Lecture-II

Architecture of Sultan in Delhi Region

Ar. Hena Tiwari

Assistant Professor

GCAD,Sonipat

2

Outcome:

Students will be able to understand Delhi Sultanate and its

origin, rule in India and the architectural expansion done by

the sultanate in the country..

Mamluk/Slave

dynasty

Khalji dynasty

Tughluq dynasty

Sayyid dynasty

Lodi dynasty

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

Topic-I

Mamluk/Slave dynasty

The Delhi Sultanate was a Delhi-based Muslim kingdom

that stretched over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for

320 years (1206–1526).

Five dynasties ruled over Delhi Sultanate sequentially, the

first four of which were of Turkic origin and the last was the

Afghan Lodi.

The Lodi dynasty was replaced by the Mughal dynasty.

INTRODUCTION

The five dynasties were :

Mamluk dynasty (1206–90);

Khilji dynasty (1290–1320)

Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414)

Sayyid dynasty (1414–51)

Afghan Lodi dynasty (1451–1526).

Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former slave of Muhammad Ghori, was the

first sultan of Delhi and his dynasty conquered large areas of

northern India.

Delhi sultanate is also noted for being one of the few states to repel

an attack from the Mongol Empire.

Delhi Sultanate reached its peak in terms of geographical reach,

during the Tughlaq dynasty, covering most of Indian subcontinent.

The Delhi Sultanate declined thereafter, with continuing Hindu-

Muslim wars.

The Sultanate caused destruction and desecration of ancient

temples of South Asia, as well as led to the emergence of Indo-

Islamic architecture.

The Delhi Sultanate is the era that enthroned one of the few

female rulers in Islamic history, Razia Sultana from 1236 to

1240.

In 1526 the Delhi Sultanate fell and was replaced by the

Mughal Empire.

Chronological SummaryAD 986 Mahmud of Ghazni’s accession to the throne

1030 Death of Mahmud of Ghazni

1175-76 Invasion of Muhammad Gauri

1206 Death of Muhammad Gauri

1206-90 The dynasty of the Slave Kings at Delhi, founded by

Qutab-ud-din Aibak

(Use of materials from old Hindu temples for constr-uction of

mosques. No Islamic architecture as such )

1290-1320 The Khilji Dynasty

(Development of Islamic architecture in India. Use of the true arch).

1320 The Tughlaq Dynasty begins.

(Building activity continues, especially during the later period. But the

structures now are plainer due to economic stringency- virile rather than

elegant ).

1398 Incursions of Timur and the sack of Delhi.

(Cessation of building activity and the bringing of craftsmen from

outside the country ).

1414-51 The Sayyid Dynasty

(Building activity very restricted due to lack of funds following the

Timurid raids ).

1451-1526 The Lodhi period. End of the Delhi Sultanate.

Mamluk Dynasty (Slave Dynasty)

Political aspect of the Mamluk Dynasties.

Important Leaders

Muhammad of Ghor conquered parts of the Indian Sub-Continent

in the late 12th century which later became the territory of the

Mamluk dynasty.

1206-1210 AD: Qutub-ud-din-aybak, former slave of Muhammad

of Ghor, declared independence of India after the death of

Muhammad of Ghor, and began the Mamluk Dynasty in 1206 AD.

He was not militant and focused on the development of his

current territories rather than spreading to other countries.

• 1211-1236 AD: Iltutmish was by

far the most militant Mamluk

sultan, he succeeded in spreading

his territories in all directions.

At the time of his death his eldest

son had been killed and his other

sons were incompetent so he

named his daughter as his

successor.

1236-1240 AD: Raziya Sultana, daughter of Iltutmish, did not

succeed immediately to the throne because the noble did not

want a girl as a leader so they put in place one of Iltutmish’s son

who’s reign only lasted a few months before they had him

assassinated.

Raziya is famous for being the first female ruler of India.

She was the first Muslim ruler to have complete control over a

territory.

Notable Architecture

• Sultan Ghari

• Tomb of Balban• Qutub Minar

Balban’s Tomb

Constructed as a tomb for Ghiyas ud din Balban.

First example of arches being used in Indian architecture.

It lies within the Mehrauli Archaeological

Park in Delhi, adjacent to which stands

the tomb of his son Khan Shahid and wall

mosque.

The domes of both the tombs have

collapsed and the structures now are

ruins.

Built as a tomb for Iltutmish’s eldest son

It is the first Islamic mausoleum to be built in 1231 AD

Sultan Ghari

Location: Malakpur Village, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi

Pillars

Crypt

Main

entrance

steps

Courtyard

Sultan Ghari Plan

Architecture of Sultan Ghari Tomb

Constructed in the manner of a fortress which is armed with a

courtyard-like area which is very rare among tomb structures.

It is based over a raised platform built of rubble masonry work.

The tomb is octagonal in shape.

it possesses four corner towers erected over a cave.

It has a double structure of an underground room for the crypt.

The grave is octagonal.

Its underground chambers are held together by four columns

supported on two pillars.

Lime and concrete have been employed to create the terrace

of the grave chamber.

Beautiful Afghan and Turkish patterns adorn the marble

'mihrab' of the western prayer hall.

Corbel arch construction pattern is witnessed in the tomb.

Front entrance of Sultan Garhi

Southend view of Sultan Garhi

Qutub Minar

Worlds tallest brick minaret.

Started by Aybak and finished by Iltutmish.

Built in Mehrauli, India.

MATERIALS:

The first three stories are made of sandstone.

The next two of marble and sandstone.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq added marble to the top storey.

PLAN OF QUTUB COMPLEX

QUTUB

MINAR

ALAI MINAR

IRON

PILLAR

ALAI

DARWAZA

MOSQUE

ILTUTMISH TOMBSCREEN

HISTORY

The Qutub complex was built by Qutub Ud-Din Aybak in Delhi in

1192.

It is located within the citadel of Qila Rai Pithora where Qutb Ud-

Din had also set his administrative quarters and residence.

It was created with the dismantling and reassembling of the 27

existing Hindu and Jain temples on the site.

THE COMPLEX

Qutub complex consists of a mosque and two minarets

enclosed within a series of cloistered precincts.

This rectangular complex measures about 235 m (north-

south) by 155 m (east-west) along the exterior.

The entrance was via four monumental gates along the north,

east and south walls, of which only the southern gate (Alai

Darwaza) remains.

The mosque, known as the Qutb Mosque, occupies the

southwest corner of the complex.

Qutb Minar (minaret) stands in the southeastern part of this

enclosure.

The unfinished Alai Minar (minaret) stands in the

northeastern part of the complex.

A tall screen wall with pointed archways runs along the

western edge of the precinct, creating a qibla wall for the prayer

spaces.

At the base, the diameter of the minaret is a little over fourteen

meters and it tapers towards the top, where it is only slightly

under 3 meters wide.

It has a circular stairway made of three-hundred-seventy-nine

steps to reach the top for a spectacular view.

In addition to these elements, the complex also contains

several smaller buildings: the Tomb of Iltutmish, Ala al-Din

Khalji's madrasa, and the Imam Zamin Mosque.

QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM

MASJID

To mark victory over Rai Pithora, Qutub-ud-Din Aibak built

the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid in 1192 which was completed in

1198.

It is the earliest mosque in India, having a rectangular court.

The court is enclosed by cloisters which were erected with

carved columns and other architectural members from the 27

Hindu and Jain temples, which were later demolished.

Brahmanical motifs like the kalasa and lotus on pillars

The walls and pillars are

having intrinsic Hindu

architectural motifs.

Pillars of the mosque

IRON PILLAR

The Iron Pillar dates back to the 4th century BC.

It is a 7 m (23 ft) column in theQutb complex, notable for the

rust-free composition of the metals used in its construction.

It is said to have been

brought to Delhi by the

Tomar king Anangpal,

somewhere in the 11th

century from Udaygiri.

The pillar was cast in its present form not forged.

Length 7.2m of which 93 cm is underground.

Diameter - 0.41 m.

Garuda idol at top missing.

Inscription on pillar

ILTUTMISH TOMB

It is located in the northwest to the Iron Pillar.

It is made of red sand stone, situated northwest

of the minaret.

It is a landmark in Indo-Islamic architecture.

It is believed to have had a dome which was later damaged.

There are 3 entrances on all 3 sides, but the west, which was for

the mihrabs.

It is a simple square chamber, covered originally by a circular

dome that was carried on a form of squinch arch.

Inside is decorated and elaborated with Quranic verses.

Marble is used in mehrab and cenotaph.

Interior of illtutmush’s tomb

Exterior of tomb

Conclusion

The Delhi Sultanate was a Delhi-based Muslim kingdom that stretched

over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for 320 years (1206–1526).

Five dynasties ruled over Delhi Sultanate sequentially, the first four of

which were of Turkic origin and the last was the Afghan Lodi.

Delhi sultanate is also noted for being one of the few states to repel an

attack from the Mongol Empire.

The Delhi Sultanate declined thereafter, with continuing Hindu-Muslim

wars.

Raziya is famous for being the first female ruler of India.

Balban tomb is the first example of arches being used in Indian

architecture.

Sultan Giri is the first Islamic mausoleum to be built in 1231 AD.

Qutub Minar is the Worlds tallest brick minaret which was started by

Aybak and finished by Iltutmish. It has a circular stairway made of three-

hundred-seventy-nine steps to reach the top for a spectacular view.

Its first three stories are made of sandstone, next two of marble and

sandstone and Firoz Shah Tughlaq added marble to the top storey.

In addition to these elements, the complex also contains several smaller

buildings: the Tomb of Iltutmish, Ala al-Din Khalji's madrasa, and the

Imam Zamin Mosque.

“A people without the knowledge of their past

history, origin and culture is like a tree without

roots.”

Marcus Garvey

Assignment

1. Describe in detail with appropriate sketches the layout of

Qutub Complex.

2. What would be the reasons that led to the rise of Delhi

Sultanate in northern part of India.