Indian Influence

After the 13^th century, Muslim conquerors introduced Islamic architecture to the established Indian style.  Fundamental elements of Indian architecture such as courtyards surrounded by colonnades, balconies supported by brackets, and the lavish decoration of all architecture was adopted by the Muslims.  The traditional Indian architectural style, however, became heavily influenced by the invading Islamic culture.  Islam introduced the dome, the true arch, geometric motifs, mosaics, and minarets. Despite their fundamental conceptual differences, Indian and Islamic architecture achieved a harmonious fusion that established a “modern” Indian architectural type, which would later captivate Europeans.

Indo-Islamic style is usually divided into three phases: the Pathan, the Provincial, and the Mughal. Examples of the earlier Pathan style in stone are at Ahmadabad in Gujarat State, and in brick at Gaur-Pandua in West Bengal State. These structures are closely allied to Hindu models, but are simpler and lack sculptures of human figures. The dome, the arch, and the minaret are constant features of this style and are found in the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Mysore State. Another notable structure is the five-story stone and marble tower called the Qutb Minar near Delhi.  The Provincial style reflected the rebellion of the Indian provinces against the imperial Delhi.  The most notable structures in this phase are found in the capital of Gujarat, Ahmadabad. The Jami Masjid is unique in the whole of India; although Muslim in inspiration, the arrangement of 3 bays and almost 300 pillars, as well as the decoration, in this mosque is pure Hindu.  Here are examples of these exotic architectural forms.

  Jami Masjid

   The Qutb Minar

   The Dome of Gol Gumbaz

   The Towers of Char Minar 

          The Mughal phase of the Indo-Islamic style furthered these styles of Indian architecture by using more luxurious materials such as marble. The culminating example of this style is the Taj Mahal in Agra. This domed mausoleum of white marble inlaid with gemstones was built (1632–48) by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife. It stands on a platform set off by four slender minarets and is reflected in a shallow pool. Other famous examples of the Mughal style are the Pearl Mosque at Agra, Uttar Pradesh State, the palace fortresses at Agra and Delhi, and the great mosques at Delhi and Lahore at Pakistan.  The Mughal architectural style was developed in the 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th centuries.  This genre would be the most influential architectural type on Western culture.  Moreover, Mughal style would form the base from which European designers would develop and manipulate new building forms. 

   Taj Mahal

  Tomb of a Lodhi King

  The Tomb of Humayun's