🕌 Chapter 03 · Visual Arts · Art & Culture
Medieval Architecture
Indo-Islamic architecture — Delhi Sultanate, Mughal period; Qutb Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri — complete notes for UPSC & PSC.
6
Sub-Topics
10
Practice MCQs
10
PYQs
⭐⭐⭐
Very High
📌 What You Will Learn in This Chapter
✅ Features of Indo-Islamic architecture
✅ Delhi Sultanate architecture — Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Lodi
✅ Mughal architecture — Babur to Aurangzeb
✅ Qutb Minar complex — UNESCO site
✅ Taj Mahal — UNESCO; architectural features
✅ Mughal garden style — charbagh
🎯 Exam Relevance
UPSC Prelims (3–4 Qs/year)APPSC Group 1 & 2TGPSC Group 1 & 2
📚 Chapter Sub-Topics
Topic 01
Features of Indo-Islamic Architecture
Arch, dome, minaret, calligraphy, geometric patterns; synthesis of Indian and Islamic elements.
Topic 02
Delhi Sultanate Architecture
Slave dynasty — Qutb Minar; Khalji — Alai Darwaza; Tughlaq — Tughlaqabad; Lodi — Lodi Gardens.
Topic 03
Early Mughal Architecture
Babur, Humayun’s Tomb; Akbar — Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Lahore Fort; red sandstone phase.
Topic 04
Taj Mahal & Shah Jahan’s Architecture
Taj Mahal — UNESCO; white marble phase; Red Fort Delhi; Jama Masjid; pietra dura inlay.
Topic 05
Mughal Garden Style & Provincial Architecture
Charbagh layout; Shalimar Bagh; provincial styles — Bengal, Jaunpur, Bijapur, Golconda.
Topic 06
Key Facts & Revision
Complete revision — all medieval monuments, dynasties, UNESCO sites, exam-ready checklist.
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