Sultanates in Delhi (Mamluk and others)

Beginning in 9th century northern India, the Mamluks, soldiers of slave origin who converted to Islam, created an independent militaristic caste, holding political and military power over regions such as Egypt, Iraq, and India. As Muslim generals to the Sultan, when Muhammed of Ghor was assassinated, the empire was split amongst his various Mamluk counterparts as individual (and at the time) four sultanates during the new era of the Slave Dynasty. The most prominent of them was Qutub-ud-din-Aybak of Delhi in 1206, a Turkish general who became Sultan of this region, and whom lasted only four years (he impaled himself on his own spear on horseback :p). His descendants fought equally to control their position in Delhi, to quell the surmounting rebellions of the other sultanates and the invading Ghengis Khan of the Mongols, as well as leave their marks on India forever (I recommend taking a look at all the Delhi Sultans). But, Aybak was the most influential of the Delhi rulers, prominently known for  constructing the Muslim monuments, Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and the Qutub Minar. Below, I also added architectural achievements and texts provided from Delhi dynasties after the Mamluk Dynasty.

 History of the Delhi Sultanates:  Before the sultanates came to power over India, from 1162-1206 Muslims finally began to settle within their borders, leading to the pillage of Hindu, Buddhism, and Jain temples throughout the territory. From there, several dynasties reigned and constructed their own visage of their reign of Delhi; above the map shows the spread of the ruler's of the Mamluk dynasty's power. The first Sultan of Delhi (as explained above) was Qutub-ud-din-Aybak from 1206-1290, expanding their territory as far as Bengal. During this dynasty many of his predecessors (including the first female rulers in India, Razia Sultan (1236-1240))  and trouble with rebelling territories led to their downfall. Following 1290 came the Khilji Dynasty continued the trade of expansion until 1321,  and during the Tughlaq Dynasty a network of market centers was emphasized and growing of particular crops emphasized. They attempted to move away from the capital of Delhi, which only led to a decline in the rule in 1398. The Sayyid Dynasty went through four sultans in 37 years, and the following Lodhi Dynasty followed in the footsteps of India's growing chaos and weak rulers.
Source: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Delhi_Sultanate

Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque: When Qutub-ud-din-Aybak, the first Sultan of Delhi came into power in 1206, he dedicated his time to building the mosque above, the Quwwat-ul-Islam which also means "Might of Islam" from 1192-1316. Considered a "fanatical Muslim", Qutub had over twenty seven Hindu and Jain temples destroyed for his new project. The most interesting aspects of its appearance, (as well as many other buildings created within these Delhi dynasties) was the variation between Hindu, Muslim, and Iranian characteristics; the "mosque's open courtyard, colonnades, and gibla wall were built from the pillars and ceilings of 27 Hindu temples." Though based on Iranian buildings, it retains several arches, and Arabic calligraphy. The iron pillar in the center was actually taken from another Hindu temple once dedicated to Vishnu. Delhi emphasized the use of several different styles for their buildings; the arch and the dome were actually ideas that grew into the Mamluk time period and transgressed far into the following dynasties (as seen by the Taj Mahal). It's construction continued past his death by his son, Illtutmish.
Source: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ARTH303-DelhiSultanate-FINAL.pdf
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/india/delhi/quwwat.php

Qutub Minar: Part of the Qutb Complex, it was built in 1192 during the Mamluk dynasty made of red sandstone and marble which ornamentation characteristic of Muslim and Persian architecture. It's known as the tallest minaret in India with five stories, standing over 238 feet tall, and inscribed with Indian floral motifs. It was also completed by Qutub-ud-din-Aybak's son, and later finished by Illtutmish's successor. Situated right beside the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, it once again imitates several architectural backgrounds. It's unsure whether the minaret was built to emphasized as a tower of victory for Muslim rule, or perhaps used only to call the faithful to pray.
Source: https://www.boundless.com/art-history/textbooks/boundless-art-history-textbook/south-and-southeast-asia-after-1200-ce-28/india-176/sultanate-of-delhi-653-7106/
http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/tourist_place/qutab_minar.jsp

Alai Minar: Part of the Qutb Complex, this minaret was being constructed for the Ala-ud-Din Khalj Sultan in the Khilji dynasty, hoping it would be twice as tall as the minaret built by Illtutmish (it wasn't plus it was incomplete). The Sultan was considered an ambitious man, constantly warring upon others and winning battles, and so Alai Minar was meant to be a tribute toward his victories. He wanted to be remembered as the man who dared to build grander than the Sultan of the Mamluk Dynasty. He also quadrupled the size of the enclosures of Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid to match the height of what was supposed to be his new-found glory.
Source: http://www.delhiinformation.in/tourism/monuments/alaiminar.html

 Royal Tomb of Iltutmish: The son of the first Sultan of Delhi, Illtutmish's tomb is the first royal tomb to be built in India, and began the progression for future sultan's tombs. It looks like a plain box, except for the inside with its beautiful designs (following a Hindu theme through symbols) and its lack of any inscription whatsoever. Inside, there is a place for prayer, and oddly, the tomb was hidden beneath a vault until its discover in the 1900s.
Source: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ARTH303-DelhiSultanate-FINAL.pdf
http://qutubminardelhi.com/tomb-of-iltutmish/

 

Koran written in Bihari script: Though there is little metalwork that remains of the Delhi Sultans, book production was a major development throughout their rule. Written between 1400-1425, this Koran was written in a new style of writing called the Bihari script; it had "distinct wedge-shaped letters, thick bowl like shapes for endings, and ample space left between words." 

Source: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ARTH303-DelhiSultanate-FINAL.pdf

  Hauz Khas: This complex was another project of the Tughlaq Dynasty by the Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq. It held an Islamic masadra (an educational institute, whether secular or religious), a mosque, Firuz's domed tomb, and pavilions. It also retains a reservoir as the title Hauz Khas means "royal water tank." This place was of definite importance, especially since Delhi was the best place of Islamic learning; the Hauz Khas masadra was, in its own way, very prestigious during this time period. The pavilions are believed to have been meant as graves, and the mosque was used as a prayer hall.
Source: www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ARTH303-DelhiSultanate-FINAL.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauz_Khas_Complex

Ashoka Pillar: A most interesting discovery from the Tughlaq Dynasty (1351-1388) during its reconstruction was the arrangement of two iron pillars in Delhi next to the Qutab Minar, originally erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in India, topped with a lotus or lion to represent the Buddhist practice. They're also very interesting in that, made of 98% iron, they have yet to rust since their making over 1600 years ago. Though it emphasizes the achievement of India's metal working at this time, where it was set originally and why it was relocated in the capital, Delhi, still remains a mystery.
Source: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ARTH303-DelhiSultanate-FINAL.pdf
http://www.world-mysteries.com/sar_ironpillar.htm

"Rustam Kills the Turanian Hero Alkus with his Lance": During the Delhi Sultans' rule, there is not much art to be found and it's assumed because Islamic belief contradicted living things to be portrayed in art. Yet, some pieces have popped up as shown above. From the Book of Kings in the Lodhi period,the painting, or rather picture, has an Indo-Persian style to it, and bearing closely to Jain paintings. From 1450, this painting emphasizes the bright colors unseen in earlier Timurid art, as well as the group of people in identical positions and bordering around the edges. It seems that the Delhi culture in India was heavily influenced by its Jain counterparts.
Source: https://www.boundless.com/art-history/textbooks/boundless-art-history-textbook/south-and-southeast-asia-after-1200-ce-28/india-176/sultanate-of-delhi-653-7106/

Lodhi Gardens: The Lodhis were the last rulers and dynasty of Delhi, India. Against tradition of their ancestors, the Lodhi rulers focused on building an array of tombs rather than any other architectural means; it's also interesting to note that at this time grand tombs like the one above began to be built for the elite as well as the royals, as the Lodhi rulers saw themselves as equals to their citizens. The Lodhi gardens is actually a large necropolis with several of these octagonal shaped tombs. Above is the tomb of Mohammed Shah, the center of the eight main burials. The last Lodhi ruler was defeated in 1526.
Source: www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/ARTH303-DelhiSultanate-FINAL.pdf

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The Delhi Sultans based their lives on the Qur'an and the sharia,and non-Muslims had to pay a fee in order to practice their religion within bounds of the city. Good things did come out of the sultanates of northern India; for example, Indian culture experienced a new type of golden age, the Sultans shielded against the Mongol invasions in the 13th century and set the foundations for the later Moghul empire.