Survey of Iranian Influences in Indian Funerary Architecture under the Sultanate of Delhi

According to many researchers, the tomb of Rukn-i Alam, built by the Tughluqs, is the first among Indian mausoleums to start an architectural tradition which reached its glory in the Taj Mahal. Much research has been done on the impacts of Iranian architecture on Indian monuments especially the Taj Mahal, but further discussions is needed on the impacts of Iranian funerary architecture on early Indian tombs, as they constitute the model for later mausoleums. The tomb of Sufi Rukn-i Alam in Multan is among the earliest mausoleums in India built under the Taghluq dynasty, and features many aspects of Iranian architecture. The aim of this paper is to explore in it influences of Iranian funerary architecture. According to the results of the research, these influences can be summarized in the following four cases: 1. Plan geometry; 2. Usage of turrets and symbolic cupolas encircling the dome; 3. Transition from the octagonal plan to the circular base of the dome; 4. Materials and geometric ornamental patterns. Also, the three most influential mausoleums from Iran can be named as the tomb of Amir Ismail Samani, the tomb-towers of Kharaghan, and the mausoleum of Uljaytu at Sultania. The descriptive-analytical approach was used in the research, and a deductive approach, in the comparative study.