Firoz Shah Tuglaq
DELHI: A Heritage City; Nominating Delhi on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage Cities
Articulating the Outstanding Universal Value of Delhi’s Ancient and Sultanate Period th 10 November, 2011, India International Centre, New Delhi
Contribution of the Firuzian Era to development of Indo-Islamic building typologies
Dr. Aruna Ramani Grover
Firuz Shah Tughlaq was nominated as the Sultan in 1351 on the death of his cousin to rule for the next 37 years. According to historians he was the choice of the Ullema. Disappointed by the idealistic and secular notions of Muhamad bin Tughlaq, they hoped that a sober and devout follower of Islam would bring about a much needed reformist movement.
Firuz Shah’s long reign was marked by tremendous building activity which included cities, forts, palaces, canals, gardens, wells, bridges, madrasas, sarais, hospitals and other public works. In addition to new works repairs and renovations of the buildings and public works of earlier rulers were also taken up. The oft held view is that the coffers were empty leading to the erection of buildings of a somber and staid style hitherto unknown. The scale and number of projects however, belies this position. Contemporary historical accounts1 speak of organized state activity for design, erection and finance of these structures.
The comparatively long and peaceful reign, the scale of building activity and the clear indication that these activities were organized, underlines the proposition that this was a time for exploration and initiation of Indo-Islamic building typologies. In architectural terms, this was an opportunity hitherto unknown in the sub-continent in general and Delhi in particular.
The intention of this paper is to point to five unique architectural projects of the Firuzian era.
While three of these became the initiators of typological lineages, two others while truly worthy were left largely unexplored. These five architectural projects are:
The Palace
Articulating the Outstanding Universal Value of Delhi’s Ancient and Sultanate Period th 10 November, 2011, India International Centre, New Delhi
Contribution of the Firuzian Era to development of Indo-Islamic building typologies
Dr. Aruna Ramani Grover
Firuz Shah Tughlaq was nominated as the Sultan in 1351 on the death of his cousin to rule for the next 37 years. According to historians he was the choice of the Ullema. Disappointed by the idealistic and secular notions of Muhamad bin Tughlaq, they hoped that a sober and devout follower of Islam would bring about a much needed reformist movement.
Firuz Shah’s long reign was marked by tremendous building activity which included cities, forts, palaces, canals, gardens, wells, bridges, madrasas, sarais, hospitals and other public works. In addition to new works repairs and renovations of the buildings and public works of earlier rulers were also taken up. The oft held view is that the coffers were empty leading to the erection of buildings of a somber and staid style hitherto unknown. The scale and number of projects however, belies this position. Contemporary historical accounts1 speak of organized state activity for design, erection and finance of these structures.
The comparatively long and peaceful reign, the scale of building activity and the clear indication that these activities were organized, underlines the proposition that this was a time for exploration and initiation of Indo-Islamic building typologies. In architectural terms, this was an opportunity hitherto unknown in the sub-continent in general and Delhi in particular.
The intention of this paper is to point to five unique architectural projects of the Firuzian era.
While three of these became the initiators of typological lineages, two others while truly worthy were left largely unexplored. These five architectural projects are:
The Palace