Sultanate Architecture
Log Entry: The Fusion of Arches and Trabeats
The architecture of the Delhi Sultanate is a visual record of cultural synthesis. When the Turkic rulers arrived, they brought the arcuate style (arches and domes), which met the traditional Indian trabeat style (beams and lintels). This "Indo-Islamic" fusion represents the same adaptability I strive for in my life. Just as stone was carved into delicate calligraphy, I must carve out time for my health and studies with the same precision and aesthetic focus.
I. The Early Mamluk Phase (1191 AD – 1290 AD)
Quwwat-ul-Islam and the Reuse of Materials (1191 AD – 1199 AD)The first Islamic structure in Delhi, the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, was built using the remains of 27 Hindu and Jain temples. In 1193 AD, Qutb-ud-din Aibak used the existing pillars and beams, creating a unique hybrid look. By 1199 AD, he added a screen of massive arches in front of the prayer hall, though these were "corbelled" rather than "true" arches.
The Qutub Minar: A Victory in Stone (1199 AD – 1220 AD)Started in 1199 AD, the Qutub Minar was intended as a *Mazina* (call to prayer) and a tower of victory. Iltutmish added three more stories by 1220 AD. The use of red sandstone and the transition from star-shaped to circular tiers showcase a mastery of geometry that would define the Sultanate's architectural identity.
II. The Khalji Innovation: The True Arch (1290 AD – 1320 AD)
The Alai Darwaza: Mathematical Perfection (1311 AD)Under Alauddin Khalji, the architecture reached a new level of technical sophistication. In 1311 AD, the Alai Darwaza was built as the southern gateway to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. It features the first **"True Arch"** in India—built with a keystone. The use of white marble inlays against red sandstone and the "horse-shoe" arch design marked a departure from the experimental Mamluk style.
The City of Siri and Jamat Khana (c. 1303 AD)Around 1303 AD, Alauddin built the second city of Delhi, Siri, to defend against Mongol raids. The Jamat Khana Mosque (c. 1315 AD) at the dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya further established the use of concentrated domes and symmetrical planning.
III. The Tughlaq Style: Austerity and Batter (1320 AD – 1414 AD)
Tughlaqabad and the Sloping Walls (1321 AD – 1325 AD)Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq introduced a more puritanical, fortress-like style. Tughlaqabad Fort, built in 1321 AD, features massive sloping walls (known as **Batter**) to provide structural strength. His tomb (c. 1325 AD) combined the dome with a Hindu *Kalasha* on top, showing a deepening of cultural fusion.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s Canal and Madrasas (1351 AD – 1388 AD)Firoz Shah was a prolific builder. In 1354 AD, he founded Firoz Shah Kotla. His architecture moved away from expensive sandstone to cheaper rubble and plaster. The Hauz Khas Madrasa, built around 1352 AD, remains one of the most serene examples of Sultanate planning, overlooking a massive water tank.
IV. The Lodi and Sayyid Octagonal Tombs (1414 AD – 1526 AD)
The Evolution of the Octagonal Plan (c. 1440 AD)The Sayyid and Lodi dynasties preferred tombs over grand mosques. The tomb of Mohammed Shah (c. 1444 AD) introduced the **Octagonal Tomb** style, surrounded by arched colonnades. This design provided better structural support for the heavy domes and influenced later Mughal masterpieces.
The Lodi Gardens and Moth-ki-Masjid (1505 AD)In 1505 AD, during the reign of Sikandar Lodi, the Moth-ki-Masjid was built. It is considered the "epitome of Lodi architecture," featuring a five-arched facade and beautiful terracotta decorations. This period focused on the "Double Dome"—a technique where an inner dome provides the ceiling and an outer dome provides the height, as seen in the tomb of Sikandar Lodi (c. 1517 AD).
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