History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c30.10

v2.c30.10

Earlier Muhammadan invaders, before the ’Âdil Shâhîs—under Karîmu-d-Dîn, about 1316—had built a mosque in the fort at Bijâpûr, constructed out of Hindû remains. How far the pillars used there by them are torn from other buildings, we are not informed. It would appear, however, that it consists partly of the portico of a Hindû temple; but this is not incompatible with the idea that other portions were removed from their original positions and re-adapted to their present purposes. Another mosque, known as Khwâja Jahân’s, dating from about the end of the 15th century, resembles a Hindû temple, and was evidently erected also from materials taken from earlier fanes. But as soon as the new dynasty had leisure to think really about the matter, they abandoned entirely all tendency to copy Hindû forms or Hindû details, but set to work to carry out a pointed-arched, or domical style of their own, and did it with singular success.¹