Architecture of Sharki dynasty in medieval India | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

ABSTRACT

The unsettled conditions of the Sharki Dynasty did not allow it to live long its rulers, who were great patrons of art and architecture, in spite of their incessant military activity on almost all frontiers of their kingdom, did find time to develop their architectural interest. Their numerous buildings display original and distinctive features, and have been highly praised by eminent critics. The Sharki architecture as compared with that of other contemporary dynasties is markedly mulism. It is also unique in many ways. Two things continued to make Sharki architecture pre-emint. One was the assiduous patronage of the Sharki rulers, and the other the deep artistic traditions of the local inhabitants. The Sharkies employed local artisans, who were Jain and Hindu, and who grafted their own rich traditions upon the Muslim ones. After the fall of the Tughluqs and the invasion of Timur at Delhi, the building operations came to a standstill. Delhi artisans were invited to take service in the rising provincial centres, especially jaunpur, where the patronage of the rulers, as has already been said, also attracted and encouraged them. The kings of the East built many magnificent mosques, forts, palaces, madrasas, shrines and tombs in different parts of their kingdom. They rebuilt and founded new cities, and adorned them with beautiful buildings of all kinds. In comparison, the architecture of the Delhi dynasty during the same period is represented on by the tombs of Mubarak sayyid at Delhi and by those of Alauddin Alan shah and his family at Badaun.