Islamic Architecture in India

Sher Shah Suri

1486–1545 AD

Arch 2205 | Architectural Heritage – IV | Part-B

| Kowshik Roy | Part Time Lecturer | Architecture Discipline | Khulna University |

 Sher Shah, the Afghan

An ethnic Afghan (now Pashtun), born in

India

Early name was Farid Khan. Titled Sher

(tiger) after killing with bare hands at
young age.

A brilliant strategist, a gifted

administrator as well as a capable
general.

Took control over Mughals in 1540 and

founded Sur Empire

During five-year rule (1540-1545) set up a

new civic and military administration,
issued the first Rupiya and reorganized
the postal system. Fig 01: Sketch work of Sher Shah Suri by
Afghan artist Abdul Ghafoor Breshna

4/27/2017 2
 Delhi Sher Shahi

Taken over the fortress of Humayun (Purana Quila) at Delhi.

Proceeded to lay out a new city that indended to call Sherghar but
popularly known as Delhi Sher Shahi

The city laid out east and north of the existing fortress by 9 miles
of surrounding wall

Two gateways have been found in existing city.

Lal Darwaza (Sher Shah Suri Gate)
Khuni Darwaza

Inside of citadel is now merely empty except

Qila Khuna Mosque and Sher Mondal

4/27/2017 3
 Lal Darwaza (Sher Shah Suri Gate), Delhi

Located directly opposite of

eastern gate of Humayun’s
purana Qila.

Rises above the high bastions

and moats on both sides

Appearance like Mughal Fort

• Arch within a rectangular
frame
• Parapet detail

Mostly built with red sandstone

as called the Lal Darwaza. Local
grey quartzite was also used in its
upper storey
Fig 02: Sher Shah Suri Gate/ Lal Darwaza

4/27/2017 4
 Khooni Darwaza, Delhi

Known as Kabuli Darwaza as

caravans to Afghanistan passed
through this northern gate of Suri's
capital city

Came to be known as the Khooni

Darwaza (Bloody Gate) during the
Moghul days, because of
consequent blood shedding
incidents.

Located on east of the Tughlaqabad

gate

Built of Delhi quartzite stone, with

three staircases leading to different
levels of the gate.
Fig 03: Khooni Darwaza Front View

4/27/2017 5
 Khuni Darwaza, Delhi

Fig 04: Khooni Darwaza Side View

4/27/2017 6
 Qila Khuna Mosque, Delhi
A symbol of Sher Shah’s royal aspiration

It was built to revive the city's status as a major city

Qila Khuna means the Old Fort

Located inside the premises of Purana Qila (Old Fort)

Fig 05: Front view of Qila Khuna Mosque

4/27/2017 7
 Qila Khuna Mosque, Delhi

According to historian MC Joshi

Completed by Sher Shah

But originally designed and construction started by Humayun

Humayun is credited with "introducing pietra dura" works in the liwan and
mihrab.

Sher Shah built the upper part of the mosque which included the dome.

The marble works of the exterior walls could be attributed to Akbar, because
the geometric works are of his time and not of pre-Akbar era.

The use of half-dome, pointed arches represents "A strong Mughal

association”

4/27/2017 8
 Qila Khuna Mosque, Delhi

Craftsmanship considered as a watermark of pre-mughal

mosque architecture

Symbol of "a five bay with single dome mosque” concept,

developed during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty times

Oblong (rectangle) sanctuary

Mughal style multiple recessed arches as prototype in a

rectangular frame

Repetition of 4-centered firmly contoured Tudor arches

Indoor walls are ornamented with hexagonal star motifs with

colored geometric patterns

4/27/2017 9
 Qila Khuna Mosque, Delhi

Fig 06: Central dome of Qila-i-Kuhna mosque

4/27/2017 10
 Qila Khuna Mosque, Delhi

Fig 07: Meherab of Qila Khuna Mosque

4/27/2017 11
 Qila Khuna Mosque, Delhi

The walls are ornamented with hexagonal star motifs which have
colored geometric patterns

Two octagonal turrets both functional & structural was attached to the
ends of the rear wall

Blocks of quartzite, marble and red sandstone were also used in the
construction process

The internal rectilinear hall is laterally divided by five arches.

The central arch is sunken "in an arched recess" which is contained

within a rectangular frontage called liwan.

4/27/2017 12
 Qila Khuna Mosque, Delhi

Fig 08: West Façade of Qila Khuna Mosque

4/27/2017 13
 Sher Mandal, Delhi

Fig 09: View of Sher Mandal form approach

4/27/2017 14
 Sher Mandal, Delhi

The Sher Mandal named after and mainly constructed by Sher Shah.

Initiated by Babur

Finished by Humayun only after recapturing the fort

Architectural features are decidedly inspired by Mughal.

Used as a personal observatory and library Humayun,

Double-storeyed octagonal tower of red with steep stairs leading up to the

roof

Topped by an octagonal chhatri supported by eight pillars and decorated

with white marble in typical Mughal style

Red sandstone and white marble was main construction material

4/27/2017 15
 Sher Mandal, Delhi

Fig 10: Side view of Sher Mandal

4/27/2017 16
 Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram
The tomb is located in the Sasaram town of Bihar state
A great example Lody type tomb as well as Indo-Islamic architecture
Designed by the architect Aliwal Khan and built between 1540 and 1545

Fig 11: Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram

4/27/2017 17
 Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram

An immense pyramidal pile of ordered masonry five fine distinct stages

‘Built like giants and finished like goldsmiths’

Stands in the middle of a nearly square artificial lake

The central tomb chamber stands on a square stone plinth

Plinth level connected to the mainland through a wide stone causeway

Domed kiosks, chhatris at each of its corners

Stone banks and stepped moorings on all sides of the plinth

4/27/2017 18
 Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram

Fig 12: view from entry causeway Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram
4/27/2017 19
 Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram

An error in orientation of the

tomb along the cardinal axis
was corrected after the lower
platform has been built

This correction results in the

curious diagonal relationship
between the lower and upper
plans

The main tomb is an octagonal

plan, topped by a dome, 22-
metre in span

Main dome is by surrounded

ornamental domed kiosks
Fig 13: Ground Plan, Tomb of Sher Shah

4/27/2017 20
 Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram

Fig 14: Octagonal pavilions with cupola in Tomb of Sher Shah, Sasaram

4/27/2017 21