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1. Give a brief outline of Sultanate architecture.

Ans: During Sultanate period architecture progressed very much in comparison to fine Arts. Due to the mixture of Indian style with that of Islamic style a new style emerged in . Following are the features of architecture of the Sultanate period.

Salient Features

Sultanate era marked the evolution and development of a new-type of Hindu-Muslim architecture in which decorative exuberance of the Hindu architecture was toned down and its place was taken by new elements such as use of geometrical shapes, calligraphy, inscriptional art etc. However, the elements of Hindu architecture still formed the basis of new architectural style. This was mainly because of three reasons. Firstly, the Muslim rulers had to employ Indian architects and masons; Secondly, early mosques were built by demolition of temples and the Muslim rulers used the same material of Hindu temples in making their mosques and tombs. Thirdly, rather than building new monuments from scratch, the early Muslim rulers resorted to convert the Hindu and Jain temples into mosques by making few alternations here and there.

From Sultanate era, we see the beginning of use of the false arches and false domes (such as Quwwat-ul-islam Mosque) to true arch and domes (begins from Alai Darwaja) and reached its mature phase as Indo-Islamic art in the Mughal Era.

It is noteworthy that the architecture of the Sultanate period progressed in many phases under the patronage different dynasties and these are as follows-

Building of slave dynasty:

Qutubuddin-Aibak constructed the “Quwat-ul-Islam” at Delhi and another at “Ajmer” called “Adhai- Din-Ka-jhopra”. The first was raised at the site of a destroyed temple and the other at a destroyed college of Sanskrit. Hence the touch of a temple is visible in the construction of both the buildings. Aibak started the construction of the “Qutub Minar,” but could not complete it due to his premature death. Later on Iltutmish completed the construction of Qutub Minar. Besides it, he constructed “Sultan Garhi”, Hauz-a-Shamsi”, “Shams-I-Idgah”,“Jami Masjid” at Badaun and the “Atari ka darwaza” at Nagpur. The tomb of Balban and the Red palace at Delhi are remarkable buildings of the time of Balban. The tomb of Balban is the best specimen of Indo-Islamic architecture.

Buildins of Khilji dynasty:

Alaudin Khilji spent a lot of money on the constructions as he was in sound economic position. He built “Jamait Khana mosque” at the shrine of Nijamuddin Aulia and also constructed “Alai Darwaja” at the Qutub minar. Marshal writes, “Alai Darwaza is one of the most treasured gems of Islamioc architecture.” Besides 2 these, the “Hauz-i-Alai” “city of Siri”, the palace of “thousand pillars”, “Hazar Sutun” were fine specimens of his architectures of his period.

Buildings of Tughlaq perioed:

The buildings of Tughlaq period were different from the earlier constructions. Due to the weak economic conditions the decoration and splendour of early phases were replaced with simplicity and solidity.

Ghiasuddin built the city of “Tughlaqabad” and his own tomb. Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq built the fort of “Adilabad” and founded the city “Jahanabad”. The “Satpura dam” and “Bijli Palace” were also built the sultan.

Firoz shah Tughlaq was a great builder. He founded the city of “Fatehabad”, “Jaunpur”, “Hissar Firoz”, “Kotla Fuiroz Shah”, a palace fort and some other towns.

Buildings of Sayyid and Lodhi Sultans:

Owing to the weak economy the rulers of Sayyid and Lodhi dynasty could not pay much attention to the constructions of buildings: however some tombs and palaces were built during this period. Among these the tombs of “Mubarak Shah”, “Muhammad Shah”,” Sikandar Lodhi”, and “Bare Khan” are worth mentioning. “Moth-Ki-masjid” is the best specimen of indo-Islamic Architecture.

During Sultanate period, thus, ar45cfhitectural progress happened. Due to the fusion of Islamic and Indian especially Hindu style a new kind of architecture emerged.