The Indo-Islamic architectural style developed under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire. Key features included the use of arches, domes, and minarets in mosques and tombs. Ornamentation consisted of intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy rather than depictions of living beings. Structures also featured jaalis, ornate stone screens that regulated light and ventilation. The Delhi Sultanate saw three phases of architectural growth, with early simple buildings giving way to more advanced construction under the Tughlaqs. Regional styles diversified as provincial states gained independence in the 15th century.

1. INDO ISLAMIC STYLE OF
ARCHITECTURE
Delhi Sultanate and Mughal

2. FEATURES OF INDO ISLAMIC STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
● Arcuade form of architecture: The use of arches and domes.
It was introduced to bear the weight of the top structure.

3. Minars: These were built around the mosques and
the mausoleums.

4. Arabesque patterns : They did not reproduce living forms i.e.
humans or animals on any surface rather consisted of arts of
arabesque geometrical patterns and calligraphy.

5. Jali : An ornamental panel, or jaali, is a significant aspect of Islamic Architecture,
mediating the amount of sunlight entering a room. A jali or jaali is the term for a
perforated stone or latticed screen, typically designed by the use of calligraphy and
geometry with an ornamental design.
Generally used in Islamic and East Asian architecture, it was originally created as an
architectural method to overcome excessive heat in arid climates and control light. They
also fulfilled practical functions, such as allowing for the passage of oxygen, shelter
from direct sunshine, as well as privacy.

6. In jaalis, abstract geometrical forms were especially preferred because they
facilitate divine reflection, as opposed to portrayals of living beings, which
divert attention rather than the will of God to the needs of beings. Geometry
has thus been fundamental to the Muslim world’s art, enabling artists to
liberate their imagination and creativity. A modern genre of art has arisen,
focused solely on mathematical types and forms, such as circles, squares
and triangles. The jaali depicts the kind of abstract and complex geometric
patterns that can be generated with the line and the circle, the simplest of
components.

7. ● Water fountains: The fountains, pools and small
drains were constantly used in the premises.
● Water's importance was also evident in the building. It
was primarily employed for aesthetic, cooling, and
religious reasons.

8. Pietra-dura technique: Precious stones and gems
were inlaid into the stone walls. Lapis Lazuli on
walls.

9. DELHI SULTANATE ARCHITECTURE
Five dynasties ruled over the Sultanate
sequentially: the Mamluk dynasty (1206–
1290), the Khalji dynasty (1290–1320), the
Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid
dynasty (1414–1451), and the Lodi dynasty
(1451–1526).

10. The growth and development of the Indo-Islamic architecture during
the Sultanate period took place in three phases. During the first
phase buildings were errected at Lahore, Ajmer and Delhi by the
slave and khalji monarchs: the construction of building by the
Tughlaq constitute the second phase quite distinct and advance
from the earlier one. The construction of architectural monuments
by the sultans of Delhi suffer a set back after the downfall of the
Tughlaq dynasty: although by this time the architectural activities
have shifted to the provincial and regional capitals of the sultanante
whose governor, particularly after declaring their independence,
beautify their capitals by the erection of magnificent palace, mosque
and other public monuments. This mark the third phase of
development of architecture during the Sultanate period.

11. ● Qutubuddin Aibak started with the construction of
mosque as symbol of Islamic victory over the infidel
land.
● The mosque of Quwat-ul-Islam at Delhi and Adhai din ka
Jhompra at Ajmer were built by him out of the materials
of demolished Hindu temple during the period of his
viceroyalty.
● The materials used for the construction came from the
spoils of Pre Islamic buildings

13. Qutb Complex
● It is a name given after Qutb Minar.
● Apart from the Quwat ul Islam Mosque there are several buildings that
were constructed in this Qutb complex.
● In the Qutb Complex the most spectacular building in this complex is
the Qutb Minar.
● It was started by slave ruler Qutubuddin Aibak and completed by his
successor Shamsuddin Iltutmish.
● The Qutub Minar is a towering 73 meter high tower built by Qutub-ud-
Din Aibak in 1193.
● The tower was built to celebrate Muslim dominance in Delhi after the
defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu ruler.
● The first three storeys of the Qutub Minar are made of red sandstone
and the last two are made of marble and sandstone.

15. Tomb of Iltutmish
● Iltutmish was buried right on the corner of the
Qutb Complex
● The roof was missing
● Four walls are there and from bottom to the top
there are calligraphy on the inside wall.

17. Screen of Arches
● There are screen of arches constructed by the
powerful Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khilji.
● This was a mere arches with no obvious purpose
but to showcase the confidence of the builders to
built true arches.

19. Alai Darwaza
● The Alai Darwaza was built by Alauddin Khilji
● It is made up of red sandstone.
● It has a dome
● It is two storied architecture
● There are also many arches in the building that took the
weight of the dome.
● With hollow dome the sultanate were able to solve the
problems of making the dome lighter.

21. Tughlaq
● The Tughlaq constructed beautiful buildings to provide
more comfort and luxury to their dwellers at much less cost.
● Their buildings, though less elegant and artistic in the
abstract sense where mark by simplicity and austerity.
● Batter Style of construction was introduced during this
period. In this, sloping walls were used to provide more
strength to the buildings.
● Grey sandstone was used during this period.
● With the used of grey sandstone they cannot beautify or add
colour to the monuments

23. Provincial Architecture
● With the decline and disintegration of the sultanate, the architectural
activities were also decentralized and shifted to the provincial
capitals and the regional states which emerged on its ruins.
● It resulted in the diversification of the Indo-Islamic architecture,
giving birth to a number of art styles with the manifestation of new
features, distinct from those of the traditional Indo-Islamic
architecture as had been patronized by the sultans of Delhi in the
thirteenth and the first half of the fourteenth centuries.
● Among others, the centers of local or regional architectural styles
included those of Bengal, Jaunpur, Malwa, Gujarat, Punjab and the
Bahmani kingdom of the south whose rulers extended liberal
patronage to art and architecture.