This presentation gives complete detail about the Indo-Islamic as well as Mughal Architecture, their rulers and the buildings built by them.

1. INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE AND
THE MIGHTY MUGHALS

2. Background- Muslim Rule in Subcontinent
 There were a number of different ruling dynasties
who ruled over the subcontinent at successive
intervals.
 Reasons for Muslim conquests – the wealth of the
nation & the spread of Islam.
 Further facilitated by the inter-rivalry and lack of
unity between the different kingdoms in India.

3.  Muslim Rule: 712-1857
 Dynasties
 Early Invasions
 Slave Dynasty
 Khilji Dynasty
 Tughlauq Dynasty
 Saiyyid Dynasty
 Lodhi Dynasty
 Mughal Dynasty
Muslim Dynasties

4.  Earliest Arab invasion of Sindh in 715AD-led by Mohammad
Bin Qasim - displaced Raja Dahir of Sindh. After this attack,
Indian kings like Raja Bhoja and other Gurjarat Kings thwarted
further Muslim attacks.
 The next – by Turk Sabuktagin. He defeated Raja Jaipal of
Bathinda in 991 AD.
 He was succeeded by his son Mahmud of Ghazni in 997 –
1025 AD who plundered the enormous wealth of India and
tried to spread Islam into the subcontinent- he invaded
Kangra, Thaneshwar, Kannauj, Mathura, Gwalior, Kashmir and
Punjab.
 The next major Muslim influence on India was Muhammad
Ghori who invaded the country seven times and defeated
Prithvi Raj Chauhan in 1192, at the Battle of Tarain.
Early Invasions

5. INDO ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
 With the coming of Muslims to India, many new
features came to be introduced in buildings.
 The Indo-Islamic style provided spaciousness,
massiveness and breadth to the Hindu architecture.
 The mosque or Masjid and Tomb became a part of
the landscape
 In almost all the prominent buildings, the arch, vault
and dome began to be used
 The chief means of decoration was surface
decoration through the use of geometry, arabesque
and calligraphy

6. BASIC ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS

7.  Mohammad Ghori had left a slave
called Qutub-ud-din Aibak in
charge of his Indian affairs.
 On Ghori’s death, he established a
new Muslim rule called the Slave
Dynasty.
 Iltutmish, his son in law furthered
the area conquered by Qutub-ud-
din.
 Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque was
built on a Hindu temple
 The Qutub Minar was built during
this time although some additions
and alterations have been done
later.
Slave Dynasty (1206 AD – 1290 AD)

8.  The sultanate became weak and
the Khilji dynasty under Jalal-ud-
din Khilji took over
 Succeeded by his nephew Ala-ud-
din Khilji who added new
provinces -Ranthambhore, Malwa,
Ujjain, Mandu, Dhar and Chanderi.
 He had captured almost the whole
of North India by 1311
 Built the ancient city of Siri near
Hauz Khas along with the lake
 Added Ala-ud-din court with a gate
(Alai Darwaza) to Quwwat
mosque
Khilji Dynasty (1290 AD – 1320 AD)

9.  Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, assumed the
throne in 1320. Established city of
Tughlaqabad on the Delhi ridge.
 Succeeded by his son Muhammad Bin
Tughlaq. The Delhi Sultanate grew to its
farthest territorial limits during his reign.
 Built the city of Jahapannah, near Mehrauli
 Transferred the capital from Delhi to
Devagiri and then back again to Delhi
 Succeeded by his cousin Firoz Shah
Tughlaq, an able ruler who built Ferozabad,
Hauz Khas tombs, Kirkee mosque
 Dynasty declined soon after
 .
Tughluq Dynasty (1321 AD – 1398 AD)
Firoz Shah Tughlaq’a Tomb at Hauz khas

10.  Saiyyid dynasty in India was
founded by Khizr Khan.
 He was succeeded by his son
Mubarrak Khan, who styled
himself as Muizz-ud-Din Mubarak
Shah. Built tombs in Lodhi garden.
 He was followed by his nephew
Muhammad Khan who took the
name Sultan Muhammad Shah
 The last ruler of this dynasty, Ala-
ud-Din Alam Shah voluntarily
abdicated the throne of the Delhi
sulatanate in favour of Bahlul
Khan Lodi
Saiyyid Dynasty (1414 AD – 1451 AD)
Tomb of Muhammad Shah at
Lodhi Gardens

11.  Founded by Bahlul Lodhi, who was in the
service of Khizr Khan. Succeeded by son -
Sikandar Lodi , a very capable ruler. Built
many tombs and mosques.
 He was succeeded by the last great Lodhi
ruler, Ibrahim Lodi. His relations with the
Afghan nobles were strained – hence, they
invited Babur the ruler of Kabul to India.
 Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi`s army of
100,000 with a small army of 10,000 in the
first Battle of Panipat in 1526
 Thus ended the Sultanate and a new chapter
commenced in Indian history, that of the
Mughals.
Lodhi Dynasty (1451 AD – 1526 AD)

12.  The Mughals descended from
Mongol stock in Turkestan.
 The Mughals had become
Islamic, for the Middle
Eastern Mongol invaders had
converted to Islam long
before.
 They had also thoroughly
absorbed Middle Eastern
culture, especially Persian
culture.
 The Persian word for Mongol
is "Mughal," from which we
get the English word, "mogul,"
meaning "tycoon .
 Their wars of invasion spread
Persian culture throughout
India.
Origins of the Mughal Empire

13. Mughal Dynasty
 Lasted from 1526-1857.
 Of the various Muslim dynasties that managed to hold sway
in the country, the Mughals were by far the most
prominent.
 Descendants of two great rulers-
 Maternal: descendants of Genghis Khan, ruler of the Mongol tribes,
China & Central Asia.
 Patriachal: Successors of Timur, the ruler of Iran, Iraq & Modern-day
Turkey
 They had a lasting impact on the life, art, architecture,
culture and even administration of the country for centuries
to come.

14. Mughals – The Great Builders
 With the coming of the Mughals, Indian
architecture was greatly influenced by Islamic and
Persian styles.
 The Mughals constructed excellent mausoleums,
mosques, forts, gardens and cities.
 The Mughal buildings show a uniform pattern
both in structure and character
 Agra-Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore- Kashmir- Kabul,
Delhi, Allahabad, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Mandu and
Burhanpur were its major centres.

15. Characteristics of Mughal Architecture
 It is a style that combines elements from Persian,
Indian, and Islamic architecture
 Buildings are geometrical and mostly symmetrical.
 The buildings have grace, beauty, grandeur &richness.
 Materials- Red stone, White Marble and Precious
Stones
 Includes minarets, arches, jallies, inlay works,
decorative panels
 Geometrical landscaping with waterways and plant
beds

16. Characteristics of Mughal Architecture
 Use of techniques of sculpturing marble and coloured
marbles
 The Pietra Dura style of inlay work became a feature
of this period
 The round & bulbus domes were commonly used
 Use of kiosks with cupolas at the four corners
 Provision of Large courtyards and halls
 Massive vaulted gateways
 Delicate ornamentation

17. GEOMETRY IN ARCHITECTURE

18. ARCHES, ALCOVES

19. JALIS, SCREENS

20. PIETRA DURA

21. DECORATIVE MARBLE WORK IN TAJ MAHAL

22. CHHATRIS AND KIOSKS

23. MINARS AND MINARETS

24. Mughal Lineage
Babur
Humayun
Akbar
Jehangir
Shah Jahan
Aurangzeb
Bahadur Shah Jafar II
First Ruler
Luckless Leader
The Great
Paragon of stability
The Master Builder
The Intolerant
The Last Emperor

25. Babur • Most of the monuments he constructed
collapsed.
• Just 3 mosques are remaining in North India
(Panipat, Sambhal in Rajasthan and Ayodhya)
Humayun • Didn't build much, only initiated Dinpana
Akbar • Built many buildings such as forts, gardens,
mosques, etc.
• Initated Akbar’s Tomb
• He even established the city of Fatehpur Sikri .
Jehangir
(Prince
Salim)
• Jehangir completed Akbar’s Tomb
• Joined Nur jehan in building Itmad ud Daula’s
tomb in Agra
Contribution …

26. ShahJehan • Built great architecture including the Taj Mahal
• Red Fort in Delhi, Moti masjid, Diwan-i-Khas
• Jama Masjid Delhi
• Added palaces & new structures to Agra Fort
• Jama Masjid Agra
Aurangzeb • Did not promote art or architecture
• Added Mosques within Red Fort
• Built Bibi ka makbara in Aurangabad
Following
rulers
• Government was so unstable and weak
• The empire become an easy target of invasion
and exploitation by the British.

27.  First battle of Panipat fought on 21 April 1526.
Ibrahim Lodi was slained. Babur took possession of
both Delhi and Agra, marking beginning of Mughal
rule in India
 Brilliant general. Knowledge of artillery and guns.
War with Rana Sanga of the Rajputs and Afghan chiefs
of Bihar and Bengal.
 Highly cultured, remarkable emperor. Devoted to art
and literature. Wrote autobiography Babar Namah
 Lover of nature. Created gardens laid out with
pathways, waterways, flower beds. Dug deep wells
and used water wheels.
 Beginning of Imperial architectural movement
impressed by local influences. Constructed mosques
from desecrated Hindu temples – Babri Mosque,
Panipat Mosque and Jama Masjid
BABUR (1526-1530)

28.  Good person but an incapable administrator. Interested in
poetry and astrology.
 Initiated Dinpanah, a new city in Delhi on the site of the older
city of Indraprastha, and present day Purana Qila.
 Trouble from Afghan noble Sher Shah Suri and his own
brothers.
Lost in the Battle of Kanauj to Sher Shah and went on exile to
Persia.
 Brought influences of Persian art, architecture and literature.
 His wife, Haji Begum constructed Hu ayu ’s Tomb in 1556
using a persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. First garden
tomb that inspired several more in India.
HUMAYUN (1530-40 & 1555 -1556)

29. HUMAYUN’S TOMB, DELHI

30.  Built by his widow Haji Begum
fourteen years after his death.
 The mausoleum stands in the
centre of a square enclosed
garden.
 Garden is divided and sub-
divided into squares, typical of
Mughal gardens.
 Planned by a Persian architect
and constructed by Indian
workers, it is a combination of
both Persian and Indian
Architecture
Humayun’s Tomb

31.  The lofty double storeyed structure is
built on a huge high platform terrace
which has a row of arched openings.
 The central chamber is octagonal in
shape and contains the tomb.
 Each side of the mausoleum has a large
arched alcove in the centre with smaller
ones on either side.
 It has a high marble double dome in the
centre and pillared kiosks with cupolas
surrounding it.
 Built of red sandstone with an inlay of
black, white and yellow marble it
presents an imposing picture.
Humayun’s Tomb

32. AKBAR (1556 – 1605 AD)
 Ruled for 49 years winning hearts of
people.
 Great conquerer. Built a vast empire.
Defeated Rajputs and conquered fort of
Chitor. Entered into alliance. Strengthened
cooperation.
 Able administrator. Improved trade and
commerce, land revenue collection system,
abolished Jiziya and piligrimage taxes
 Patron of arts, music, architecture. Had
nine gems in court incl. Birbal, Tansen,
Todr mal, .. Encouraged miniature
paintings on varied themes.
 Started Din-i-Ilahi (Divine faith)

33.  Built the royal city of Fatehpur
Sikhri, city of victory, 26 kms from
Agra
 Complex of monuments and temples
all in uniform architecture style built
in red sandstone blending Islamic
and Hindu elements
 Elaborate palaces, formal courtyards,
pools, harems, tombs and a great
mosque
 Abandoned due to lack of adequate
water supply
FATEHPUR SIKRI

34. AGRA FORT

35.  Greater part of the fort constructed by
Akbar
 Situated on the bank of the river Yamuna,
it is a massive and grand structure.
 The special feature of this fort is the2.5
kms. long and 21metres high circuitous
wall of solid red sand stone.
 The stones are linked with iron rings so
close that not even a hair can pass
through.
 The entrance to the fort is through two
gateways.-Delhi Gate (ceremonial
entrance) through Hathi Polor (Elephant
Gate) and Amar Singh Gate.
Agra Fort

36.  The citadel comprises a large number of palaces: the Khas
Mahal, the Shish Mahal, the octagonal tower of Muhammam
Burj, as well as reception rooms: Diwan-i-Khas, built in
1637 and the many pillared Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public
Audience), constructed in 1628, under the reign of the
luxury-loving Shah Jahan (1630-55).
 Within the palatial complex, there are two very beautiful
mosques of white marble, the Moti Masjid or the Pearl
Mosque, constructed by Shah Jahan and the Nagina Masjid
built under the reign of Aurangzeb (1658-1707).
 Several of the buildings are made from pure marble with
beautiful carvings; all of these monuments mark the apogee
of an Indo-Muslim art strongly marked by influences from
Persia.
Agra Fort

37. AGRA FORT

38. AKBAR’S TOMB, SIKANDRA

39.  Mausoleum of Akbar at Sikandra
near Agra was started by Akbar
and completed by his son Jahangir
in 1612 A.D. who changed the
original design of his father.
 Designed on the model of a
Buddhist Vihara, it is set in the
centre of a square garden on the
char bagh concept.
 The enclosure wall on each side
has a gateway.
 The main gateway has four white
marble minarets in the four
corners.
Akbar’s Tomb- Sikandara

40. • The five-storey tomb has a unique
square design. The ground floor has
spacious cloisters. The vestibule is
ornamented profusely with geometric
and floral designs
• The second storey has an arcaded
verandah with ornamental arches
and square columns
• The 3rd and 4th storeys are smaller
and have an identical arrangement of
arches supported on pillars and
chhatris attached on the exterior to
each facade.
• The fifth storey is entirely in white
marble as against the lower storeys,
which are finished in red stone.
Akbar’s Tomb- Sikandara

41.  Jehangir (1605-1627)
 Shajahan(1627-1658)
 Aurangzeb(1658-1707)
The Last Three Mughal Rulers

42. • Eldest son of Akbar, caused much
heartache
• Readopted Islam but continued policy
of religious tolerance
• Spent most of his time in Kashmir and
Lahore
• Great patron of miniature painting
promoting events from his own life.
• Wife Nur Jahan played important role
in politics and administration
JEHANGIR 1605-1627

43. ITMAD-UD-DAULA’S TOMB

44. • Itmad Ud Daula’s tomb built on the
banks of Yamuna, houses the body
of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, father of Nur
jahan.
• Connecting link between Akbar’s
and Shah Jahan’s styles - pure
marble monument and differs from
the typical massive, red sand-stone
structures of Akbar
• Domed structure in white marble
with exquisite carvings encrusted
with precious stones and delicate
screens. Jewel box in Marble.
• Surrounded by beautiful formal
gardens laid in geometrical pattern.
Itmad ud daula’s Tomb- Agra

45.  Shah Jehan succeeded his father in 1627.
 Better ruler than Jehangir.
 Restored the efficiency of government.
 Recovered territories.
 Maintained peace
 Foreign traders were allowed into India & trade grew
 The empire expanded.
 Shah Jehan was a patron of the arts
 Built many great architecture buildings including the Taj Mahal & the
Peacock Throne [a gold throne encased many precious gems]
Shah Jehan 1627 - 1658
The Master Builder
SHAH JEHAN 1627-1658

46. CHANGE IN STYLE….
 Shah Jehan, the most famous of the Mughal builders had a
passion for building.
 His buildings are marked by the quality feminity, grace
and elegance.
 They do not show the masculinity of Akbars solid red
sand-stone constructions.
 Mughal architecture reached the peaks of excellence
during this reign.
 The main characteristics of his buildings are – The use of
delicately carved white marble richly decorated with
inlay of coloured stones and calligraphy in black marble.
 Some of his outstanding works are the Moti Masjid or
Pearl Mosque in Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, the Red fort
in Delhi with the Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas, the Jami
Masjid in Delhi.

47. TAJ MAHAL

48.  The Taj Mahal is a dream in white marble built
by Shah Jehan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz
Begum.
 Built on the banks of the river Yamuna, it was
started in 1632 A.D. and took 22years to
complete.
 Marble from Makrana and precious stones from
different parts of the world were used in its
construction.
 Planned by Isa, a Persian architect it is a
masterpiece of architecture.
Taj Mahal - Agra

49.  The Taj is situated in the centre of
a high marble terrace.
 The main structure is a square
with a huge vaulted recess and
smaller arched recesses.
 An octagonal hall with an exquisite
perforated marble screen contains
the cenotaphs of Mumtaz and
ShahJehan.
 Around the dome are four cupolas.
Taj Mahal - Agra
A Mosque on the west and a corresponding structure on the
east in red sand-stone completes the effect of symmetry.
It is Situated in a large enclosed rectangular garden.

50. TAJ MAHAL

51.  The vaulted ceiling is crowned
in the centre by a large bulbous
dome which tapers off into a
foliated crest.
 A marble minaret of four
storeys stands on each of the
four corners of the terrace.
 The minarets are crowned with
domes.
 The surface of the walls –
exterior and interior and the
cenotaphs are beautifully
decorated with pietra dura,
floral and geometrical designs.
 Borders of inscriptions
decorate the main archways.
Taj Mahal - Agra

52. TAJ MAHAL

53. JAMA MASJID- DELHI

54.  The largest mosque in India and was built between 1650-
1656A.D.
 It is constructed on a high platform and approached by a flight
of steps on three sides.
 The main entrance is a double storeyed gateway and leads to a
vast square courtyard which is enclosed by pillared corridors.
 The prayer hall, rectangular in plan has a facade of eleven
arches.
 The high central arch is flanked by tall slender minarets with
cupolas.
 White marble panels with inscriptions frame the arches.
 Three domes with alternate black and white marble stripes
surmount the prayer hall.
Jama Masjid- Delhi

55. JAMA MASJID- DELHI

56. RED FORT- DELHI

57.  The fortress is in the shape of a rectangle 900 metres by550
metres.
 The rampart walls are about 34 metres high.
 A moat surrounds the rampart.
 Two of the five gateways of the fort are three-storeyed
structures flanked by octagonal towers.
 These are the Lahori Gate and the Delhi Gate.
 Figures of two huge elephants flank the Delhi Gate. The
main entrance to the fort is through the Lahori Gate.
 A covered passage with shops on either side leads to the
palaces inside the fort. Barracks for soldiers, audience halls,
horse and elephant stables are present within.
Red Fort- Delhi

58. RED FORT- DELHI

59.  Ascended the throne after disposing his
father & beating out his two brothers.
 Despot
 severely persecuted Hindus of
Northern India.
 Empire declined under his reign
 He removed the tax-free status for
Hindus
 Destroyed their temples
 Crushed semi-autonomous Hindu
states
 Primary interest:
Conquer more vs consolidate
Promote Islam vs tolerance
AURANGZEB THE INTOLERANT (1658-1707)

60. BADSHAHI MOSQUE, LAHORE

61.  The best monument built by Aurangzeb is the
Badshahi Mosque which was constructed in 1674
under the supervision of Fida'i Koka.
 This mosque is adjacent to the Lahore Fort and is
the last in the series of congregational mosques in
red sandstone and is closely modeled on the one
Shah Jahan built at Shahjahanabad.
 The red sandstone of the walls contrasts with the
white marble of the domes and the subtle intarsia
decoration
Badshahi Mosque - Lahore

62. BIBI KA MAQBARA

63.  Aurangzeb being a puritan did not encourage art in any
form.
 Architecture and Fine Arts declined during his reign
never to come up again during Mughal rule.
 One of the very few buildings of this period is the
mausoleum of his wife, Rabia-Ud-Daurani erected
in1679 A.D.
 A poor replica of the Taj Mahal and half its size, it shows
the extent to which art had declined.
 Its note worthy features are the latticed octagonal
white marble screen, which encloses the tombs and the
beaten brass doors with floral panels.
Bibi ka Maqbara

64. THE LESSER MUGHALS (1707 -1857)
 Mughal rule continued under a number of weak rulers
after Aurangzeb died in 1707, with a slow and steady
decline in actual power, although it maintained all the
trappings of power in the Indian subcontinent for
another 150 years.
 In 1739 it was defeated by the army of the Persian,
Nadir Shah (1688-1747). In 1756 Ahmad Shah (1747-
1772) of Afghanistan looted Delhi.
 Complacent in their military superiority, the Mughals
failed to modernize their technology. While no Indians
could challenge their cannon, outsiders could.
 Increasingly, the Mughal emperors grew less interested
in good governance and more interested in maintaining
their lavish lifestyle and expensive court. Hence, the
emperors up to Aurangzeb are called the greater, after
him the lesser.

65.  Mughal empire was the greatest, richest & most long-lasting
Muslim dynasty to rule India.
 The Mughal emperors, with few exceptions, were among the
world’s most aesthetically minded rulers. Although Turkish
& Persian in background, the Mughals were not Muslim
rulers of India but Indian rulers who happened to be
Muslims. This idea is most evident in Akbar’s obsession of a
utopian India for Hindus and Muslims.
 The longevity & success of the Mughal empire was due to
ambitious and mainly able rulers. Akbar (1556-1605)
perhaps was the Mughal emperor responsible for much of the
prosperity & harmony achieved during the Mughal Empire.
THE SUCCESS OF THE MUGHALS

66.  As the Mughal Empire gradually disintegrated there
was rise of great Maratha power, Sikhs and arrival of
British East India Company
 The last of the titular Mughal Emperors Bahadur
Shah II had taken part in the Sepoy Mutiny, 1857.
 After the failure of the revolt he was imprisoned and
deported to Rangoon where he died in 1862. Thus the
Mughal dynasty came to an end and with it and thus
ended the dominance of Muslim rule in India.
End of the Mughal Empire….

67. END