Dccan and Bijapur

7/30/2019 Dccan and Bijapur

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HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

PROVINCIAL STYLE OFDECCAN

PRESENTATION ON

EKTA KAPOOR NITISH GOELMEGHA JAIN

SECTION A

21STSEPTEMBER, 12

BY


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INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The first to establish Islamic rule in Deccan plateau

was the Bahamani dynasty.

Gulbarga was its capital in 1347 but later shifted toBidar in 1424 which was then ruled by the barid

shahi kings.

The architects of Gulbarga belong to the earliest

phase of Muslim rule in southern part of India.

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It was influenced by tughlaq dynasty as Gulbarga

was initially the part of tughlaq dynasty.

The Brahmins and master architects did not

encourage the Muslim rulers to depend on the skills

of Hindu architects to build mosques and tombs for

them .

The Muslim rulers of the south were not so keen toperpetuate another Gujarat's style architecture in

their domination

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE


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BAHMAN SHAHS FORTRESS AND JAMI MASJID

BAHMAN SHAHS FORTRESS AT GULBARGA Ala-ud-din bahman shah built a strong fort at

gulbarga nearly 3km in circumference with semi

circular bastions and gigantic battlements

punctuated at regular intervals.

It was protected by a 30 m wide moat .

He surrounded his city of gulbarga with 15.2 m thick

fortress wall .

The fort is an excellent example of defence

architecture much inspired by similar works in syria.

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Jami masjid built( 1367) within the fort , has the rare

distinction of being the only fully covered mosque in

the country .

Inspired by the form of muslim religious edifices in

eastern Europe - a domed and vaulted hall of thebasilica type.

JAMI MASJID

BAHMAN SHAHS FORTRESSATGULBARGA

BAHMAN SHAHS FORTRESSATGULBARGA


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JAMI MISJID

unlike other mosques this one does not have a

courtyard .

rectangular plan of 66mt by 52mt , interior containsrows of isles forming 68 bays , each roofed by a

cupola .

bays differ in size .

plain domes supported on plain piers

central dome rises over clerestorey letting in light

and air

distinctive feature unusually wide archways raisedover unusually low in posts .

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JAMI MASJID

ELEVATION AND FLOOR PLAN

EXTERIOR OF MOSQUE SHOWING ARCHED ENTRANCES


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JAMI MISJID

in front of central mihrab , a large dome and

medium sized dome in the four corners exist

exterior of mosque consists of arched openings

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JAMI MISJID OF GULBARGA

the concept of a structure with fully covered interior

remained unabsorbed in the indo-islamicarchitectural tradition

it has a distinctly Persian design using a row of pillars

it was designed by RAFI a Persian architect.

the minbar is usually of the plain pattern of 3

modest stone steps.

BIGGEST DOME OF JAMI MASJID IN FRONT OF MIRAB

MAP OF GULBARGA


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JAMI MISJID

around three sides of the central rectangle are wide

cloister and on the western side is the sanctuary

the external building was finished in plaster.

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JAMI MASJID

CLERESTOREY LETTING IN LIGHT AND AIR

TYPICAL ISLAMIC ARCH

The earliest group of tombs consisting of battered walls,

sunken archways, heavy battlement parapet, fluted corner

finial and a low dome is derived from the tughlaqprototype of Delhi.


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SHAH BAZAAR MASJID

This mosque shows evidence of a strong influence

from the Delhi Tughluq period and also some Iranian

elements were introduced. This mosque, built in the north side of the Gulbarga

fort, is the earlier of two mosques built under

Muhammad Shah reign.

It has an imposing figure and various similarities

with the great mosques in the Firozabad palace

complex in Delhi can be seen.

Its prayer room is crowned by 90 smallinconspicuous domes, in juxtaposition to the

imposing dome on the main gate in the east.

The inside of the prayer room has 15 arch-shaped

entrances and is 6 spans in depth.

Pillars between arches are painted in white with no

decoration; it is a simple structure but the simplicity

itself creates an imperial atmosphere. The space

from here to the east gate is filled by a yard and no

side rooms or corridors can be seen. (Matsuo Ara)

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SHAH BAZAAR MASJID
http://www.ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~islamarc/WebPage1/0318/Img0075B.jpg


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HAFT GUMBAZ

contains memorials of four kings of the bahamani

dynasty

it is a group of seven tombs in the east of the city

designed on the lines of south indian tomb style ofearly ages.

entrance is small , thick walls surround the interior

semi circular dome.

The arches of the outer arcade are specially

noteworthy : of obtuse angle at the apex, of wide

span, and springing from very low imposts.

the 40 ft high outer faces are divided into two

apparent storeys with blind arches in each.

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HAFT GUMBAZ


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TOMB OF MUJAHID SHAH AND HAZRAT GESU DARAZ

Tombs of seven rulers after the middle period of the

Bahmani Dynastywere built in the outskirts of Gulbarga,

separated from the tombs of two predecessors.

This tomb of the 3rd sultan (1375-78) remains at the west

end of the tombs in this area. The tomb is built on a low but a large basement, crowned

by a dome and having 3 arch-shaped entrances in different

sizes on each wall except the west and the north.

It is a tomb with considerable dignity, built on a Bahmani

style square plan.

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TOMB OF MUJAHID SHAH

Square domed structure with double storey faade

containing nine sunken arches above and flanking the

central arch.

Most attractive is the immense arch springing from twohigh towers pierced with arched window openings.

Decorated with stucco multi lobed arches, bands and

roundels.

TOMB OF HAZRAT GESU DARAZ


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TOMB OF GIYATH AL-DIN AND SHAMS AL-DIN

It is a domed tomb built on a square plan on a low

basement. It has a battlement at the edge and small

towers at the four corners of the roof. At the double-

arched entrance, there is a screen of Jali; despite of his

tragic life, his tomb looks more splendid than tombs ofthe other sultans.

Probably because he was a minor sultan, his tomb is

smaller in scale compared to the above tomb of the 8th

sultan.

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TOMB OF GIYATH AL-DIN

This tomb is built as if it is connected with the tomb of

Giyath al-Din, sharing the same basement and two

tombs show various similarities.

However, the gentle inclination of the walls is more

prominent in this tomb. Like the above tomb, it showssignificant influence from buildings in the Delhi

Tughluq period.

TOMB OF SHAMS AL-DIN

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TOMB OF FORZ SHAH BAHMANI

He was the last rulerin Gulbarga. In fact, his tomb looks most

majestic among all tombs built in Haft Gumbaz, as if to reflect

his position. This tomb, built in Tughluq style with two domes,

is not two independent buildings adjacent to each other,

unlike the tombs of his predecessors in two generations. It is asingle building of extended walls.

This rectangular building has a total of 6 openings, two on the

north and south sides and one in the east and west sides.

The walls are divided into two tiers in all directions. All arch-

shaped niches in the upper part form openwork windows. The

lower part of the walls, having a double-arch-shaped entrance

surrounded by windows of Jali screen, also has double-arch-shaped niches like the upper part.

The south entrance, seeming to be the front, has a prominent

structure and decorations. The arch-shaped entrances and the

upper part of the niches are decorated with a circular pattern,

giving dignity to this building. The mihrab in the west side,

lines of arch-shaped niches and squinches inside of the tomb

chamber show a more complex form and display more

excellence than other mausoleums in this region. It is assumed

to have been built in 1422.

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TOMB OF FIROZ SHAH BAHMANI


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CHOR GUMBAZ

It is a majestic tomb remaining in the north side of the old

fort city, and is said to have been built in 1420 for a famous

Sufi saint of this area named Bandeh Nawaz Gesu Daraz.

The four walls are divided into two tiers, and on each wall

there are arch-shaped entrances and windows at thecentre and two arch-shaped niches with circular patterns

at the upper part in right and left: it is a grand exterior.

Small kiosk-like architecture at the four corners of the roof

surrounding dome has an interesting structure, possessing

an entrance with a stair.

What is more remarkable is the squinch seen inside and

the double lines of lotus petals under the ceiling, and smallarch-shaped niches forming a small line above the lotus

petals. This unique decoration is not seen in any other

buildings.

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CHOR GUMBAZ

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TOMB OF HASAN GANGU BAHMANI

The tomb of Hasan Gangu Bahmani, who established a

foundation of Bahman power from 1347 to 1358, remains

to the west of the old fort, with the tombs of the 2nd and

5th .

These tombs compose the first mausoleum complex of theroyal family.

This tomb of the first sultan is built on a basement and has

a simple structure over a square plan with a battlemented

dome.

Because of its founding year, it was significantly influenced

by tombs of the Delhi Tughluq period.

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TOMB OF HASAN GANGU BAHMANI

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TOMB OF MUHAMMAD SHAH BAHMANI

The tomb of the second sultan of Bahmani, MuhammadShah Bahamani, is built to the west of the forementioned

Tomb of Hasan Gangu Bahamani, on the same axis.

Its founding date is assumed to be 1375. It is a tomb of

simple early Bahmani style with a square plan and a dome. Compared to the other tombs, its dome is wider and

flatter.

However, what is interesting is that mihrab at the west side

of the tomb's chamber has an elaborate shape, unlike the

simple features of the exterior of this tomb.

In addition, at the west side of this tomb at a little

distance, there is an independent mihrab wall built. This wall has a form similar to wall mosque in Delhi.

(Naoko Fukami)

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TOMB OF MUHAMMAD SHAH BAHMANI


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BIDAR

The capital was shifted from Gulbarga to bidar by ahmed

shah, the ninth rular of the dynasty.

The cheif building productions are:

Fortress, palaces

Two mosque within fort

Madarassa

Royal tombs

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BIDAR


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FORTRESS OF BIDAR

Larger in area than that of Gulbarga but is built on much of

the same system and principles.

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FORTRESS OF BIDAR

I. Mahal or palaces

II. Rang mahal or painted palace-a

large structure with colored

decoration

III. Zenana mahal-a fine edifice

IV. Takt mahal or throne room, also

called durbar hallor diwan-i-am orpublic audience hall

V. other amenities within the fort

were: WATER PALACES, TANK,

FOUNTAIN BESIDES ORNAMENTAL

GARDENS, HAMMAMS-the bathing

areas

IMPERIAL BUILDINGS WITHIN THE FORT


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JAMI MASJID

This mosque was built by a governor dispatched to this area, called Muhammad.

This is the oldest mosque in Bidar district that seems to have been built as Jama Masjid in the fort. It has a

similar form and structure to old mosque remaining in Gulbarga. This mosque was also known as Zanani Masjid.

This name came from the fact that it was originally situated within the Zanana area at the south-east of the oldfort.

This mosque are 5 spans in depth. There are total 19 entrances, including 15 large arches in the east front. The

mosques has a large roof. In the central part of the roof, there is a dome supported by a drum. The south and

north part of the domed roof are decorated by many small domes in 5 lines, corresponding to the spans.

However, these domes cannot be observed very well from the front yard, as openwork battlements of cross

arch patterns obstruct the view. The large dome is situated in the central part covering 3 spans in depth and

width. Inside of the transitional part of the dome, cross-arches dating from the Timur architecture areemployed.

In the prayer room of 5 spans in depth, arches are supported by thick and round pillars. It is one of the

distinctive features of the mosque. There are simple foil decorations at the top of the pillars. These decorations

are rarely seen in mosques in the Medieval South Asian architecture. The name of the mosque, "Solah Khamb"

means "16 pillars". This probably came from the 16 pillars used in 15 arch-shaped entrances on the east front.

The central main prayer room has a large mihrab with simple minbar in the centre. The room shapes octagonal

with squinch-shaped arches. In the upper part of the room, cross arches are employed and 24 apices are made.As the entire room is painted in white, the decorations look simple.

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JAMI MASJID

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MADRASSA OF KHWAJA MUHMID GAWAN

Seems like a piece of Persia planted in India.

Built in AD 1472 by Mahmud Gawan

Rectangular (62m x 55m ) three tiered structure

Consists of series of lecture halls, library, mosques and professors and students rooms arranged

around open to sky central courtyard measuring 30.4 m square.

The entrance facade on the east emphasised by 2 100 ft high persian minarets on eiter side of a lofty

gateway.

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MADRASSA OF KHWAJA MUHMUD GAWAN

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SOLA KHUMBA

Built in 1327 during the rule of Muhammad Tughlaq.

Plain and sombre almost to austerity and simple solemnity of the creed.

Dome is raised on a fairly tall sixteen-sided drum pierced with arched openings.

Long prayer hall divided into 19 x 5 domed bays.

Columns are circular and massive. Mihrab is framed by multi lobed arch.

Solah Khamba Mosque in the fort was built in 1327. Its long prayer hall has nineteen passageways; each

passage is five compartments deep. In plan, the mosque measures 295 feet (90 m) x 77 feet (23 m). The

main prayer hall is supported by 18 piers; the other areas of the mosque are supported by 60 round

piers. All the piers support a roof which has 84 domes. The domes are flat with features of pendentives.

Massive circular columns supporting the structure are fashioned with leafy motifs at the top.

The Mihrab (prayer niche) located on the rear wall is enclosed by a cusped arch. The bays form a large

chamber in the entrance. Squinches support the dome with braces designed as elephant trunks. The

outer arcade lacks any original features, the parapet of pierced interlocking battlements were a later

addition. The main dome has flattish shape and is supported on a circular drum, which is embellished

with relief of trefoil crenellations

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SOLA KHUMBA

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TOMB OF ALI BARID SHAH AND KASIM BARID BIDRA

The tombs were built in the middle of 30 arce plot in deccan garden

The tomb of sultan ali barid is nearly 7 feet hight

It has a big dome supported by 4 pillars

Has a grand pavillion based on high plat form built with green granite and laterite rock

The inside and outside walls of the tomb have been embssed with inscribed tiles

It has shikhara made of an alloy of gold

He also built some empty tombs for members of his herim outside the pabillion which is in south west

corner of the platform

having several rows of graves

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TOMBS OF ALI BARID SHAH AND KASIM BARID BIDRA

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TOMB OF ALI BARID SHAH AND KASIM BARID BIDRA

Persian style charbah once surrounded the tomb inside of the dome is laid with coloured tiles with

verses of khuran

The inner walls are also fitted with coloured tiles

Both sided of the entrance are designed with flowered pannels

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TOMBS OF ALI BARID SHAH AND KASIM BARID BIDRA

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GOLCONDA

Golconda is situated about 5 km to the west of Hyderabad old city. The Qutub Shah Dynasty, which

became independent from Baihmani Dynasty in Bidar, made this city its capital after reconstructing the

Hindu fort.

Under the same dynasty, the palace complex was added to the fort and the city walls surrounding were

arranged. The fort is situated in the southwest area within the city walls that extend about 1.5 km from

east to west and north to south. The city walls have 8 gates. Outside of the east gate leading to Hyderabad,

there is a large reservoir outstretching and to the northeast of the reservoir. Graveyard of the royal family

of Qutb Shah extend to the north-west outside of the city walls .In addition, there are some mosques from

the Qutb Shah period remaining inside and outside of the city walls.

1.FORT (12th C. rebuilt , in the last half of 14th C.)2.IBRAHIM'S MOSQUE (155080)

3.TOMB OF QULI QUTB SHAH (c. 1543)

4.TOMB OF SUBHAN QULI QUTB SHAH (c. 1550)

5.BAOLI (The last half of 16th C. to 17th C.)

6.TOMB OF JAMSHID QULI QUTB SHAH (c. 1550)

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GOLCONDA

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FORT


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FORT

1.The area where Golconda fort and its city walls exist was originally a territory of power of Kakatiya based

in Walangal in the 12th century.

2.It was then the original form of the current fort was built on a hill. However, at that time, the fort was not

like the current solid fort using stone and it is said to have been a simple "kacchha" structure using clay.

3. Later on this hillside fort built was obtained by Muhammad Shah I of the Baihmani Dynasty in the late14th century and the Golconda region was called "Muhammadnagar" for a while.

4. From the beginning to the end of the 16th century, the current stone-made solid fort was built. Also the

fort of "pakka" structure, remains of which can be still seen, was built after the period.

5. The main fort of Golconda is constructed the northeastern area of the 8 km periphery of the fortress.

Currently it is mostly in ruin, but one can still observe the features of the fort/palace that utilizes the

natural bedrock.

6. To the northeast of the large outside fort, there is an area, which was added in 1720. Its size is one fifthof the main fortress. It is sometimes called "new fortress".

7. To the east of the Golconda fortress, there is a main fort built on a small hill. To the southeast, there is

an area surrounded by a double fort, which still can be seen today.

8. To the main fort of Golconda, named Barah Hisar or a large hill, one can go through Fateh Darwazah

(meaning "the gate of victory") and continue straight on to the northeast.

9. From the front gate(named Barah Hisar Darwazah), one can go inside the fort. This solid arch-shaped

darwazah has battlements as well as a watch tower.10. Entering from a curved passage, one can go inside the fort only by passing through a large wooden

door. It is very secure and well-designed.

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FORT


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BAHAR HISAR GATE FROM SOUTH

IBRAHIMSMOSQUE


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IBRAHIMS MOSQUE

1.This mosque is situated at the upper part of the fort, south-southeast of Baradari at the top of Golconda

fort.

2. It was built by the 3rd sultan of the Qutub Shahi named Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah (1550-80). Thus it is

called by the same name.

3. It is a small mosque with three entrances and one span in depth. The entire roof is surrounded by a

parapet with battlements. Two towers are located on the south and north sides, with its bulbous-shapeddome and two balconies so that, this mosque is in a unique style of the medieval Deccan architecture. The

central mihrab and bays of its either sides are also unique.

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IBRAHIMS MOSQUE

EAST

SOUTH EAST

TOMB OF QULI QUTB SHAH


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1.It is the tomb of the first sultan of the Qutb Shahi kingdom of Golconda named Quli Qutb Shah (1512-43).

2. It is built on a basement and has a dome surrounded by lotus petals. However, compared to tombs of

other sultans and royal families, its decoration is simpler as it is a building of an earlier period. The inside of

the tomb chamber is currently painted in white. The square chamber with corner alcoves transformed to

octagonal crossing double or triple arches and was surrounded by a cornice with crossed arches,

transformed to a 16-gon in the second transition. These decorations produce a unique atmosphere ofdomed room. The black marble tomb stone in the centre of the basement is the tomb of the sultan.

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SOUTH EAST SOUTH EAST INTERIOR

TOMB OF SUBHAN QULI QUTB SHAH


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TOMB OF SHUBAN QULI QUTB SHAH

1. Subhan Quli Qutb Shah became the 3rd sultan when he was 7 years old after the death of his father

Jamshid in 1550 but he died in the same year.

2. His tomb was built to the north of his father's tomb and it is situated to the west of the tomb of the first

sultan Quli Qutb Shah on the same basement.

3. The exterior of this tomb built on a square plan has multiple arches and splendid decorations that are

unique in Deccan architecture. Parapets on the roof and the base of the dome are also decorated with richpatterns.

4. Unlike other tombs, the bulbous dome is uniquely decorated by sculptured ribs. Despite the fact that

this is a tomb for a young sultan, its structure is splendid.

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TOMB OF SUBHAN QULI QUTB SHAH

FROM SOUTH WEST

BAOLI


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BAOLI

1.What is amazing in the great fort of Golconda is its strategy for obtaining and storing water, especially in

pumping facilities and water storage.

2. It seems that obtaining water was one of the most important issues for the rulers of Golconda, itself in

an important position in Deccan, being main fort built on a hill introduce a well for water storage, or baoli

built within a cemetery of Qutb Shah royal family .

3. It seems that a well for water storage, called baoli in north India was also called "wav" which includeswells furnished with stairs.

4. This baoli built outside the city wall has corridors with single and double arches on its two sides and it is

a majestic well equipped with a square tank.

5. It provides a proper pumping facility, one side of which has a ditch through which water is taken. The

historical background of its foundation is unknown. However, judging from its style of arch, it can be seen

as a building from the Qutb Shah period. It is still in use today.

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BAOLI

FROM NORTH FROM SOUTH WEST

TOMB OF JAMSHID QULI QUTB SHAH


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1.The tomb of the 2nd sultan Jamshid Shah (reign 1543-50) is situated at the south-west end of the tombs

of Qutb Shahi sultans.

2. Unlike the other square tombs, only this tomb is octagonal with two tiered articulation of the faade.

3. Each tier is surrounded by parapets with unique decorations of this period, and each of the eight sides is

decorated by a double arch. On the top tier, there is a small tower in the corner.

4. However, the dome is not different from that of other tombs. Tombs built on an octangular plan are rarewithin Deccan architecture. Inside the tomb chamber, surrounded by noble niches with triple arch, there

are three tomb stones, the biggest of which belongs to this sultan.

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INTERIOR SOUTH EAST EXTERIOR SOUTH EAST


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HYDERABAD

1. In 1589, the 5th ruler of the Qutb Shah Dynasty, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah constructed a new

capital, moving the capital from Golconda to Hyderabad. After the Mugalid emperor Aurangzeb conquered

Golconda in 1687, Mecca Masjid were repaired and the city wall was built. After the 18th century it lived

on as the stronghold of Deccan control of the Nizam family that was established by Asaf Jah .2. The town is constructed on the south shore of the Musi river. The city walls form an inverted triangle.

3. Their construction was begun by the last Mugalid ruler Mubaliz Khan and completed by Nizam ul-Mulk.

4. 4. Buildings dating back to the Qutb Shah period include Chahar Minar at the crossing of the centre of

Hyderabad, Jama Masjid at its north-east built in 1597, a hospitalDar al-Shifais situated to the

northeast of Jama Masjid and Mecca Masjid, whose construction started in 1614 and was completed by

the Mugalid emperor Aurangzeb, located to the south-east of Chahar Minar.

5. In the Qutb Shah period, there were no city walls in Hyderabad. A bridge called Purana Pula was built

where a road from Golconda in the west area meets the Musi river, and if one follows the road to the east,

one can reach Chahar Minar. The northwest area of Chahar Minar became a palace complex where many

palace buildings and gardens could be seen, but currently there is no trace of them.

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HYDERABAD


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CHAHAR MINAR

This building is situated at the crossing of a main road running from the north to the south in the old city of

Hyderabad. It is a building representing the Qutb Shahi period. Especially after the French tourist Thevenot

visited Hyderabad and appreciated its excellency, it came to be widely known in the West. As evidenced in

the fact that this building is still used in a design of notes and stamps, it is one of the most famousbuildings representing the historical remains of not only Hyderabad and Deccan region but the whole India.

it is said that this building was founded by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1590-91. The minars referred to

in the name have balconies with small five- tiered openings, and crown a dome in the four corners of this

building. The balcony in the second tier (with 7 arches) and the third tier (with 15 small arches) connecting

the tower gives a splendid atmosphere to this building. The first tier of the minar has a basement with

stairs leading in all four directions. It also has large arch-shaped entrances in all directions. Either side of

the entrance is decorated by 4 arch-shaped niches, creating a majestic atmosphere for the minar. Thesearch-shaped entrances are at the junction of the main streets of Hyderabad, showing this minar is the

symbol of this city.

Currently, there is a small Hindu shrine built at the bottom of this great minar, which itself symbolizes

Indian Islamic culture. This seems to suggest the tensions in the Hindu-Muslim relationship in India. For

those well- informed about history, it is a building, which reminds one of the social and political turmoil in

the Hyderabad region around the time of Indian independence. (Matsuo Ara)

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CHAHAR MINAR


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FROM SOUTH INTERNAL SHIFT PART


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ABUL MUZZAFFAR YUSUF ADIL KHAN SAWI

BRIEF HISTORY OF BIJAPUR

Yusuf Adil Khan, a Turkish protege of the famous

Mahmud Gawan of Bidar, and Governor of Bijapur,

asserted his independence from Bidar soon after his

mentor had been unjustly murdered by MohammadIII in AD 1481.

Inspired by the exemplary zeal of Gawan, Yusuf Adil

set up a court at Bijapur that was singularly free of

any signs of bigotry.

He himself was responsible only for building the

walls of the citadel, a fortress irregularly circular in

plan, a few imperial buildings and two small

mosques prepared from despoiled temples.

However, he seems to have inspired in his

successors a structural ardor that resulted in

Bijapur being among the few cities that have the

most profuse display of fine buildings in India.

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TOWN PLANNING

CIVIC AMENITIES & TOWN PLANNING

Apart from a cluster of fine buildings all of which were erected in a short burst of energy and

speed within just a hundred years (AD 1550 to AD 1660) , the rulers had no inclination for

any sort of systematic and appreciable concept of town planning.

Although the six gates in the six mile( 9.6km) circumference of the city wall are connected tothe heart of the city by radial roads, there is no definite alignment or pattern in these arteries

of thoroughfare, rather, they seem to have expanded in a haphazard manner with the growth

of the city.

The need was felt by successive Adil Shahi kings to add suburbs like Shahpur on the north and

Ainpur on east. It was only the suburbs ofNauraspur on the west, that at one time seem to

have been connected to the citadel of Bijapur by the grand bazaar of Mohammed Shah.

In spite of the apparent lack of grandiose aspects of town planning, the necessary civicamenities were carefully provided for. Ali Adil Shah I had many extensive waterworks

constructed.

Extensive network of underground catchment tunnels and underground eathern pipes were

laid to feed the various waterworks such as the Taj Bauri , the Chand Bauri and Kumatgi. From

these bauris which themselves became grand water pavilions and places of royal retreat,

water was transported to the various parts of the city. Also, as in Ahmedabad, the bauris

themselves became of restful retreat and royal picnics. Of these, the more formally organized

waterworks was at Kumatgi.

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BIJAPUR 35 of 53

PLAN OF BIJAPUR


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CHAND BAURI 36 of 53

CHAND BAURI

One of the deepest and largest step wells in India. It was built in the 9th century

3500 narrow steps in 13 stories and is 100 feet deep


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ARQ-QILA CITADEL

It was within the walled enclosure of the original citadel popularly known as the Arq-quila,

that all famous buildings were located, such as the 'palaces and private apartments of the

king and his family, various public buildings such as the civil and criminal courts, the military

and revenue offices and treasury interspersed with courts of gardens, fountains, cisterns and

running water.

Though the gardens and fountains have now vanished from the Arq-Quila, the prolific output

of theAdil Shahis is reflected in the very statistics of the structures.

There are as many as fifty examples of mosques and over a score each of tombs palaces.

These are to be found scattered at almost every town and corner of the streets of the city,

covering an area of2.5 square miles. All these monuments were erected by a school of craftsmen that took the architecture of

the Jami Masjid of Gulbarga and the tombs of the Barids at Bidar as its chief source of

inspiration. From the former was borrowed the austere dignity of the stilted dome, the plain

surfaces and the suavity of the arch, while from the latter came the bulbous or lotus dome

which under the Bijapur builders became a thing of exotic beauty.

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ARQ- QILA CITADEL


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JAMI MASJID

The influence of the Gulbarga moSque is most apparent in Adil Shahi's Jami Masjid of Bijapur,

erected in AD 1570.

This building marks the true take off point for the construction of the more significant

architectural masterpieces of Bijapur. With the building of the Jami Masjid, Bijapur

architecture had come a long way from the days of the early mosques of Karim-ud-din ( AD

1320) and Khwaja Jahan ( AD 1480), both constructed with despoiled Hindu temple material,

and the coarse rubble, masoned and plastered three-arched and bulbous domed small

mosques of Maliq Jahan, the Mecaa Masjid.

All these earlier mosques varied only in minor architectural detail, and without exception

consisted of three conjoined square chambers fronted by wide Gulbarga type arches withminarets planted in varying positions in the front facade.

In the great Jami Masjid of Adil Shahi, though undoubtedly the idea ofcovered central court

was duly discarded and the slightly more fanciful ogee arch of the Gulbarga cloisters was

transformed into a more stately and dignified arch of the four center variety, the classic

spirit of the prototype, nevertheless, pervades this mosque.

The friday mosque was never fully completed, its eastern wall and entrance gateway and

minarets at the corners being left unfinished.

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JAMI MASJIDOF BIJAPUR


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JAMI MASJID

The liwan, measuring 208ft x 107ft ( 63m x 33m), a central dome rising up over the mehrab bay,

and the unfinished northern and southern wings speak volumes of the architectural style.

A single dome of the hemispherical variety covering the nice central bays rise up over a richly

ornamented square clerestory platform, and at its apex is planted the familiar crescent finial

symbolic of the Turkish origin of the Adil Shahi dynasty.

The rest of the liwan is roofed over by shallow circular domes over square bays formed by

masonry piers. These shallow domes seem intentionally concealed with the thickness of the roof.

The seven stately arches of the facade of the liwan are shaded by a deep horizontal chajja

supported over a row of closely spaced brackets.

The routine exterior in most mosques would be formed of the large blank masonry surfaces of thewalls surrounding the liwan and the side wings. In this mosque these surfaces are cleverly

contrived as a double row of deep arched niches, the lower one being blind, and the other

admitting light and air into the liwan.

This restrained but interesting treatment of the facade is reminiscent of the elevations of the

madrassa ofMohammed Gawan at Bidar.

It is however the interior of the liwan with its white plastered surfacesjudiciously ornamented

with deep grooved bands supplementing the robustness of masonry piers spanned by lowimposed arches, that creates an impression of solemnity in this places of worship.

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JAMI MASJIDOF BIJAPUR


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JAMI MASJID 40 of 53

JAMI MASJID

built by Ali Adil Shah (1557-1580) In 1578 after the victory ofVijaya Nagara in Rakkasagi


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PLAN OF JAMI MASJID

TOMBS OF BIJAPUR


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TOMBS OF BIJAPUR

TOMBS OF BIJAPUR

Most of the tombs were roofed by onerous and at times oppressive domes, the light from the skies

was prevented from reaching anywhere near the graves of the kings.

Interiors were so dark and gloomy that it was impossible for the eye to discern much without the

aid of artificial light. On the contrary, Ali Adil Shah(the patron of the Jami Masjid) had love for open and airy structures.

This was evident from the vast arched openings of the faced of the two-storeyed Gagan Mahal

which was at one time his residence and council chamber.

In his great humility, Ali Adil Shah had himself buried in an open, airy and almost veranda like

modest structure in the south-west of the city.

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G

A

G

A

N

M

A

HA

L

RAUZA OF IBRAHIM


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RAUZA OF IBRAHIM

RAUZA OF IBRAHIM

The shafts of the minarets ,with their rich

horizontal mouldings, recall those of the

mosque of Ahmedabad. That is until one

notices the spherical cupola resting with thepetal leaf at the apex, instead of the rather

ungainly pyramid of the Gujarat style.

The deep chajja with its multiple brackets

and the richly battlemented parapet

stretching from one minaret to the other is

punctuated by short turrets that repeat the

pulsating rhythm of the arches below.

From behind and over this richly sculptured

base and within the frame of the minarets,

rises the square stylobate of the inner

chamber, and also richly embellished andcrowned by the familiar lotus dome set

within a ring of large petal-shaped merlons

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TOMB IN THE IBRAHIM OF RAUZA,BIJAPUR (1615 AD)


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PLAN OF RAUZA IBRAHIM

SECRET OF THE HANGING CEILING


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HANGING CEILING

SECRET OF THE HANGING CEILING

In order to raise the dome to a satisfactory external height ,and yet not create a deep well of darkness

in the interior ,the 40ft (12m) square chamber is roofed over at an intermediate level by a crafting

ceiling.

The flat portion measures 24ft(7.3m) square and virtually floats over 7ft (2m) deep brackets projectingfrom the walls around .

The only explanation preferred for this unbeamed and seemingly unsupported ceiling not having fallen

down in the possible use some secret formula for the rich mix of the mortar by the Bijapur builders .

This mix not only enabled the area to be spanned but also kept in place the under layer of stones

which are merely butt jointed with each other.

Whatever be the clue to this miraculous

construction, there is little doubt that the

architectural style of the tomb and its complementary

mosque which echoes the volumes and forms

the tomb, arouses strong mixed emotions .

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MEHTAR MAHAL


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MEHTAR MAHAL

MEHTAR MAHAL

It is an entrance gateway to a small mosque.

In this small but tall facade, the Bijapur builders truly

went to town in decorating it not only with flat

geometric patterns but fanciful brackets ,deepbalconies and sloping chajjas all framed within the

two slender minarets. With the construction of the

Ibrahim Rauza and the Mehtar Mahal ,their seemingly

thirst for enrichment of detail appears to have been

finally quenched.

Sultan Mohammed (AD 1626) astutely realized that in

richness of embellishment the Ibrahim Rauza was notto be outclassed , and decided to built a tomb for

himself that could not be outdone in sheer

massiveness and size . It is to the great credit

of his builders that his ambitions were more than

fulfilled. They built for him a tomb that was roofed

by a dome that came to be rated as the largest

anywhere in the world- the famous GOL GUMBAZ of

Bijapur.

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MEHTAR MAHAL, BIJAPUR (1620 AD)

GOL GUMBAZ


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GOL GUMBAZ

GOL GUMBAZ This tomb of Sultan Mohammed commenced

construction in AD 1656,and its rubble masonry walls

were still being plastered when the ruler died.

That immensity of size was the major criterion for

erecting this tomb is apparent from the building planwhich is simply a square hall enclosed by four lofty

walls ,buttressed by octagonal towers at the corner, and

the whole surmounted by a hemispherical dome

For the simple square is almost of 136ft (41.5M) side

inside and as much as 205ft (62.5m) outside ; the for

lofty walls are over 10ft ( 3m) thick and 110ft (33.5m)

high; the diameter of octagonal buttresses is 35ft (7.6m)

rising to a height of 150ft (45.7m);the hemispherical

dome is of 144ft (44m) diameter outside and 125ft

(38m) diameter inside; its apex is over 200ft (60.9m)

from ground level.

The whole structure in height alone is thus the

equivalent of a 20 storeyed structure of modern times.

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GOL GUMBAZ WALL ART


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GOL GUMBAZ 48 of 53

GOL GUMBAZ

METHODOF INTERSECTINGARCHES


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INTERSECTING ARCHES

METHOD OF INTERSECTING ARCHES

It would be apparent then from these statistics, a study of the plan and rather plain exterior of the

monument, that the moving spirit behind this great building venture was not a conventionally

trained architect but a daring structural engineer.

It is indeed remarkable that without precedent to prove his skill, the master builder could persuade

Sultan Mohammed that he would be able to successfully build for him a monument of such giganticproportions.

The crux of the whole design, as described earlier, became that of supporting the circular dome

over the cube below and intelligibly managing the phase of transition from the cube to the dome

above. Earlier this had been managed by a lintel, a series of pendentive or squinch arches across the

corner of the cube below depending on the size of the Gol Gumbaz, none of these methods could

be applied.

The span across the corners of the square itself would be of the order of 75ft(24m), and by this

conventional method the diameter and consequently the load of the dome would have been twice

that of the present dome. Thus the problem was to somehow reduce the size of the dome while

retaining the huge size of the square hall below.

This was solved by the builders by employing what has come to be known as the METHOD OF

INTERSECTING ARCHES .This procedure had been earlier adopted for erecting the dome over the

Jami Masjid at Bijapur. But in the Jami Masjid, it seemed to have been used to produce a pleasinginterior composition, while in the case of Gol Gumbaz, it was a sheer structural necessity.

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OF GOL GUMBAZ

METHODOF INTERSECTINGARCHES


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INTERSECTING ARCHES

METHOD OF INTERSECTING ARCHES

The geometric essence of this solution in inscribing

within the large square, two smaller overlapping

squares, by dividing each side of the large square into

three equal divisions and joining together the alternate

points of division. Eight points of intersection of the two smaller squares

produced an octagon within the

Large square of a size smaller than the octagon

produced merely by chamfering the corners of the

square. Continuing with the geometric analysis, it the

octagon that could

Now be gradually made to approximate to the required

circular plan of the dome.

Structurally, the location of eight corners of the octagon

in space was determined by erecting tall arches along

each of the sides of the intersecting squares. The points

at which these arches intersected in the volume above

the large square became the corners of the octagonalplatform over which a circular ring of masonry acting as

the drum for the dome could be erected.

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OF GOL GUMBAZ

LARGESTDOMEINTHEWORLD


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LARGEST DOME

LARGEST DOME IN THE WORLD

The hemispherical dome of an average thickness of as much as 10 ft (3 m) at its springing point was

constructed out of concentric over sailing layers of brick masonry cast in concrete formed out of a mix of

ballast and rich lime mortar.

Such a homogeneous shell or monoblock of virtually brick reinforced concrete was constructed without

the use of any scaffolding or shuttering of timber, except for the section near the crownIn principle, the construction of this dome differed vastly from the roman, byzantine or renaissance

dome. In the roman and byzantine domes, a massive load had to be appended on the outer surfaces of

the haunches of the domes to restrain the corresponding thrust of the dome. The renaissance builders,

on the other hand, used cumbersome rings of iron chains to surround the drum of the dome.

The Bijapur dome, which is poised over a larger square space below, spans the largest uninterrupted

floor space in the world, of the order of more than 18,000 sq ft (1,627 m).

A gallery is formed fortuitously formed at the balcony level above the apex of intersecting arches.

Because of its immense size, the outer surfaces proved much too vast to be organized into a pleasing

architectural composition. Thus three of the outer walls are composed of arches filled with screens

formed out of dull brown local basalt.

The fat, octagonal seven- storeyed turrets contribute little to the elegance of the elevation, apart from

being structurally redundant.

In the Gol Gumbaz, this restraint was provided by the masonry poised over the intersecting archeswithin the dome. The dome of the Gol Gumbaz can be seen externally in its full splendor.

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LARGESTDOMEINTHEWORLD


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LARGEST DOME

LARGEST DOME IN THE WORLD

The stupendous effort of building the dome appeared to have exhausted the creative energies if the

Bijapur builders, as well as the strength of the Empire it must, however, be said to the builders credit

that their ambitions remained undaunted, though these were duly tempered by the political situation

prevailing at that time.

Both the Mughals and the Marathas had been making little dents into the power of the Adil Shahis atBijapur. And thus, though the foundation of a building envisaged to be as large as the Gol Gumbaz and

identical configuration were laid out at Ainpur as a tomb for Jahan Begum, a smaller chamber was

introduced within. This would have avoided the necessity of building yet another great dome.

After the death of Ali Adil Shahi II in AD 1672 and the accession of his son Sikander, not much remains

to be told of the Bijapur story.

Aurangzeb lived in the city of Bijapur for some years after its fall. Finally, in AD 1724, it was ceded to

the Maratha Peshwa, who found in its public buildings a 'mine of materials,' the palaces were stripped of

all their woodworks: beams, doors, windows were ruthlessly torn

out and carted away.

But as we have discovered in reviewing the architectural remains

of the Bijapur builders efforts, the spirit of their enterprise could

not be 'carted away.' Even in its derelict splendor, the remains of

the handiwork of the short lived Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur pointto the task and the high power of art and erection which they evince.'

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THANK YOU!


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AWESOMENESS

THANK YOU!

Dccan and Bijapur

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