[Solved] Qila-i-Kuhna: The Mosque of Sher Shah Suri | Concept & Explanation

Which one of the following is a monument constructed by Shershah?

[UPSC CSE Pre 1993]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Sher Shah Suri was not just a brilliant administrator and warrior; he was a significant patron of architecture. His buildings represent a transition from the heavy Lodi style to the refined Mughal aesthetics.

Authentic Source Evidence

Sher Shah Suri built the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid (Mosque of the Old Fort) in 1541 within the Purana Qila complex in Delhi. This mosque is famous for its intricate five-bay design and represents the peak of pre-Mughal architectural elegance.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Atala Masjid was built by the Sharqi rulers of Jaunpur. Quwwat-ul-Islam was built by the early Slave dynasty (Qutb-ud-din Aibak).

Logic 2: Bara Sona Masjid belongs to the Bengal Sultanate (Nusrat Shah). Only Qila-i-Kuhna is a direct work of Sher Shah Suri in Delhi.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Where is Sher Shah Suri's tomb located and why is it unique?"

It is in Sasaram, Bihar, and is unique for being a massive sandstone structure built in the middle of an artificial lake.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The Qila-i-Kuhna mosque serves as a 'stylistic bridge,' showing that the Mughals inherited and refined many architectural ideas from the Suri dynasty."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Purana Qila 3

Analysing authentic UPSC CSE Preprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Indo-Islamic Architecture helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Qila-i-Kuhna and Sher Shah Suri builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →