Question

The earliest and most interesting example of Islamic architecture in India was the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. What was the original construction at the site of this mosque?

• A. A Jain temple
• B. A tenth century Chauhan temple dedicated to Vishnu
• C. A Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

A Jain temple

Quwwat-ul-Islam, the first mosque in Delhi was built by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak, the founder of the Slave dynasty. It is the oldest existing example of Islamic architecture in India. According to Persian inscriptions on the inner gateway, the mosque was built by the parts taken from the destruction of Jain temples existed there.