EH 301

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE-IV
S5 B.ARCH 2020
 PROVINCIAL STYLES OF DECCAN

PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

The “Deccan” (derived from Dakshina) is a geographical term that refers to the plateau in south
central India

• Climate -dry and cold

in the winter but
summer is hot.
• Southwest monsoon
brings rains. Rain fall
is less, drought
prone region
• Temperature during
summer - of 45 °C
(113 °F), the
minimum recorded
in winter is 5 °C
(41 °F)
• The soil is
predominantly of
black cotton soil,
Rocky & Hilly Terrain-
Volcanic rocks
PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN
 Islamic influence in Architecture came south when Muhammed bin Tughlaq shifted his
capital to Daulatabad in central India in AD1338. Alaudin Bahman Shah, a Persiante
General under Tughlaq dynasty revolted against him & established the first independent
Muslim kingdom of the Deccan- The Bahmani Dynasty.

After 1518 the sultanate broke up into five states:

1. Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar
2. Qutb Shahi of Golconda (Hyderabad),
3. Barid Shahi of Bidar
4. Imad Shahi of Berar
5. Adil Shahi of Bijapur

They are collectively known as the "Deccan Sultanates".

Unlike other Muslim rulers in the North & Western India who made full use of indigenous
art and architecture in their domains, rulers in the Deccan largely ignored the local styles
and produced an independent style of their own.

PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 •In the 14th century the Muslim Bahmani Sultanate and the smaller Sultanate of
Khandesh ruled much of the northern Deccan, while the southern part was
controlled by the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire.
•The Bahmani Sultanate disintegrated in the late 15th century, breaking up into
the Sultanates of Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur (the Adil Shahi Dynasty) and
Golconda (the Qutb Shahi Dynasty).
•In 1601 Khandesh was absorbed by the Mughal Empire By 1619 Vijayanagara had
lost much territory to Golconda and Bijapur; Bidar was absorbed by Bijapur.
Ahmadnagar was absorbed by the Mughal Empire in 1636.

PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 Influences in this style come from two main sources:

•Delhi style: Due to the forced migration of Muhammad Tughlaq from Delhi to
Daulatabad, many influences of Tughlaqian Delhi were brought to the south.

•Persian Style: Due to the trade with Persians to southern India via sea route.

Deccan style can be divided into 3 main phases:

1. Gulbarga Phase (Bahmani Dynasty)- Laying the foundations

of the style.
2. Bidar Phase (Bahmani & Barid Dynasties)- After moving the
capital of the Deccan sultanate from Gulbarga to Bidar, the
style developed under the Bahmani and later the Barid
dynasties.
3. Golkonda Phase (Qutub Shahi Dynasty): The capital of the
Deccan sultanate finally moved to the southern city of
Golkonda, the stronghold of the ruling Qutub Shahi dynasty.

PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 BAHMANI SULTANATE

Bidar

Gulbarga

BAHMANIS OF GULBARGA: PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 • The Bahmani rulers built beautiful tombs and GULBARGA FORT
mosques in Bidar and Gulbarga.
• The architecture was highly influenced by Persian
architecture. They invited architects from Persia,
Turkey and Arabia.
• The Bahmanis got many forts rebuilt and modified for
their suitability in case of military requirements. They
also built many forts at Daulatabad, Golconda and BIDAR FORT
Raichur.
• when the capital was shifted to Bidar a d a large
number of buildings were constructed which include
the forts, palaces, mosques and tombs. prominent
among which are the Rangin Mahal, Gagan Mahal,
Chini Mahal and Nagin Mahal
• The Persian scholar Mahmud Gawan (minister of
Muhammad Shah III), built the well-
known Madrasa in 1472 AD (building with three
stories and has lecture halls, a library, a mosque and
residential houses) which stands as a specimen of
Bahmani architecture.

BAHMANIS OF GULBARGA: PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 The mosque, one of the first in South India & was built to commemorate Gulbarga as the
capital of the Bahmani Sultanate.

JAMI MASJID,GULBARGA(AD 1347): BAHMANI DYNASTY

 JAMI MASJID ,GULBARGA (AD 1347) : •Built in A.D. 1367 under the architect
Rafi from Kazwin in northern Persia.
•The structure measures 216' X 176', with
cloisters on three sides and a spacious
sanctuary with a dome on the western
side
•Uses true arches, vaults ,sqinches &
domes ,stone masonry in lime mortar.
•Completely covered with no courtyard &
basilica plan, No minarets
•The central area is filled in with rows of
aisles forming 68 bays, each roofed by a
cupola.27 barrel vaulted bays around.
•The cloisters consist of a series of single
very wide spans and low imposts.
JAMI MASJID,GULBARGA(AD 1347): BAHMANI
•250 arches DYNASTY
& 140 square pillars.
JAMI MASJID,GULBARGA(AD 1347): BAHMANI DYNASTY
JAMI MASJID,GULBARGA(AD 1347): BAHMANI DYNASTY
 The mosque had a great impact on Deccani architecture, its features like the stilted dome
raised on the clerestory and the cloister arches with wide spans and low imposts

JAMI MASJID,GULBARGA(AD 1347): BAHMANI DYNASTY

 • Sultan Alla-Ud Din Bahman of the Bahmanid Dynasty shifted his capital
from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427 and built his fort along with a number
of monuments. There are over 30 monuments inside Bidar fort

Prominent amongst them are the Rangin Mahal ("Painted Palace"), so called
because of its elaborate decoration with coloured tiles; the Takht Mahal, or
throne room; the Jami Masjid ("Great Mosque") and the Sola Khamba
Masjid ("Sixteen-Pillar" mosque).
BIDAR (AD 1427-1512):BAHMANI DYNASTY
BIDAR (AD 1427-1512):BAHMANI DYNASTY
 Barid Shahi Dynasty was founded in 1492 by Qasim Barid, who was a Georgian
enslaved by Turks under Bahmani sultān Muhammad Shah III. During the reign
of Mahmud Shah Bahmani (r.1482 – 1518), he became the de facto ruler of
Bidar

• The Bidar Sultanate made considerable

additions to the Bidar Fort. Their tombs are
also located at Bidar.
• The rulers employed Hindu craftsmen for
the construction of these buildings, which
resulted in amalgamation of some Hindu
features within the architecture of this
period.
• In 1619, he last ruler, Amir Barid III, was
defeated by the Bijapur sultan Ibrahim Adil
Shah II. Bidar was annexed to Bijapur
sultanate

BIDAR (AD 1492-1619):BARID SHAHI DYNASTY

 BARID SHAHI TOMBS

• The tombs were built in

the Indo-Islamic style typical
of the Deccan Sultanates.
• They are set in a garden, of
which a few mango and
tamarind trees still survive.
• There is an idgah at the
eastern end of Qasim Barid's
tomb.

BIDAR (AD 1492-1619):BARID SHAHI DYNASTY

 TOMB OF ALI BADRID
• The tomb of Ali Barid was
completed in 984 Hijri (1576-
1577 CE)
• Masterpiece of Barid Shahi
Architecture.
• Built using laterite & green
Granite
• Situated on a high plinth in
the middle of a Charbagh
garden
• Open plan,70’ high-like a
pavilion

BIDAR (AD 1492-1619):BARID SHAHI DYNASTY

 TOMB OF ALI BADRID
The interior decoration includes long
bands of inscriptions containing couplets,
personal eulogies and sacred extracts in
Kufic, Tughra or Nashki scripts.

•it is an open structure, with a large archway in

each of its four sides.
•The architectural composition is simple, except
for the elaborate treatment of the dome, which
is beginning to show the bulbous form which
would become common in later years.

BIDAR (AD 1492-1619):BARID SHAHI DYNASTY

 OTHER TOMBS

BIDAR (AD 1492-1619):BARID SHAHI DYNASTY

 THE ‘LOTUS DOMES’ OF BIDAR

• The Barid Shahis of Bidar developed the lotus dome which reached its perfection under
Mughals
•Slightly bulbous ‘onion shaped’ dome embellished with lotus petals at the neck or ‘griva’
& ‘mahapadma’ inverted lotus at the crown- a continuation of Buddhist architecture.

BIDAR (AD 1492-1619):BARID SHAHI DYNASTY

GOLCONDA: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)
 • With the disintegration of the
Bahmani Kingdom in the early 16th
century, Sultan Quli Qutub Shah
assumed virtual independence.
• Thus he founded the Qutub Shahi
dynasty that lasted from 1518 right
upto 1687

• Qutub Shahis had a rich kingdom,

great patrons of Arts & culture,
Composite & administration.
• The dynasty came to an end in 1687
during seventh Sultan Abul Hasan
Qutb Shah when Mughal
Emperor Aurangzeb seized Golconda
fort and occupied the kingdom.
• .

GOLCONDA: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)

From 1518 to 1591 Golconda was the capital of the Quṭb Shāhī kingdom (1518–1687).
The fortress of Golconda is 3 miles (5 km) in circumference, with concentric masonry block
walls. Palaces, mosques, and the Quṭb Shāhī tombs . It remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi
dynasty until 1590 when the capital was shifted to Hyderabad

GOLCONDA: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)

Located in the city of Hyderabad, capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Golconda Fort, Qutb
Shahi Tombs and Charminar are the landmarks that symbolize the Qutb Shahi Dynasty.

Golconda Fort lies 11 km to the west of city of Hyderabad, while the Qutb Shahi tombs are a
further kilometre north-west of the Fort. It remained the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty until
1590 when the capital was shifted to Hyderabad.
GOLCONDA FORT: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)
GOLCONDA FORT: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)
 TOMBS OF SULTAN MUHAMMED QUTUB SHAH
The Qutb Shahi tombs complex consists of 30 tombs, mosques and a mortuary bath. The
tombs belong to the rulers of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty, their queens and children and the
nobles who faithfully served them

•Golconda near Hyderabad-

city of Tombs
•Similar to tombs of Bidar, but
more ornate in character.
•Open square plan with a lotus
dome on top& corner
minarets –guldasta
•Often a large open verandah
with a low roof surround the
central space –image of a two
storey bldg.
•Every inch of surface from
walls ,dome ,minarets etc are
richly decorated

TOMBS OF GOLCONDA: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)

TOMBS OF GOLCONDA: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)
TOMBS OF GOLCONDA: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)
TOMBS OF GOLCONDA: QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY(1518-1687)
The zenith of Golconda style is seen Charminar. Charminar stands at the crossing of two arterial
axes in the old city of Hyderabad and forms the symbolic fulcrum of the city, with its four
gateways oriented towards the cardinal directions.

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY

•Charminar was constructed on the intersection of the historical trade route that connects the
markets of Golconda with the port city of Masulipatnam. Built in A.D. 1591 in Hyderabad by
Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah as a triumphal archway, Charminar on the other hand, is a
ceremonial Gateway built to celebrate the foundation of Hyderabad, a new Millennial City, in
1591 A.D.
CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY
THE CHARMINAR,HYDERABAD
•The Charminar was built to serve as a
mosque and madrasa (Islamic school of
learning)
•It is a square in plan and measures 100'
side.
•The monument is made of granite,
limestone, mortar and pulverised
marble.
•The ground storey consists of large
archways on each side, each having a
span of 36'.
•At each corner stands an exquisitely
shaped minaret, 56 meters (184 feet)
high each having three storeys rising to a
height to 56 metres.
•The spiral staircase inside the minarets
has 149 steps leading to the top with 12
landings.
•Corner minarets have balconies with
lotus details & topped by a lotus dome.

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY
 RICHLY EMBELLISHED CORNICES

OGEE SHAPED
ARCH ON 4 SIDES

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY

 •The first storey contains small arcaded triforium, the second one has small arches
while top one has perforated balustrades on all sides

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY

A mosque is located at the western end of the open roof on the second floor; the remaining
part of the roof served as a court during the Qutb Shahi times.
CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY
 •Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with
dainty petal-like designs at the base.

•Above are diminishing storey's of Arched & richly embellished cornices

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY

 The structure is also known for its profuseness of stucco decorations and arrangement
of balustrades and balconies. The floral designs are varied and delicately executed.

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY
 •The clock on the four cardinal directions was
added in 1889 and there is a Vazu (water
cistern) in the middle with a small fountain for
Ablution before offering prayer in the
Charminar Mosque.

CHARMINAR,GOLCONDA (AD1591): QUTUB SHAHI DYNASTY

Bijapur was one of the five local kingdoms that formed after the dissolution of the Bahmani
kingdom in 1518. The Bijapur Sultanate was absorbed into the Mughal Empire on 12 September
1686, after its conquest by the Emperor Aurangzeb

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)

In the second half of the 16th & 17th century under the aegis of Adil Shahis, the capital city of
Bijapur occupied a prominent place among the celebrated cities of India. It was a great centre of
culture, trade and commerce, education and learning etc., which earned it the name ‘Benares
of the south’ or ‘Vidyanagar’.

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)

Islamic Architecture of Deccan Reached its zenith under Adil Shahis of Bijapur. Craftsmen in
Bijapur took inspiration from Masjids of Gulbarga & Tombs of Bidar
•Gulbarga- idea of stilted domes, plain sufaces, grand arches
•Bidar- bulbous lotus dome which became an exotic thing
In 1724 AD ,defeated by Marathas,who stripped the palaces & tombs f their splendours.

JAMI MASJID, BIJAPUR •The structure covers a rectangle 450'

X 225'.
•The courtyard is a square of 155' side,
contained on three sides by seven
arches on each side
•The structure was never completed,
as it lacks the two minarets which
were supposed to flank the exterior of
its eastern entrance, the whole part
being left unfinished.
•Hemispherical dome rises above a
square clearstory with a metal finial
•Rest of the liwan has shallow domes
concealed within the roof

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)
Ornamentation has been kept to a minimum, being of a broad and restrained order and any
plastic treatment is of an architectonic nature, more for accentuating a line or space than for
embellishment.

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)

Built as the tomb for Ibrahim Adil Shah just outside the city walls of Bijapur to the west.
•The building consists of a tomb and a mosque within a square enclosure, the whole forming
a garden retreat.- Composition was an inspiration for Taj

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)

 •The tomb has a central chamber
surrounded by an arched verandah,
the whole surmounted by a lotus
dome.

•Hanging ceiling- to scale down the

space inside, supported by 7’ deep
brackets projecting from walls
around.

•The entire structure is profusely

ornamented, especially the outer
wall of which every part is covered
with ornamental carving.

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)

 •The two main buildings stand on a
terrace 360' X 150', at the eastern
end of which is the tomb and at the
western end, facing it, is the
mosque.
• The area between the two is
occupied by an ornamental pool
and fountain.

BIJAPUR: ADIL SHAHI DYNASTY(1489-1686)

The Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah.It is one of the biggest single
chamber structures in the world and covers an area of 18,225 square feet (1,693 square
meters).The dome is the second largest in the world, with a diameter of almost 600 feet, next
only to St. Peter's Basillica in Rome.

GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 The mausoleum is part of a complex that includes a mosque, a dharmshala (inn for
travelers) and other buildings related to the sovereign's mausoleum.

GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 •the building is a great cube with an
octagonal tower at corners &with a
large hemispherical dome covering the
whole.
•The width of each of the sides is equal
to the height which is a little above
200'.
•The walls are 10’ thick. The exterior
diameter of the dome is 144'.
•the interior of the structure is a single
large hall, one of the largest ever built,
measuring 135' across, 178' high and
the gallery from where the dome
springs is 110' from the pavement.
•Eight intersecting arches created by
two rotated squares that create
interlocking pendentives support the
dome

GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

DOME CONSTRUCTION
•Huge dome spanning 125’
inside,10’ thick at base
Whispering •The system of supporting the
gallery-double dome on intersecting arches was
echo used.
Intersecting •Concentric horizontal courses of
arches bricks with substantial layer of rich
lime mortar was used.
•it consists of a homogeneous shell
of concrete reinforced with bricks,
the whole being of a thickness of
10'.
•Due to the system of over sailing
courses of brickwork, timber
centring would be unnecessary
•the only other example being on a
much smaller scale, in the
sanctuary cupola in the cathedral
of Cordova in Spain, built some six
centuries earlier.

GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 •Interior is dull & gloomy with little light
•The exterior surface of the cube has three
arches sunken into them, the central
one panelled out to bring it to the size of a
normal doorway.

GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

 •The upper floor of each tower opens on to a
round gallery which surrounds the dome.
•Running around the inside of the dome is the
"Whispering Gallery" where even the softest
sound can be heard on the other side of the
mausoleum due to the acoustics of the space

GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN

GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN
GOL GUMBAZ(AD 1656),BIJAPUR:PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN
 •Gulbarga: persian & turkish influences in Masjids -,stilted domes, plain
surfaces, grand arches
•Bidar: Tombs- beging of bulbous lotus dome, ornate surfaces
•Golconda: lotus dome profile seen in Tombs & stilted domes for Mosques.
•Bijapur: Rauza-Tomb& Mosque in a garden ,structural innvation in
intersecting arches & dome construction for gol gumbaz
Many ideas that began in Deccan find further development in Mughal
Architecture such as lotus Domes,intersecting Arches, stilted domes with
clearstorey windows,Combination of Tomb & mosque in a Garden Etc.

LEARNING FROM THE PAST: PROVICAL STYLES OF DECCAN