Outline For Midterm
Outline For Midterm
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Islamic architecture refers to a style of architecture that was created as a physical manifestation of
the principles of Islam by the Mohammedan (people of Islamic faith) in the 7th century. Its traditions
continue to the present day. The building that is most frequently associated with Islamic architecture
is the mosque, or Muslim place of worship. An architecture which has emerged in the Middle East
and in other places where Islamic or Muslim religion is being professed.
1. Utilization of Minarets
Minarets are towering spires with interior staircases and small windows. They are striking
to look at and serve an integral function, calling Muslim to prayer five times a day.
2. Using of Domes
Islamic architecture features domes placed on structures called pendentives that make it
possible to fit a round dome on a rectangular or square room. Pendentives are often decorated
with mosaic tiling.
3. Using of Arches
Horseshoe (or keyhole), pointed (a precursor to Gothic), scalloped (or multifoil), and ogee
(multicurved) arches are common in Islamic architecture.
4. Ornamental Details
Islamic decoration often includes multicolored mosaic tile featuring repeated patterns and
geometric or vegetal motifs and patterns, such as the arabesque. It also typically includes the
use of Arabic calligraphy scripts; such as passages from the Qur'an.
Mosque – any house or open area of prayer in Islam. The Arabic word masjid means “a place of
prostration” to God. The first mosques were modeled on the place of worship of the Prophet
Muhammad—the courtyard of his house at Medina—and were simply plots of ground marked out
as sacred.
Parts of Mosque
1. Minaret
2. Iwan – A large vaulted portal opening onto the central courtyard of a mosque.
3. Minbar – Also “mimbar”, an elevated seat for imam in which he stands when performing
the sermon.
Ka’ba
5. The Alhambra – is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It
is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-
preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world.
ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA
History of Indian Architecture
The architecture of India includes present day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The Third Great Civilization to emerge a Fertile River Valley. The major cities are the
Mohenjo-Daro and Harrapa. Indian Architecture has influenced the surrounding regions of the
world, especially Eastern Asia, due to the spread of ideas with Buddhism.
Religion Conditions:
Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism
Geological Conditions:
Timber was available in Indus and Ganges River
In some part of India, white marble is available
In some parts of India, rock cut temples were also available
Geographical Conditions:
The Rivers Indus and Ganges
The Himalayas
The Everest Mountain
Surrounded by seas and Indian Ocean
Many cities were founded on the banks of rivers
Climatic Conditions:
More than half of the country lies in Tropic Cancer
The climate therefore varies widely
Rainy and summer season
In north, flat roofs were common but steep pitched roofs were used in West Coast due
to heavy rain.
Colonial Architecture
Like all other aspects, colonization of Indian also had an impact on architecture style. With
colonization, a new chapter in Indian architecture began. The Dutch, Portuguese and the
French made their presence felt through their buildings but it was the English who had a lasting
impact on architecture.
In the beginning of the colonial rule there were attempts at creating authority through
Classical Prototypes. In its later phase, the Colonial Architecture culminated into what is called
the Indo-Saracenic Architecture
Indo-Saracenic Architecture – combined the features of Hindu, Islamic and Western
Elements.
The Colonial Architecture exhibited itself through institutional, civic and utilitarian
buildings such as Post Offices, Railway Stations, Rest Houses and Government Buildings.
Colonial Architecture in India followed developments not only from Metropolis but also took
inspiration from existing architecture in India.
Taj Mahal
Agra, India
Akshardham Temple
New Delhi, India
Cave Architecture
The cave architecture in India is believed to have begun in the third century BC. These
caves were used by Buddhist and Jain monks as places of worship and residence. Initially the
caves were excavated in the western India. Some examples of this type of cave structure are
Chaityas and Viharas of Buddhists.
The Great Cave of Karle is also one such example, where great Chaityas and Viharas were
excavated by hewing out rocks.
Ajanta Caves
Maharashtra, India
Kailasa Temple
Maharashtra, India
ARCHITECTURE IN PAKISTAN
History
Pakistan architecture is divided into four periods: pre-Islamic, Islamic, colonial, and post-
colonial.
Pre-Islamic Period
Indus Valley Civilization
Earliest known civilization in the Indo-Pak region in South Asia. Comprises of Urban
Settlements including the Largest Cities of Harrapa and Mohenjo-Darro.
The majority of the discovered brick constructions are public buildings such as bathhouses and
workshops. Wood and loam served as construction materials.
Harappa – The site of the ancient city contains the ruins of a Bronze Age fortified city which
was part of the Indus Valley Civilization centred in Sindh and the Punjab.
Harappa
Mohenjo-Daro
Great Bath - is a large and elaborate public bath. From a colonnaded courtyard, steps lead down
to the brick-built pool, which was waterproofed by a lining of bitumen.
Great Bath
Taxila – archeological site in Rawalpindi District. It contains the ruins of Gandaharan City of
Taksasila. A UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Taxila
Takht-I-Bahi and Sahr-I-Bahlol – located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-
Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol. takht-i-Bahi, meaning spring throne, is a
Buddhist monastic complex dating to the 1st century BC located on top of a 152 m high hill. The
ruins are located about 16 km from Mardan and 80 km from Peshawar.
Takht-I-Bahi
Sahr-I-Bahlol
Islamic Period
This period which architectural design was created after Islam was introduced to what is now
Pakistan. Indian and Islamic architectural elements were combined to create the Indo-Islamic
architectural style.
Materials used:
Red Sandstone
Marble
Brick
Fort and Shalamar Gardens
This is located in Lahore Bunjab. A distinct royal complexes from Mughal era. The Fort is located
at the northwest corner of the Walled City of Lahore and has been destroyed and rebuilt several
times during its history.
Chaukhandi Tombs
Colonial Period
Indo-Saracenic Architecture
Colonial architecture in Lahore combined Mughal, Gothic and Victorian styles. During the British
Raj, European architectural styles such as baroque, Gothic, and neoclassical became more
prevalent. Examples include Karachi's Frere Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral Mereweather Clock
Tower, and Lahore's neoclassical Montgomery Hall.
Minar E Pakistan
Faisal Mosque
ARCHITECTURE IN AFGHANISTAN
The architecture of Afghanistan describes the distinctive architectural design of both the
contemporary nation and its fore bearer nations. The boundaries of the area before this time
changed with the rapid advance of armies, with the land belonging to a vast range of empires over
the last two millennia. As the connection between the three major cultural and geographic centers
of Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Iranian plateau strengthened.
Early Buddhist Architecture
The arrival of the nomadic Yuezhi tribes from Central Asia and the establishment of the Kushan
Empire added a new element to the already existing nature of the architecture of Afghanistan as
the country was turned into the center of Buddhism under Kanishka the Great. The establishment
of the Kushan empire invigorated existing traditions and reasserted international connections,
encouraging the spread of Buddhist architecture in Afghanistan.
Within this period came the widespread construction of the stupa, a key architectural form of the
early Buddhist period.
This structure developed from the original earthen mounds built in north-eastern India
Stupa
Key architectural form of the Early Buddhist Period
Topdara Stupa
Early Islamic Architecture
The initial spread of Islam to Afghanistan occurred around the 8th century AD, with Abbasid
rule succeeded by Saffarids and later Samanids to 961 AD. Following this point in time
Afghanistan was established as the centre of Islamic civilisation under the Ghaznavid Empire,
succeeded by the Ghorids until 1219.
At Mazar-i Sharif there exists evidence of this in the great shine of 'Ali, the fourth Sunni rightly
guided Caliph, which today remains a point of great pilgrimage for the Sunni Muslim population
in Afghanistan.
The form of a mausoleum typically involved either a domed square chamber or a conical cupola
atop a tower.
Some believe the tomb of Ali to be held here, the son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet Mohammed.
Also believed that Ali’s tomb is located in Najaf, Iraq.
Mausoleum – significant Islamic Structure
Mausoleum at Mazar-I Sharif
Located at Hazar E Sharif. Point of great pilgrimage for the sunni Muslim population in Afghanistan.
• Temple complex of mihintale – where the eariest evidence if cave temples were found.
• Unique feature – use of a drip ledge carved along the rock which stopped rainwater from
sunning into the cave.
• In time, doors, windows, and walls of brick were added.
2. Dagobas / Stupas
Thuparama Dagoba
King Devanampiya Tissa
also known asThuparamaya
paddy-heap (cone-shaped)
bell-shape
Ruwanveliseya Dagaba
Abhayagiri Dagaba
Sinhalese King Vattagamini
“protection mountain” or "fearless mountain”
Second tallest brick-builtmonument of the time
Abhayagiri Dagaba
Lankatilaka Temple
Dalada Maligawa
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) situated in Kandy, this temple combines various
architectural styles, including Dravidian influences. It houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha and is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dalada Maligawa
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
Located in Jaffna, this Hindu temple is a prime example of Dravidian- style architecture with its ornate
design and towering gopuram (entrance tower).
Architecture in Tibet
History
Tibetan architecture contains Chinese and Indian influence, but has many unique features brought
about by its adaptation to the cold, generally arid, high-altitude climate of the Tibetan plateau and
to Tibetan Buddhism. The earliest surviving examples of Tibetan religious architecture had strong
Indian influences.
The Geographical and Topographical Influences
Bordered on the north and east by China, to the south by India, Nepal and Bhutan.
The term "Roof of the World" is widely used to refer to Tibet.
The plateau is the world's highest country lying at the heart of the Himalayas.
Geological (Materials) Influences
Wood, clay for bricks and stones, and other locally sourced construction materials are used
for constructing buildings.
Due to the high level of expertise required in the construction of wooden structures,
carpentry is also a talent that is typically passed down via families.
Tibetan Buildings Characteristics:
Symmetries in lay-out and façade design,
Slightly trapezoidal form, heavy at the bottom (stone foundations) and light at the top,
generally with battered walls, flat roofs with parapets,
Detailed code for the decoration of doors, windows and parapets (including painted black
frames around doors and windows, and complex wooden overhang decorations),
Intricately carved interior timber frame following standardized design principles
Organic design – buildings appear to grow out of the landscape.
Red, white, and black are the predominant colors in Tibetan architecture. All three colors are
derived from the local soil and are purely natural pigments. These three colors also stand in for the
three realms of Tibetan belief: above, below, and in between. The Tibetans believed that using
these colors in their architecture would garner the spirits' favor and prevent harm.
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Founded in the 7th century is the jokhang temple monastery that is built in order to promote the
Buddhist religion. It is famous because it is an exceptional buddhist religious complex.
Located in the centre of the old town of Lhasa, it comprises an entrance porch, courtyard and
Buddhist hall surrounded by accommodation for monks and storehouses on all four sides.
The buildings are constructed of wood and stone and are outstanding examples of the Tibetan
Buddhist style, with influences from China, India, and Nepal.
They house over 3,000 images of Buddha and other deities and historical figures along with many
other treasures and manuscripts. Mural paintings depicting religious and historical scenes cover
the walls.
The Jokhang temple is one of the most important religious sites in Tibet since its housing the statue
from the time when Shakyamuni Buddha lived. The main building of the temple is four floors high
because buildings in the center of Lhasa cannot be higher than four floors.
Norbulingka
The Architecture in Myanmar and Burna
Myanmar also knows as Burma. It is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia and the
second largest country in the Southeast Asia.
The two classifications:
Lower Myanmar – comprised of coastal areas with thick tropical forest.
Upper Myanmar – make up the interior parts of the country.
Almost half of the Myanmar is covered in forests.
Shwezigon Pagoda
Mingalazedi Stupa, Pagan
Comprises a high square plinth of three stepped terraces, with stairways in the centre of each side
leading to the platform, from which the circular bell- shaped main structure rises. At each angle
of the square stands a small replica of the stupa. The design has Javanese precedents.
Dhammayangyi Temple
Bawbawgyi Stupa
Ananda Temple
• Finished in 1090
• One of the first temples erected in bagan
• Was influenced by indian architecture
• Architectural features: brick vaulted halls, buddha statues, tapered roofs, and the absence
of terraces
• One of the first uses of pyatthat (tiered roof), which indicates the presence of throne
within