From the 12th century onwards,Muslims invaders from the north west stayed on to form kingdoms.this resulted in a whole new pahse in the building of monuments whose architectural style was Indo-Islamic.There were innovations in design as well as adaptations of indigenous forms.Also in may cases,temples were converted into mosques creating completely new trends in Islamic structure.Some of the best Islamic monuments are found in India as many on the qualities of Hindu architecture,such as the use of beams and brackets and the strength and grace of the temple art were adopted and adapted.Not only was the fusion of Hindu and Muslim concepts seen in mosques and tombs built out of destroyed temples but also in new monuments built for example at agra,Fatehpur sikri,Delhi and other parts of the country as though the rulers were Muslims,the artisans were Hindu.
Certain new features were however introduced such as spacious halls for prayer and a style of construction based on arches,vaults and domes,minars and minarets.Some interesting innovations were the use of geometric designs for decoration,inlay work with the use of artistic lettering,gilding and painting in mulit-colours,the use of mosaics and designs in coloured stones and pietra dura.Delhi has the best examples of Indo–Islamic architecture.
Pre-Mughal Style
Provincial Style
Southern Style
