SOME ASPECTS OF INDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
The spread of Islam to India during the seventh and eighth centuries CE marked a significant cultural and architectural transformation in the region. This essay highlights key developments and innovations in Indo-Islamic architecture, contextualising them within the broader Indian architectural tradition.
1.Introduction Of Arches And Domes: Before the advent of Islamic architecture, Indian architecture primarily used trabeation — columns, pillars, and lintels — to support roofs. The Islamic architectural vocabulary introduced the arcuate form, enabling the construction of larger and more robust domes and arches. This development relied on voussoirs and keystones to distribute the weight.
2.Spanning Large Spaces: The use of domes resting on pendentives and squinches enabled the creation of vast interior spaces that didn’t require pillars for support. This was a departure from the previous architectural practices in India.
1.Indo-Islamic Style: The fusion of Indian and Islamic architecture led to the emergence of the Indo-Islamic or Indo-Saracenic style. This style represents a blend of the trabeate form of construction native to India with the arcuate system prevalent in Islamic architecture.
2.Local Adaptation: The Islamic conquerors and settlers in India adapted to local architectural styles and materials. This led to a rich fusion where Islamic geometric designs and calligraphy were often set against a backdrop of traditional Indian motifs and layouts.