9.1.3 Tughlaqs

Figure 10 Alai Darwaza

Arch of this period is heavy, massive, rugged and simple. They used grey sandstone and employed minimum decoration. This period was called as ‘crisis period of architecture’ because focus was on strength rather than beauty. Hence, they introduced the concept of slopping walls known as “Battar”, combining the principles of arch and the lintel. To a certain extent the Hindu trabeated construction is still used; there are false arches and the dome is a typical importation from Syria and Byzantine.