Indo-Islamic Architecture

Indo-Islamic architecture witnessed the amalgamation of the Hindu and Islamic architecture. Indian and Islamic architectures in India were influenced by each other. It has been seen that Islamic influence enriched the Hindu architecture in different ways in all parts of India.

Features

The features of Indo-Islamic Architecture are given below in points:

1. In so far as building material is concerned the Hindu masons and builders learnt the use of mortar as a cementing agent from the Muslims.

2. Another feature was the influence of the Islamic architecture on the Hindu building in the form of extensive use of domes.

3. It was an amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Due to this two-way impact a new architectural style was involved in India which can be called Hindu-Muslims architecture.

4. A new style of Indian architecture developed especially under the Mughals, from the time of Akbar onwards, due to the amalgamation of Hindu and Islamic styles. The latter was chiefly based on Central Asian and Persian styles. This amalgamated style may be called Indo-Islamic architecture.

5. The influence of Mughal styles of architecture were seen at the capitals of the Hindu rulers. The palaces at Amber are quite similar to the palaces of Shahjahabad and Agra. The Mughal style was followed in the construction of the temples. Specially, its influence on Jain temples is quite evident.