Architecture in Mediaeval

Historical monuments are symbols of India’s rich cultural heritage. These architectural buildings in India serve as actual testimony of exceptional artistic skill. India is diverse in culture, heritage monuments, sanctuaries, and royal homes. The wonderful landmarks and fortresses represent the country’s cultural history.

Architectural Marvels: Gol Gumbaz 

• The name “Gol Gumbaz” is derived from “Gola Gombadh” or “Gol Gomata,” which simply translates to “circular dome”
• From the towers, you may obtain a great panoramic view of Bijapur
• A stone hangs over the mausoleum’s main entrance. “Bijli Pathar” is the name given to this stone (Lightning Stone). This is a meteorite that fell on Earth during the Sultan’s reign. It is said that the stone shielded the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur from lightning strikes
• It is located in Vijayapura, Karnataka. Designed by Muhammad Adil Shah of Iran (1626–1656), the seventh Sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, Gol Gumbaz is his sepulchre 
• The tomb is a complex of buildings like a mosque, a Sarai, a gateway, and a Naqqar Khana located within a large walled garden
• Gumbad or Gol Gumbaz is a monument that has a square building and a circular drum over the top that rests a majestic dome. This structure gives the building its nomenclature
• It is made of decorated plasterwork and dark grey basalt

• Each wall of the tomb is of the same length, height, and thickness, i.e., 135 feet, 110 feet, and 10 feet, respectively
• The height of the building rises over 200 feet with the drum and the dome
• The building has an amazing acoustical system. There is a whispering gallery along with the drum of the dome where sounds get magnified and echoed. Due to this acoustical system, even a soft sound can be heard on the other side mausoleum

• There are seven-storeyed octagonal spires or towers similar to a minaret at the four corners of the building
• The towers house staircases leading to the top of the dome. These tower house staircases make it possible to view the location from the top of the tomb

• Foliage is used to decorate the drum of the dome

• A distinctive feature of the facade is a heavily bracketed cornice resting on corbels
• It is built of local material and is adorned with surface embellishments popular in the Deccan 
• The four towers at the corners are comparable to turrets, and these are attached to masjids or mosques like the Qila-i Kuhna Masjid and the Purana Qila in Delhi

Mandu City: An Architectural Marvel

• Mandu’s architecture is characterised by Indian functionalism. It is typically devoid of emotion and ornamentation. The mosques at Mandu are Arabian in design, with no minarets, and their hypostyle (having a roof supported by pillars) worship halls and cloisters encircling a courtyard are constructed in a continuous and uniform manner
• Mandu, also known as Mandavgarh, is a walled town built by the Parmara monarchs in the 6th century. It was previously renowned as the “City of Joy.” The town developed and rose to importance in the 10th and 11th centuries. However, the village is now in ruins and radiates a distinct aura of mystery and unique beauty
• The town has been ruled by numerous rulers, including Hindus, Mughals, and Afghans, giving it a distinct architectural character. In Mandu, you’ll find several ancient ruins and monuments that are a wonderful blend of Indo-Islamic architecture. There are other buildings and patterns in the Afghan architectural style

Architectural Marvels: Taj Mahal and Jama Masjid

In north India, the Mughal period saw a dramatic rebirth of Islamic architecture. Persian, Indian, and diverse regional styles were combined under the influence of the Mughal emperors to produce works of remarkable beauty and finesse.

Taj Mahal

• The Taj Mahal’s chief architect was Ustad-Ahmad Lahori, who built this 7th Wonder of the World on the banks of river Yamuna

• It has its entrance through a huge red sandstone gateway, the opening arch of which strikingly outlines the mausoleum
• It has a Chaar Bagh style, built with paths in a zigzag manner with watercourses mixed with pools and fountains

• The structure is situated on the northern end of the bagh to make it in consonance with the riverbank
• At the corners of the terrace stand four tall, tapering minarets, 132 ft high
• The main building is roofed with a drum and dome and four cupolas forming a gorgeous skyline 
• The plinth, walls, and drum-dome are in proportion to each other
• A red sandstone mosque is located in the east to provide a sense of balance to the white marbled tomb
• A contrasting feature is provided by these marbles, which surround the red sandstone structure. These marbles were mined from Makrana in Rajasthan

Jama Masjid

•  In medieval times, a city had one Jama Masjid, which became the mainstay of the lives of the people, both Muslims and non-Muslims, living in the immediate surroundings. This happened because of the concentration of a lot of commercial and cultural exchanges
• Jama Masjid, the Indian subcontinent’s second-biggest mosque, is also a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Jama Masjid is situated on a ledge more than 30 steps above the street, providing the mosque with a commanding view of the surrounding region

Conclusion 

Due to the magnificence and artistic creativity, Indian architecture has long piqued curiosity. Our land is home to several monuments and baroque and modernist structures that tell the stories of their respective eras. Throughout history, India has experienced a variety of architectural styles, and it is always a pleasure to revisit them.