Introduction
Most laymen believe that Mughals were the architectural masters of India, but no matter the grandeur of their achievements they presided over a centuries old already established tradition. Even in Delhi, a city that has thousands of years of cultural history. There are 8 cities in the current state of Delhi (7 being medieval and 8th being New Delhi) and the earliest evidence of architectural structure comes from the current district of Mehrauli.
It was started by the Tomar ruler Anangpal in c. 1050s CE. It is famously known as Laal Kot or Qila Rai Pithora. Hasan Nizami, a contemporary Persian chronicler who wrote Tajul Ma’asir writes about this fort, “When he (Shahabuddin Ghori) came to Delhi, he saw a fortress (Lal Kot) which was so marvellous that there was no other fort of height and firmness equal to it in the whole world.” Sadly little to no structure have survived from this magnificent fort-palace, but historians can assume that the fort followed a contemporary Rajasthan-Gujrat style of architecture with red sandstone, round bastions, columned corridors, and corbel structures etc.
New Beginnings
The Mehrauli structures that still exist today are collectively called Qutb Complex, because it’s construction was started by Qutb ud-Din Aibak founder of Mamluk Dynasty of Delhi Sultanate in 12th century. Later continued by Sultan Iltutmish and Alauddin Khalji in 13th and 14th century.
This complex was started with the creation of Qutb Mosque on Rai Pithora. Subsequently, halls and screens with detailed arches were built for this new building. The most ambitious project of this ruler was Qutb Minar, although he was not able to complete the construction he did laid the groundwork of this monumental minaret. Another achievement of this period was fusion of Persian with Indian style of architecture, a fusion which will be used by every upcoming Empire in India until Colonial advent.
The next phase of complex was constructed under the patronage of Sultan Iltutmish. His major works include the extension of Qutb Mosque with several courtyards, arches and minarets. He was able to complete Qutb Minar, a heavily detailed tower with no other equal. A staggering 73 m. (238 ft) high five storeys tall minaret. It is a frankenstein mashup of different styles like stellate with convex flutes and different materials like red sandstone for first three storeys and mix of marble and sandstone for later storeys. The sultan himself lies in this complex in a white marble with elaborately carved inside Tomb.
The third and last phase of constructions in Qutb Complex was done under the ambitions of Alauddin Khalji. The extent of his dreams can be seen by an unfinished ground floor of alai minaret. Considering the size of this structure it indicates that it could have been twice the size of orginal Qutb Minar on completion. He was successful in extending the complex to twice the size as it was during the time of Iltutmish. His surviving structure includes a beautifully crafted domed entrance hall called Alai Darwaza with red sandstone and white marble.
Features and Motifs
The structures of this period was created in a blend of Persian and Indian style because it was created by highly skilled local masons and sculptors working under immigrant Afghan supervisors and used materials from indigenous structures. Which resulted in a mixture of Arabic inscriptions, vine and flower motifs, and patterns with geometry and symmetry. Some of these famous elements are :-
Dome: A round bulbous structure on the roof of buildings also known as the Dome have remained as the supreme achievement of Middle Eastern world. The builders of India were also particularly competitive in perfecting this feature. They experimented and adapted several new techniques from square bases to octagonal bases for the dome.
Arches: It is the hallmark of finding a medieval style architecture. A curved structure acting as a gateway and supporting weights from above. Early Indian masons again experimented with this concept creating several beautiful Screens, Four Pointed Arch, Ogee Arch, Fringe Arch and perfect example for Indo-Persian structure Arch-and-beam. They used corbel technique (stacking stones of different sizes on top of each other) to create these, beautiful, but not perfect true arch. The true arch, for the first time, was used in the now ruined tomb of Balban.
Muqarna style decoration: Visible in the Qutb Minar it is a type of arabesque decoration. It uses symmetry and geometric patterns to create a three dimensional honeycomb surface. Symmetry being the most important aspect in Arabic and Persian buildings. It serves both decorative and functional purpose in joining different parts of the like balconies, domes, walls, vaults etc.
Pillars and colonnades: This is a complete Indian feature as seen in several temples and structures of earlier period. Most famous of them being the iron pillar of Qutb Complex, installed by Iltutmish was taken from another temple. There are several pillared walkways and corridors. These pillars are made up of stones and just like the Iron Pillar was taken from earlier structures.
Flowers and vines: The creators of Qutb Complex were also really keen on decorations and ornaments. They used both Persian and Indian form of decorations. This ranged from calligraphy, geometric patterns, intertwining and scrolling vines, flowers, lotus buds etc.
Other structures
The Mehrauli established by Delhi Sultanate doesn’t just offer Qutb Complex there are several different tombs, mosques and royal tanks scattered around that district. One of them is Hauz-i-Shamsi a huge water reservoir built by Sultan Iltutmish to provide for a growing capital as river Yamuna’s water was hardly accessible without proper drain system. This artificial lake was later repaired during the reign of Alauddin Khalji. He even started the construction of a second reservoir Hauz-i-Khas, currently situated in the high class district of Hauz Khas.
Conclusion
The Qutb Complex has changed a lot because of the ravages of time, but due to conservation efforts started by colonial administration, the vision and glory of original builders still stand today. As Shaikh Nizamuddin Chishti acknowledged the tranquil environment in 13th century, even in hectic modern times the complex fulfills this duty of serenity. The skillful labours, masons, and artisans combined with the ambitious projects of their rulers were able to create the famous Indo-Persian Theme. A form of architecture that will go on inspiring several different artists for the next millennia creating a distinct period of India’s history.
Reference
- Harle, J.C. The art and architecture of the Indian subcontinent. Penguin books
- Trivedi, Madhu. From settlements to cityscape. School of open learning, University of Delhi.
- Ali, Athar. Capital of the Sultans: Delhi through the 13th and 14th Centuries, in R.E. Frykenberg, ed., Delhi Through the Age: Essays in Urban History, Culture and Society, Delhi: Oxford University Press.
- Menon, Arathi. The Qutb Complex and Early Sultanat. Khanacademy.org
Extremely Insightful! Thank you Sahil!