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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 Indianas 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. Theearlier Indian style of creating arches was to

first put up two pillars. The pillars wouldthen 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.

The concept of the dome was also introduced. This was gradually perfected and one of the

most stunning examples is the dome on top of the Taj Mahal. The dome initially started out

as a conical dome as we see in the Mehrauli region in Delhi and eventually developed the

ultimate bulbous onion shape on the Taj Mahal. The dome effect was achieved by an

interesting method. A square base was first constructed and then at varying angles more of 

these squares were added to the base. This eventually create a rough dome effect. This was

plastered to make it completely round and then the squares were removed. The use of 

concrete was also on the increase, opening up new avenues. Concrete enabled builders to

build larger structures covering more area. Local Indian craftsmen were soon trained in

Persian styles of art which they used to decorate the structures. They also implemented some

of their own ideas, and soon traditional Hindu motifs like the lotus found their way into

Islamic buildings. There were other instances as well, for instance although the Islamicbuildings used the more advanced pointed arch, they also included for decoration purposes a

variant of the Hindu arch.

The early dynasties of the Sultanate period, namely the Slave dynasty and the Khilji dynasty

created some exquisitely designed structures, with fine works of art adorning them. During

the Tughlaq period however, the mood was less decorative, and more simple and austere.

This is attributed partly to the religious ideas of the Tughlaqs as well as the depleted state

finances. The Sayyids and Lodis who succeeded the Tughlaqs returned to the more lavish

styles with the Lodis introducing the new concept of the double dome. They also introduced a

new type of decoration, most probably borrowed from Persia, enamelled tiles, which went

very well with grey sandstone. Decorative work in terra-cotta continued to be popular.

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Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (Hindi:   /AlTaMash/Iltutmish)(Persian

) (r. 1211 – 1236) was the third ruler of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi of  Turkicorigin.

[1] He was a slave of  Qutb-ud-din Aibak  and later became his son-in-law and close

lieutenant. He was the Governor of  Badaun when he deposed Qutub-ud-din's successor Aram

Shah and acceeded to the throne of the Delhi Sultanate in 1211. He shifted Capital from

Lahore to Delhi, remained the ruler until his death on May 1, 1236. Iltutmish introduced the

silver tanka and the copper jital-the two basic coins of the Sultanate period, with a standard

weight of 175 grains. He introudced Iqtadari system: division of empire into Iqtas, which

were assigned to the nobles and officers in lieu of salary.

He built the Hauz-i-Shamsi reservoir in Mehrauli in 1230, which also has Jahaz Mahal 

standing on its edge, used by later Mughal Emperors. In 1231, he built Sultan Ghari the

mausoleum of his eldest son, Prince Nasiru'd-Din Mahmud, which was the first Islamic 

Mausoleum in Delhi. His own tomb exists, within the Qutb complex in Mehrauli, Delhi.

He suppressed all internal revolts and also checked external invaders successfully. He gotcompleted the construction of qutub

minar.

Reign 1210 – 1236

Full name Shams-ud-din Iltutmish

Titles Nasir Amir-ul-mominin

Died May 1, 1236

Place of 

deathDelhi 

Buried Qutb Complex, Mehrauli, Delhi 

Predecessor Aram Shah  

Successor Razia Sultana (his daughter)

Offspring

Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, Rukn-ud-din

Firuz, Raziya Sultana, Muiz-ud-din

Bahram 

Dynasty Mamluk  

Religious

beliefsIslam