Delhi Sultanate Architecture: Early Turk to Khalji

Delhi Sultanate Architecture: Early Turk to Khalji

Sultanate Architecture Phases

Sultanate architecture is divided into four phases: Early Turk, Khalji, Tughlaq, and Sayyid-Lodi phases.

Early Turk Phase: 1206-90

Qutubuddin Aibak (1206-10)

• Although Aibak declared himself Sultan in 1206, he began his architectural activities with the conquest of Delhi (1193). He converted Qila Rai Pithaura into the capital.

• A mosque was built in the centre of the city, initially known as Jami Masjid and later as Quba Dome of Quwwat-ul-Islam (Might of Islam). Besides this, he built a mosque named Adhai Din ka Jhonpra (Ajmer) and a tower named Qutub Minar (Delhi).

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

• Location: Mehrauli, Delhi

• First building of the Indo-Islamic architectural style.

• Built on the occasion of Delhi’s conquest, according to John Marshall.

• Built from the dismantled remains of temples.

• Year of construction: 1193-98.

• Later, some new parts were added to the mosque by Iltutmish & Alauddin Khalji.

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra Masjid

• Location: Ajmer.

• Its name was derived from the fact that a fair used to be held here for Adhai Din (i.e., two and a half days).

• Year of construction: 1195-97.

• Built from the dismantled remains of temples.

• From the excavation, some stone plates were found on which some parts of Vigrahraj's Harikeli Natak and Somdev's Lalit Vigrahraj (Sanskrit drama) are inscribed (at present kept in the Ajmer Museum).

Qutub Minar (Tower)

• Location: Mehrauli, Delhi.

• Purpose: To declare the power of Islam to the inhabitants of the conquered territories (according to Percy Brown).

• Named after Sufi Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.

• Year of construction: 1199-1236.

• The first story of the Minar was built by Qutubuddin Aibak.

• The second, third, and fourth stories of the Minar were built by Iltutmish.

• The fourth storey was struck by lightning in 1370, after which Firoz Tughlaq replaced it with two more storeys.

• First building in which no dismantled remains of temples were used, i.e., the first outlined and constructed Islamic building.

Iltutmish (1211-36)

Iltutmish was very fond of architecture. There was all-round development of architecture during his time. He completed the construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam, Adhai Din ka Jhonpra & Qutub Minar that had started during the time of Aibak.

The buildings built by Iltutmish were Sultanghari/Sultangarhi (Tomb of Nasiruddin Mehmud), Tomb of Iltutmish, etc. He was known as the Father/Founder of Maqbara (Tomb/Mausoleum) Architecture.

Sultanghari/Sultangarhi (Tomb of Nasiruddin Mehmud)

• Location: Malkapur, Delhi.

• First example of Maqbara (Tomb/Mausoleum).

• Built in the memory of Prince Nasiruddin Mehmud.

• Year of construction: 1231-32.

Tomb of Iltutmish

• Location: North East of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, Mehrauli, Delhi.

• Beginning year of construction: 1235.

Other Buildings by Iltutmish

• Shamshi Idgah, Badayun.

• Jama Masjid, Badayun.

• Hauz-i-Shamshi, Mehrauli.

• Atarkin Darwaja, Nagaur (inspiration of Buland Darwaja – Akbar).

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Dargah, Ajmer.

Balban (1266-87)

The buildings built by Balban are – Tomb of Balban & Tomb of Khan Shaheed.

Tomb of Balban

• Location: Qila Rai Pithaura.

• Built in 1287.

• First building in which a true arch (Mehrab) was used.

• Unfortunately, the dome has not survived.

• The Alai Darwaja is the first building whose dome has survived.

Tomb of Khan Shaheed

• Situated near the tomb of Balban.

• Muhammad Khan was the elder son of Balban and was known as Khan Shaheed because he lost his life in fighting against the Mongols in 1285.

Khalji Phase: 1290-1320

The second phase of development of Indo-Islamic architecture was completed during the Khalji Sultans (1290-1320). The influence of Islamic style on buildings of this period is very clear.

Khalji Sultans could rule only for 30 years; naturally, they could build very few buildings. Among these buildings, Alai Darwaja, Jamatkhana Masjid, etc., are notable.

Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316)

Alauddin Khalji was very fond of architecture. He founded a new city, Siri, and built some buildings.

1. Foundation of a New City Siri

• In 1300, Alauddin Khalji founded a new city, Siri, at Siri village (located in the north of the Qutub area, Delhi).

• Inside the city, Alauddin Khalji built a palace named Hazarsutun Mahal (a palace that has 1,000 pillars).

• At the western side of the city, a giant pond named Hauz-i-Khas or Hauz-i-Alai was built by Alauddin Khalji.

2. Alai Darwaja

• Constructed as the southern gate of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.

• Named after its constructor, Alauddin Khalji.

• Completed in 1310-11.

• Horseshoe-shaped arch.

• The earliest example of a true arch in India.

• A real monument to Alauddin Khalji's pride.

3. Alai Minar

• Alauddin Khalji wanted to build a minaret twice the height of Qutub Minar, but it could not happen.

• He was able to build only one story of the Alai Minar when he died.

• After his death, no one took an interest in continuing this project; as a result, it could not be completed.

• But the incomplete minaret gives a sufficient idea of its grandeur.

4. Jamatkhana Masjid

• Situated on the campus of Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah.

• The earliest example of a masjid was completely based on Islamic ideals.

Successors of Alauddin Khalji

The buildings built by the successors of Alauddin Khalji are

• Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah—built by Khizr Khan, son of Alauddin Khalji.

• Ukha Masjid—located at Bayana, Bharatpur; built by Malik Kafur in 1320 during the reign of Kutbuddin Mubarak Khalji.

Final Thoughts

The story of Sultanate architecture unfolds in four major phases: Early Turk, Khalji, Tughlaq, and Sayyid-Lodi. The Early Turk phase (1206–1290) introduced Indo-Islamic architecture to India.

Qutubuddin Aibak laid the foundation with the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the Adhai Din ka Jhonpra in Ajmer, and the grand Qutub Minar, later expanded by Iltutmish. Iltutmish also built India’s first tomb, Sultanghari, earning him the title of father of tomb architecture. Balban further innovated by introducing the true arch in his tomb.

The Khalji phase (1290–1320) carried this legacy forward. Alauddin Khalji, passionate about architecture, built the new city of Siri, along with Hauz-i-Khas and the Hazarsutun Mahal. His most famous creation, the Alai Darwaja, is the earliest surviving example of a true arch in India.

He also attempted to construct the ambitious Alai Minar, intended to surpass Qutub Minar, though it remained incomplete. The Jamatkhana Masjid and later works by his successors, such as the Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah and Ukha Masjid, highlight how the Khalji period left its own mark on Delhi’s architectural heritage.