HistoryMedieval India: An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara

A building style used arches and domes on gateways, as at Vijayanagar…

A building style used arches and domes on gateways, as at Vijayanagara, and grew continually through interaction with local building practices in different regions. What do art historians call this style?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → Indo-Islamic

Option (1) Nagara — Incorrect. Nagara is the north Indian temple style, known for its curved towers. Arches and domes came with the Turkish Sultans.

Option (2) Indo-Saracenic — Incorrect. Indo-Saracenic is a much later style of colonial buildings. It came centuries after these Vijayanagara gateways.

Option (3) Dravida — Incorrect. Dravida is the south Indian temple style with tall gopurams. It has no arch and dome of this kind.

Option (4) Indo-Islamic — Correct. Art historians call it Indo-Islamic. It began with the arch and dome of the Turkish Sultans and grew through interaction with local building practices.

NCERT (2026-27): “3.2 Fortifications and roads …
The arch on the gateway leading into the fortified settlement as well as the dome over the gate (Fig. 7.6) are regarded as typical features of the architecture introduced by the Turkish Sultans. Art historians refer to this style as Indo-Islamic, as it grew continually through interaction with local building practices in different regions.”