Question

5. How were the forts built during the Mughal Period different from those built during the Sultanate?​

Answer 1

Answer:

The first major difference between the two is the asthetics of the buildings, starting from the stone used in construction. Delhi sultanate used the local stones, mostly from nearby Aravalis, the Mughals were partial to Red Sandstone, hence the Mughal forts, and buildings look more beautiful ( Humanyun' s Tomb[1], Red Fort both in Delhi and Agra)

The Mughal buildings also have more intricate Kalamkari work with influences from central Asia and Persia. Compared to the same the Delhi Sultanate buildings are more bland.

Mughals also built most of their buildings, (though not all) from ground up, while a lot of Delhi Sultanate buildings were used from rubble of the buildings they destroyed. Hence you can clearly see a lot of earlier stones being used in Qutub Complex, that clearly show the remains of earlier temples in them.

Based on my visit to Qutub Complex recently here are a few more observations. The Delhi Sultanate was the first place a “ True Arch “ was used in India ( at least the one that still survives ) at the tomb of Sultan Balban. At this tomb you can see both the first true arch found in India and the Indian style of making arch that was used in Indian Architecture