Asia/Islam: Terms 2019
Mihrab
(Islam) a niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca; usually elaborately decorated with relief carvings (arabesque design) and calligraphy from the Koran.
Qutb Complex
(after 3rd expansion by sultan Alauddin Khalji) -Delhi Sultanate, 1192-1451 CE
Khwabgah, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85
- Akbar's private Quarters -"Dream bedroom" - meant to be painted - make reference to akbar as the adorner of hindustan - trabeate architecture and paviliona
Pachisi Court, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85
- red and white squares - stone raised in the center marks the center of the game -a Game of Dye - moving humans as game pieces
Alai Minar
-Alauddin Khalji (r. 1296-1316) Builds new Minar to rival the older one at Qutb Complex: never completed -We have the base : 80ft tall - Abandoned
Diwan-i-Khas
Hall of Private Audience (reserved for men)
Mandala
Hindu and Buddhist concept, connoted axis mundi or world axis
Mosque
Islamic house of worship - The hypostyle mosque --Inner courtyard --Covered prayer hall (collonnades) --Qibla wall --Some private rooms
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid: the great mosque on the site of Fatephur Sikri -Place for reflection spiritual retreat and ritual activities -Includes western prayer hall, and large Buland Darwazaa as an entrance for administrators and wealthy people -Had underground reservoirs - important as it has no direct flow of water -Lake that is was in - has since dried up
Chakravartin
Literally "turner of the wheel," world conqueror or ideal universal ruler
Sanchi, India
Location of Great Stupa - 300bce-1400bce -Founded by Mauryan emperor Asoka In Madya Pradesh, india -Stupa is a relequary -Seen as an embodiment of the Buddha -The Great Stupa c. 50 BCE - 50CE: A clod of earth the rises to the surface of body of water and pegged down by a deity and produces all forms of life -Circumambulation of required Pan-Indian imagery at Sanchi -Rondells that have animals such as peacocks and snake kings -Also a Yakshi: and womaly figure - fertility and wealth -Gateway: the great departure story of the Buddha
Khajuraho
Madhya Pradesh, 10th-11th centuries CE -Originally part of complex of 80 temples --Today 25 still stand -Vishvanatha Temple ---Dedicated to Shiva Built around a shrine 1000 ce ----North indian temple style --- On top of high plinth ---Surrounded by 4 small shines ---Inner chamer and 3 pillared roofs ---Towers of temple suggest the mountains of the himalayas where Shiva was born and the central Axis of the universe ---Elaborately decorated: Relief carving is pronounced all of the temple Sensual/explicit and erotic imagery - caused a large issue in colonial period ---Personifications of unity with the divine and is part of a larger ideological attainment towards a divine balance
Qutb Minar
Minar at Qutb - c. 1192 (239.5 ft tall) -Stories added over time by other Sultans -Lower 3 stories have cylindrical shafts and sandstone -4th story has marble -And other stories have a mix of both -Has spiral staircase up to the top -Exterior of Minar at Qutb complex: intricate Quran inscriptions and contains urgent appeals to those who are not muslim to urge them to join the faith
Mardana
The minstrel - specified gendered spacing of sacred spaces: only for men
Vedas
the most ancient hindu scriptures, written in sanskrit, contain hymns, philosophy and guidance on ritual practice for Hindu priests (revealed to high priests by Braman)
Akbarnama
the official chronicle of the reign of Akbar, the third Mughal Emperor (historical diary of the Emperor)
Trabeated System
the post and beam system.
Chajja
the projecting or overhanging eaves or cover of a roof, usually supported on large carved brackets.
Alauddin Khalji
the second and the most powerful ruler of the Khalji dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate in the Indian subcontinent
Adham Khan is thrown to his death from the Palace Walls at Agrain 1562, Opaque Watercolor and gold on paper, c. 1590-95
- in Akbarnama - by Miskina and Shankar - depicts a event of the Emperor punishing a member of his court because he always disagreed with Akbar -depicts the Mughal emperor as unbothered by the punishment and death of his courtier (punishment is a necessity for the emperor to portray his Physical power as well as Divine power -shows architecture as being depicted in a stylized and complex way
Karkhana, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85 (Mint)
-Large open spaces -No direct evidence linking structure to the Karkhana --Still speculative
Char-Bagh
-quadrilateral garden, laid out with axial paths that intersect at the garden's center, meant to invoke the four gardens of paradise mentioned in the Quran -AKA Four Plot Plan
Daftar Khana, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85
-record office -Small room with a large open window (used by Akbar as a Juroka)
Iltutmish
A 13th century Islamic ruler, founder of the Delhi Sultanate in India (ruled from 1211-1236)
Purana Qila
Delhi, Mughal Empire, c. 1533 -Site of Hindu Epic: the Mahabarata -Using sacred space as a affirmation of victory and rule -Akbar builds Humayuns tomb near the Purana Qila -Walls (bastions/Crenellations) completed by 1534 -Bada Darwaza western gate Balconies in Indic form used by Mughals integrated into the structures of mosques -Talaaqi darwaza in north Inlay and floral or animal imagery embellishes structure -Humayun's Darwaza (south) large monumental gate -Some believe that mosque was built in Humayun's years of exile -Said to be library where Humayun fell to his death
Akbar
Most illustrious sultan of the Mughal Empire in India (r. 1556-1605). He expanded the empire and pursued a policy of conciliation with Hindus / as well as created a tolerance of painting and visual representation in the world of Islam.
Kabul Bagh Mosque
Panipat, India, Mughal Empire, c. 1527-28 -Built in final years of Babur's reign -Not much evident of his patronizing religious structures -Don't see attention to Mosque architecture - until after the defeat of Panipat -Finished by 1528 -Has a dome, qibla wall, octagonal tower, northern entrance -Scale of mosque was meant to dominate the complex even with elaborate gardens -2 side aisles surmounted by smaller domes -Brick construction is heavy stucco veneer -NW SW corners had octagonal towers - Chattri: translates to "canopy" or "Umbrella", and elevated, dome-shaped pavilions used in Indian architecture -Prayer Chamber: has epigraph with Koranic inscriptions talking of paradise and heavenly bliss - inlayed with black stone on red and white background of qibla wall -Arch netting in the pendentives and ceiling of domes -Entrance gate: monumental gateway having sultanate decoration and usher you in and prepare you for the dome and mosque in the complex -Fortified complex -Prayer chamber modeled after Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Stables, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85
Possibly used for elephants - due to the organization and the size of the structure - 4 iwan plan: but with three walls that contain a pillared hall - acting as the dividers of space for the possible stables
Humayun
The son and successor of Babur. He was intelligent but lazy. He lacked the will to gain the loyalty of his subjects and consolidate his father's conquests. He was exiled to Persia for 16 years but returned and reconquered Delhi. He died from a fall after smoking too much opium.
Razmnama
book of war, persian translation of the Sanskrit epic of the Mahabarata
Kitaab Khana
book workshop
Hamza Kills the Demoness Qamir, Hamzanama Manuscript, Painting on Cotton, c. 1562-77
dynamic composition -evidence of appropriation of forms (ex: chinese stylized clouds)
Qutb al-Din Aibek
first sultan of india and starts the Mamluk dynasty
Haathi Darwazaa, Fatehpur Sikri, India, c. 1571-85
"Elephant Gate" - Royal entrance at Fatehpur Sikri - elephants would proceed through the gate as well - repeatedly mentioned in the Akbarnama - intelligent and strong creatures only controlled by wise and strong men
Minar-i-Zarrin
( The Golden Minar),Firozabad, Tughlaq Dynasty, Delhi Sultanate, c. 1367 -Portrays a willingness to hybridize Hindu aesthetics and Islamic politics and religion -3 storied stepped structure built to support a long and slender central column -Almost a stepped pyramid but not pointed at the top -Many rooms and passages inside -8 domed pavilions and at each of the 4 corners -there was a sculpture of a lion to represent the royal and powerful men that run it -Very different than other Islamic structures -Could be a departure of islamic architecture and try new things -Could be recalling the cosmic mountain of the Himalayas in Hindu religion -Pillars are important: expand empire and spread doctrines / symbols of Islamic conquest in India
Iltumish's Tomb
-next to the Quwwat al-Islam mosque -He comissions his tomb in 1235 -Square plan with circular dome on top -Gateway is elaborately decorated and includes arabesque and floral motifs and calligraphy -Lotus flower as well : pan indian imagery that is making its way into the Islamic world of Art -Corbelled arch : false arch - created by stacking horizontal bricks that slightly jut out from the one underneath -Interior: Quranic inscription is on every wall and surface Meant to recall the heavens
Birbal's House, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85
Contains several preislamic decoratiive element -Commander of army --One of akbars closest confidants - died in battle -Not clear if it was actually his house or not -Located within the space of the Zenana - unclear as to why akbar would house him so close to his empirical women -Carved ornamentation - shows that he was a Hindu Brahman -Multiple single domes -Strong trabeated structure -Pronounced chuttra -Pronounced lotus imagery and elaborate relief work on the exterior --Almost emulating the embroidery of textiles -Interior: covered with geometrical forms and lotus roundels and interlocking geometrical patterns Incorporated in : 8 pointed star and Hindu Swastika (wealth and good fortune) (arms point clockwise)
Daftar Khana
Record Keeping Office
Din-i-Ilahi
Religion initiated by Akbar in Mughal India; blended elements of the many faiths of the subcontinent; key to efforts to reconcile Hindus and Muslims in India, but failed.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq
a Turkic Muslim ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty, who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388.
Muqarna
a decoration often applied in Islamic buildings to domes, niches, capitals, or vaults. ornamented or -Honeycombed vaulting, often serves as transition between walls of a room and a domed ceiling
Ain-i-Akbari
a detailed description of the administrative departments of Akbar's reign, written c.1590 by his close friend and advisor, Abul Fazl.
Ain-i Akbari
a detailed description of the administrative departments of Akbar's reign, written c.1590 by his close friend and advisor, Abul Fazl. - "there are many that hate painting; but such men i dislike" - Ain-i-Akbari - talks of painting as a higher way of communicating with god - because when painting human forms and natural forms one must have to think of God and therefore it makes them more wise.
Timurnama
a history of Timur and his descendants till the time of Akbar (These texts were greatly illustrated)
Chamfer
an angled cut made across the corner of a material, to remove the 90 degree edge
calligraphy
art of beautiful handwriting
Buland Darwazaa
(gate of Victory) -commemorates Akbars political campaign in 1570s -Covered in marble slabs inscribed with Koranic inscriptions that promise paradise to the true believers of Islam -Enormous in size
Panch Mahal, Fathepur Sikri, india, 1571-85
- " five tiered palace" - small palace complex -Imperial Harem or Zenana -His wives and daughters - heavily guarded and only very trusted people are granted access -Pleasure pavilion -Would have been adorned with Jali Screens and having elaborate textiles -Likely painted -Likely mechanisms that would hang textiles are located in the halls of the pavilion -From top of structure you can view the whole complex
Jodh Bai's Palace, Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85
-Situated in proximity of Jama Masjid -Largest palace in complex -Principle residence of Akbar's Zenana --9-10 ives housed with their entire retenue - entire imperial Harem -Jodh - one of hindu wives of Akbar - gets her own space -Façade gives structure a restricted nature -4 iwan plan : 4 halls that are columned -But not a mosque or tomb; being used in a residential function - shows the evolution of islamic architecture -Chuttri's and pronounced Chudjja's and elaborate brackets and pronounced jarocha's used as a decorative function (in relief) - emulate the hindu shrine or alter -Trabeated rooms -Interior: restricted with window-like indentations (Jurroka's) that emulate a ritual space for Hindus (allowed to practice their own religions even though they are married to an islamic ruler)
Amir Fights the Dragon, 1562-77
-from the Hamzanama -Energy of canvas is intense -Raw energy is indicative of early Akbari painting -Peripheral figures: attention to individual faces with separate reactions -Beginnings of perspectival space and two clear divides in the narrative and a new articulation of architecture (aspiring to a realistic depiction of space) -In a way the position or separation of registers is inviting me into the scene but also including me in the story and making an emphasis of who is the star of the narrative -Fusing different cultural elements into one cohesive style (Chinese dragon) -Finding ways to be culturally diverse for the cultural population of india
Kaaba
A black stone building in Mecca that is shaped like a cube and that is the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine - where Muhammad removed the rest of the ancient idols and deemed the holiest place on Earth. (active today: circumambulation)
Birbal
Commander of army --One of akbars closest confidants - died in battle
Mughal Empire
Muslim state (1526-1857) exercising dominion over most of India in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, until defeated by the British during colonial era. (Babur conquers Delhi in 1526, establishes the Mughal Empire; The Mughals claim to be descendants of both Timur and Genghis Khan)
The Delhi Sultinate
The sultanate period 1192-1526 -Comprised of successive Turko-Afgan regimes / Dynasties Conquered existing Hindu kingdoms in Northern India (8th-12th centuries) --Established military control over northern India, periodically extended southward --Muslim Rulers of Delhi sultanate were NOT religious leaders --Turko-Afgan Regimes brought persian language to India --Turko-Afgan Regimes also brought mounted warfare, new cropping patterns, and new irrigation techniques, urban growth and new trade patterns --Turko-Afgan regimes fostered extremely pluralistic societies in India
Salim Chishti's Tomb
Tomb of Salim Chishti: single domed structure in white marble with an enclosed corridor for circumambulations -Has elaborately carved screens all around the hall for natural light -Tomb had political function - means of asserting authority over the Chishti's order
Arabesque design
a kind of decoration of intertwining flowers, outlining the areas above arches, or used to fill space.
Nine-Fold Plan
a type of floor plan consisting on a central (domed) hall, surrounded by 8 rooms; originated with the Timurid Empire, and adapted by Mughals in India
Abul Fazl
author of the Akbarnama / Ain-i-Akbari and personal record keeper for the Emperor under Akbar
Alai Darwazaa
c. 1311 CE -Back entrance to the Qutb complex -Red sandstone and marble -Square plan and circular domes -Lotus rondells and elaborate screen door carving with geometric shapes and arabesques forms -True arch in this tomb - no trabiate construction - archway that supports itself from within the architecture -Transition from a square plan (misleading) to a room of an octagonal shape that supports a circular dome (8 sides: speaks to the paradise imagery of the Quran)
Abu'l Faz'l Presents Akbar with the 2nd Vol of the Emperor's Biography, Akbarnama Manuscript, Ink and Gold on Paper, c. 1603-05
focus on architectural spaces -red sandstone -emphasis on the Mughal presence in India
Babur
founder of Mughal dynasty in India; descended from Turkic warriors; first led invasion of India in 1526; died in 1530.
Anup Talao - Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-1585
have base of pavilion - connected to pools: 4 edges by stone flanks - a place where Akbar would have serious discussions with his court or administrative law
Ibadat Khana
house of worship, to facilitate religious discussion among Muslims, Brahmins, Jains and Jesuit priests
Khwabgah
means "dream Bedroom" in arabic
Jodh Bai
one of many wives of Akbar - has own palace at Fatehpur Sikri - hindu woman
Hiran Minar, Fatehpur Sikri, India, c. 1571-85
- Minarette spiked with stone projections - "Hunting Minar" mile post - not sure of the function
Five Pillars of Islam
- Shahada: there is no god but God, and Muhammad is his messenger - Salat: prayer 5X a day - Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy. - Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan. - Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca.
Sher Mandal
- c.1533 (upper story in cruciform interior) (axial passageways and connected by ambulatory around the structure) -Use of early sandstone from Delhi sultanate -Increase in relief work and attention to ornamentation of structure (every inch was touched with a decorative element -Chajja: projecting eaves
Akbar Kills A Tigress Defending Her Offspring Near the Fort of Narwar in 1561, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, c. 1590-95
- in Akbarnama - by Basawan with Sarwan and Tara the Elder - represents Akbar as a Brave ans noble leader -shows the importance of Akbar being able to conquer nature (untamable) - busy / energetic scene in typical of Akbar's mughal style - an attempt at a naturalistic landscape and flora and fauna
Diwan-i-Aam, Fatehpur Sikri, India, c. 1571-85
- public audience hall -where the emperor would present himself to the public - on a road that is leading out of Fatehpur Sikri that was lined with shops and markets -subjects would have been facing the direction of the qibla wall when looking up at the Veranda (royal pavilion) facing west - the emperor enshrining himself as the qibla of the state.
Diwan-I Khas. Fatehpur Sikri, India, 1571-85
- reserved for male courtiers and off limits to women - private sector for administrative use -private audience hall -Location behind Diwan-i-aam indicated it was used as a private hall for akbar -Trabieated arhitecture -Post and lintel archways drawn from pre islamic architecture -Faced with red sandstone -Continued use of Chutri's -Projecting eaves and very pronounced brackets (indic feature) -Balcony allows for circumambulation -Square turns to illusions circular space with a large pillar in the center (divides into stories) -Presumes sultanate architecture -Can stand in center of pillar on second floor -Because of the square vs. circular spatial formation of the space --He who sits at the center of the mandala - represents universal power --Central pillar is personification of Akbar -May have been the place of Akbar's "Ibadat Khana" ---Divine house of worship Din-i-ilahi: or divine faith; elite eclectic religion consecrated by Akbar in 1582; connotes a series of teachings that grew from akbar's discussions with learned men of varying faiths (islam, Hindu, christianity, etc.)(look at the slides for week 4 to get full definition)
Akbar Rides the Elephant Hawai in 1561, Opaque Watercolor and gold on paper, c. 1586-89
-Folio from Akbarmana by Basawan -Story of the Elephant Hawai -Akbar as a feirce hunter and his minister(Ataga Khan) as a weak man begging Akbar to stop fighting Elephants for his safety -People are begging akbar to stop and be aware of his importance in the Empire -River is turbulent (Yamuna River) -Ran Bagha gets past Hawai and attempts to get away while Akbar follows him - determined to defeat Ran Bagha -Different articulations of architecture - evidence that these were done by different groups of artists. -No match for akbar - looks steady and in control of the uncontrollable -Meant to leave the reader with the impression of Akbar being able to move freely between earlthy and spiritual realms -Copies were circulated throughout the Mughal courts:they commissioned copies of the illustrations in order to own it -Scenes include: royal Hunt, treachery, tales of the Elephant Hawai
Tazvir Khana
-painting workshop Large in size -Developed bureacracy of its own that deemed what was acceptable for the ruler -Indicate the multiple divisions of labor going into the production of a single manuscript or painting -Calligraphy done first then the illustrations and teams of painters were able to complete it as lead by the high artist -Variety of artists working on illustrations 50 artists by 1585 to 130 artists by 1600 -Massive quantities of work that were produced: translations, manuscripts, illustrations and singular paintings
Akbarnama (Book of Akbar)
-subjective history in favor of Akbar the Dvine Emperor of the Mughal Empire -Contains 3 volumes of text -Images of him as military leader and as intelligent -scholarly character fuels the rumor of Akbar as a Divine and great Emperor -Embraces mix of painting styles;persian / indian / western forms -Emphasis on narrative and portraiture Later in his reign; an appeal to naturalism and truth -Key commissions: Hamzanama and Akbarnama -Contains three volumes of text; multiple versions were commissioned for illustration between 1590-1605 -Gives biased history of the rule of Akbar -Extreme historical accuracy by Abu'l Fazl leads scholars to use it as a primary source -Replaces the calender of Mughal india --Shows his power to be able to restructure time
Hamzanama
-the adventures of Amir Hamza, relative to Prophet Muhammad (uncle) - one of first books commissioned by Akbar in his reign - Persian cycle of stories originated in Iran in 11th century -Combat enemies and obstacles: mythical creatures, enemies, and hunting game -Mughal comic book: meant to entertain the readers -Appealed to the young Akbar because of its entertainment value and the ways that Hamza is combating good vs. evil -Each painting is painted on cotton backed with paper - Done in free hand: the calligraphy is complex and unique -Images are from collections of Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Original likely had 1400 illustrations and we only have 200 of them left today - Extensive areas of tearing scorching and even iconoclasm from other cultures erasing the faces and the figures of animals -Depictions of mythical beasts that originate from different cultures (i.e., chinese dragons/clouds, mythical beasts from Greek mythology and Indic forms) --Exposed to theses because of book s that they look at but because of military conquest
Ajanta
200BC-480 CE -Best example of rock cut architecture -28 man made hand cut caves -Maharashtra India -Monasteries and prayer halls that are decorated with extensive reliefs and paintings -Extremely decorated from head to toe and not well lit -Mural Paintings: mixture or pigmant, clay, cow dung and wet clay -Importance of paintings are precursor to the formation of miniature paintings and form as of larger buddhist paintings -Scenes from time as prince to denouncing his royalness and becoming the buddha -Both buddhist and hindu forms that intermingled with eachother -Influenced a lot of architecture and rock cut architecture in the wider context of pan indian architecture
Indus Civilization
2600-1900 BCE -AKA Harappan civilization -Islam arrives in 7th century CE -Ancient cities include: Harappa and Mohanjo Darro (large cities and sophisticated grid architecture plan, private houses with courtyards, elevated areas made of brick above flood plain - possible ritual places or spaces for politics) -The great Bath - Mohenjo darro Baked brick Urban plan --Systemized use of different sized brick --Sophisticated organization Not sure of function - definitely bathing (is it ritualistic? Political?) -Not sure of indus religion -Cant be narrowed down by art history and forms of art and sculpture found at the site -Sculptural work: mostly terracotta/bronze --Priest King c. 2200-1900BCE ----Reveals cultural dialog ----Floral forms of clothing --Dancing Girl, c.2500 BCE ----Striking nudity ----Long,thick pipe-like legs and arms ----Speculating that she is dancing
Salim Chisti
A Sufi saint of the Chishti Order during the Mughal Empire in South Asia. His tomb is one of the finest mughal pieces of architecture. Told Akbar that he would have a son - Jahangir.
Fatepur Sikri
Akbar moves capital at Agra to Fatehpur Sikri because after his visit his Wife became pregnant with his son (Jahangir) and in order to please the Sufi saints that he prayed to for a son, he built his capital there - A top a rocky ridge with a palace and empirical retreat -Made of sandstone -Do not know the function of the structures and likely adaptable rooms and buildings -Noble dwellings, a great mosque, baths, bazaars, school, imperial palace and gardens
Humayun's Tomb (mausoleum)
Kachpura, Agra, c. 1530-31 -Across river from Taj Mahal -Built in Timurid style architecture -Marking his succession to the throne by building religious architecture -Possibly on the site of famous garden built by babur -Likely location of Humayun's court until old court in Delhi was completed -Central domed chamber, monumental pishtaq, chamber flanked by side aisles -Indicated use of arch netting and decorative features seen in central asian mosques -In ruins and impossible to trace if there was enclosure
Humayun's Tomb (1570)
Located near shrine of Sufi saint - active area of building -Enter complex from Westside:through monumental gate (pishtaq) with white marble inlay and sandstone -Recalls monumental forms of tombs in central asia (Pirana ) -West darwazza is perfectly alligned with the tomb -Axial structure: Char-Bagh: quadrilateral garden, laid out with axial paths that intersect at the garden's center, meant to invoke the four gardens of paradise mentioned in the Koran -Serves to draw you into and up the structure -Made of red sandstone but built around a rubble core -Resting an a monumental plinth made up of 56 cells containing more than 100 gravestones around the structure ---Possible dynastic tomb as there are spaces for other burials -4 entrances on the cardinal directions -Steep staircase that takes you to the tomb of Humayun -Dark and narrow tunnels that lead you to the emperors tomb -When emerging from the tunnels, the sunlight shines through the tomb and reflects off of the marble inlay -Use of light is important characteristic of structure -Chamfer: an angled cut made across the corner of a material, to remove the 90 degree edge ---Heaven has 8 gates and 8 spaces: octagonal form of the building connects with the 8 gates of heaven ---Nine-fold plan: a type of floor plan consisting on a central (domed) hall, surrounded by 8 rooms; originated with the Timurid Empire, and adapted by Mughals in India -Layered paradise imagery with the chamfered corners, and nine-fold plan -Radially symmetrical -Dramatic garden -Largeness of site connects Akbar's grandeur to it -Tomb marks the ascension of the Mughal state under Akbar -Double domed: has larger dome built on top in order to reinforce the monumentality of the site -Red sandstone symbolizes Akbar's Indian assimilations -Abandoned in early 15th century but revived by the Mughals -To link rule of Mughal empire with the beginnings of islamic rule more broadly in India Indic-islamic fusion -Interior: central octagonal shaped chamber with two floors -Made for circumambulation -Largely white marble inlay in the central chamber with 3 screens that also work as Mihrabs (which reflect the sun onto the sarcophogi of humayun) -6 pointed stars: used as isolated motif associated with Humayun and therefor the larger Mughal Empire -Likely auspicious symbol of Islamic rule and faith (associated with astronomy) -Interior dome: largely white marble and arch-netted ceilings ---Absence of inscriptions: possibly due to Akbar's illiteracy? ---Rather simple in comparison to Taj Mahal or other known islamic style structures
Quwwat al-Islam Mosque
Mosque in the center of the Qutb complex -Qutb-al-din Aibek is first sultan of india and starts the Mamluk dynasty -Became means to promote himself as leader and the religion as superior -Standard hypostyle mosque:central courtyard, covered prayer halls -Begin to see low domes and post and lintel form because masons were indian and not familiar in trabiated construction styles -Continuation of indigenous practices but applied to islamic architecture -Built over the foundations of a hindu temple: 4th century iron pillar that still stands and is aligned with the opened arch behind it -Topped with an image of Vishnu -Commemorative pillar commemorating a hindu king -Associated islam with pre islamic past of india but also portrays their supremacy over all others -Constructed with the remains of over 27 temples -Most evident in the pillars of the prayer halls - celestial female figures and floral motifs and lotus pedals (1192) -Aibeck commissiones a "screen" of arches with flattened decorative patterns and koranic inscriptions intermingled with floral patterns ---Inscriptions reaffirm the power of god and the obligations of humankind to obey and submit to god
Din-i-Ilahi
or divine faith; elite eclectic religion consecrated by Akbar in 1582; connotes a series of teachings that grew from akbar's discussions with learned men of varying faiths (islam,hindu, chrictianity, etc.)
Karkhana
painting workshops -Largest at Fatehpur Sikri -Larger attempt to implement artistic reform
Pishtaq
portal projecting from the façade of a building --Replication of archways and bring forms to india
Diwan-i-Aam
public audience hall
Iwan
rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides with one end open
Amir Hamza
relative to Prophet Muhammad (uncle)
Manohar, Jahangir Receiving Qutb ad-Din Khan Koka, Opaque Watercolor on Ppaer, c. 1605-27
shows a delicacy of painting that was enforced during Jahangir's reign -shows that the Emperor had an affinity towards painting, having once stated that he could name the artist by just glancing at a painting.
Zenana
specified womens quarters in Islamic architecture
Jizya Tax
tax placed on non-muslim subjects of a state governed by islamic law in order to fund public expenditures of the state -Implemented in india in 11th century -Usage expands under the Delhi sultanate, first with Alauddin Khalji who made it legal to enslave those non-muslims who defaulted on jizya payments -Firoz Shah Tughlaq was also known to have imposed the jizya tax; while his immediate predecessors were said to have excluded Hindu Bramins from the jizya -Firoz Shah extended it to all hindus -Jizya is later abolished by Akbar in 1579 -Jizya tax would make its return in 1679 under the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb; but due to protests and revolts it enforcement was sporadic
Prophet Muhammad
the founder of Islam, believed to be the last true prophet sent by God, wrote the Quran which were his revelations
Quran
the holiest book in islam the actual word of god what allah said to muhammad
Qibla Wall
the wall of a mosque that faces Mecca; the wall Muslims face when praying
Minar
tower attached to a mosque from which the announcer call the faithful to prayer five times a day
Chattri
translates to "canopy" or "Umbrella", and elevated, dome-shaped pavilions used in Indian architecture
Maktab Khana
translation workshops -Located close to the Daftar Khana at Fatehpur Sikri
