In the pre-Mughal period,the earlies Muslim monuments were built by the Slave dynasty.These show predominant Hindu influence as the first Muslim in India the Quwwatu’l-Islam mosque in the Qutb complex was built with the spoils of Hindu and Jain temples.Similarly in Sultan Ghair’s tomb at Delhi, the earliest Muslim Tomb,the destroyed remains of ancient temples have been used and hindu principles of architecture utilized.
The Khiljis on the other hand,built Jama’at Khana Masjid at Delhi fully on Muslim lines,the first such building in India.Alai Darwaza of this dynasty is considered a gem of Indo-Islamic art,with the pleasing effect of red sandstone and marble.The monuments of Tughlaq dynasty show the severe simplicity and puritanical approach of the rulers.Some of the later buildings as at Hauz Khas in Delhi,combine Hindu columns with the Muslim arch.
The Sayyids of the 15th century used enamelled tile-decorations in their tombs as also lotus end-decorations and other Hindu motifs.In the Lodi period,the double-dome,later seen in the Mughal style was introduced form the first time with its origins possibly in Syria.The Suri style seen in Delhi and at Sasaram in Bihar was a precursor of the Mughal style.
