Arts and Architecture of Islamic History

“Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts the book of their deeds, the book of their words, and the book of their art. Not one of these books can be understood unless we read the two others; but of the three, the only quite trustworthy one is the last. The acts of a nation may be triumphant by its good fortune; and its words mighty by the genius of a few of its children: but its art, only by the general gifts and common sympathies of the race.” – John Ruskin 

Islamic art and architecture exemplify and reflect Islamic teachings and values. Islamic art has focused on the depiction of patterns, whether purely geometric or floral and Arabic calligraphy as well, rather than on figures. Needless to say, Islamic art and architecture are predominantly influenced by Roman, Byzantine, Persian, and all other Empires which the Muslims conquered. It has developed distinct characteristics in the form of buildings, and the decoration of surfaces. The principal architectural colosseums still remain as mosques, tombs, shrines, and palaces that bring together people from all parts of the world to spectate the magnificence of Islamic art. Art and architecture is a soft instrument used to achieve world peace, as it brings everyone together under one roof as spectators. Let’s look at some examples from Muslim empires that still are instruments for peacebuilding.

MUGHAL EMPIRE

Wazir Khan Mosque: Built in Lahore in 1634 by Shah Jahan. It consists of four octagonal minarets embellished with domes on top of each. Domes not only symbolize royalty but also, positivity, sky, eternity, and perfection. They are commonly built above the mosques so that prayers offered could be seen from the heavens above. These domes are often decorated with Arabic calligraphy, similarly, Wazir Khan’s walls and domes are covered with frescos, calligraphy, and mosaic tile work. Wazir Khan still serves the purpose of a mosque and is also a famous landmark for many tourists across the world. 

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Jama’i Mosque: Outside the Mughal Citadel, Jama Masjid of Delhi was built in 1656 by Shah Jahan. It was built with white marble and crowned with 3 large sandstone domes. These domes are uniquely designed to make the sound echo throughout the domes without any loudspeakers. It is still a functional mosque bringing people of Islamic faith from across the world to spectate this amazement of art. 

OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Hagia Sophia: Built in Constantinople in 537 AD by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I as a Cathedral. After the Turkish conquest in 1453, it was repurposed as a mosque. It consists of one primary dome and two secondary domes supported by pendentives. After repurposing, it was restructured with the addition of mosaics, minarets, a great chandelier, a mihrab, and a minbar. In 1935, it was again repurposed as a museum. Thousands of spectators belonging from all walks of life visited this museum to be mesmerized by the precision of art and architecture. Recently, it was again repurposed as a mosque.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque): Built in Istanbul in 1616 by Ahmed I. This mosque imitates the architecture and art of Hagia Sophia. It consists of twenty-eight domes and six pencil minarets. The interior of this mosque is embellished with twenty-thousand ceramic tiles, sculpted marble mihrab, stained pieces of glass mounted in the domes, and Quranic verses calligraphy in the walls and ceiling. This mosque too serves as a prop to the audiences coming in from all over the world.