7.1 Introduction of Islamic Architectural Forms

Islamic architecture in South Asia blends Arabian, Persian, and local influences. Domes, minarets, and intricate decorations define these structures, while arch styles like pointed and horseshoe arches create unique aesthetics. Mosques incorporate hypostyle halls and open courtyards, inspired by Arabian designs.

The evolution of mosque architecture in South Asia is marked by innovation and synthesis. Early mosques reused Hindu and Jain temple elements, while later Mughal mosques established a grand archetype. This fusion of styles reflects the region's rich cultural history and the patronage of powerful rulers and nobles.

Islamic Architecture in South Asia

Key Architectural Elements

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• Domes create a sense of verticality and grandeur in Islamic buildings
• Minarets serve as tall towers for the call to prayer and as visual markers of a mosque's presence (Qutb Minar in Delhi)
• Mihrab niches in the qibla wall indicate the direction of prayer towards Mecca (Jama Masjid in Delhi)
• Elaborate surface decoration includes intricate geometric patterns, vegetal motifs, and calligraphy carved or inlaid in stone, stucco, or glazed tiles (Tomb of Salim Chishti in Fatehpur Sikri)
• Spacious courtyards provide a large open area for congregation and prayer (Taj Mahal mosque in Agra)

Prominent Arch Styles and Transitions

• Pointed arches are a common feature in Islamic architecture, often used in arcades, iwans, and pishtaqs (Alai Darwaza in Delhi)
• Horseshoe arches have a rounded, almost circular profile and are used in portals and niches (Iltutmish Tomb in Delhi)
• Ogee arches have an S-shaped curve with a pointed apex, adding a sense of dynamism (Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri)
• Multi-foil arches have multiple lobes or cusps along the curve, creating a more ornate appearance (Tomb of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq in Delhi)
• Squinches, pendentives, and muqarnas are architectural elements used to transition from square bases to circular domes (Tomb of Atgah Khan in Delhi)

Influence of Arabian Mosque Design

• Hypostyle halls with columns supporting a flat roof are used in mosques, derived from the early Arabian mosque layout (Ajmer Jami Mosque)
• Open courtyards surrounded by arcades on three or four sides are a common feature in South Asian mosques, inspired by Arabian prototypes (Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad)
• Iwans, or large vaulted halls open on one side, are used as monumental entrances framing the courtyard, adapted from Persian mosque design (Jama Masjid in Delhi)
• Pishtaqs, or tall portal entrances with a high arch set within a rectangular frame, are used as the main entrance to a mosque or tomb, evolving from a simpler form to a more elaborate one over time (Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri)

Evolution of Mosque Architecture

Early Mosques and Introduction of True Arch and Dome

• The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi (1192 CE) incorporated components from demolished Hindu and Jain temples in a hypostyle layout
• The Alai Darwaza gate (1311 CE) at the Quwwat-ul-Islam complex introduced the first true arch and dome construction in India, marking a shift from trabeate to arcuate construction
• Regional styles emerged, such as the Malwa sultanate mosques with their recessed arches and pillared halls (Jami Masjid in Mandu)
• Bengal developed a distinct style using brick and terracotta, with multiple domes and curved roofs (Adina Mosque in Pandua, 1374 CE)

Development of the Mughal Mosque Archetype

• The Jama Masjid in Delhi (1656 CE), commissioned by Shah Jahan, became the archetype for imperial Mughal mosques
• Mughal mosques feature a large courtyard, a prayer hall with a central dome, and grand pishtaqs flanked by minarets (Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, 1673 CE)
• The use of minarets flanking the main pishtaq entrance became a defining feature of imperial mosques, symbolizing power and piety
• Later mosques like the Badshahi Mosque further developed the Mughal archetype on a monumental scale with four tall minarets

Influences on Islamic Buildings

Reuse and Adaptation of Pre-Islamic Architectural Elements

• Early Islamic structures, such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, reused components from demolished Hindu and Jain temples, reassembling them in new configurations
• Trabeate construction methods using corbelled arches, domes, and beam-and-lintel systems from temple architecture were adopted in early Islamic buildings before true arch and dome engineering was introduced
• The Hindu mandapa hall design was adapted into the Islamic iwan concept for mosque entrances and audience halls (Jodha Bai's Palace in Fatehpur Sikri)
• Jali, or perforated stone screens, were used in mosques and tombs, inspired by their use in earlier temples (Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedabad)

Synthesis of Indian and Islamic Ornamentation

• Chatris, or small domed pavilions, were incorporated as rooftop elements in mosques and tombs, derived from their use in pre-Islamic Indian architecture (Tomb of Humayun in Delhi)
• The intricate figural sculpture of Hindu and Jain architecture was replaced with geometric and floral carving, but the Indian impulse for ornamentation continued (Alai Darwaza in Delhi)
• Trabeated Hindu and Jain construction methods continued to be used in the lower levels of Islamic structures, with arches and domes reserved for the upper parts (Atala Masjid in Jaunpur)

Patronage and Islamic Architecture

Imperial Mughal Patronage and Style

• Mughal emperors, such as Shah Jahan, promoted a grand and cohesive architectural style to project power and piety across the empire (Taj Mahal in Agra)
• The Mughals recruited skilled architects and craftsmen from Persia and Central Asia who synthesized their techniques with Indian traditions, developing a distinct Persianate style (Tomb of Humayun in Delhi)
• Shah Jahan favored the use of white marble and pietradura inlay work, which became hallmarks of his architectural commissions (Jama Masjid in Agra)

Religious and Political Motivations

• Mosques were built to proclaim the legitimacy and authority of the ruler, with regional rulers sometimes competing with imperial capitals (Adina Mosque in Pandua built to rival Delhi)
• Tombs were constructed to enshrine the memory and legacy of the ruler and their family for posterity (Tomb of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq in Delhi)
• Royal women, such as Haji Begum and Nur Jahan, were important patrons of architecture, commissioning tombs, mosques, and gardens (Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah in Agra)

Provincial and Sub-Imperial Patronage

• Provincial governors and nobles emulated the imperial Mughal style in their own architectural commissions, but on a reduced scale and with less grandeur (Lalbagh Fort Mosque in Dhaka)
• Sub-imperial patronage led to the development of regional variations and styles, adapting the Mughal idiom to local contexts and materials (Qadam Rasul Mosque in Gaur)