Development of Architecture in Medieval Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Medieval Period Architecture in Haryana: Tombs, Mosques, and Religious Establishments

• During the medieval period in Haryana, there was a great deal of focus on constructing various types of buildings, including tombs, mosques, and other religious establishments. These structures were built as a way of honoring Muslim saints and important figures, and they were used for religious practices such as prayer, recitation, and the teaching of holy scriptures. 
• These buildings can be found throughout Haryana, with notable examples in Sohna, Jhajjar, Hissar, Narnaul, Hansi, Panipat, Thanesar, Kaithal, Sadhaura, and Pinjore. The village of Sohna, located near the Delhi-Jaipur road and in the shadow of the Aravali Hills, has various buildings that were constructed during the medieval period. 
• These include tombs, mosques, and sarais, along with other religious establishments for prayers and recitation. One of the few secular buildings of the Muslim period is the Sila Kund, situated at the base of a perpendicular rock. It is believed to have been built in the 14th century, although it has undergone significant changes and repairs over time. 
• Originally, it was the tomb of a saint constructed in the Lodhi architectural style during the early 16th century. The Kala Gumbad and Lai Gumbad, built before 1570 AD, as well as an 18th-century fort constructed on the hill overlooking the town, are also notable structures in Sohna.
• Monuments located in Jhajjar are a collection of tombs mainly constructed from kankar stones in the Pathan style, and it is likely that they were built during the sixteenth century. According to Mulk Raj Anand and R.S. Bisht, who commented on their architectural features, the use of bold outlines relieves the monotony of the facades. 
• The near hemispherical and proportionate domes over heavy necks make them interesting survivors of the Pathan style into the Mughal period. The overall impact is one of modesty and rhythmic elegance, making them unique. The structures are situated in a lightly wooded and serene environment in the countryside, far from the crowded town, which emphasizes the monuments' gravity and purpose. 
• The first tomb has a verse engraved on all its walls that suggests that "all man's worldly desires and hopes lead him nowhere but to the dust," which is a fitting epitaph for a period of marauders and freebooters. During the reign of Firuz Shah, several notable monuments were built in Hisar, including Lat-ki-Masjid, the Kotla, and the Haus Khas. 
• These structures represent a blend of Tughlaqabad elements with Firuz Shah's own ambitions. The walls of these buildings have a slight slant, and their design incorporates jalis and columns inspired respectively by Seljuk, Hindu, and Buddhist styles. 
• Although these structures were built with a Muslim function in mind, they borrow from other religious traditions as well. In Fatehabad, there are also structures constructed by Firuz Shah, and there is a small, but elegantly designed mosque that local tradition says was built by Emperor Humayun while fleeing to Amarkot. The tomb of Ibrahim Khan, a Lodhi officer, is the most impressive architectural monument in Narnaul. 
• Constructed under the supervision of Shaikh Ahmad Niyazi and built by Sher Shah Suri, the tomb is a perfect example of Pathan style. It has massive outlines, exquisite details, and pleasing interplay of colours. The tomb's remarkable features include a high terrace, double storey simulation, bold arches, low domes, beautiful kiosks on carved pillars, slender turrets, and elegant merlons. 
• The use of deep red, grey, and white stone, encaustic tile-work, painted ceiling with excellent brushwork, and subtle lapidary give it a unique richness among such buildings in Haryana. As noted by a respected scholar, the tomb's balance, strength, and dexterity are evident in its design.

Notable Monuments in Narnaul

• Shah Quli Khan, the trusted Governor of Lahore under Akbar, is renowned for his magnificent buildings, tanks, and gardens in Narnaul. One of his most notable creations is the Aram-i-Kauser garden, the remains of which include its enclosure walls, a well, and the gateway complex. 
• The most impressive structure in the garden is perhaps the governor's own mausoleum, which is built on an octagonal plan and resembles the Pathan tomb style, made of bluish grey and red stones. Other notable constructions of Khan include the Jal Mahal or Khan Sarover (1591 A.D.), a central tank surrounded by five kiosks, and the Jami Mosque (1590), a moderate-sized mosque with three arched openings leading to triple bays and corresponding domes. 
• The Chor Gumbad, Tomb of Shah Wilayat, and Chatta Mukand Das are among Narnaul's other remarkable buildings. Shah Wilayat's tomb and the adjacent complex were built during Firuz Tughlaq's reign. According to Gulzar's author, Alam Khan Mewati (A.D. 1357) contributed to its construction. The design features, such as curved arches and hemispherical domes, indicate Pathan influence, and the Persian inscription over the doorway shows that the saint died in A.H. 531. 
• The Chor Gumbad, with its wide low dome and ogee arches, is also thought to be from the Tughlaq period. Although it is known as the "signboard of Narnaul," it is a simple square monument with a single chamber inside. It appears double-story from the outside due to an open circumscribing verandah. Jamal Khan, an Afghan, built it as his tomb, and it became a hideout for thieves and highwaymen, giving it its popular name Chor Gumbad.
• However, the most remarkable monument in Narnaul is the spacious palace of Ray-i-Rayan Mukand Das, who served as Diwan of Narnaul under Shah Jahan. The palace's exterior is plain and unimpressive, but its design and embellishments are skillfully executed. The building used to have five floors, containing various halls, rooms, and pavilions. 
• Though it has mostly crumbled and become filled with debris, it still reveals some of its intended use and architectural design. The large terrace on the southern side, the delicate elliptical pavilions at different heights, the halls held up by pillars, and the surrounding veranda that encircles a central courtyard, which previously housed a marble fountain, give the building an open and bright feel. 
• The copious use of marble for cladding, pillars, and drainage may have made it a comfortable refuge during hot summers. The palace also includes other buildings in poor condition, such as a well that was used to supply water to the reservoirs, and to the west there is a beautiful standalone gateway complex that is adorned with marble veneering and has projecting balconies.

Baba Shaikh Farid and Chahar Qutb Tomb in Hansi

•  Hansi was an important stronghold during the early reign of the Sultans of Delhi, but it also became a significant center for Sufi religion and learning. This was largely due to the presence of the renowned Baba Shaikh Farid, who spent twelve years in a small den in the area. Today, his followers visit the site to pay their respects and learn from his teachings.
• One of the main attractions of the area is the Chahar Qutb tomb, where the mortal remains of four of Baba Shaikh Farid's disciples are buried. The tomb is known for its historical significance and is popularly referred to as the Chahar Qutb. 
• The four disciples buried here include Jamal-ud-Din Hansavi (1187-1261), Burhan-ud- Din Munawar (1261-1300), Qutb-ud-Din Munawar (1354), and Nur-ud-din Nur-i-Jahan ‘Mughalkush’ (1325-1397). The tomb hosts an annual fair that is celebrated by many people in the region. The tomb of Mir Tijarah, built for Jamal, is considered the most beautiful building in the area. However, fate had it that it was Mir, the chief surveyor of Sultan Hamid-ud-Din, who was buried there. 
• The mausoleum is 2 meters square and 15 meters high, adorned with brilliant encaustic tile decoration. The big mosque constructed by Firuz Shah Tughlaq is located in the northern enclosure and is the most imposing edifice. Additionally, a little monument called Chhatri, which is a square canopied tomb supported by four carved sandstone pillars, can be found in the area. The vault contains two graves, which are believed to be the oldest in Hansi. 
• There are several other noteworthy monuments in the Hansi fort complex. One such monument is the Barsi Gate, located in the southern wall of the outer defenses of the fort. Its Persian inscription indicates that it was constructed in 1304-5, during the reign of Ala-ud-Din Khilji, who was concerned with the construction of strategic forts due to the frequent Mongol invasions. 
• The Barsi Gate is an impressive example of fort architecture, with protruding round bastions and rectangular forms adorned with simple panellings and encaustic tile-work in the spandrels. Another gate-way complex, giving access to the citadel, is located in the southern wall of the inner circumambulation, but it is now in ruins.
• The Baradari is a pillared hall from the early Muslim period that was constructed using building materials from old Hindu monuments. At the northern end of the Baradari are the Khangah structures, named after a revered mausoleum of Wali Hazrat Saiyyid Nismet Ullah, who died here fighting during the campaign of Muhammad Ghori in 1191-92 A.D. 
• This is a sacred place for both Hindus and Muslims. Inside an enclosure collectively known as Rauzah, there are two mosques alongside this tomb. The most important monument at Panipat is the tomb of Abu AH Shah. Its main enclosure measures 155’x 143′, the northern 1 38′ x 146′ and the southern, a small one of 60’x 51′. The tomb is in the northern enclosure, but has entry from the middle one, outside it is 42 square and inside 25′. It has verandahs on its southern side, the outer one having 8 pillars of Kasauti stone. 
• A perforated stone screen separates the tomb from the enclosure. The tomb itself seems to be the old part of the entire surroundings. It is said to have been built by Khizr Khan and Shadi Khan, the sons of Alauddin Khiiji. Abu Ali died in 724 H. Khizr Khan is also known to have built his own tomb at Sonepat. The Kasauti pillared verandah was added by Rizqullah Khan, son of Muqarrab Khan in 1660 A.D. in the time of Aurangzeb which presently bears beautiful paintings and stylistic calligraphy on its walls. 
• The marble screen in its front is of fine workmanship. Other medieval buildings of the town are the tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi, of Muqarrab Khan, the Governor of Gujarat during the reign of Jahangir, and of Nawab Sadiq Ali Khan (also known as Lutfullah and Shams-ud- Daulah) who was warder of the fort of Delhi in the time of Nadir Shah and Wazir of three emperors— Bahadur Shah, Farrukhsiyar and Muhammad Shah. 
• In the west side of the main enclosure lies the mosque of Abu Ali, a red sandstone structure in a perfect condition. The buds on the voussoirs of the arches are remarkably beautiful. The whole building is very striking. Round the enclosure there are also rooms for the keepers of the tomb and pilgrims, and a tank with adjoining well in the south- west corner. About 8 km of the town of Panipat is situated the Badshahi Sarai — its flanking towers with projection after Qutab fashion and the small ones at each end of the elevation are unique. The whole building is now in ruins.

Notable Structures in Thanesar

• Thanesar witnessed Muslim architectural activity, and there are Persian inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Muhammad Tughlaq, Bahlol, Sikandar Lodhi, and Huraayun that mention the construction of mosques by local officers. Unfortunately, the location of these mosques is unknown, as the old town is mostly in ruins. 
• However, there are some surviving structures that are noteworthy, such as the Pathariya Masjid, the tombs of Shaikh Jalalud-din and Shaikh Chehali, the Madrasa, and the Chiniwali Masjid. To the east of Thanesar fort lies the Pathariya Masjid, built with red sandstone, which consists of a long room with pillars and pilasters supporting it, and a beautiful roof decorated with geometric and floral designs. 
• It is believed by Cunningham to have been constructed during Firuz Tughlaq's reign or towards the end of the fourteenth century, but Rodgers argues that it was built during Sikandar Lodhi's time. The tomb of Shaikh Jalaluddin, a square red sandstone building, is also situated in the eastern part of the Thanesar fort. Originally, it was supported by twelve square sandstone pillars, but they have since been filled with fine lattice-work in brick. Its overhanging eaves are much broken and it has an Arabic inscription on it. The tomb of Shaikh Chehali and the Madrasa are also located in a section of the old Thanesar fort. 
• During his survey tour in 1888-89, Rodgers noted that the tomb was situated on an octagonal platform with each side measuring 33' - 16". The tomb itself was octagonal, with each side measuring 18' - 9" on the outside and 17' - 1" on the inside. The platform was located in the middle of an enclosure that measured 174' square and was 41' above the plain. 
• The wall of the enclosure had twelve cupolas that were once covered with colored tiles. The platform was once surrounded by posts and trellis work, and although only nine posts remain, there is still one piece of perforated marble present.
• The tomb features arched recesses on all sides, each of which is decorated with two marble perforated screens. Although the marble eaves are somewhat damaged, the embattlements above them are decorative. 
• Above the embattlements is a circular neck that supports a dome that is shaped like a pear. The entire structure is made of white marble, which is skillfully crafted with great attention to detail. 
• Cunningham believed that the impressive location and the use of white marble make it one of the most remarkable and beautiful structures in northern India.

Description of Thanesar's Madrasa, Chiniwali Masjid, and Sheikh's title and family

• The Madrasa is located on a lower level to the south of the tomb enclosures. The courtyard measures 117.5 by 123.2 feet or 174 feet outside, and has a deep arcade of nine openings on each side. The entire building is constructed of bricks. Additional information about the Shaikh, who was likely a contemporary of Dara Shekoh, has already been covered. Rodgers suggests that the title "Chilli" was acquired by someone who performed Chilla, a forty-day period of constant devotion. The Shaikh's son was named Abd-us-Samad or Abd-ul-Wahd.
• The Chiniwali Masjid is situated near the northeast corner of the fort, built on a high platform. It measures 54 feet on the outside, and inside, it is divided into three rooms with very low domes. The eastern wall features pretty octagonal minarets. The eastern facade has panels that were once filled with coarse inlaid enamelled flowers. 
• On the southern minaret, there is an inlaid inscription, which is unintelligible but dated (973). The last line of the inscription reads, "Remember the Truth in the House of Worship." Kaithal is home to several notable monuments, including the tombs of Shaikh Salah-ud-Din Balkhi, Abdur Rashid Shah Walayat, and Shah Jama, as well as the Jama Masjid and the Taiyab mosque. 
• The oldest building is the tomb of Shaikh Salah-ud-Din Balkhi, which is located on the northern gate of the town and constructed using old materials such as pillars, dome, and architraves of an old Hindu temple. The tomb is said to have belonged to the martyr Shaikh al Kabir, who died in 643, possibly in a conflict with the Mongols. The tomb and mosque of Abd-ur-Rashid Shah Walayat are situated in the middle of the town and are contemporary with Ala-ud-Din Muhammad Shah. 
• The tomb of Shah Jamal, located to the east of the town, measures 25 feet square and is built using pillars from an old temple. The Jama Masjid, located towards the east of Shah Walayat's mosque, measures 92'x32' with 10 domes, and its doorways suggest an early Mughal period. The Taiyab mosque is situated to the east of the Jama Masjid and has three domes with green-tiled bands. The central doorway is large and fine, while the side doors are small. 
• According to tradition, the mosque was built during the reign of Akbar, but Rodgers assigned it to the time of Humayun based on its similarity with the Masjid at Hissar.
• There are Muslim monuments in Sadhaura, including an old stone mosque from 732 H (1331-32 A.D.), which is the oldest structure and has minarets on the west wall. Cunningham and Rodgers have visited the place and provided details about the monument in their Survey Reports. 
• Another notable structure is the tomb and mosque of Abdul Wahab. Only the doorway and lower part of the original building of the tomb remain, which were built during the reign of Sikandar Lodhi. The mosque has a thick wall and a verandah that is 4.5 feet broad. 
• Rodgers provides more details about the mosque, including that the southern facade is covered with tiles and enamelled inscriptions, and the spandrels of the three arches are full of floral work made of enamelled tiles. 
• The central arch has Persian poetry in black letters on a yellow ground, giving the date of the completion of the mosque as U.80 H (during the reign of Aurangzeb). The inner arches have each a Persian couplet on them in yellow letters on green ground. The three domes have inner domes that are considerably lower than the outer ones. This mosque must have been a beautiful piece of workmanship in the past.

Notable Monuments in Sadhaura

• In Sadhaura, there are notable monuments including the gateways of courtyards of some private dwellings built during the time of Jahangir. These gateways were erected by Qazi Abul Mukarim and Qazi Abul Muhammad, the sons of Shah Qamis who was a renowned faqir of Sadhaura during Akbar's reign. 
• They were originally covered with blue, yellow, and green tiles arranged in geometric patterns. On the other side of the river where the town is situated, there is the burial place of the faqir Shah Qamis. Further up the river in the same direction, there is an elegant tomb built in the bdrahdari fashion on a slightly elevated platform with projected eaves and an oblong dome. 
• This tomb is believed to belong to the times of Aurangzeb. The impact of Mughal architecture was also evident in the ancient town of Pinjore, which boasted a fertile valley, a ring of hills, and a romantic setting that attracted the attention of Fidai Khan, the Governor of Sirhind during Aurangzeb's reign. 
• The Pinjore garden, the only surviving monument in its original design, was created in the typical stepped garden pattern of the late Mughal style during Aurangzeb's era. The garden entrance is from the higher ground, which is different from most Mughal gardens where the entrance is from the lower ground. The garden has seven terraces that descend from the hill, each revealing a unique view. 
• The garden's length is adorned with an arterial water channel studded with fountains, pools, basins, falls, and cascades, creating an effective type of waterflow garden. A palace, loggia, or pavilion was constructed at the end of the central points of each terrace. On the first level is the Shish Mahal and its surrounding pavilion, while the Rang Mahal with its spacious open hall is on the second level. The Jal Mahal is located on the fifth level.
• Similar to other Mughal gardens, the Pinjore garden is enclosed by battlement walls to provide seclusion. The zenana is further protected by an additional fortification wall that separates the upper two terraces from the lower ones. Unlike the Hindu concept of gardens as a natural forest, the emphasis here is on geometrical construction. 
• The desired effects are achieved through the use of parterres that are bordered by fragrant and blooming plants. The Pinjore garden is a remarkable feat of design and impact, and when the water is plentiful, flowing through the canals, pools, and cascades, it creates an enchanted world that seems to have been rescued from the Shiwaliks. According to the above description, Haryana was a place where different religious beliefs such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Sufism met. It was also a hub of artistic and literary creations through the use of various languages like Prakrt, Sanskrit, Hindi, Persian, Arabic, and Urdu. 
• Along with literature, Haryana was also the site of impressive architectural masterpieces including mosques, tombs, gardens, palaces, forts, and resting places for travelers. Despite the efforts of some rulers to suppress religion and culture, Haryana remained a center of spiritual and cultural growth throughout the medieval era.