2. Monuments

The Sultans of Delhi pioneered a new architectural style. The key features of the temples they designed were arches, domes, and minarets. The  inscriptions of such monuments contain a wealth of details that can be used to piece together history. The medieval Khajuraho monuments in Madhya Pradesh and temples in Konark (Odisha) and Dilwara (Mt.Abu, Rajasthan) are important sources for understanding northern India's religion-centred cultural evolution.

 

 

 

Temples symbolise the magnificent structures constructed by the Later Cholas in Tamil Nadu in Thanjavur (Brihadeshwara temple), Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Darasuram.

 

 

The Vijayanagara rulers contribution is also commemorated at Hampi's Vitala and Virupaksha temples (15th century).

 

 

The important medieval mosques include Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, Moth-ki-Masjid, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri Dargah (all in and around Delhi), and Charminar (Hyderabad).
Agra Fort, Chittor Fort, Gwalior Fort, and Delhi Red Fort, as well as the forts of Daulatabad (Aurangabad) and Firoz Shah Kotla, are historical forts (Delhi).

 

The Rajput dynasty exercised immense influence from these cities, as evidenced by Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur.

 

Other notable institutions recognised as valuable sources of knowledge include the Qutb Minar and Alai-Darwaza and the tombs of Iltutmish, Balban, and all the Mughal rulers. Cities in ruins like Firozabad and Tughlaqabad in north India, and Hampi in South India, are rich repositories of medieval India's history.