History of Architecture: Islamic Period

History of Architecture 03

• The lecture covers the History of Architecture 03

The Historical Timeline of Architecture

• The timeline includes Pre-Historic, Egyptian, Near East, Greek, Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine, and Islamic periods.

Islam as a Religion

• Believers submit to God, follow commands, and reject polytheism.
• Islam means "submission" or "surrender."
• A Muslim is one who submits or surrenders.

Background & History: The Spread of Belief

• Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad.
• Mecca, home of the Kaabah, was a 6th-century trade center with powers like the Sassanians, Byzantines, and Ethiopians.
• Around 590, Muhammad worked for Khadijah, a merchant widow, and later married her.
• In his forties, Muhammad meditated in a cave on Mount Hira, just outside Mecca.
• In the cave, the Angel Gabriel ordered Muhammad to "Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created, Created man from a clot of blood." (Quran 96:1-2)
• Muhammad proclaimed Allah as the one god, rejected idol worship in Mecca, and his wife Khadijah was the first to convert to Islam.
• Conversions to Islam were made at the point of the sword
• Following Muhammad's death, the Arab Empire expanded, creating caliphates, and missionary work, particularly by Imams, helped spread Islamic teachings.
• Trading played an important role in the spread of Islam in several parts of the world, the Atlantic, and Pacific Regions, notably southeast Asia.
• Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, considered the word of God (Allah), and the Sunnah, teachings and accounts of Muhammad (c. 570-8 June 632 CE).
• It has over 1.7 billion followers (23% of the global population).
• Muslims believe Islam is the original, universal faith revealed through prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
• Islam upholds that God is one and incomparable, and life's purpose is to worship Him.
• Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, obligatory acts of worship, and Islamic law

Five Pillars of Islam

• Profession of Faith (shahada): declare faith in God and belief in Muhammad.
• Prayer (Salat): Pray five times daily.
• Alms (Zakat): Give to those in need.
• Fasting (sawm).
• Pilgrimage (hajj).

Precedents of Islam

• Islamic architecture parallels Western architecture from the second century BC (Fletcher, 1996).
• Islamic architecture is unique because it's tied to a religion.
• Islamic architecture is a mix of Mediterranean (Greek) and South Central Asian (Middle East) influences.

Mediterranean Influences on Islamic Architecture

• Greek architecture rising in Periclean Athens

South Central Asia Influences on Islamic Architecture

• Achamaenid (1st Persian Empire) traditions with the royal palace of Persepolis.
• Incursions by the Seleucids (Alexander’s Generals) halted native style evolution in Persia until the time of Christ.
• Parthian dynasty (Ancient Iran's Political and Cultural power) allowed the East to confront the West, followed by Roman incursions.
• Trade routes connected skilled people and slaves between empires; creating a channel of influence in the form of Christianity.
• Royal palaces demonstrated an architectural revolution, which provided the basis for much that followed in the Architecture of Islam (the dome and iwan).
• Islamic/Saracenic architecture differs as it's the product of a religion with no Country.
• Domes were typically made of brick with plaster or stone.
• In Spain, brick and plaster were the materials resulting in peculiar decorative surface treatment.
• In Northern and Central India, monumental richness was obtained by the inlay of precious stones.
• Buildings in Eastern/Southern climates have small openings/no large entrances, but monumental entrance gateways evolved in India.

Religious Influence

• In Syria, Persia, Egypt, North Africa, and Spain, independent Caliphs influenced style differences.
• Intricate geometrical decoration (Arabesques) was used, partly influenced by Byzantine art.
• For Muslims, the present was emphasized, leading to transient buildings decorated with pleasing forms, though local conditions and temperament affected treatment.
• Because the Muslims distinguished between the sexes, separate tomb houses were often designed for royal figures

Social and Political Influence

• Subjugation of the world influenced evolution of the style.
• Caliphs were responsible for religious buildings.
• Architecture continually received stimulus from building new capitals.
• Social positions of women influenced planning/design of palaces/houses, isolating the harem.

Historical Influence

• Syria was conquered by the Saracens A.D. 632-639.
• Egypt fell in 638.
• Moors occupied Sicily in the eighth century, grafting their style onto Christian architecture.
• Sicily was recaptured by the Christians in 1090.
• Persia was conquered from A.D. 632-651; the country's architecture was founded on and influenced by the architecture of the Sassanian empire (A.D. 226-641)
• In Turkey, Constantinople was conquered by the Turks in A.D. 1453.
• Which marked the influence of Byzantine on later Saracenic architecture, giving Hagia Sophia as the motif.
• Indian States started to fall into the hands of Islamic invaders in A.D. 1000.
• The Mogul Empire (1526-1857) was founded by Babar
• Shah Jahan erected buildings in North India, forming memorials of the Mogul dynasty as the "Taj Mahal" and the "Pearl Mosque"

Construction Methodologies & Techniques

• Islamic architecture is from conquering diverse territories by conquering and synthesizing styles. (Salvan, 1986)
• Alluvial plains universally used brick-making and mud brick walling.
• The art of selecting and quarrying were well established in the stone-bearing areas.
• Marble was often traded and used for most parts of buildings
• Lime and gypsum were generally used for mortars and plasters.
• Areas rich in building stones had stone roofs/floors/window shutters and structurally tied stone rings in domes.
• Decorative marble slabs, plate traceries, and mosaics were common in buildings.
• Important masonry structures were arched, vaulted, or domed, continuing Byzantine/Roman traditions.
• Voussoirs were used for curved shapes/interlocking guarding against earthquakes.
• Cements/plasters/stucco (plaster decoration) were used for bas-relief carvings and muqarnas technique

Construction Materials

• External surfaces were first colored with mosaic, but later medieval potters produced brilliant colors in glazed earthenware.
• By making or cutting to the necessary shapes tiles of a single color, complex patterns were achieved.
• In 15th-century a firing method was developed which enabled the creation of regular size tiles which bears a printed pattern.
• Wood-working and engineering was used in the earlier period for roofs/domes.
• The Architecture of Islam must be seen as masonry construction where artisans achieved new heights of finish.
• Earthquake gave importance importance resulted in the employment of specialized structural techniques.
• Techniques were used in order to meet climatic conditions which contributed to buildings with small window openings/ wind scoops.

Architectural Character

• Usually Warrior Like; Masculine
• Demands submission; reflects missionary devotion to Allah
• It is Usually Sublte tranquility (e.g. White Mosque, Djerba, Tunisia)

Style characteristics

• Varied nature
• Religious influence with local architecture
• Features pointed/horseshoe arches; calligraphy
• Colored tiles, and floral/onion shaped domes (Qubba).
• Geometric patterns, multi-centered tracery, trefoil
• Minaret and water

Principal Islamic Architectural Typologies

• Mosque.
• Palace
• Houses.
• Tomb.
• Fort.
• Garden.

Islam Architectural elements

• Is also derived and used for other buildings such as public baths, and fountains

Mosque Typology

• Masjid is the Arabic word for Mosque
• Are more internal than external in their architecture, thus resembling the Egyptian temples
• Serve as a place where Muslims come together
• Represent "place of prostration"

Three Common Types of Mosque Planning

• Hypostyle Mosque inspired by the house of Prophet Muhammad

Hypostyle Mosque

• The Great Mosque of Kairouan was built in the ninth century by Ziyadat Allah
• It was Built on a former Byzantine site
• The designers repurposed older materials
• It is a large, rectangular stone mosque with a hypostyle (supported by columns) hall and a large inner sahn (courtyard).
• The three-tiered minaret may have originally been based on the form of ancient Roman lighthouses.
• Interior featuring the forest of columns • The hypostyle plan's forest of columns was used in different mosques to great effect, as is the case with The Great Mosque of Cordoba.

Four-iwan Mosque

• Iwan is A vaulted space that opens on one side to a courtyard.
• Emerged in the 11th Century in Iran.
• Associated with Persian architecture, used in the Islamic era.
• Grew in popularity during the 12th century.
• This Mosque type, the qibla (direction that a muslim should face when praying) iwan, which faces Mecca.
• The four-iwan plan would become a common layout to replace hypostyle.
• The Great Mosque of Isfahan began as hypostyle and was modified after the city's conquest in the 11th century.

Centrally-planned Mosque

• Invented by the Ottoman Architects who were strongly influenced by Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
• Example of Centrally-planned is Mosque of Selim II
• Greatest masterpiece of Ottoman
• Represents a culmination of years of experimentation

Parts of a Mosque (Exterior)

• (Minaret) A slim tower which is a distinctive traditional feature of a mosque.
• The height and shape varies depending on period/ culture.

Dome (Qubba)

• Many mosques are decorated with a dome rooftop, particularly in the Middle East.
• Their interior is decorated with floral, geometric and other Patterns
• Symbol of Heaven.
• Locus of the Divine Throne.

Islamic Architecture - Cupola

• A light structure on a dome or roof, serving as a belfry, lantern, or belvedere
• Lantern are dome-shaped or otherwise, and are located on larger roofs

Islamic Architecture - Courtyard (Sahn)

• Most mosques have a large central sahn.
• It is surrounded by a riwaq arcade.
• Residences often share this design

Islamic Architecture - Fountain (Fawwara or Meda)

• It is located at the center of sahn for the purpose of ablution (ritual washing and spiritual purification before prayer)
• Regarded curative for ills of both body and Spirit; also serves as main town water suply

Islamic Architecture - Iwan

• Vaulted hall or space, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open
• Trademark Architecture of Persia, later adopted in Islamic architecture
• The formal gateway to it is called pishtaq, a Persian term for a portal projecting from the facade of a building.

Parts of Mosque (Interior)

• Prayer Hall aka Musalla (Bare with no furniture, but has Few benches for elderly or disabled)

Prayer Hall

• The walls and pillars have shelves with wooden book stands (rihal), other religious reading material, and prayer rugs.
• Next to it is the Pulpit (Minbar) which is next to mihrab which dates back to the Prophet Muhammad.
• Another feature, more of a custom, is Called to faith by Muezzin.
• Most decorated part of the building, most often with lamps symbolizing it

Dikka

• Raised platform from which reps repeat the imam
• Helps the stages of prayer be transmitted to larger congregations.

Islamic Architecture - Qibla

• Is in the Direction of the prayer with commemorates the presence of the prophet

Examples of Mosques

• The most Sacred is the location of Masjid Al-Haram aka Great Mosque of Mecca
• It is the largest mosque in the world and surrounds Islam's holiest place, the Kaaba, in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Covers an area of 356,800 square metres ( 88.2 acres) It is the point of Hajj location.

Al Kaaba Al Musharrafah

• also called The Holy Kaaba, a building at the center of Islam's most sacred mosque
• it is considered the "House of Allah" With Stone marker " Al Hajar al Aswad. During the Hajj and Umrah, walk around it.

Islamic Architecture - Miscellaneous details during circumambulation

• Kiswa is a black silk and gold curtain which is replaced annually during the Hajj pilgrimage.
• Has scripture from Quran in goldembroidered text. The cleaning of the Kaaba, is done twice a year
• There is Washing of the Kaaba with materials such as the Zamzam, Taif rosewater. Black Stone is on the eastern part

Islamic Architecture - More Examples of Mosques

• Jawatha Mosque is located in the village of Al-Kilabiyah
• The Great Mosque , is located in is known as the Great Mosque of Kufa , which claims to be of the earliest kind

Islamic Architecture - Great Mosque of Samarra

• A ninth-century mosque located in Samarra, Iraq. Includes Al- Mutawakkil Who Reigned. For a brief period it was the largest on Earth. Tower structure features conical with ramp

Ummayad Mosque

• located in Damascus aka located in the old city of Damascus (Syria) and considered a Holy location
• Is the location Of Kaoran Located in the Kaironan Town in Tunisia

Islamic Architecture - Shah Mosque

• The most important Mosque located in the UNESCO Heritage sight of Kairouan
• Known to contain a large number of mosques in both secular and Islamic

Islamic Architecture - Al-Zaytuna Mosque

• The mosque is the oldest in the Capital of Tunisia and covers an , It has 160 authentic columns and has been a popular first university in Islam

Dome of the Rock

• It a shrine with the located on the Ancient Temple Mount
• Completed in was created on and in 691 was erected in a site from Jupiter

Islamic Architectural Palace

• Is Complex in plan and design which adheres to Islamic Rituals and beliefs
• Requires living spots for each gender such that it has Harem – Wives, Concubines, and female servants Dar – Men's apartment Selamuk – Men's guest quarter

Islamic Architecture - Dwelling Houses

• Planned with interior courts on to which the the houses are set on the porticoes. Windows towards the street are barred

Islamic Architecture - Islamic Gardens

• They serve as Cool Place for both Rest and Reflection such that it is of remninder of Paradise.

Types of Islamic Gardens

• Types include Characterbagh, Bustan ,Jannah

Bustan and other Gardens

• A formal Garden with pools and Channel and orchard location with vines.

Islamic Architecture - Ornamentation

• Is Chiefly Surface ornament and regulated. Rules are decided by the Qoraan Where copying is prohibitied

Islamic Architecture - Ornamentation contd

• Ornament is Mnemonically known. Has inscriptions. Consists of inscriptions from the Koran
• There is Always a design and Variety such that variety for each designs.

Straight lines

• There are straight lines that have various junctions such as. The stalacitite ornamentation

Forms of Islamic Architecture

Forms of Islamic Architecture

• A Form of Ottoman art
• After the crossing from the Balkans( South Eastern Empire.
• They were then defeated in I after the WW I By the Aligned Power
• They also underwent Turkish Power and the power of the Seljuk

Architecture

• Was used in many Architectural locations such as in the .
• Bursa Has Byzantine characteristics

Grand mosque Of bursa

• Has its Construction of the Grand Mosque of bursa.
• Is Built and contained by the walls that have designs of Arasque.
• It Also has the mosques in the locations known as Domus where used minarets

Sultan Ahmed Mosque

• Is located in turkey and is known to have the largest mosque location
• It the is the landmark of early Ottoman
• In Inside of it 192 Wall Incriptions

Moorish Architecture

• The Architectural Moorish Culture .
• And It is Known to located in the Iberian Peninsula.
• They Contain Architectural locations such as

Examples of a Arch

• With locations in the Cathodral of Our Lady
• The building is Also where there construction

Alhambra

• Consists of a palace and location in Spain
• First constructed in 889, it was under renovated and renovated

Mughat Art Located in India

• Moughal Art located in India has many uniform structures and buildings
• It is an Amagam and texture of persian and Indian Art

Wagizikiz Khans

• It consists of mosques and their are many construction years from Moughul

Other Art Locations

• Jama Masjid and the Taj mahal
• Other Construction location is the Taj mahal

Lecture covering the history of Islamic architecture. It discusses the origin of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad, and the spread of the religion. Architecture styles from the Islamic period are analyzed.