Some Aspects of Indo-Islamic Architecture – Part II

Indo-Islamic Architecture – Part II (UPSC Notes):-

Aspirants would find this article very helpful while preparing for the  UPSC 2021

Architecture in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh

• Mandu is located 60 miles from Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
• The city is at an elevation of 2000 feet overlooking the Malwa Plateau to the north and the Narmada Valley to the south.
• It was constantly occupied by the Parmara Rajputs, Afghans and Mughals because of its natural defence.
• It was the capital of the Ghauri Dynasty (1401 – 1561) founded by Hoshang Shah.
• Great example of the medieval provincial style of art and architecture.
• It has many official and residential pleasure palaces, mosques, artificial reservoirs, pavilions, baolis, embattlements, etc.
• Most structures have arched pavilions, and are light and airy, so that they do not retain heat.
• Local stone and marble were used.
• Great example of architectural adaptation to the environment.
• Royal Enclave: Set of romantic buildings built around 2 artificial lakes.
• Hindola Mahal
  • Audience hall of the Sultan
  • Resembles a railway viaduct bridge with its large buttresses to support the walls
  • Batter was used to give the impression of swinging (hindola) walls
• Jahaaz Mahal
  • Two-storeyed ship-palace
  • Built between 2 reservoirs
  • Has open pavilions, balconies and a terrace
  • Built by Sultan Ghiyasuddin Khilji possibly for using as his harem
  • Had a terrace swimming pool
• Rani Rupamati’s double pavilion
• Baz Bahadur’s palace
• Asharfi Mahal – a madrassa
• Hoshang Shah’s tomb
  • Example of the robustness of Afghan structures
  • Majestic structure with a beautiful dome
  • Has marble jail work, courts, porticos and towers
  • Also has lattice work, toranas and carved brackets
• Jama Masjid
  • Has a grand gateway and a squat dome
  • Building is faced with red sandstone
  • Mihrab has a lotus bud fringe
  • Qibla Liwan is supported on carved brackets

Aspiring Civil Services candidates can go through Some Aspects of Indo-Islamic Architecture – Part I on the linked page.

Taj Mahal

• Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
• Built from 1632 and took almost 20 years to complete.
• Built by 20000 specialised workers.
• It is a mausoleum.
• It has a simple plan and elevation.
• One of the most famous architectural marvels of India worldwide.
• The structure is breathtakingly symmetrical.
• Made of white marble brought from the Makrana Mines, Rajasthan.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Its monumental gateway is made of red sandstone.
• The tomb is set in a Chahar Bagh, criss-crossed with paths and water courses, along with pools and fountains.
• The tomb is on a floor terrace. On the four sides of the terrace, there are four tall minarets which are 132 feet high each.
• The main building has a drum and a dome with four cupolas.
• Towards the west of the structure is a mosque made of red sandstone.
• Towards the east is a similar structure to maintain the balance.
• Interior arrangements of the mausoleum: crypt below, vaulted, octagonal tomb chamber above; there is a room at each angle which are all connected via corridors.
• Light comes into every corner of the building through perforated and carved jalis that are set in the arched recesses of the interior.
• A double dome helps create a void that makes the ceiling as high as the façade.
• Four types of embellishments:
  • Stone carvings in high and low relief on the walls
  • Marble carving onto the jalis and volutes
  • Creation of arabesques with pietra dura on walls and tombstones, and geometric designs with tessellation
  • Calligraphy – used in the inlay of jasper in white marble to write verses from the Quran

Candidates can check out a few articles linked below to prepare for upcoming civil services examination-

Gol Gumbad

• Location: Bijapur, Karnataka.
• Mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah (1626–1656), Adil Shahi Dynasty of Bijapur (1489–1686).
• Built by Muhammad Adil Shah himself.
• Tomb is a complex consisting of a gateway, a mosque, a Naqqar Khana, and a sarai within a big-walled garden.
• The building is a huge square one with a circular drum. Above the drum is a majestic dome.
• Material: dark gray basalt with decorated plasterwork.
• The whole building is over 200 feet high.
• The tomb has a square chamber.
• The dome is the largest in the world with a diameter of 125 feet and an uninterrupted floor space of 18337 square feet.
• Pendentives helped build the hemispherical masonry dome over the square base.
• The building has an impressive acoustic system with a whispering gallery where sounds get magnified and echoed multiple times.
• At the four corners of the building there are seven-storeyed octagonal spires or minarets.
• This structure is a mix of many styles including local, Timurid and Persian styles.