Architecture of Slave Dynasty

Introduction:

The Slave dynasty/Ilbari dynasty/Mameluke dynasty remained in power from 1206 to 1290 A.D.
During that period, the style of architecture came to be known as the Mameluke style of architecture.
They also started the erection of a number of monuments, example, Qutub Minar, Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, Arhai-din-ka-Jhopra, etc.
Several buildings were constructed out of the material used in the temples that were destroyed by some of the Muslim rulers. Example: Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi is said to have been built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak by demolishing a Hindu temple.
It is noted that the Hindus used square pillars which supported their temple roofs. On the other hand the Muslims used the arches.

(Fig.: Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque)

Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque:
- Qutub-ud-Din Aibak got built the ‘Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque’ (in Delhi at the Qutb complex) probably on the ruins of a Hindu temple as even today one can notice the arches and pillar carvings of the Hindu design.
- It was built to mark his victory over the Rajputs.

(Fig.: Qutub Minar)

Qutub Minar of Mehrauli:
- Built around 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-din and finally completed by his son-in-law Iltutmish (1210-35 AD).
- Originally, the Minar had four storeys, uppermost of which was damaged by lightning in 1373.
- Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351- 88) rebuilt its two storeys.
- This 72.5 m. high Minar with 399 steps, is the highest stone tower in India.
- Composed of red and buff sandstone
- Numerous inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari characters on the minar provide historical insights.

(Fig.: Adhai Din ka Jhonpra)

Adhai Din ka Jhonpra:
- Also known as the ‘Two-and-a-half-day Mosque,’ this historic mosque is situated in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
- Constructed in AD 1199 by Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak.
- It was also constructed from the material obtained after demolishing Hindu temples.

Iltutmish, the next great Mamluk ruler and the son- in-law of Qutb-ud-Din Aibak extended Qutb-ud-Din's mosque at Delhi, by doubling its size by widening the mosque.
The advances made in architecture under his reign, is particularly noticeable in the curves of the arches. They are four-centered type that became characteristic of later Indo-Islamic style.

(Fig.: Tomb of Iltutmish)

Tomb of Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish:
- Situated close to the north-west of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
- Iltutmish personally constructed this tomb in AD 1235.
- The square structure, solidly built has doorways on three sides and three mihrabs on its western wall.
- The exterior is simple but for the patterned border around the entrance arches; the interior is carved in crisp decoration of arabesques and geometric motifs.
- The tomb is the first monument in India to have a dome built on squinches.
Tomb of Nasir-ud-Din Mohammed (Sultan Ghari):
- Built in 1231 by Iltutmish over the remains of his eldest son, Nasir-ud-Din Mohammed at Sultan Ghari, Delhi.
- This was the first tomb built in India by the Turks.
Iltutmish also got built the Dargah of Muin-ud-Din Chisti.

(Fig.: Hauz-i-Shamsi)

The Hauz-i-Shamsi reservoir to the south of Qutb Minar, and the madrasa (school) around it, built by Iltutmish.
He also built Gandhak ki Baoli, a stepwell for the Sufi saint (Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki)

(Fig.: Tomb of Balban)

The tomb of Ghiyasud din Balban, built in AD 1287, is located in Mehrauli, New Delhi, India.
It was built in Rubble masonry, and was the first Islamic arch in India.