MODULE VI - Evolution of Indo Islamic Architecture in Provincial Style

MODULE VI - Evolution of Indo Islamic
Architecture in Provincial Style

 Delhi Imperial Style
 Mughal Style
 Provincial
 Jaunpur Style
 Malwa Style
 Deccan Style – Gulbarga, Bidar, Golconda, Bijapur, Khadesh
 Gujarat Style
 Bengal Style
History of Architecture (Provincial Style)
JAUNPUR
(A.D. 1360- A.D. 1480)
History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)
JAUNPUR
• The Governor of Jaunpur, an eastern province of the sultanate

was given the title 'Malik-ush-Sharq' (King of the East) by the
Tughlaq monarch in Delhi. Hence, the dynasty was called the
Sharqi dynasty.
• Under the Sharqi monarchs, Jaunpur became an important

centre of Islamic art, architecture and learning, a university
town known as 'Shiraz-i-Hind' after the city of Shiraz in Iran.
• Most of the structures of the style were destroyed when

Sikander Lodi of Delhi reconquered Jaunpur, leaving only 5
mosques.
• The style was mainly formed under Sultan Shams-ud-Din

Ibrahim (1402- 36).

JAUNPUR
Salient Features:
1. Pylons built on the facade to accentuate entrances etc. are a
common feature.
2. Arches are of the 'depressed four centered' or 'Tudor' variety with

'Fleur-de-Lys' fringes.
3. The builders were never certain of the curves and contours of the
arches, which wavered weakly in the larger examples.
4. The predominantly Hindu masons and artisans were more

comfortable with the pillar, beam and bracket system of construction
which was frequently used.
5. The pillars have square monolithic shafts with bands across the
middle. The same bands above form the capital out of which clusters
of brackets emerge. These have a feel of rough execution.

JAUNPUR
Atala Masjid
• Built by Shams-ud-Din Ibrahim in A.D.

1408 on the foundation built by Firuz
Shah Tughlaq 30 years before.
• Built on the site of the Atala Devi

temple whose materials along with
those of other temples were used in
its construction.
• Provided the model on which all

future mosques of the style would be
based.
• The mosque consists of a square

courtyard of 177' side with cloisters on
3 sides and the sanctuary on the
fourth (western) side. Entire mosque is
a square of 258' side.

JAUNPUR
Atala Masjid – Exterior
• The rear wall of the sanctuary is worth

studying for its treatment.
• Since the qibla resolves itself into an

expansive wall with no openings,
architects face a problem regarding
the design of the exterior.
• The great plane of this wall is relieved

by 3 projections, each corresponding
to one of the principal compartments
of the interior and coinciding with the
domes.
• Each projection has a tapering turret

on its corner, with a larger replica in
each corner of the building itself.

JAUNPUR
Atala Masjid – Cloister
• Cloisters are spacious, being 42'

across and divided into 5 aisles.
• The cloisters rise up to 2 storeys.
• Two aisles of the lower storey are

formed into a series of cells with
a pillared verandah facing the
street to provide
accommodation to visitors and
merchants.
• There are 3 entrance gateways,

one in the centre of each
cloister, with the northern and
southern ones surmounted by
domes.

JAUNPUR

JAUNPUR
Atala Masjid – Sanctuary
• In the centre of the sanctuary facade, the entrance to the nave is articulated by a lofty
pylon, 75' high and 55' wide at the base.
• The pylon houses an 11' deep arched recess which contains the entrance doorway to
the sanctuary nave and the windows which light it.
• This arched pylon is the main theme of the structure (and the style as a whole), being
repeated by smaller pylons on either side of the central one and also on the gateways in
the cloisters.
• The interior of the sanctuary consists of a central nave of 35' X 30' with pillared transepts
on either side. The nave is roofed high up by a hemispherical dome.
• The interior nave is vertically divided into three parts. The first level consists of
3 mihrabs and a high pulpit with arched openings to the transepts forming the sides of
the room. The second level consists of 8 decorated arches, out of which 4 are squinches,
turning the room into an octagon. The third level has a bracket in each corner turning
the room into a 16 sided structure. Each side contains an arch, thus creating an
arcaded triforium which supports the dome.
• The dome is 57' high on the inside and constructed by means of circular courses of
stone. The exterior is covered with a layer of cement to give it a spherical curve.
• Each transept is a pillared hall with an octagonal bay in the centre roofed by a smaller
dome. The transept at both ends becomes two storied, the upper compartment
surrounded by perforated screens forming a zenanachamber for women.

JAUNPUR

JAUNPUR

JAUNPUR
Jama Masjid – Courtyard
• Built by Husain Shah in A.D.

1470.
• Repeats many of the

essential features of the
Atala Masjid on a larger
scale.
• The entire structure is raised

on a plinth 16'-20' in height
and approached by a
steep but imposing flight of
steps.

JAUNPUR
Jama Masjid
Courtyard
• The courtyard is a square of 210'

side.
• Surrounded by cloisters on three

sides and sanctuary on the west.
Cloister
• Cloisters are two storeys high.
• They are two aisles in width as

opposed to the more spacious 5
aisles in Atala Masjid.
• In the centre of each cloister is an

entrance hall covered by a dome.

JAUNPUR
Jama Masjid – Sanctuary
• In the centre of the sanctuary facade is a pylon 85' high and 77' wide at the
base.
• The arcaded wings of the side aisles are seen on both sides of the pylon with
the roofs of the two halls which form the transepts above them.
• The interior consists of the nave of 38' side.
• The clerestory arcade is open to light the interior of the dome.
• On both sides of the nave are pillared side aisles with an upper storey. This
has its openings filled in with stone jalis to provide a private area for the royal
ladies.
• Beyond the side aisles on both sides are two great vaulted halls, each 50'
long, 40' wide and 45' high.
• The interior of these halls have 3 mihrabs each on the western wall, opposite
which are the archways which open into the courtyard.
• To achieve such a large columnless space, the builders first threw across the
40' space a framework of two transverse ribs at wide intervals in the middle
and two wall ribs or 'formerets' at each end. On this permanent centering
were laid the infilling or 'severies' of flat stones fitting on the backs of the ribs.
• To counteract the thrust of such a large vault, the side walls, from the
haunches of the ribs to the foundation were made upto 10' thick.
• Such a large columnless space is a rare occurance in Indian architecture.
JAUNPUR
Other Structures
• KHALIS MUKHLIS MASJID

• JHANGIRI MASJID
• LAL DARWAZA MOSQUE

MALWA
MALWA
History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

Malwa is a natural region in west-central northern India occupying a plateau of
volcanic origin. Malwa region includes districts of western Madhya Pradesh and
parts of south-eastern Rajasthan. The Malwa region had been a separate
political unit from the time of the ancient Malava Kingdom. It has been ruled by
several kingdoms and dynasties, including the Avanti Kingdom, the Mauryans,
the Guptas, the Parmaras, the Malwa sultans, the Mughals and the Marathas.
Malwa continued to be an administrative division until 1947, when the Malwa
Agency of British India was merged into Madhya Bharat (also known as Malwa
Union) state of independent India.

Main examples of the style are found in the cities of Dhar and Mandu.
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.
Ex. - Kamal Maula Masjid (Dhar), Lat Masjid (Dhar), Malik Mughis Masjid (Mandu)
• Second (Classical) Phase:
Monuments of original character. Sober and elegant. More substantial and

formal order.
Ex. - Jami Masjid at Mandu, Ashrafi Mahal, Hushang Shah's Tomb, Hindola Mahal,
Jahaaz Mahal
• Third Phase:
Less austere and more fanciful structures, implying a life of ease and luxury.
Main examples are pavilions, loggias, kiosks, terraces etc.
Ex. - Baz Bahadur's Palace, Kushk Mahal (Chanderi), Jami Masjid at Chanderi
MALWA STYLE – City of Mandu

The Darwazas/Gates
The wall encompassing Mandu has 12 major gates or Darwazas. The present road, through which
Mandu is reached passes through many of these. Also encountered are smaller gateways built to
provide protection to the above-mentioned 12 gates.

Jahaz Mahal
Situated between two artificial lakes, this two storied architectural marvel is so named as it appears as a
ship floating in water. Built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji, it served as a harem for the sultan.

Jahaz Mahal

Hindola Mahal
Hindola Mahal - meaning Swing palace is so named due to its sloping side walls. The
Hindola Mahal might have been constructed during the reign of Hushang Shah about 1425
C.E. but may date to the end of the 15th century during the reign of Ghiyas al-Din. It is one
of a set buildings making up the royal palace complex at Mandu, which consists of the
Jahaz Mahal, the Hindola Mahal, the Tawili Mahal, and the Nahar Jharokha.The Hindola
Mahal may have been used as an audience chamber. There are a number of other,
undated structures surrounding the palace - an evidence of the rich and glorious past.

Hoshang Shah's Tomb
India's first marble structure, it is one of the most refined examples of Afghan architecture.
Its unique features include the beautifully proportioned dome, intricate marble lattice work
and porticoed courts and towers. It served as a template for the construction of Taj Mahal.

Jami Masjid Inspired by the great mosque of Damascus, this humongous structure is striking
in both its simplicity and architectural style-with large courtyards and grand entrances.

Rewa kund
A reservoir constructed by Baz Bahadur for the purpose of supplying water to Rani
Roopmati's Pavilion. The reservoir is situated below the pavilion and hence is considered
an architectural marvel.

Roopmati's Pavilion
A large sandstone structure originally built as an army observation post it is known today
as Roopmati's Pavilion. Rani Roopmati - the love interest of Baaz Bahadur lived here and is
said to have gazed at the Baz Bahadur's Palace - situated below and also at Narmada
river, flowing through the Nimar plains far below, a river which the queen revered.

Baz Bahadur's Palace
Built by Baz Bahadur, this 16th-century structure is famous for its large courtyards
encompassed by large halls and high terraces. It is situated below Roopmati's
Pavilion and can be seen from the pavilion.

BIJAPUR
History of Bijapur
• Bijapur, known earlier as Vijayapura (“City of Victory”) is located in the northern part of
Karnataka state.
• Bijapur was established in the 10th-11th centuries by the Chalukyas of Kalyani.
• The city came under Khilji Sultanate in Delhi by late 13th century.
• In 1347, Bijapur became part of Bahamani Sultanate of Gulbarga.
• Indo Islamic architecture in Bijapur, a city in the state of Karnataka flourished under the
Muslim rulers in the medieval period. This city first experienced its Islamic architecture in
the end of 13th century under Allaudin Khilji and later under the Bahamani Empire in
1347. However, Bijapur was decked and dotted with wonderful Indo Islamic
architectures during reign of the Adil Shahi dynasty in the 15th to 17th century.
• Bijapur became the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty when the Bahmani Muslim
kingdom broke up in 1482.This was the period of greatest Islamic architectural and
artistic achievement. During the entire regime, Adil Shahi rulers concentrated their
energies almost exclusively on architecture and on the allied arts.
History of Architecture (BIJAPUR Style)

Map of Old Bijapur City

Jami Mosque
• The Jami Masjid, built by Ali Shah I (1558-

80). It is constructed in the southeast part of
Bijapur city and is the finest example of Indo
Islamic architecture of that province.
• It is a large structure, as its plan forms a

rectangle 450 feet by 225 feet, and has an
entrance gate to the eastern side of the
mosque. It also has two more gates in the
south and north direction respectively.
• The walls of this building offer a considerable

area of plain masonry, with two rows of
arcades one above the other, the lower
being merely ornamental, but the upper
row is open and discloses an arched
corridor resembling a loggia.
Gol Gumbaj

• Gol Gombadh meaning "rose dome", (a reference to the flower/rose/lotus
petals that surround the dome at its base, making it appear as a budding rose)-
- is the mausoleum for sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah I.
• The structure is composed of a cube, 47.5 metres (156 ft) on each side, capped
by a dome 44 m (144 ft) in external diameter. "Eight intersecting arches created
by two rotated squares that create interlocking pendentives" support the
dome.
• At each of the four corners of the cube, is a dome-capped octagonal tower
seven stories high with a staircase inside.
• The upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome.
Inside the mausoleum hall, is a square podium with steps on each side. In the
middle of the podium.
• A cenotaph slab on the ground marks the actual grave below, "the only
instance of this practice" in the architecture of the Adil Shahi Dynasty. In the
middle of the west side, "a large half-octagonal bay" protrudes out. With an
area of 1,700 m2 (18,000 sq ft), the mausoleum has one of the biggest single
chamber spaces in the world.

GOLCONDA
Golconda Style
• Located in the city of Hyderabad, capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi
Tombs and Charminar are the landmarks that symbolize the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. Golconda Fort lies 11
km to the west of city of Hyderabad, while the Qutb Shahi tombs are a further kilometre north-west of
the Fort. Charminar is located in the heart of the old city of Hyderabad.
• Even though not located within the same complex, these three monuments together represent the
earliest Qutb Shahi layer of Hyderabad's history and belong to the Qutb Shahi dynasty that ruled the
region from 1518 A.D. to 1687 A.D. Qutb Shahi Islamic Sultanate was one of the five prominent dynasties
that emerged in the Deccan following the downfall of the Bahmani Dynasty in 1518 A.D. Seven rulers of
the Dynasty ruled for 170 years and successfully resisted the Mughal attack till 1687 A.D. It was the last
kingdom to be absorbed in the expanding Mughal Empire.
• The monuments of the Qutb Shahi period represent different building typologies; Golconda is a fortified
citadel and an early capital city of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. It is an ensemble of military structures,
ramparts, gates, bastions, armoury; religious structures such as mosques, temples; residential structures
such as palaces; water systems such as canals, fountains and landscaped gardens. The tombs of Qutb
Shahis are a mausoleum complex, a royal necropolis which comprises the tombs of the Royal family
and the officials who faithfully served them and also mortuary bath and mosques. Charminar on the
other hand, is a ceremonial Gateway built to celebrate the foundation of Hyderabad, a new Millennial
City, in 1591 A.D. The monuments are masterpieces of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty, and stand as testimony
to the past glory of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and its creative achievements.
History of Architecture (GOLCONDA Style)
Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort – History
• The Golconda fort was first built by Kakatiya as part of their western defenses. It was built in 945 CE-
970 CE on the lines of the Kondapalli fort. The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120
meters (400 ft) high and is surrounded by massive crenellated ramparts. The fort was rebuilt and
strengthened by Pratapa Rudra of Kakatiya dynasty. The fort was further strengthened by Musunuri
Nayaks who overthrew the Tughlak army occupying Warangal. The fort was ceded by the Musunuri
chief, Kapaya Nayaka to the Bahmanis as part of the treaty in 1364 AD. The fort became the
capital of a major province in the Sultanate and after its collapse the capital of the Qutb Shahi
kings. The fort finally fell into ruins after a siege and its fall to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1687 AD.
• After the collapse of the Bahmani Sultanat, Golkonda rose to prominence as the seat of the Qutb
Shahi dynasty around 1507. Over a period of 62 years the mud fort was expanded by the first three
Qutb Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite, extending around 5 km in circumference. It
remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty until 1590 when the capital was shifted
to Hyderabad. The Qutb Shahis expanded the fort, whose 7 km outer wall enclosed the city. The
state became a focal point for Shia Islam in India, for instance, in the 17th century, Bahraini clerics,
Sheikh Ja`far bin Kamal al-Din and Sheikh Salih Al-Karzakani both emigrated to Golkonda.

Golconda Fort – Characteristics
• Golkonda fort, one of the most famous and the biggest fortress in the Deccan plateau, was built on
a 400 ft. high hill. It has three lines of massive fortification walls one within the other and rise to a
height of over 12 m. The outer most wall was provided with a deep moat all around covering a vast
area of the town with a circumference of 7 km. It has 8 imposing gateways and is buttressed with 87
bastions rising to a height of 15 to 18 meters. Each of these bastions was surmounted by cannons of
varying caliber rendering the fort impregnable and strong among the forts of the medieval
Deccan.
• After the outer wall it has also a double wall that runs around the foot of the hill on which the citadel
stands. Within the double wall, winding further up the hill, connecting the natural boulders with
masonry walls is a third wall. An extension of the outer wall was made to enclose a small area on the
northeast of the town in 1724 AD, which is now known as Naya Qila. The well-planned township of
Golconda located within the fort was one of the splendid cities famous during the medieval world
for its extensive trade in gems and diamonds as attested to by foreigners like Marco Polo, an Italian
traveler. The fort has a striking appearance and its higher area is covered with the remains of
armories, magazines, mosques, granaries, reservoirs and audience chambers; while at the foot of
the citadel are nestled the dwellings of the queens and princesses and homesteads of their
retainers.

Golconda Fort – Characteristics
• The fort has an ingeniously evolved water supply system. The water raised by Persian wheels was stored
in overhead tanks at different levels. Water thus collected was effectively distributed to various mahals,
other apartments, roof gardens and fountains in the citadel through stone aqueducts and a network of
earthen pipes by sheer force of gravity.
• The important structures inside the citadel or balahissar are the imposing Silai Khana ( a three-storied Aslah
Khana – armoury building), Nagina bagh, guard lines, Akkanna-Madanna Offices, Ramdas Jail, Darbar hall,
ruins of Ambar khana, Baradari on the summit, an inner cordon wall, and a Masjid raised by Ibrahim Qutub
Shah (1550-1580 AD). The east gateway is the only entrance to the citadel and it is one of the biggest gates
in the entire fort.
• Signalling Device (Acoustic property): - A remarkable signaling device had been incorporated in the
construction of Golconda Fort. The various edifices are so placed as to transmit sound to different far away
points. If one stands at the center of the entrance portal and claps the sound is deflected by the opposite
building, which is constructed at an angle to the entrance. Similarly if clapping sound is made from the
opposite building, it will be carried to the hilltop, although at the other close points it may not be heard. It is
believed that this was deliberately contrived to convey a message to the guards posted on the roof
of darbar hall regarding the visiting dignitaries.
• The other buildings found inside the fort are Habshi Kamans (Abyssian arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati
mosque,camel stable, private chambers (kilwat), Mortuary bath, Nagina bagh, Ramasasa's kotha, Durbar
hall,of
History Ambar khana etc.
Architecture (GOLCONDA Style)
Char Minar – History
Early in the 1580’s the 5th ruler of Golconda Sultanate, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah planned to shift his capital 5
miles (8.0 km) away from Golkonda and commissioned a new capital city to be constructed by Raja Ram
Jagirdar, on the south-west banks of the Musi River. Shortly after Qutb Shah had shifted his capital from
Golkonda to what is now known as Hyderabad, the Charminar is the first structure to be constructed. Though the
Charminar lacks a foundation inscription and date of its construction is specifically unknown, multiple myths had
been recorded by the historical travellers, academic scholars and historians.

Char Minar – Design and Construction
• The Charminar was constructed by Qutb Shah, who had
also laid its foundation, The monument was intended to
serve as a Mosque and Madraasa. Mir Momin Astarabadi,
the prime minister of Qutb Shah was played a leading role
to prepare the layout plan for the Charminar along with
the new capital city (Hyderabad), the additional eminent
architects from Persia were also invited to develop the city
plan. the structure is of Indo-Islamic architecture style,
incorporating Persian architectural elements in the
structure.
• The entire city of Hyderabad was designed around the
Charminar, which was constructed on the old trade route
that connects the markets of the Golconda with the port
city of Masulipatnam.195 Constructed at the core of the
old Hyderabad, standing on the intersection of the two
main historical trade routes, towards the north is the four
gateways constructed in the cardinal directions. The city
was spread around the Charminar in four different
quadrants and chambers, segregated according to the
established settlement.

Char Minar – Structure
• Charminar has the signature style of Islamic architecture. The structure is made of granite, limestone,
mortar and pulverised marble. Initially the monument with its four arches was so proportionately
planned that when the fort was opened one could catch a glimpse of the bustling Hyderabad city
as these Charminar arches were facing the most active royal ancestral streets.
• There is also a legend of an underground tunnel connecting the Golkonda fort to Charminar, possibly
intended as an escape route for the Qutb Shahi rulers in case of a siege, though the location of the
tunnel is unknown.
• The Charminar is a square structure with each side 20 meters (approximately 66 feet) long, with four
grand arches each facing a fundamental point that open into four streets. At each corner stands an
exquisitely shaped minaret, 56 meters (approximately 184 feet) high with a double balcony.
• Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty petal like designs at the base. Unlike the Taj
Mahal, Charminar’s four fluted minarets are built into the main structure. There are 149 winding steps
to reach the upper floor. The structure also known as profuseness of stucco decorations and
arrangement of balustrades and balconies.

Qutb Shahi Tombs
The tombs form a large cluster and stand on a raised platform. The tombs are domed structures built on a
square base surrounded by pointed arches, a distinctive style that blends Persian, Pashtun and Hindu forms. The
tombs are structures with intricately carved stonework and are surrounded by landscaped gardens.
The tombs were once furnished with carpets, chandeliers and velvet canopies on silver poles. Copies of
the Quran were kept on pedestals and readers recited verses from the holy book at regular intervals. Golden
spires were fitted over the tombs of the sultans to distinguish their tombs from those of other members of the
royal family.

Qutb Shahi Tombs

Qutb Shahi Architecture – Characteristics
• Its arches-stiff pointed and horse-shoe type-is a relic of the Baridi style. This is also true of
the tomb of Ibrahim Qutb Shah. However, in the later tombs, we find a sudden change.
There were beautiful patterns on the arches as well as domes; parapets were richly
decorated and there was a free use of tile for ornamentation.
• Hindu motifs like lotus, chain and pendant designs, and pillar and lintel devices
characterize these mausoleums. The two mosques, Mustafa Khan's Masjid (A.D. 1561)
and Mulla Khayali's Masjid (A.D. 1569) throw light on the evolutionary stage of the Qutb
Shahi style of architecture. This style reached its peak in ornamentation in the time of the
founder of the Hyderabad city, Muhammad Quli.
• The most prominent feature of this style is love of ornamentation which finds expression in
various ways. The mosques now have at each of the two front ends, a tall and highly
ornamental minar.
• The shafts of the minars at times rising from kalasa or pot-bases are duodecagonial up to
the first balconized gallery, which blends them with the whole composition, through a
battlemented screen of perforated panels of its height either along the facade or all
along the sides".

GUJARAT
• Gujarat, a region
corresponding to what
is now the northern
division of old Bombay
Presidency, with
capital Ahmedabad
towards the centre.
Patan
• This Islamic style of architecture flourished for a period of 250 years from
the early 14th century when the Governors appointed by the Khalji
Sultans of Delhi established themselves in the western seaboard in
Anhilawada (Patan), until the rule of Ahmed Shahi dynasty declined in
the last half of the 16th century.
History of Architecture (GUJARAT Style)
• 2 factors are responsible for the
prodigious output of architecture :
 The powerful Ahmed Shahi dynasty,
wanted to surround themselves with
architectural evidences of their might.
 The supply of skilled indigenous
workmen.
• The tradition of the local craftsmen

of Guj, though ancient, was so
vibrantly alive that the Muslim rulers
had no choice but to opt
themselves this style for preparation
of mosques & tombs.
• Many structures are adaptations or

extracts of local Hindu and Jain
temples.
• The Gujarat style is the

most indigenous Indian style of all
the provincial styles.

Talents of the Gujarati Builder…
• Decoration & other architectonic techniques known to the builders to
create a style that could be labelled as the ‘Mohammadan
architecture of Guj’.
• Were well-equipped by the construction techniques, building the lavish

mandapas of temples which were roofed by pyramidal corbelled
dome. The plan of such mandapa could easily constitute a
multipliable unit.
• A number of such conjoined units assembled together with minor

design variations would easily produce large rectangular spaces or
halls necessary for the Liwans of the mosque.
• Were capable of inducing spatial qualities into mandapas, roofed with

domes, cupolas & carved horizontal ceiling panels situated at varying
heights.
• In fact, the only terminology the Guj architect needed to introduce

was ‘pointed arch’, & the only to delete was figurative
sculpture……..these 2 criteria fulfilled the Muslim rulers.

(1300 - 1458) (1459- 1550)
First Period Second Period Third Period
(First half of the 14th (First half of the 15th (Second half of 15th
Century A.D.) Century A.D.) Century A.D.)
Jami Masjid at Patan Jami Masjid at Bai Hari Wav

Jami Masjid at Ahmedabad Sarkhej Rouza
Bharuch Teen Darwaza (completed)
Jami Masjid at Ahmed Shah’s mosque Sidi Sayyid Masjid
Cambay Sarkhej Rouza (started) Jami Masjid at
Mosque at Dholka Champaner
• Many buildings were built using materials from Hindu temples.

• Most often, the pillars would be used as they were, while the walls would be
built of original masonry, sometimes using stones taken from the temples and
re-cut to suit the requirements.
• 3 cities founded by Mahmud Begarha are Bitwa, Mahmudabad,

Champaner

Jami Masjid, Bharoach (Bharuch) - 1300
• Largely composed of temple materials, it was planned and constructed
as per mosque principles.
• Consists of a courtyard with gateways on 3 sides and sanctuary in the
west.
• The sanctuary is of the open pillared variety i.e. without a screen of arches
put across the front. It is merely an elaborated verandah or loggia.
• All 48 pillars of the sanctuary are of bracket pattern.
• They are arranged so as to divide the interior into 3 compartments, each
corresponding to the three temple mandapas from where the pillars were
taken. (octaganally aligned supports for erecting 3 corbelled domes)
9m
Elevation
Jami Masjid, Bharoach
Pillars are of
the Hindu
temples, the
walls are
Mohammedan Sanctuary
. Plan
Courtyard

• The long western walls & 2 short
sides were built up of solid
masonry, with tiny arched &
trellised aperture for cross
ventilation.
• The eastern wall, sheltered by a

typical Hindu chajja below its
parapet was left open.
• To the liwan so formed was

added a courtyard defined by
walls rather than verandahs.
• There are 3 mihrabs (with the

Islamic pointed arch
introduced under the lintel) on
the interior of the western wall
and a series of arched windows
filled with stone tracery designs. Mihrab
• The sanctuary roof consists of beams
supporting 3 large domes and 10
smaller ones.
• Square sunk coffered ceilings are

decorated with cusped and other
geometrical patterns as found in
temple roofs.
• Except for a certain amount of

direction and supervision from Muslim
overseers, the actual production is the
handiwork of local artisans who had
probably never seen a mosque
before.
(The interior of the Liwan with its rather
bracketed columns may not have
been ideally suited a mosque )

Jami Masjid, Cambay (Khambhat) The jambs of the central part of
the facade are nearly forty feet
high, and crowned with pointed
• 25 years later the Muslim rule finials.
administered from the ancient
seaport town of Cambay, & a
Jami Masjid was constructed.
• Judging from the appearance, it

is probable that local artisans
were reinforced by a group of
artisans from Delhi to build this
structure.
• The sanctuary of the mosque is

having an enclosed facade with
a screen of arches.
• The shape and position of the • On the south side of the mosque is
arches, the masonry consisting of a square tomb, built of marble,
alternate broad and narrow where 'Umar Ahmad Gazruni
courses and the overall (1333) is buried.
architectural treatment is
reminiscent of the architectural
• sanctuary has an open courtyard
style of Delhi under the Khalji
dynasty. in front, surrounded by corridors.

Jami Masjid, Cambay
• The façade of the Liwan is
composed of a blank screen wall
consisting of large central arch, & 2
symmetrically subsidiary ones.
• There were 14 domes that

constitute interior of the liwan
behind.
• The pillars have been enriched
by an engrailed arch similar to
• The cloisters that define the
one found in temples, a motif
courtyard on the 3 sides are
which later figures prominently
formed by a flat-roofed aisle & a
as the flying arch within the
series of 21 domes over octagonal
central openings of mosque
ccolumn bays.
facades in Gujarat.
• The entrance gateway in the
middle of the eastern cloisters is re-
erected temple portico with a
dome added on for Islamic effect.

Jami Masjid, Cambay
The main
64.6m sanctuary
contains one
76.8m courtyard hundred pillars
supporting the
roof that were
evidently taken
from Hindu and
tomb Jain temples
Plan
Jami Masjid, A’bad – (1423)
• measuring 116m x 79m, considered to be the high water mark of
mosque design (nadir of mosque design) on western India.
• Most of the architectural effect is concentrated in the sanctuary.
The ‘solids’ & ‘ voids’

composition of the
façade.
• The architect has combined the two types of sanctuary facades, the screen
of arches and the pillared portico, with the screen in the centre and the
portico on the wings.
• The juxtaposition of the two elements creates contrast between the volume
and strength of the wall surface and the depth and airy lightness of the
colonnade.
• The large central archway has large moulded buttresses of minarets on either
sides, whose upper parts have now disappeared. 2 smaller archways are
placed
History on either
of Architecture side of
(GUJARAT the central one.
Style)
Jami Masjid, A’bad
• Liwan consists of around 300 slender pillars, closely set at 1.6m distance
• Directly visible through the archway in the shadows is the colonnade of the
interior with its engrailed arch springing lightly from its slender columns.
• The dynamic volume (liwan) is roofed by a large corbelled dome resting over
an octagonal ring of columns, each of the 8 facades being filled in with
panels of jaalis. The doomed roof added on Islamic quality to the interior as
well as the façade; & the open grills the dome made the central bay an open
shaft generating cool currents in the air, so essential in the hot & humid climate
of A’bad.
• The balconies provided a sufficiently private Zenana apartment for the ladies.
• The central compartment of the nave

rises up to 3 storeys, the side aisles are 2
storeys and the rest of the hall is single
storeyed

columns are symmetrically arranged to
form 15 bays across the long axis of the
hall
81m
64m
A - Prayer
room
290m
B – Liwan (300
pillars)
70m
C - Zenana
Plan

Section
• The nave is composed of two pillared galleries one above the

other. The enclosed triple height space which is overlooked from
the galleries is square in plan on the first floor and octagonal on
the second and is covered by a dome.
• Each overlooking balcony is provided with an asana or a sloping

backed seat as seen in temples.
• Around the exterior of the balconies are pillared verandahs and

in the arcade between the pillars are stone jalis through which
the galleries are illuminated.

Axonometric view
What is Rouza ?
• A rouza is a mausoleum consisting of the usual combination of a tomb &
its accompanying mosque.
• An arrangement which tomb & its mosque confront one another, & being
complementary in design, together produce an attractive composition.
• The strategy for combining the 2 also ensured the glory of the ruler would
be duly preserved.
• Depending on various circumstances, sometimes the mosque &

sometimes the tomb would dominate the architectural appeal of the
rouza.

Sarkhej Rouza
• located in the village of Makaraba, Sarkhej, 7 km from A’bad,
Gujarat….the most revered rouza.
• The complex is known as "Ahmedabad's Acropolis", due to 20th century

architect Le Corbusier's comparison of this mosque's design to
the Acropolis of Athens.
Palace + gardens + pavilions + gateways + a large
artificial lake + mosque + tombs
• on the death of Ahmed Shah, his son Mohammed Shah was prompted to
build a tomb in his father’s homage, Sheikh Ahmed Khatri, who died in
1441 at Sarkhej.
• Sarkhej was once a prominent centre of Sufi culture in the country, where
influential Sufi saint Ganj Baksh (advisor to Ahmed Shah) lived. Upon his
death in 1445, the reigning monarch, Mohammed Shah ordered a
mausoleum built in his honour, along with a mosque.
• The construction of these monuments were completed in 1451 A.D.

Sarkhej Rouza
• its architectural style is a true amalgamation of Hindu, Jain and Islamic
styles.
• The huge tomb consisting of a square hall of 32m side is an unusually

large hypostyle hall forested with columns.
• The central domed portion of the hall has been enclosed within an
unusual brass framed screen to form the sepulcher.
• the next sultan, Mahmud Begada, who
gave the complex its present grandeur.
• He expanded it by building the pleasure

palaces, gave finishing touches to the tank
and added his own tomb & his family just
across the courtyard from the saint's.
• small open pavilion is in front of his tomb is

16m tall & graceful shafts, devoid of any
Pavilion
ornamentation, is roofed with 9 small
domes.
Sarkhej Rouza
• The mosque, measuring 68m x 48m, with its courtyard, creates a religious
milieu; the royal connection is made through the tombs and palaces;
the great tank, platforms and pavilions were used by the common man.
• The complex was originally spread over 72 acres, surrounded by

elaborate gardens on all sides. Over time, human settlements came
around it, eating into gardens and reducing the area to 34 acres.
• The ringed domes, the profusion of pillars and brackets follow the Islamic
genre, much of the ornamentation and motifs have Hindu designs. Most
of the buildings don't have arches and depend on pierced
stone trellises for stability.
Pavilion dome Mosque dome

Sarkhej Rouza
4 3
5
6
1
5. Pavilion
6. Sultan’s private mosque
Built by Muhammad Shah Built by Muhammad Begara

Sarkhej Rouza
1. Saint’s tomb 3. Queen’s tomb 5. Water tank

2. Mosque 4. King’s tomb
Sarkhej Rouza
Mosque
Galleries facing the lake

(back side of the family tomb)
Jaalis
Tomb of Saint (internal view)
Jami Masjid, Champaner
• Built with the Jami Masjid at
Ahmedabad as model except on a
smaller scale and a few differences.
• aspects which differentiate the

masjids of Champaner & A’bad are
:
i) façade of the liwan discards the
open colonnade wings.
ii) other 3 sides are ornamented with
balconies, bracketed openings,
turrets, buttressess & corner minars
with Hindu ornamentation.
• Composed of hypostyle hall of a

forest of columns piled up one over
the other.

• The entire structure is a rectangle
of 86.4m X 57.6m.
• The courtyard is surrounded by a

range of arched cloisters, one aisle
deep.
• An imposing entrance pavilion

projects from the centre of each of
the north, south and east cloisters.
The eastern pavilion is a fine
example of architecture in itself.
• A series of moulded buttresses

along the exterior of the qibla wall
along with traceries openings at
close intervals along the entire
periphery makes the exterior of the
mosque attractive as well.
Plan
• Sanctuary facade is of enclosed type containing 5 pointed archways

with two slender minarets flanking the central opening.
• The ornamentation of the minarets is restricted to their buttress like bases,
with the five stages above left mostly unadorned.
• On the whole, the frontal screen is more or less economically treated,
relieved only by 3 oriel windows, one above the central arch and two on
the minarets.
• Sanctuary is a pillared hall measuring 270' X 130', containing 176 pillars.
• The nave rises to 65' in height through 3 storeys and covered by a dome.
• From the second storey, it takes the form of a Latin cross with very short
arms.
• Each
History storey is(GUJARAT
of Architecture accessed by a staircase in the minarets.
Style)
• The level of the first floor is continuous with the roof of the rest of the
building, forming a wide terrace for circumambulation among the
cupolas with a square well above the nave.
• The second floor is restricted to the Latin cross and is a large pillared
gallery with an octagonal well. This floor communicates with the oriel
window above the central arch in the sanctuary facade.
• The zenana chamber is placed at the northern end of the transept.
• Around the galleries are provided stone seats with sloping backs.
• The Champanir mosque is based on the Ahmedabad mosque as a

template, though the builders were not able to provide much of an
improvement on the Ahmedabad archetype. The pillars in the
Champanir sanctuary are more sophisticated than the Ahmedabad
example, as may be seen in the vertical recessed chases of the
shafts and other architectural details of a similar nature

Sidi Saiyyed ni Jaali - (1573)
Façade (Panaromic view)
• As attested by the marble stone
tablet fixed on the wall of the
mosque, built by Sidhi Saiyyed,
General in the army of the
last Sultan Muzaffar Shah III.
• The structure though sober but is

an example of great
architecture. The minarets are
provided on the northern &
southern extremities.
• In the western walls of liwan,

jaalis infill panels in the arched
aperture were inserted.
• It is a genious work responding

both Islamic (geometric
decoration) & non-Islamic
(figurative decoration).

Sidi Saiyyed ni Jaali
• Walls are composed entirely of
perforated stone screen which
have given the building a
worldwide reputation.
• The screen in the mosque,
though usage of figurative
elements, is animated by a
sensuality that belongs only to
the female human form.
• For expressing this sensuousness,
the artist has chosen the
entwining trunks, branches,
leaves of plants & trees as his
subject.
• On top of the arcade is laid a flat roof. In the construction of the ceiling,
the methods of bracket, diagonal beam and squinch have been used.

Sidi Saiyyed ni Jaali
• 8 square piers supporting the
arches form the interior of the
mosque.
• The branches of this natural

element are then minutely
dispersed within the arched
outline in a manner suggestive
of elementary simplicity at first Section
glance, & extreme complexity
on deeper study.
Plan

Jhulta Minaras – (1461)
• located in A’bad, Gujarat.
• mainly known for its unique
architecture.
• This is a pair of pillar which is a part

of the Siddi Bashir Mosque. Known
for its superb craftsmanship, these
minarets are built in such a manner
that it starts swinging if a little
pressure is applied on any one side
of the minar.
• There are many myths surrounding it but the most popular belief it was
done to avoid the earthquakes.
• It is said that a European Sanskrit scholar, Monier M Williams noticed that
the minarets are shaking.
• Thus this led to the name of Shaking Minarets or Jhulta Minar.

Jhulta Minaras
• Each of the minarets is 3 storied tall and are intricately carved. They
have stone balconies that are around 21.34m high.
• The striking feature of these Minarets is when one minaret is shaken the
other one also vibrates.
• The phenomena is that the vibrations at the base of tower gets
amplified and are transmitted through air tunnels between the two
towers resulting in shaking of other tower.
• Surprisingly, no tremble is felt in the connecting passageway between
the two minarets.
Façade of the mosque Minaret

BENGAL
Adina Mosque, Panduah
• This gigantic Mosque built and completed by Sikandar
Shah (c.1358-1390 AD) in 1369 AD is the most
remarkable existing example of Muslim architecture of
that period.
• It is a Quadrangular building, consisting of cloisters
which surrounded a central area of the same form.
• It extends 507½ feet from north to south and 285½ feet
from east to west.
• On the east side, through which the shrine is entered
by an insignificant door, the cloisters are 38 feet wide
and have 3 aisles.
• The total number of domes covering the cloisters was
306 in all.
• The upper chamber (Badshah-Ka-Takht) which is
situated to the north of the Central hall, was
apparently intended to provide separate
accommodation for the King and his family during
services.
• The prayer niches on this area in the west wall are
embellished with beautiful ornamental Tughra
inscriptions.
• To the northern half of the back wall of the mosque
and west of the Badshah-Ka-Takht lies a roofless room,
42 feet square, known as Sikandar Shah's tomb.
Plan
History of Architecture (BENGAL Style)
Adina Mosque, Panduah
History of Architecture (BENGAL Style)

MODULE VI - Evolution of Indo Islamic Architecture in Provincial Style

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MODULE VI - Evolution of Indo Islamic Architecture in Provincial Style

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MODULE VI - Evolution of Indo Islamic

Architecture in Provincial Style

 Deccan Style – Gulbarga, Bidar, Golconda, Bijapur, Khadesh

• The Governor of Jaunpur, an eastern province of the sultanate

• Under the Sharqi monarchs, Jaunpur became an important

• Most of the structures of the style were destroyed when

• The style was mainly formed under Sultan Shams-ud-Din

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

2. Arches are of the 'depressed four centered' or 'Tudor' variety with

4. The predominantly Hindu masons and artisans were more

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

• Built by Shams-ud-Din Ibrahim in A.D.

• Built on the site of the Atala Devi

• Provided the model on which all

• The mosque consists of a square

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

• The rear wall of the sanctuary is worth

• Since the qibla resolves itself into an

• The great plane of this wall is relieved

• Each projection has a tapering turret

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

Atala Masjid – Cloister

• Cloisters are spacious, being 42'

• The cloisters rise up to 2 storeys.

• Two aisles of the lower storey are

• There are 3 entrance gateways,

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

Jama Masjid – Courtyard

• Built by Husain Shah in A.D.

• Repeats many of the

• The entire structure is raised

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

• The courtyard is a square of 210'

• Surrounded by cloisters on three

• Cloisters are two storeys high.

• They are two aisles in width as

• In the centre of each cloister is an

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

• KHALIS MUKHLIS MASJID

History of Architecture (JAUNPUR Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

Dismantling of temples and converting them into mosque.

• Second (Classical) Phase:

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

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)

History of Architecture (MALWA Style)