A Study on Sultanate Architecture
The Delhi Sultanate, a Muslim Sultanate kingdom, was mostly based in Delhi and was spread over a larger part of the Indian subcontinent for around 320 years (1206–1526) and still finds significance as an integral period of Medieval Indian History. Five prominent dynasties have ruled in this period and the sequence goes as: the Mamluk Dynasty (1206–1290), the Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320), the Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451), and the Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526). The Delhi Sultanate was one among the very few states to sustain and repel the attacks by the mighty Mongols led by rulers like Chengiz Khan. This Sultanate was also one among the few in Islamic History to enthrone a female ruler, Razia Sultan (1236–1240). With such a boundless plethora of historical significance, the Sultanate has also played an active part in promoting art and architecture during the period of their rule. They were the patrons of art and culture and such a quality is reflected even in their architecture and monumental displays. Built by the first sultan of the Delhi Sultanate Qutub al-Din Aibak, the Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India still stands as a silent testimony to the rich history of the Sultans in the city of Delhi. The Alai Darwaza is the main gateway on the southern part of the Qutub Complex; built in 1311 CE holds the earliest surviving true dome in India.[1]
The research piece deals with such similar monuments and structures built during the Sultanate period which has this type of architecture and its inception which is dated back to and credited to the Sultans of the Delhi Sultanate.
A note on the literature used in the study…..
History of Medieval India 1st edition by Satish Chandra. The section on Architecture in the Chapter of Delhi Sultanate provides us some basic information regarding the advent of such architecture ,i.e., the Indo-Islamic architecture and who contributed to such architecture.
The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History by Peter Jackson. A small section has been devoted to Indo-Islamic architecture and its features and how the structures were made strong for security purposes.
Architectural Development during Delhi Sultanate Era by Shakeel Ahmed published on Jagranjosh. It once again talks about the features of the architecture and different monuments constructed during that period from the perspective of the rulers and also in contemporary scenario; of the historians.
Another article by the name Architecture of Delhi Sultanate by Anonymous published in GK Today has also been consulted for understanding the thoughts behind such architecture from the perspective.
Formation and conception of the architecture
If any random textbook on Medieval History is opened it would be found that the period was witness many cross-religious bonding and cross-culturalism. The art and architecture along with other things is also not an alien to these factors. The Indo-Islamic architecture that prevailed during this period was mainly a mix of Islamic, Jain and Hindu architectural aspects. For example a few Sultans married Hindu women leading to an inter-religion marriage. Like Alauddin Khilji married Jhatyapali, the daughter of the Hindu King Ramchandra of Devagiri. He also married a Rajput lady Kamala Devi, who was originally the chief queen of Raja Karan Vaghela, king of Gujarat. The mahals of these queens were dome shaped which was Islamic but the figurines of Hindu Gods and Godesses, the lotus flower which is meant to be auspicious and Hindu shlokas were all inscribed both inside and outside the mahal. Along with them were Islamic calligraphy of Islamic ayats and zubaans. All these characteristics gave these mahals a look of grandeur and a distinct identity. Both the cultures synchronized and the resultant effect was seen in art, literature and architecture as well. This is where Indo-Islamic essentially originated.[2]
The Indo-Islamic architecture manifested the aesthetic sense and culture of the Sultans that includes both religious and secular structures. The Sultanate Era marked the evolution and development of a new-type of Hindu-Muslim architecture in which the decorative exuberance of Hindu architecture was toned down to add Islamic elements such as calligraphy, ayats, geometrical shapes and inscriptional art.[3] This has a pretty valid reason. First of all Hindu architects and masons were employed to make such structures and monuments. Secondly, Hindu temples were demolished to make such early Islamic mosques and monuments. The remains of such Hindu temples have also been to make them as well. Thirdly, rather than building new monuments from the scratch the early Muslim rulers resorted to converting the existing Hindu and Jain temples to Islamic structures by doing a few alterations. The most prominent feature of such architecture is use of false archs and false domes to true archs and true domes which originated in this Sultanate Era and found its use subsequently in the Mughal Era as well.[4]
Rulers who patronized the architecture
Qutub ud-Din Aibak
Aibak demolished some Jain and Hindu temples to build the and the Adhai Din ka Jhopra in Ajmer. He started the construction of the Qutub Minar over a Hindu temple in Delhi in the memory of sufi saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki in 1192. The Qutub Minar, probably the best contribution of Sultanate architecture is situated in a complex known as the Qutub complex was once tallest monument of India. It is believed that the Qutub Minar has been a hiding place as well as place of recreation of the Sultan. He used to do rajya darshan (provincial monitoring) from there. The Qutub Minar is a 73 feet tall monument, wider at the base and the radius decreasing with ascent. At the base there is a lotus-like structure known as a girdle. In every floor there is a girdle which acts as a demarcation between the two floors. There are inscriptions carved on its body till the second level of ascent. The inscriptions are mainly shayaris, ayats and holy words from the Quran. Its spiral staircase with 379 steps was the first of its kind in any Medieval monument. The topmost storey of the Minar was destroyed by lightning and the bottom part by an earthquake. It was reconstructed by Sikander Lodi. The final two storeys that stand today were constructed by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. The Minar also has some other distinctive features. The red sandstone storeys are separated by flanges, has storeyed balconies, carried on Muqarnas Corbels. Muqarnas Corbels are geometrically designed Islamic writings which are carved on the walls of monuments. The fifth and the final storey is made of marble and sandstone which brings a wheatish tinge to it and makes this storey look different.[5]
Alauddin Khilji
Alauddin Khilji marked a new phase in the history of Medieval architecture. His architectural design was an improvement upon the previous Sultans. He constructed the Alai Darwaza in 1311 one of the most treasured gems in Islamic architecture. It serves as the southern entrance to the Quwwat-ul- Islam Mosque The building consists of a large hall covered by a dome, while arched doorways stand on all four sides of it. The base of the dome has a lotus like structure which may be attributed to the Hindus. It was built in red stone while its surface was built in white marble.[6]
In 1296 AD he built Hauz-i- Khas or Hauz-i- Ilahi, a 70 acre water tank. It had stone masonry wall around it and contained water levels enough to supply the whole city. Another important creation of Alauddin Khilji was the Siri, which was the second of all the seven cities of Delhi. It had a palace with thousand pillars. It was built keeping in mind the overgrowing population in the suburbs. The Siri Fort and its walls were built with rubble (mud) and ashlar (limestone) masonry. Alauddin even built the mosque of Jamait Khanm. The only unsuccessful venture made by Khilji was the Alai Minar which was supposed to be double the size of Qutub Minar. But due to his death, the project was most probably abandoned and left untouched.[7]
Iltutmish
Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish (1211–1236) was the third Sultanate ruler belonging to the Mamluk Dynasty. He is prominently known for his tough rule and glorious contribution to architecture during his period of reign. During his period in Badaun, he built the fort of Kotla. He also built a water tank called Hauz-i-Shamsi to cater to the needs of the pilgrims which he erected in 1230. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad appeared in his dream and instructed him to build this tank.
He also has some religious architectures to his name as well. He constructed the Jama Masjid Shamsi popularly known as the Great Friday Mosque in the city. This mosque remained the largest mosque of Medieval India until the Jama Masjid in Delhi built by Alauddin surpassed it. But it still remains the second largest Mosque Dome. Several monasteries (khanqas) and dargahs (graves) were built by him. He built Hamid-i- Khanaqa and also built Gandhak-ki-Baoli, a stepwell for Sufi saint Qutubuddin Bhakhtiar Kaki. He built the Sultan Ghari mausoleum in memory of his eldest son in 1231. It was the first Islamic mausoleum in the city of Delhi. The tomb is implanted in a cave . The steep stairs made of stone are supported by pillars and flooring. It is covered by an unusual octagonal square slab. The exterior of the tomb is built in sandstone and marble.[8]
Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Tughlaq played an active role in refurbishing and rebuilding the Qutub Minar when it was struck down by a lightning. He built the remaining two storeys of sandstone and marble by replacing them with one floor. He brought two Ashokan pillars from Meerut and erected them in his fortress in Kotla. He built rest houses, madrasas and gardens. One of his hunting lodges, Shikargarh, also known as Kushak Mahal, is situated within the Teen Murti Bhavan complex, Delhi. The nearby Kushak Road is named after it, as is the Tughlaq Road further on.[9]
Distinct Features of the Indo-Islamic architecture during the Sultanate Reign
The Sultanate Architecture may be divided into primarily three categories. First is of the Delhi or the Imperial style of architecture which prospered under the patronage of the Sultans. The next one can be called as provincial style of architecture. This type of architecture developed in the provinces in and around Delhi during that era. To be fair, whatever today is known as Indo-Islamic architecture has been mostly influenced by this type of architecture. Medieval historians say that during that time the provinces were ruled by Hindu rulers under the Sultan. The synchronization of both the religions might have led to some innovation of which the end product is the type of art and architecture that is in question. There was another form of art and architecture that was also prevalent during that period- the Hindu form of architecture. The same was developed under the purely Hindu kingdoms of Rajasthan and Vijaynagara. It is said that many of the monuments and mosques built by Alauddin Khalji was inspired by the art and architecture of this region.
The main elements in the Indo-Islamic architecture were :[10]
1.Arch and Dome method which needed large pillars to support the roof and enabled the construction of large halls with a clear view.
2.Use of superior mortars to hold the stones
3.Use of slab and beam method
4.Decorative exuberance ,such as use of geometrical shapes, calligraphy and inspirational art.
Some other interesting elements of such type of architecture are ball motif, lotus motif, drum, guldasta (small minarets), chattri (smaller domes), spandrel (petal-like structure above the entance) and dado (false window).
Indo-Islamic architecture indeed has great significance even today. The Taj Mahal in Agra, although built in the Mughal era, has a great display of Indo-Islamic architecture. People across the world even today when visit Agra remain awestruck by the beauty of this heritage structure.
Conclusion
The Sultanate influenced Indo-Islamic architecture has indeed paved the way for modern architecture. The Mughals followed them and so did the Imperial colonialists who later on flourished their rule in India. The structural designs are still used in modern day art. These type of designs can be seen in mosques and temples which stand even today; maybe disintegrated due to time but still prominent. The project has already revealed how the structures were formed, what were the materials used and under which ruler the certain structures were constructed. The project also dealt with some distinct features of this type of architecture such as guldasta, gumbaz (dome) and many other features.[11]
A much more extensive study is still going on The Delhi Sultanate and art and architecture holds a prime position in it. Still today such designs are incorporated in any Islamic structure that comes up. Many hotels in the Middle East are coming up even today with the dome shapes and calligraphy. Indo-Islamic designs come today in different forms: designs on clothes, outlines on books and scriptures and outlay on buildings and structures.
Indo-Islamic art and architecture can indeed be a very lucrative discipline of study and much is still left to be revealed about it. But for sure , it has left a mark in the advent of modern day art and culture and the heritage structures of the Delhi Sultanate stand as a silent testimony to it.
References
[1] Jackson, THE Peter DELHI SULTANATE: A POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY, 1st ed. 2003.
[2] Satish Chandra, HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL INDIA, 1st ed. 2004.
[3] ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI SULTANATE published on GK Today visited on 16/09/2018 at 11:59 PM.
[4] STATES IN MEDIEVAL TEMPLE DESECRATION AND MUSLIM INDIA by Richard Eaton, published in 2004, source retrieved from Wikipedia visited on 16/9/18 at 10:21 AM.
[5] Satish Chandra , HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL INDIA, 1st ed. 2004.
[6] Kishori Saran Lal, HISTORY OF THE KHILJIS, 1st ed. 1950.
[7] Jackson, THE Peter DELHI SULTANATE: A POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY, 1st ed. 2003.
[8] Satish Chandra, HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL INDIA, 1st ed. 2004.
[9] ANTIQUITIES OF INDIA: AN ACCOUNT OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF ANCIENT HINDUSTAN 1999 by Barnett visited on 19/9/2018 at 8:21 PM.
[10] ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT DURING DELHI SULTANATE ERA by Shakeel Ahmed published on Jagranjosh visited on 20/9/2018 at 9:40 PM.
[11] ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT DURING DELHI SULTANATE ERA by Shakeel Ahmed published on Jagranjosh visited on 20/9/2018 at 11:42 PM.
