Twilight of the Sultanate c16.s1.55

c16.s1.55

In Bengal, the early Muslim buildings bear traces of the Hindu temple architecture since they are mostly superstructures on the original Hindu, but the climate of Bengal is so singularly inimical to the preservation of architectural remains, that the extant ones belong only to the period of over two centuries (A. D. 1338-1576). Besides, Bengal is practically without stone. Therefore, the Muslim rulers constructed their edifices with heavy short pillars of stone supporting pointed arches and vaults of brick, and the style so developed may rightly be called the “brick style” of Bengal. The Purbiya dynasty of Bengal (A. D. 1352-1487) did not do anything much to entitle them to a place in political history, but since they possessed one of the richest regions of India, they spent their wealth lavishly in adorning their capital with beautiful buildings. Jalāluddīn Muhammad Shāh (1414-1443) was a great builder. His Eklakhi mosque is a bold architectural enterprize and though smaller than 'the Ādīna mosque (built by Sikandar Shāh, 1358-89), it is a great improvement upon it. A very interesting antiquity of Bengal is the Mīnār standing just outside the fort of Gaur. For two-thirds of the height it is a polygon of twelve sides; above that it is circular till it attains the height of 84 feet. There is said to have been an inscription ascribing its erection to Saifuddīn Fīrōz Shāh II (A. D. 1488-90). There are also several gateways, the finest one being the Dākhil or Salāmī gateway, the northern entrance to Gaur fort, said to have been built by Ruknuddīn Bārbak Shāh (1460-74). It is made of brick, but in strength and grace it is second to none in its class found anywhere.