Islamic Architecture in India
Islamic architecture in India can be broadly classified into two phases: The Delhi Sultanate Phase (Pre-Mughal Phase) and the Mughal Phase.
Due to the contrasting natures of the political setups of the two stages in Islamic history in India, two distinct styles of architecture developed under the two phases.
The formative phase of Islamic architecture in India can be said to fall under the Delhi Sultanate phase. The nature of this state, wherein the ruler in Delhi was loosely in control of a federal system of vassal states, often at war with each other and even with the rulers in Delhi themselves meant that each area in India developed its own distinct provincial style. The Mughal Empire was much more centralized, and therefore, under the Mughals a more unified, national architectural style developed. Also, due to the stability and wealth of the Mughal empire, Islamic architecture in India reached its zenith during this period.
The various styles and their correlations can be understood from the following diagram:
Due to the contrasting natures of the political setups of the two stages in Islamic history in India, two distinct styles of architecture developed under the two phases.
The formative phase of Islamic architecture in India can be said to fall under the Delhi Sultanate phase. The nature of this state, wherein the ruler in Delhi was loosely in control of a federal system of vassal states, often at war with each other and even with the rulers in Delhi themselves meant that each area in India developed its own distinct provincial style. The Mughal Empire was much more centralized, and therefore, under the Mughals a more unified, national architectural style developed. Also, due to the stability and wealth of the Mughal empire, Islamic architecture in India reached its zenith during this period.
The various styles and their correlations can be understood from the following diagram:
