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NCERT Class 11 Fine Art Chapter 8 Some Aspects of Indo-Islamic Architecture
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Some Aspects of Indo-Islamic Architecture
Chapter: 8
| EXERCISE |
1. What do you understand by the term ‘Indo-Islamic’ or ‘IndoSaracenic’ architecture? Can you think of another nomenclature? How did this architecture evolve in India?
Ans: Indo-Islamic architecture is the architecture of the Indian subcontinent produced by and for Islamic patrons and purposes. Despite an initial Arab presence in Sindh, the development of Indo-Islamic architecture began in earnest with the establishment of Delhi as the capital of the Ghurid dynasty in 1193. This fusion emerged during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire, characterized by the use of arches, domes, minarets, and intricate calligraphy, alongside Hindu and regional elements like intricate carvings, columns, and courtyards. The style is evident in structures such as mosques, tombs, palaces, and forts, with prominent examples including the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, and Fatehpur Sikri. This unique style reflects the cultural synthesis between Persian, Central Asian, and Indian architectural traditions. Islamic architecture consisting chiefly of mosques and tombs and characterized by decorated surfaces, bulbous domes, and horseshoe, pointed, and multifoil arches compare moorish architecture.
Another nomenclature for Indo-Islamic architecture is “Mughal Architecture”. While it primarily refers to the architecture under the Mughal Empire, it encompasses the broader Indo-Islamic fusion, blending Persian, Central Asian, and Indian styles. Prominent examples include the Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Red Fort, showcasing grandeur and intricate design.
Indo-Islamic architecture evolved in India through the fusion of Islamic architectural principles, like arches and domes, with indigenous Indian styles. This synthesis began with the Delhi Sultanate, peaked under the Mughals, and influenced regional designs. It resulted in iconic structures such as mosques, tombs, palaces, and forts, reflecting cultural harmony.
2. What types of buildings were added in India in the thirteenth century?
Ans: Majority buildings built were imperial buildings, gardens and religious monuments. The buildings that were added that time in India were Qutub Minar was built at Delhi. In the thirteenth century, with the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, new types of buildings reflecting Indo-Islamic architecture were introduced in India. Mosques such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque were constructed for communal prayers. Succeeding the Ghurids was the Delhi Sultanate, a series of Central Asian dynasties that consolidated much of North, East, and Central India, and later by the Mughal Empire during the early 16th century. Tombs like the ones in Mehrauli showcased the Islamic tradition of commemorative architecture. Madrasas (educational institutions) were built to promote Islamic learning. Fortifications such as the Siri Fort emphasized defense and military strength. Iltutmish built Hauzi-Sultani and Delhi-Kuhna were also build during thirteenth century. Along with Alauddin Khilji built fort of Siri, Alai Darwaza.
3. Name four styles of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Ans: The four main styles of Indo-Islamic architecture are:
(i) Imperial Style: The Imperial System is also called The British Imperial because it came from the British Empire that ruled many parts of the world from the 16th to the 19th century. Developed under the Delhi Sultanate, featuring structures like the Qutub Minar and Alai Darwaza, emphasizing grandeur and use of arches, domes, and intricate carvings.
(ii) Provincial Style: Provincial Style of Architecture encompasses the architectural trends and developments noticed in different provincial capitals in India specifically in Punjab Style, Bengal Style, Jaunpur Style, Gujarati Style, Deccan Style, Regional adaptations seen in Gujarat, Bengal, and the Deccan, blending local traditions with Islamic elements, like the Jami Masjid in Champaner.
(iii) Mughal Style: Mughal buildings have a uniform pattern of structure and character, including large bulbous domes, slender minarets at the corners, massive halls, large vaulted gateways, and delicate ornamentation. Flourished under the Mughal Empire, known for symmetry, grandeur, and Persian influence, as seen in the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb.
(iv) Deccani Style: Deccan painting or Deccani painting is the form of Indian miniature painting produced in the Deccan region of Central India, in the various Muslim capitals of the Deccan sultanates that emerged from the break-up of the Bahmani Sultanate by 1520. These were Bijapur, Golkonda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, and Berar. Characteristic of the Deccan Sultanates, showcasing distinct domes, stucco decoration, and innovations like the Gol Gumbaz.
4. What was the significance of a fort in medieval India? What were the strategic devices adopted in the construction of forts to confuse or defeat the enemy?
Ans: The significance of fort in medieval India was that it symbolizes the power of the king. When the fort was attacked by another king then fort that has been attacked if lost the war then lose his power completely. Strategically built on hills, near rivers, or deserts, they protected rulers and their subjects from invasions. Their architecture, including massive walls, gates, bastions, and moats, demonstrated military strength. Forts like Chittorgarh and Gwalior became symbols of resistance and valor. Beyond defense, they served as administrative hubs, housing palaces, temples, markets, and granaries. With the coming of the colonial forces in the 16th and 17th centuries, forts came to be built as trading posts for commercial purposes as well. They also functioned as places of refuge for people during sieges and revolts.
Forts were strategically designed with various devices to confuse or defeat the enemy. One common feature was complex entrances, often with multiple gates, narrow paths, and zigzag lanes that made it difficult for attackers to advance quickly. Daulatabad had several strategic devices to confound the enemy, such as staggered entrances so that gates could not be opened even with the help of elephants. Moats or water-filled ditches were built around the fort to hinder enemy movement and prevent easy access. False gates and decoy entrances misled invaders, while high walls and fortified bastions offered vantage points for defense. Trapdoors and secret tunnels allowed defenders to launch surprise attacks or escape when under siege. It also had twin forts, one within the other but at a higher elevation and accessed by a complex defence design arrangement. These devices, combined with strategic positioning, made forts formidable barriers against enemy forces.
5. Which forms of secular architecture evolved during medieval times? What significance did these buildings have in the sociocultural lives of contemporary people?
Ans: During medieval times, several forms of secular architecture evolved, reflecting the societal, cultural, and practical needs of the period. Indo-Islamic architecture emerged as a significant style, combining indigenous Indian and Islamic design elements.
Notable forms of secular architecture included:
(i) Forts and Palaces: The huge difference between a castle palace and a fort is that a palace is frequently used for administrative duties, as well as the residence of prominent people and decorative structures. A fort is a temporary and/or tiny defensive construction. These were primarily constructed to demonstrate power and provide defense. Examples such as the Red Fort and Golconda Fort served as centers of political control and military strategy, while also showcasing architectural grandeur.
(ii) Stepwells (Baolis): A step well (Baoli, Vav, Vapi) is generally a rectangular structure containing a draw well, constructed below the ground level. It is approached by a long stepped corridor which leads from the ground level to the water of the well. Structures like Rani ki Vav were built for water conservation, and they also served as communal spaces for social interaction. These wells were vital in arid regions and played a central role in the daily lives of local communities.
(iii) Caravanserais and Marketplaces: Caravanserais were roadside inns along major trade routes like the ancient Silk Road, that doubled as hubs for the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture. Buildings such as Fatehpur Sikri’s caravanserai and the Chandni Chowk marketplace facilitated trade and travel, becoming essential to the economic and social fabric of urban life.
(iv) Residential Structures (Havelis): The typical havelis in Shekhawati incorporated two courtyards — an outer one for the men which served as an extended threshold, and the inner one, the domain of the women. Havelis, with their courtyards, provided private spaces for families, while also addressing the need for ventilation and comfort in hot climates. The largest havelis could have up to three or four courtyards and were two to three stories high. These structures often reflected the status and wealth of the families who lived in them.
(v) Public Buildings: The term public art refers to art that is in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property or whether it has been purchased with public or private money. Gateways, pavilions, and gardens, like the Shalimar Bagh, were designed to combine functionality with beauty. These spaces were often used for royal ceremonies, public gatherings, and leisure, reinforcing the connection between the ruling elite and the people.
Indo-Islamic architecture was the form of the secular architecture that evolved during the medieval times. During medieval times, several forms of secular architecture evolved, reflecting societal, cultural, and practical needs. Forts and palaces were prominent, showcasing grandeur and defense, like the Red Fort and Golconda Fort. Stepwells (baolis) such as Rani ki vav served as water management systems and community spaces. Marketplaces and caravanserais facilitated trade and travel, exemplified by Delhi’s Chandni Chowk and Fatehpur Sikri’s caravanserai. In the fifteenth century, architects began to favour classical forms again, in the Renaissance style, marking the end of the medieval period. Residential structures like havelis featured courtyards for ventilation and privacy. Public buildings such as gateways, pavilions, and gardens like the Shalimar Bagh combined aesthetics with functionality. These structures symbolized power, utility, and the blending of local and external influences. Examples of secular buildings are museums, townhalls, university buildings and railway stations. The design and style of such buildings is often referred to as profane architecture.
6. How does Mandu showcase the fact that humans adapt to their environment?
Ans: Mandu with all its structures like the Jahaz Mahal is a classic example of how people adapt to their environment. Even in those days, these structures were used for rainwater harvesting purpose. Situated on a plateau surrounded by natural defenses like ravines, its structures blend seamlessly with the terrain. The city’s water management system, including stepwells, reservoirs, and rainwater harvesting, reflects adaptation to limited water resources. Mandu’s buildings, such as the Jahaz Mahal, are designed to enhance ventilation, combating the region’s heat. There are many examples of ways in which humans have adapted to their environment. One way is by modifying the environment to best suit human needs, such as agriculture, irrigation practices, clearing land to build dwellings, and building roads.
7. In spite of being unfinished how does Gol Gumbad symbolise the grandeur and majesty of Indo-Islamic architecture?
Ans: Gol Gumbaz (lit. ‘Round Dome’), also written Gol Gumbad, is a 17th-century mausoleum located in Bijapur, a city in Karnataka, India. Its massive dome, one of the largest in the world, stands as a testament to exceptional engineering. The unique “Whispering Gallery” showcases acoustic brilliance, while its symmetrical layout and decorative elements, like calligraphy and arches, reflect Islamic aesthetics. The monument’s imposing structure exudes power and permanence, embodying the grandeur of the Deccan Sultanate. It houses the remains of Mohammad Adil Shah, seventh sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty, and some of his relatives. Begun in the mid-17th century, the structure never reached completion.
8. Which are the places where the dead are buried? How do these differ from each other?
Ans: The dead are buried in cemeteries, graveyards, churchyards, and burial grounds. Burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is a method of final disposition whereby a dead body is placed into the ground, sometimes with objects. Cemeteries are large, often public spaces designated for burials, accommodating people of various faiths or communities. Graveyards are smaller burial areas typically attached to churches, used by specific religious groups. Churchyards, similar to graveyards, are church-affiliated spaces reserved for the congregation. Burial grounds can refer to traditional or sacred spaces, often associated with cultural or tribal practices. This is usually accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing the deceased and objects in it, and covering it over.
Cemeteries are large, public burial spaces open to all, while graveyards and churchyards are smaller, affiliated with specific churches or faiths. Mausoleums differ by housing the dead above ground in crypts. Burial grounds often reflect cultural or tribal traditions, emphasizing spiritual or ancestral connections, unlike formal cemetery systems.
9. Why is the word ‘perfection’ associated with the Taj Mahal?
Ans: The word ‘perfection’ is associated with the Taj Mahal because: breathtaking architectural beauty, symmetrical design, and flawless craftsmanship. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the monument exemplifies the zenith of Mughal architecture. Its marble dome, intricate carvings, and delicate inlay work reflect a perfect blend of art, engineering, and love. The mausoleum contains the beautifully carved out frames, chahar baug and crisscrossed paths it has in front of it. Four tall minarets on sides add to the beauty and excellent symmetry that Taj mahal possess. The monument’s harmonious design and timeless beauty have made it a symbol of perfection in both art and structure.
