched’ style of architecture and replaced the traditional lintel-purlin style of architecture. Islamic rulers popularized the use of minarets around mosques and Tombs. Mortar was used as a binding agent in their constructions.
While Hindu architecture had become very narrow, Indo-Islamic, architecture added vastness, comprehensiveness and grandeur to it. Whereas sculptures were used as a means of ornamentation in previous structures, indo-islamic architecture used calligraphy as a means of ornamentation.
The Arabesque pattern was also used for ornamentations. Arabesque refers to the use of geometric botanical ornaments and is characterized by a continuous stem. It divides at regular intervals, producing a series of Leafy, secondary stems and then divides again or folds back to join the main stems, thereby creating a decorative pattern.
From decorative patterns to a sense of symmetry, the architecture of this period used the principles of geometry extensively. Intricate lattice work was done in the buildings. It symbolizes the importance of light in the religion of Islam.
An important feature of the architecture of this period was the use of water in the complex, in the form of courtyard flowers, fountains and small training.
Water is used for three purposes
- Religious purpose
- For cooling of stone head
- Decoratives purpose
Charbagh- In this a square area was divided into four equal gardens
The Architecture in Medieval India of this period also used the Pietra-dura technique for settings. Precious colored stones and gems for decoration in stone walls. Another unique feature was the use of foreshortening techniques in the building.
This technique was used in such a way that even though the inscriptions were far away, they appeared close.
Architecture in Medieval India during the Delhi Sultanate period
Classified into two broad categories
- Imperial style: Preserved by the rulers of Delhi.
- Provincial style: Preserved by local rulers and chieftains.
Social style
The imperial style of Architecture in Medieval India flourished under the various dynasties that ruled during this period. Each ruler imposed some of his own tastes, but the design or style remained broadly similar.
slave dynasty
The slave dynasty or ilvari dynasty remained in power from 1206 to 1290 AD. During his reign the style of aimer architecture came to be known as the mamluk style.
During Architecture in Medieval India, most of the constructions were re-modellings of contemporary Hindu structures, he also got many monuments constructed.
Qutub Minar is a prime example of this. The construction of these five Storey structures was started by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak and he was able to build only its ground floor. The next three floors were completed by the Iltutmish, and 5th floor was built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Examples:
1.Quwwat-ul-Islam, mosque in the Qutub Minar complex which was converted from Jain temple.
- Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra in ajmer, etc.
Khilji dynasty
Khilji dynasty: Ruled from 1290 AD to 1320 AD and established the Seljuk style of Architecture in Medieval India. specialty of construction of this period was the use of red sandstones. Additionally, the arched style gained prominence from this period.
Mortar came to be used prominently as a bonding material in all construction works. Example: Alai Darwaja, Siri Fort built by Alauddin Khilji.
Tughlaq dynasty
This was a crisis period for Architecture in Medieval India. architecture during the Delhi Sultanate period. Still some construction work was done in which there was grey sandstone used. During this period, more attention was paid to the strength of the building and less emphasis was given to ornamentation. The design of the entrance gate used a combination of both arch and simple methods.
Architecture in Medieval India the Tughlaqs introduced a style of construction known as ‘better’ which was characterized by sloping walls to make buildings appear sturdier. Example: Cities of Tughlakabad Jahan Panah and Firozabad.
Lodi dynasty
Under the Lodi dynasty, the Pasch agama trend in architecture continued. The construction of tombs basically started during this period. An important feature of the architecture of this period was the prevalence of double domes. It consisted of a hollow dome inside the top dome.
Reasons for using double domes.
Strengthening the structure and reducing the internal height of the dome.
The tombs built during this phase were austere and plain without any lavish ornamentation. They were built in octagonal shape with a diameter of about 15 metres and were supported by sloping verandas.
Example: Lodi Garden, Agra City established by Sikandar Lodi etc.
Example: Lodi Garden, Agra City established by Sikandar Lodi etc.
Conclusion: –
Architecture in Medieval India. The entry of Muslims in India marks a critical chapter within the subcontinent’s wealthy and different history. Starting with exchange of intelligence on the western coast and advancing through progressive waves of intrusions and relocations, Muslims have cleared out a permanent check on India’s social, social, and political texture.
Architecture in Medieval India the early dealers from the Middle easterner world, taken after by the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Domain, presented modern authoritative homes, building styles, and social conventions that have become indispensable to India’s legacy.
This Architecture in Medieval India saw the amalgamation of Indo-Islamic culture, with significant commitments to craftsmanship, writing, food, and music, making a one-of-a-kind mix that characterizes much of India’s personality nowadays. The intuitive relationship between Muslims and other devout communities cultivated an energetic trade of thoughts, driving to the advancement of assorted and syncretic conventions.
In Architecture in Medieval Indiaof strife and pressure, the long-term coexistence and participation among diverse communities emphasize the complexity and flexibility of Indian society. Muslim arrivals in India are obvious within the country’s pluralistic ethos, reflected in its design, dialect, food, and celebrations, highlighting the perseverance effect of this verifiable travel on the Indian subcontinent.