Short Essay on Bahmanis Architecture

Deccan Architecture presents strange phenomena. As long as the region was under the rule of Delhi sultans, it was naturally expected to follow the tradition of the Khaljis and Tughluqs.

But once it became independent of the Imperial authority, and severed all connections with them, the handful of Muslims should have normally adopted the indigenous Indian art-Hemadpanti, Chalukyan and Dravidian-which dominated throughout the region. Strangely enough, the reverse happened.

The Bahmanis continued to follow the tradition of the Imperial capital for another 50 years. Muhammad-bin- Tughluq’s decision to transfer his capital to Daulatabad and then back to Delhi led to migration of a large number of artisans of Bijapur where the two styles of architecture- the Persian and that of Delhi-led to fusion.

The process of assimilation of indigenous traits in the south was far slower than in the north. Another important development made a profound impact on southern arts and architecture.

Almost all the Bahmani kings were great patrons of scholars, artists, poets, many of whom migrated from distant lands particularly Persia from where the founder of the Bahmani dynasty had come as an adventurer.

They had, therefore, been profoundly affected by Persian style of architecture. The influence is clearly discernible in the Jami Masjid at Gulbarga, Chand Minar at Daulatabad and Gawan’s Madrasa at Bidar. They were not only planned by Persian architects but also built by their artisans.

The military architecture, i.e. forts, etc. however, were definitely modelled on medieval European style. It is quite obvious that it was the work of Turkish military experts who took service under the Bahmani rulers. The Deccan style of artchitecture developed its own individuality in course of time.

According to Dr. Z.A. Desai, “it was marked, broadly by grandeur of conception and soundness of structural principles on the one hand and by some prominent forms and lavish decoration schemes, on the other.”

Ala-ud-din Bahman built a large number of buildings at his capital, Gulbarga such as Bala Hisar, now mostly in ruins and the Jami Masjid. The latter built under the supervision of a Qazwini architect, Rafi, is a unique structure.

Its whole area is roofed to save the worshippers from rain and the sun and there is no open courtyard.

Its other peculiarity is a high dome which has been constructed on a high square clerestory over the niche of the sanctuary. The other monuments at Gulbarga are the royal tombs, which are still extant. Ahmad Shah Wali (1422-36) transferred his capital to Bidar in A.D. 1425 and a large number of buildings-forts, palaces, mosques and tombs-had to be constructed in the new capital.

Most of the palace buildings-Rangin Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Chini Mahal and Nagin Mahal are now in ruins. From whatever remains of the palaces, we can form an idea of the beauty of takhtkhana, the throne hall and shahburi, the royal palace.

The mosques, such as Sola Khamba Masjid are built on the traditional orthodox style with open courtyard. However, the most important structure is the famous madrasa built in A.D. 1472 by the Persian scholar Mahmud Gawan, minister of Muhammad Shah III.

This three- storeyed building contains lecture halls, a library, a mosque and residential houses for teachers and students. This architect followed the pattern of the buildings of the Persian University such as the Rajasthan at Samarqand. The building now lies in ruins.

The engraving on the main gate reads: “Peace is non you that are good, so enter it forever”. But as it has been rightly observed, “With all its elegance of outline, its unimpeachable proportions, and refined details, there is little or no feeling in Mahmud Gawan’s college for plastic form and mass or for the values of contrasted light and shade”.

No doubt the architect was able to achieve beauty and grace by the free display of enamel, symmetry of outline and balance of its varied parts. This way, however, only superficial decoration and “divest of it little is left save a mathematically correct, tame and highly stylistic fabric.”

Persian influence is also visible in Chand Minar at Daulatabad. The Chand Minar was built in 1435. It is a four-storeyed building with a total height of 100′. Dr. Z.A. Desai adds: “Except perhaps for the size of its lowest gallery, the Minar is an architectural composition of the highest order marked by graceful conception, slender but well-proportioned outline and fine workmanship.”

Sir Richard Temple who visited Bidar in 1861 says: “The bastions of the fortress had a rich colouring subdued by age, being built of the red laterite of which the hills are there formed. The style of the mosque was grand and severe, quite different from the polished and graceful manner of the Moghul architects in later times.

The chief object of beauty in the place was the college. The extensions of the building had once been covered with exquisitively coloured glazing in floral devices of which there was still much remaining to delight the spectator. The building is perhaps the finest of its kind surviving in India.”