(1) the founder of the dynasty, Ghiyas‐ud‐din Tughlaq I (1320‐25),

(2) his son, Mohammed Shah Tughlaq (1325‐51)

(3) Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351‐88), the most prolific of all in his building projects.
TUGHLAQ DYNASTY

1. City of Tughlaqabad

2. Tomb of Ghias uddin Tughlaq

3. Firuz Shah Kotla

4. Ashok Lat

5. Octagonal tomb of telengani

6. Khiri Mosque
q

7. Hauz‐e‐Khas
FIROZ SHAH TUGHLAQ (1351‐88),

His reign
Hi i llastt ffor 37 years, a very large
l number
b off important
i t t building
b ildi projects
j t were constructed,
t t d
all produced in a style peculiarly his own.

THE ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERS OF FIRUZIAN PERIOD >

__ The architectural character s of the Firozian period imply the birth of a new order of ideas.
__He erected buildings composed of inexpensive materials, put together in the readiest
manner, and
d in
i a plain
l i but
b t serviceable
i bl style.
t l
__ Walling was very different in order, consisting of random rubblework,its untrimmed
surfaces being coated with a substantial layer of cement.
__ In certain parts ,lintels, doorposts, pillars, were formed of roughly dressed
monoliths, and decoration was not carved in stone but moulded in plaster.

__Architecture produced on these terms resolves itself into a somewhat dull and
featureless .
__ A certain surface finish was obtained by means of colour‐wash, since entirely
roughened but its outward aspect was almost entirely one of plain white.
roughened, white
__Additional strength and stability was assured by building certain portions thicker at the
base than at the top, which gives the illusion of greater power, although no such angle of
batter is really structurally necessary.
__This effect of slope is emphasized by the attachment of tapering turreted buttresses at
the quoins(corner), and by projecting conical bastion like towers crowned with low
domes from the four corners of the building.
__Architecture, almost devoid of decoration.
FIROZ SHAH KOTLA_ “FIRUZABAD”
FIROZ SHAH KOTLA_ “FIRUZABAD”

The fifth city of Delhi, known as Palace City of Firuzabad, is the most significant city of the
Tughlaqs. The style he introduced in city planning prevailed for centuries. His city palace, in
fact, became the prototype of the great Mughal palace cities of the sixteenth century.

A vast walled enclosure containing all the amenities and necessities of a self‐contained
and fully equipped royal residence,
residence and everything that this implies
implies.

LOCATION >
__On the banks of river Yumna (jamuna), chosen for its strategic value.
Besides freshwater of the river was anther important element.
PLANNING
—Firuz's conception, was a citadel and an attached walled city, elaborated & developed.
—The p
plan is fairlyy symmetrical.
y
—Irregularly Rectangular in shape. ½ mile long and ¼ mile broad.
—Entrance from the western side.
—Royal
R l quarters
t andd other
th private
i t ffunctions
ti are on th
the river
i side,
id ffar ffrom th
the entry.
t
—The rest of the space within Kotla walls was divided off into squares and rectangular
—courtyards, specially the Administrative and public zones near entry .
AXIS

ƒThe complex is composed of multiple axis.

ƒLonger axis runs through north to south, & the shorter is on east to west.
ENCLOSER & GATEWAY

ƒSurrounded by high battlemented walls with tall spreading bastions at frequent

intervals.

ƒThe main entrance on the western side consisted of a strongly fortified gateway

thrown out after the msanner of a large barbican from the line of the walls, protected

by a curtain and with a guard room and barrack in a courtyard inside.

DIWAN‐I‐AM
That is the Hall of Public Audience, Placed directly opposite of a large rectangular court
at the western side of the complex, Surrounded by a pillared verandah.

DIWAN‐I‐KHAS
DIWAN I KHAS
Just behind the Diwan‐i‐am. The Hall of Private Audience where the King held his `cabinet
meetings' and met the important officers of his administration.
JAMI MASJID
ƒA huge imposing structure Located near the centre of the complex.
ƒAn
A assembly
bl place
l ffor ten thousand
h d people.
l
ROYAL PALACES
ƒLocated in a large rectangular enclosure, across the width of the river.
ƒTo
T enjoy
j theh cooling
li effect
ff off the
h water and d to ensure the
h privacy
i and
d security.
i

SQUARES
ƒThe areas north and south of the central axis were divided into various square
q and
rectangular courtyards.
ƒStructures were distributed around these courtyards
ƒThere were pavilions for different purposes, grape and water gardens,baths, tanks, barracks,
armoury and servants
servants' quarters all conveniently disposed and communicating with one
another.
The broad planning principles of a Muslim `city centre'enunciated for the first time by
Firuz Shah consisted in locating the Diwan‐i‐Khas
Diwan i Khas at the heart of the complex
complex,
backed up by a series of private palaces along the river front, well protected on the
other side by army barracks and other sundry structures, with limited access for the
common public to the Diwan‐i‐Am.

PROPERTIES THAT MADE IT A PROTOTYPE

1. Planning concept
2 Multiple axis
2.
3. Space distribution around courtyards
4. Zoning_ public and private

PROTOTYPE IN STRUCTURE
1. Fortified wall
2. Dewan‐i‐am
3 Dewan
3. Dewan‐i‐khas
i khas
4. Jami masjid
5. Royal palaces
“MILITANT PALACES _ ASHOKAN LAT”

__ Firuz Shah's builders proved to be just as innovative in the detailing of some of the palaces .
__Within the Kotla is located a curious three‐tiered structure.
__Everyy p
platform of which is set back from the preceding
p g one to create terraces in front of the
series of compartments on the periphery .
__Inspired by the terraced Buddhist viharas that abounded in the Indian countryside.
__The picturesque quality of this indigenously inspired structure is appropriately completed by
a stone sthamba of the Asoka period planted at its apex .
__The latter is believed to have been brought here from its original site somewhere near
Ambala.
ARCHITECTURAL TRAIT>MILLITANT STYLE