Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s2.t1.5

c7.s2.t1.5

When Muslims first came on the scene, and for a long time afterwards, they made skilful use of Hindu architectural talent in their own buildings and towns. They borrowed most of the old features of Hindu cities, though they left very few of the native master-pieces intact. Probably the Muslims added to the outstanding features of a Hindu town, namely the palaces, tanks, temples, the broad and open spaces and the height and massiveness of their buildings, some distinguishing features of their own, thus evolving a city as it stood under the Mughals.¹ Among the contribution of Muslims towards Indian town-planning may be noted their beautiful and spacious mosques, their gate-ways, probably the use of fountains, domes, a new arch and an improved style of walls around a city with watch-towers and other military equipment of a more efficient pattern. Their buildings, their mausoleums, their roofed tanks and baths and their beautiful gardens all went to enrich an Indian city.