History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c24.49

c24.49

On the southern side of this court is located a large structure, 400 ft. long and 200 ft. wide covered originally by a dome, now fallen. It is said to be the tomb of 'Alāūddīn. It is entered from all sides and the western entrance is a Pathān-gateway of stone and masonry, with an arch 14 ft. high and 11 ft. wide.²¹ The tomb itself is about 50 ft. long and 32 ft. wide. On either side of it there is a passage which divides it from the side rooms which are domeless. The noteworthy feature of this building is the use of corbelled pendentives. It is the earliest instance of corbelled treatment of a pendentive in India, and is a happy solution of the constructional problem. The whole building is now in a dilapidated state.