Islamic Architecture in India

This volume covers the impact of resurgent Islamic thought, ideals, religion and philosophy on the ancient and established civilisation of the Hindus in India, a subject that has fascinated me for long. How powerful the force of Islam was and how effectively the Indian builder produced a viable style out of the two seemingly contradictory philosophies is only too apparent in the great and diverse masterpieces of Islamic architecture all over India. The Qutab Minar at Delhi, the Jami and Atala Masjids at Mandu and Jaunpur, the Teen Darwaza at Ahmedabad, the Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur, the city of Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj at Agra are all undoubtedly and distinctly Islamic. This book, however, stresses on the indigenous quality of each of these monuments. In fact, they represent a mirrorlike architectural reflection of the synthesis of Hindu and Muslim cultures that reached its most creative period under the rule of Akbar. This process of assimilation is evident in varying degrees at Delhi,