HISTORY OF SULTANATE ARCHITECTURE
PROF. R. NATH
 

Pp.26+122, 22x28 cm size, 156 halftone plates, 57 text figures

This is stylistic study of the architecture of the Delhi Sultanate (1192-1545) including the monuments of Ajmer, Jaunpur and Sasaram where the same style appeared with local variations. It traces the evolutionary process and analyses, historically, various sources of inspiration which went into the making of this style. Constructional problems which the builders met with in the initial phase have been discussed with illustrations and the author has shown how the arch and the dome forms evolved and what were the forces and urges which brought them about.

The book contains new discoveries. e.g the Tomb of Shihabud-din Muhammad Ghori (Muhammad bin Sam, d. 1206), the tomb of Muhammad bin Tughluq (1351) and his Jami Masjid. The Qutb Minar has been closely examined and its origin traced.

Introduction : Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, Advent of Islam and Early Islamic Art, Antipathy of faiths and forms

Chapters :

 1. Initial Phase : Conflicts and Compromises - Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid
     Delhi, the Iron Pillar, Ardhai-din- ka-Jhompra Masjid Ajmer
 2. Concept of the Qutb Minar- history, nomenclature, architectural
     derivation
 3. Royal Mandates of the Slaves (1211- 1290) - Age of Iltutmish, Dar
     ul-Aman, Abul Fazl's account of Delhi
 4. Architectural Aspirations of the Khaljis (1296-1320)
 5. Tughlaqian Age of Innovations (1321-1411) - Tomb of Ghiyathuddin
     Tughluq, Jami Masjid of Muhammad Bin Tughluq, Tughluq at
     Jahanpanah, Tomb of Muhammad  bin Tughluq, Architectural Projects
     of Firuz Tughluq
 6. Sectarian Relics of the Firuzian Era (1351-1388)
 7. Square Tombs of Delhi Sultanate Period
 8. Sepulchres of Octagonal Conformation (1368-1562)
 9. Sur Mausoleums at Sasaram (1540-1550)
10. Sharqi Mosques of Jaunpur (1376-1478)
11. Panchmukhi Mosques of the Afghan Period