Alai Darwaza

Delhi, India

A red sandstone and marble gateway that is considered the first true example of Islamic architecture in India — breaking from the earlier practice of reusing temple materials to create a purely Islamic form.

Historical Context

Sultan Alauddin Khalji, one of the most powerful rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, built this gateway as a southern entrance to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. It was intended as part of a much larger expansion that was never completed.