Twilight of the Sultanate c16.s1.2

c16.s1.2

The Khaljīs and the Tughlaqs were mighty builders. They had built enthusiastically, repaired and conserved old buildings, and developed a robust style of their own. But the continuity of architectural exuberance of the Tughlaq times received a setback at the hands of Tīmūr. Tīmūr's invasion swept everything before it. Besides the treasure of the State and the wealth of the capital, he carried away with him many good craftsmen, architects and stone-workers to Samarqand to build for him there, while many others, following the confusion of his attack, migrated to various provincial capitals. Without money and without artisans it was not possible for the rulers of Delhi to accomplish much. During the first decade after Tīmūr's departure, perhaps only one building was constructed, an Īdgāh by Mallū Iqbāl Khan, in an inscription on which he heartily cursed the “Kāfir” conqueror. The first two Saiyyads restored some political stability. Khizr Khan and Mubārak Shāh even founded two cities, but they (Khizrābād and Mubārakābād) have practically disappeared because of their poor construction owing to limited financial resources.