Delhi Sultanate

Islam in India 1206-1526

Islam in India
1206-1290
Delhi Sultanate founded by Turkic
Mamluks employed by rulers of
Afghanistan
Early rulers had to defend north from
attempted Mongol invasions
Power derived from military highways,
trade routes and the ability to control
military and provincial governers
Introduced copper & silver coins
Destroyed some Hindi temples to build
Mosques
Many refugees arrived from Persia after
the Mongol invasions bringing many
skills.

Sultanate Mosques
Mosque built in the early
Sultanate
Incorporated Islamic
design into India and
developed new features
by adapting Indian
features into its design.
The minaret on the left is
the tallest structure in
medieval India
Sultanate Expansion 14
th
C
Mongols try to invade 6
different times.
In the early 14
th
century
the Sultan travels from the
north after repelling the
Mongols to the south to
expand his kingdom.
This conquest only lasts a
very short time.
Sultantate in the 15
th
Century

Timur invades in 1398
Dehli Sultanate loses
territory throughout the
1400s
Increasing rebellions led
by the nobles
Last ruler defeated in 1526
by invading Mughals.
Sultanate Legacy
Protected India from being ravaged by
the Mongols
Maintained social separateness from
Hindus
Introduced new art and architectural
styles into India
Facilitated trade in the Indian Ocean due
to elite culture demands
Ultimately failed due to constant
rebellions of Muslim nobles and Hindu
peasants
The Sultanate period brought to India new styles of art and architecture which were soon absorbed
into the existing set up. A number of factors were responsible for events to move in such a direction.
The existing Indian styles and the new ideas had many common features, which allowed them to
adapt to one another. For instance both the temple and mosque had large open courtyards. Also many
temples were converted in mosques by the foreign invaders, and this created a blend of Indian as well
as foreign styles.
The Sultanate introduced two new architectural ideas, the dome and the pointed arch. The dome was
an important decorative structure in Islamic buildings, and soon was implemented in other structures
as well. The pointed or true arch that was introduced during this period, was completely different
from the type of arches that were being constructed within the country earlier. The earlier Indian style
of creating arches was to first put up two pillars. The pillars would then be cut at intervals
accommodate 'plug in' projections. There would be a sequence of squares that would gradually
decrease in size creating an arch. The new artisans introduced the true arch. This was achieved by
making the middle stone a key stone and to have the other stones distribute the load of on the two
pillars.