History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c24.10

c24.10

After the death of Iltutmish, little work in architecture was done, or at least has survived. About 1280 Balban built a palace on the south-east of the Qilā of Rai Pithaurā, of which only a few traces are now left. He seems to have been too busy fighting his internal and external foes to erect memorable buildings; but even the remains of the palace mark a notable step in the development of the style. In this building we come across, for the first time, the true arch, produced by means of radiating voussoirs and not by corbels.⁵ With the accession of 'Alāuddīn, construction was resumed with feverish activity. It is not only as a conqueror or an administrator, but also as a great builder, that 'Alāuddīn stands prominent in the history of medieval India. His buildings indicate a marked improvement upon those of his predecessors, the so-called "Slave Kings" and are more magnificent than those of his successors, the Tughlaqs,—who struck upon an orthodox and austere style. Alāuddīn built from the time of his accession to the day of his death. He extended the Quvvatul Islām Mosque, built a magnificent Gate to its entrance, constructed cisterns, palaces, and mosques, and founded a new city.