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Essay on mughal architecture
Essay on mughal architecture
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After the arrivals of Muslims in India during 12th century AD, the amalgamation of domestic and inhabited architectural techniques from the immigrants brought about a unique quality, patterns and ornamentation in the architecture field. Their cooling techniques in buildings were joined together with newer ones to survive the extremities of the climate without any mechanical equipment. This ancestral legacy designed and created comfortable buildings, without spending much on energy resources. Another important factor for developing these Jaali structure was the strong relationship between human activities and nature, controlling the air-flow, with lowering down the temperature of internal spaces and at the same time providing the privacy as …show more content…
If we look at the past, art has always been heavily influenced by the social and political reasons. Searching through history, we find that while social views of a certain period may no longer be relevant, the art and design of that time often are.
The Mughal period saw an outburst of cultural activity in the field of architecture, which further influenced the subsequent generations. The construction and designs of Mughal monuments of Agra is an outcome of complex yet creative combinations of cultural influences. To add a glory to the Mughal architecture, the culture of Jaali was introduced by Mughal rulers in the imperial architecture.
The Jaalis in the Mughal monuments of Agra were based on Islamic art and elements. Also known as lattice work, this decorative construction was the most important and commonly used element in Mughal buildings of Agra. The splendor of these Jaalis was intensified with brilliant amalgamation of geometrical and floral design. The main objective behind such construction was the passage of light. The light is a spiritual representation in Islam, the icon of celestial union and existence of Divinity, reminds only the God is real-rest everything is
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Islamic geometric art is distinctive in its own manner as the art attempt to interpret their culture rather than just their physical form.
Figure 10 Geometrical Patterns in Islamic Art
Meaning of Geometry as per Islamic Culture
The progress of geometry in Islamic architecture started during 8th and 9th century sourced from Sanskrit and Greek texts to Arabian texts and by 10th century Muslims developed this technique of ornamentation in architecture to great heights.
Some Crucial Principles behind Geometrical Creation and Ornamentation
Since circles have no ends they are endless- and so they signify that Allah is infinite.
Composite geometric patterns generate the impression of infinite duplication, which also helps a pattern attain an indication of the immeasurable nature of Allah.
The repeating patterns also validate that in less you can find the unlimited….. A sole element of the pattern indicates the infinite total.
Symmetry in Geometry
The circle in Islamic art describes the primitive sphere of unison and the vigorous cause of all diversity in a
Springfield, IL: Charles Thomas Publishers, 2009. Print. Necipoglu, Gulru. Muqarnas, Vol 25: Frontiers of Islamic Art and Architecture.
Through out history, architecture has played an important role in ultimately defining the upbringing of a culture. Whether it be instilled for upholding the traditions or adapting over time through conquering and replicating previous dynasties, architecture is molded with the artistry of its environment and people. Two dynasties that are great examples of phenomenal architecture are the Ottomans and the Safavids. Though both dynasties have comparable traits in exterior and interior in design, they also have qualities that are exclusive to their own. We shall further discuss into the origins of both dynasties while correlating them through deeper analysis.
Though most works of art have some underlying, deeper meaning attached to them, our first impression of their significance comes through our initial visual interpretation. When we first view a painting or a statue or other piece of art, we notice first the visual details – its size, its medium, its color, and its condition, for example – before we begin to ponder its greater significance. Indeed, these visual clues are just as important as any other interpretation or meaning of a work, for they allow us to understand just what that deeper meaning is. The expression on a statue’s face tells us the emotion and message that the artist is trying to convey. Its color, too, can provide clues: darker or lighter colors can play a role in how we judge a piece of art. The type of lines used in a piece can send different messages. A sculpture, for example, may have been carved with hard, rough lines or it may have been carved with smoother, more flowing lines that portray a kind of gentleness.
Stratton, E. (2002). The evolution of Indian stupa architecture in east Asia. New Delhi: Vedams.
Sayre, H. M. (2010). A World of Art: Sixth Edition. In H. M. Sayre, A World of Art: Sixth Edition (pp. 511, 134, 29, 135, 152, 313-314, 132). Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.,.
“Circles” begins by starting small and describing the circles of the eye, then gradually moves to the circles in the universe, explaining that the circles in the universe are never ending. For example, Emerson himself explains “around every circle another can be drawn” (Emerson 123). This is the understanding portion. However, there is one caveat. Emerson explains that the circles eventually go on to reach God, who is both the circumference and the center of the circle. If God serves as both the circumference and the center of the great chain of circles, it means there is no clearly defined beginning or end. Nevertheless, like many things in nature, the presence of God as a figure of the circumference of circles symbolizes his elusively. If one circle can be drawn after the other, and God is the circumference of the circle, it symbolizes the beauty and elusively of nature. This is the reason port...
All in all, the artworks of Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Aegean cultures, and Ancient Greece have similarities that not only reflect objects and images, but also the media, style and representation, these cultures are vastly exclusive works ranging from triangular depictions of form, to breezy depictions of nature, to sturdy architectural innovations for their citadels. Because of the existence of these major cultures of art in our world, it has made what art is today. These four unbelievable time periods have learned from each other and improved the way they accomplish their art techniques. These amazing cultures set a foundation that we were able to build on for thousands of years now with much more to come.
In the process of development of human society, architecture and culture are inseparable. Cuthbert (1985) indicates that architecture, with its unique art form, expresses the level of human culture in different historical stages, as well as the yearning towards the future. According to his article, it can be said that architecture has become one of the physical means for human to change the world and to conquer the nature. Consequently, architecture has been an important component of human civilization. Since 1980s when China started the opening and reforming policy, a variety of architectural ideas, schools and styles have sprung up. Accompanying with a momentum of...
When walking around a city, you may notice that the architecture and art look similar to other works. Many of these designs have changed along the course of history and time whilst others have not. The designs that many people still see in society and day to day living is from two of the many cultures of the old civilizations, Roman and Islamic. The art and architecture forms from the Islamic and Roman cultures have many comparisons and contrasts between them. They, the Islamic and Roman nations, have both adopted from other cultures and have made their own discoveries in the art and architecture worlds. The Roman and Islamic architecture and art vary drastically from each other and yet have varying comparisons between the two.
Having realized art as a structured cultural phenomenon, and having emptied its direct and apparent meaning, it is possible to identify all its possible significations. Interestingly enough, I find that art reveals many diametrically opposed significations: expression and oppression, bias and acceptance, individual and society, creativity and confinement, and freedom and convention, among others. Art signifies the de-politicization of our culture, for even the most political of pieces cease to cause a stir among the masses.
In the following essay, I will be comparing and contrasting to architectural pieces by the Indians. The first is the Taj Mahal, a building constructed from white marble that took seventeen years to build in honor of Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Z. Haq). This piece of architectural beauty belonged to the Mughal’s, the Muslim emperors in India (Z. Haq). The second is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, a holy, dome shaped structure that covers the body of the Buddha in honor of him and his contributions to Buddhism (Fischer, Julia). Furthermore, this structure was made of ruins, rocks, mud, and covered in bricks (Fischer, Julia). Both pieces of architecture are significant to the Indians, however they do contrast in some ways.
The travel website, Taj Mahal, illustrates the origins of this monument. It was constructed to serve as a memorial and tomb for Mumtaz Mahal, the deceased wife of the emperor Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal, 2008). Before her death, while birthing Shah Jahan’s fourteenth child, she requested Jahan build a monument to honor her as stated by the Taj Mahal website (Taj Mahal, 2008). In 1631, construction began, and was finally completed twenty-two years later (Taj Mahal, 2008). Twenty-two thousand workers labored in constructing the monument bringing materials by elephant from many parts of Asia (Taj Mahal, 2008). The web site Islamic Architecture lists the Iranian architect Ustad Ahmed Lahwari as the key designer of the structure; however other architects played prominent roles in the monument’s design (Organization, 1995-2003).Over time, the esti...
The Mughal era, that of an empire filled with incredible wealth and prosperity. Generous patron of the arts, through its influence a huge and diverse culture sprang forth, the product of Indo-Islamic relations throughout the kingdom this culture remains the Mughals legacy. To this day the unique influence of the Mughals on North Indian culture remains present in every aspect of life, from religion, dance, music, art to science and the practices of everyday life.
As Nuttgens eloquently expressed, architecture is a “vital…expression of the experience of mankind.” It is more than just buildings used for storage, housing, religious purposes, simple functionality; it is a great manifestation of the commonality of man, the great connecting factor of humankind. However, it can be argued that the ancient and classic forms or architecture are in essence more “profound…lasting… [and] inexhaustible” than those of their modern counterparts, because of some key differences in the ways ancient and modern architecture are practiced.