ARCHITECTURE OF MALWA

DHAR AND MANDU

15 century

Ruled by the Paramara dynasty were patrons of literature; not much of art and architecture not many skilled craftspersons in the region Timurs invasion of Delhi : Malwa declares independence retains Dhar as the capital, later shifted to Mandu due to strategic reasons most buildings built by craftspersons from Delhi

Influence of Imperial style: battered walls Arches with spear head fringes shape of the dome pyramidal roofs structural systems : arches with beam and bracket Decorative motifs

Techniques developed Indigenously: Treatment of arch with beam and bracket long flight of steps to reach buildings decorative techniques: Sandstone and coloured marble quarried locally Precious stone inlays Glazed encaustic tiles: heritage of tile making probably from Multan

Three phases according to Percy Brown 1. Reassembling 2. Preliminary 3. Classical

first phase exemplified by 4 mosques 2 at Dhar : kamal maula , Lat masjid 2 at Mandu : Dilawar Khans and Malik Mughis

Malik Mughis mosque: built last, so exemplifies the style best

high plinth with arched chambers to the east portico approached by a flight of steps domical turrets at quoins

Malik Mughis mosque:

East entrance of the mosque

Malik Mughis mosque:

4 aisle sanctuary Column spacing varied for nave and aisles

100X100 courtyard Single aisle cloister

Three equal domes supported on octagonal drums and merlon parapets

Malik Mughis mosque:

Columns salvaged from Hindu templs and brought together by forming pointed arches b/w them. Spandrels treated with screen work Columns rubbed, redressed and recarved to fit the scheme of the mosque

Hushang shah shifts capital to Mandu

Sagar talao

Large variety of monuments scattered all over the plateau

Hushangs tomb

Jami Masjid Haft Minar

Ashrafi mahal

Jami masjid and tomb of Hushang Shah

Main entry to the tomb

5 aisled sanctuary With pointed arches

Priests entry

288 side square

2 aisled cloister in the east

Domed entrance hall with flight of steps

Jami masjid and tomb of Hushang Shah

Masjid raised on a high plinth Arcaded Chambers on the east served as a serai

Courtyard with aisles around Each bay topped by a cylindrical dome

Jami masjid and tomb of Hushang Shah

Red sandstone, colored marble and glazed tile decoration Relies more on the composition of parts than ornamentation

Ornate central mihrab with mimbar

Jami masjid and tomb of Hushang Shah

Square in plan Raised platform of 118 side Tomb chamber of 86 side The entrance gate seen in the background

Jami masjid and tomb of Hushang Shah

Arched opening on two sides: main entry south

Other tombs with similar architecture

Tomb of Darya khan

Dai ka mahal

Ashrafi mahal and haft minar

Complex of three buildings assembled over a period of time : madrassa,tomb and victory tower

Ashrafi mahal and haft minar

320 side square in plan Cells arranged around a large courtyard

Circular towers at corners

Ashrafi mahal and haft minar

Pyramidal roof

Central courtyard filled in to provide high base for Mahmud shahs tomb

Ashrafi mahal and haft minar

Remains of the tomb 65 square tomb chamber with domical roof

Pillared portico with loggia : entrance to the tomb chamber

Ashrafi mahal and haft minar

Detail on the wall with colored stone

Carved door way remains

Remains of the victory tower or Haft Minar

Hindola mahal or swinging palace

Built under Hoshang shah Was used as a durbar hall Located in the palace quarters 6 arches with sloping buttress Slope of 77 degrees 110

Main entrance

60 T-shaped plan showing addition

Hindola mahal or swinging palace

5 arches , supporting the roof with wooden beams

View of the main entrance

Hindola mahal or swinging palace

View of the northern extension showing 2 floors Divided into 2 :retiring hall and a larger hall 70X40

Projecting balconies, ornate doors and oriel windows

Jahaz mahal or ship palace

Jahaz mahal or ship palace

Situated on the banks of kapur talao and munja talao

Jahaz mahal or ship palace

Housed the harem of Ghiyas al din double storeyed, rectangular structure that is 361 by 56 feet long and 33 feet high

Jahaz mahal or ship palace

Ground floor consist of large halls, small rooms, corridors and pavilions overlooking the lakes

View from the entrance side

Jahaz mahal or ship palace

Arcaded interior

A pool in the ground floor The palace also contains pools and fountains in the ground floor

Jahaz mahal or ship palace

A pavilion in the lake

View from the interior Bright glazed tile deco

Jahaz mahal or ship palace

View of a pavilion with pyramidal roof and central dome

Pavilion with oriel windows

Pool in the terrace, Upper floor has hamams, pillared halls ,corridors, pavilions

Other palaces in the fort

Baz bahadurs palace

Other palaces in the fort

Rupmatis pavilion with a view of Narmada

Mandu fort. Similar architecture also found in Chanderi