Delhi Sultanate: Art and Architecture

11. Which Sultan built Alai Darwaza ? [42ⁿᵈ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Iltutmish
(b) Balban
(c) Alauddin Khalji
(d) Firuz Tughluq

Correct Answer: (c) Alauddin Khalji

Solution:Alai Darwaza was built by Alauddin Khalji. It has a domed entrance which was constructed using red sandstone and is adorned with white marble. It was completed in 1311 AD by Turkish craftsmen. It is one of the first buildings in India in Indo-Islamic architectural style.

12. The Horse-Shoe arch was first introduced in the - [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Tomb of Iltutmish
(b) Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq
(c) Alai Darwaza
(d) Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Correct Answer: (c) Alai Darwaza

Solution:The Horse-Shoe arch was first introduced in the Alai Darwaja. It was built by Alauddin Khalji.

Alai Darwaza is the southern gateway of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in the Qutb complex in Delhi, India.

It is built by Sultan Alauddin Khalji in 1311 and made of red sandstone.

It is a square domed gatehouse with arched entrances and houses a single chamber.

It is made up of a single hall whose interior part measures 34.5 feet and the exterior part measures 56.5 feet.

The height of the dome is 47 feet (14 m). It is the first true dome built in India.
In the year 1993, it is considered as a World Heritage site.

13. Who among the following did not contribute to the construction of Qutb Minar : [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2003, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002]

(a) Qutbuddin Aybak
(b) Iltutmish
(c) Alauddin Khalji
(d) Firuz Shah Tughluq

Correct Answer: (c) Alauddin Khalji

Solution:Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi Sultanate, commenced the construction of Qutb Minar, but could complete only its basement. Which was completed by Iltutmish. In the time of Firozshah Tughlaq, the fourth floor of the Qutb Minar was damanged, on which he got the fifth floor constructed along with the restoration of the fourth floor. Qutb Minar has been named after Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, the famous Sufi saint. Sultan Alauddin Khalji did not contribute in building the Qutb Minar.

14. Who amongst the following Sultans built the fifth storey of Qutb Minar ? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]

(a) Qutbuddin Aybak
(b) Iltutmish
(c) Firuz Shah Tughluq
(d) Sikandar Lodi

Correct Answer: (c) Firuz Shah Tughluq

Solution:Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi Sultanate, commenced the construction of Qutb Minar, but could complete only its basement. Which was completed by Iltutmish. In the time of Firozshah Tughlaq, the fourth floor of the Qutb Minar was damanged, on which he got the fifth floor constructed along with the restoration of the fourth floor. Qutb Minar has been named after Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, the famous Sufi saint. Sultan Alauddin Khalji did not contribute in building the Qutb Minar.

15. Consider the following statements about Minars (Tower) of middle India. [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(1) The Qutub Minar, built in the Thirteenth century, is a 180-feet-high tapering tower divided into five storeys.

(2) Chand Minar, built in the fifteenth century, is a 210-feet-high tapering tower divided into four storeys.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct ?

(a) (1) only
(b) (2) only
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (b) (2) only

Solution:The Qutub Minar, built in the thirteenth century, is a 238 feet (72.5 M) high tapering tower divided into five storeys. The minar is a mix of polygonal and circular shapes. It is largely built of red and buff sandstone with some use of marble in the upper storey.

Chnad Minar, built in the fifteenth century, is a 210 feet high tapering tower divided into four storyes. Painted Peach now, its facade once boasted of chevron patterning on the encausting tile work and bold bands of Quranic verses.