History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c24.5

c24.5

The history of Hindu-Muslim architecture begins with the accession of Qutbuddin Aibak. Qutbuddin had to establish Muslim power in India, and to raise buildings "as quickly as possible, so that no time might be lost in making an impression on their newly-conquered subjects."² The Quvvatul Islam mosque was built from the material obtained from the destruction of twenty-seven temples, some of the carved columns and shafts being utilized unaltered. Again, the builders were mostly Hindu craftsmen. Consequently, the generous use of columns, pillars, and shafts carved in Hindu design lend to the mosque a beauty and a grandeur peculiar to the Hindu style.