The Arab conquest of Sind (712 A.D.) set in motion a series of events that culminated with an Islamic ruler seizing Delhi in the 11th century. In the following years, the Architecture in Medieval India changed dramatically. To reflect the tastes and preferences of the new rulers, new elements such as calligraphy, ornamentation using inlay work, and so on were introduced.

Architecture in Medieval India

• The seizure of Delhi by Islamic rulers led to many changes in the Architecture in Medieval India. However, certain flavours of the local architectural traditions were also retained by the local architects.
• As a result, we see a fusion of Persian and Indian styles in the architecture of the following period.
• As a result, it is referred to as Indo-Islamic architecture or Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Indo-Islamic Architecture

The end of the 12th century saw the emergence of Muslim rule in India, which brought together two major architectural traditions, that is Indian architecture together with Muslim architecture which gave rise to Indo-Islamic Architecture. This eventually resulted in a larger synthesis and integration of the greatest aspects of both traditions, resulting in some of the most stunning Indo-Islamic structures on the Indian subcontinent. In India, mosques and mausoleums were the focal points of Islamic architecture.

Features

• With the introduction of arches and domes, the Arcuate style of architecture replaced the Trabeat style.
• Minars were built around mosques and mausoleums by Islamic monarchs.
• During building, the mortar was utilized as a cementing agent.
• During the architectural process, no human or animal figures were used.
• In contrast to prior structures, when sculptures were employed, calligraphy grew increasingly popular.
• Indo-Islamic architecture added spaciousness, massiveness, and breadth.
• Geometry was employed as a decorative motif in architecture. The Arabesque style, which employed geometrical vegetal embellishment, gained popularity.
  • Arabesque was defined by the use of geometrical vegetal ornamentation and was distinguished by a continuous stem that split regularly, producing a series of counterpoised, leafy, secondary stems. In turn, the secondary stems split or returned to merge with the main stem, forming a decorative pattern.