Islamic Art and Mughal Empire Notes

Islamic Art

  • Qur'an: The central religious text of Islam.
  • Surah: A chapter in the Qur'an. The Qur'an is organized into surahs, generally arranged in decreasing order by length.
  • Caliph: A supreme religious and political leader in Islam.
  • Muezzin: The person who calls Muslims to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.
  • Mosque: A place of worship for Muslims.
  • Qibla: The direction toward Mecca, which Muslims face when praying.
  • Mihrab: A niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla.
  • Sahn: An inner courtyard in a mosque, often with a water feature.
  • Minaret: A tower in a mosque from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer.
  • Iwan: A gateway or transition space, often leading from the sahn to the sacred area of a mosque.

The Five Pillars of Islam

  • Shahada (Confession of Faith): Declaration that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.
  • Salat (Daily Prayer): Performing ritual prayers five times a day.
  • Zakat (Charity/Alms-giving): Giving to those in need as an act of worship.
  • Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan): Abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
  • Hajj (Pilgrimage): Making a pilgrimage to Mecca, if able.

Initial Reaction to Muhammad

  • The initial reaction to Muhammad's teachings was not favorable due to:
    1. Monotheism challenging existing structures: It threatened the polytheistic religious and economic structures of the time.
    2. Moral teachings: The high moral standards demanded more from people.
    3. Social equality: The concept that "in the sight of Allah, everyone is equal" challenged social hierarchies.

Qur'an's Emphasis

  • The Qur'an emphasizes compassion more than wrath.
    • Compassion is cited 192 times.
    • Wrath is cited only 17 times.
  • Representation:
    • Painting portraits of people is generally discouraged.

Three Primary Motifs in Islamic Art

  1. Calligraphy: The most highly regarded form of art due to its relation to the Qur'an.
  2. Plants and Flowers: Represent paradise/heaven as a garden filled with plants and water.
  3. Geometric Patterns: Used to create a sense of harmony and order, reflecting the belief that everything makes sense under Allah.

Mosque Features

  • Qibla: The direction toward Mecca.
  • Mihrab: Prayer niche indicating the qibla.
  • Sahn: Inner courtyard with a water feature.
  • Minaret: Tower for the muezzin to call to prayer.
  • Iwan: Gateway, a transition from the sahn to the sacred space.

The Mughal Empire

  • Babur: Founder of the Mughal Empire.
  • Humayun: Babur's son, who lost control and fled to Iran.
  • Akbar: Considered the greatest ruler in India, known for his policies of tolerance and diplomacy.
  • Jahangir: Akbar's son.
  • Shah Jahan: Known for building the Taj Mahal.

Architectural and Garden Design Elements

  • Char-bagh: A garden tomb design, typically quadripartite.
  • Chamfered: The technique of changing a square building into an octagon.
  • Jali: Pierced stone screen, an openwork architectural feature.
  • Chattri: Elevated, dome-shaped pavilions.
  • Cenotaph: A false tomb, often used for decorative or commemorative purposes.
  • Jawab: Meaning "answer" or "echo," it refers to a structure built to maintain symmetry in the overall design.
  • Pietra dura: Stone inlay technique.

Akbar's Reign and Policies

  • Prohibited Hindu prisoners.
  • Abolished the non-Muslim tax.
  • Stabilized the empire through diplomatic peacefulness.

Tomb of Humayun

  • Features a Persian design.
  • Represents the introduction of creating massive tombs.
    • Built to honor Humayun and reflect his love for Persian art.
    • The number 8 holds significance, representing the 8 angels that hold the chair for Allah.

Fatehpur Sikri

  • Built because Akbar was overjoyed by the birth of his son.

Painting Under Akbar

  • Combined Persian, Indian, and European traditions.
  • Akbar, possibly dyslexic or illiterate, fostered a unique style of painting.

Persian Painting Characteristics

  1. Vertical Format: Paintings are typically vertical and formal.
  2. Intricate Detail: Known for detailed "miniature paintings."
  3. Figure-Ground Relationship: People are depicted as small in relation to the background.
  4. Text Inclusion: Often includes small text.
  5. Common Theme: Often depicts court life and royalty.

Indian Art Characteristics

  1. Horizontal Format: Influenced by palm leaves, which are naturally horizontal.
  2. More Text: Greater emphasis on including text.
  3. Warm Colors: Predominantly uses reds and yellows.
  • Akbar favored action scenes (not necessarily violence).

Synthesis of Art Traditions Under Akbar

  • Persian: Vertical format, intricate ornamentation.
  • Indian: Use of reds and yellows, larger figures.
  • European: Illusion of depth and distance.
  • Akbar's Unique Contribution: Emphasis on action.

Jahangir's Era

  • Valued realism and precision in art.

Bichitr's Painting

  • Features symbolism:
    • The chair is an hourglass, symbolizing the passage of time.
    • The heavens want to elongate Jahangir's time.
    • Christian halo depicted, signifying divine favor.

Taj Mahal

  • Centered around the concept of paradise as a garden.
  • Filled with plants and flowers with symbolic meanings; something was always in bloom.
  • Jawab: Used to create balance and bilateral symmetry.
  • Strict canon of proportion: Dome height = facade width.
  • Cenotaph: Made of white marble to symbolize purity.
  • Pietra dura: Stone inlay work.
  • Water symbolizes shade, refreshment, and God's mercy, not just climate or practical need.
  • Rain is sent down as a sign of mercy and a giver of life from Allah.