August 2023 – Stars in Symmetry

I have been a subscriber to AramcoWorld magazines for quite some time now, to the point that my one part of my bookcase is filled with the magazines I received all these years. However, since the pandemic happened in 2020 I have only received the hard copies periodically even though I am still a subscriber. I am not sure what happened there, but since then I have moved on the digital version of the magazine. At fist I only thought that the digital version is that – the digitized hard copy of the magazine. But it offered so much more, especially in the form of interactive contents.

Just recently I have realized that they have a collection of multimedia offerings including audio articles (which are essentially audiobooks), photo archives, recipes for traditional food and videos. And in their video collection I found articles that would be very helpful for us who are interested in Islamic art.

Among the collection of documentary and music videos you can also find tutorial videos, which covered geometric motifs and designs specific to certain region in the Islamic world – South East Asian vegetal motifs or Andalucian geometric patterns, for example. Along with these professionally made videos they are accompanied with corresponding articles where you can learn even more about the subject matter.

This video is an introduction to the Islamic patterns but you can find more videos on making the pattern themselves on the website.

If you are interested, you can go to the videos of AramcoWorld here

After a long hiatus, I am back with my writing finally! I am still sorting through all the photos that I took during my study trip to Turkiye a few months ago, and maybe I will edit a few and post videos showcasing the different mosques and places of interest, so don’t forget to watch them when its up and running!

In the meanwhile, for this part of the Minaret study series, we are looking into the minarets of the Indian subcontinent. The minarets from this subcontinent is quite interesting as it showcases an amalgamation of different artistic heritages, and a mix of the old, ancient preexisting culture and the newly introduced culture.

History :

Islam has a rich history in the Indian Subcontinent. In India, Islam is the country’s second-largest religion. The presence of Islam in India dates back to the 7th century when Arab traders established contacts with the Indian subcontinent. Over the centuries, Muslim empires, such as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire, played a significant role in shaping the region’s culture, art, and architecture.

Influences :

Islamic architecture in the Indian subcontinent is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region. Influenced by various dynasties and empires, such as the Bengal Sultanate, Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, and Deccan Sultanates, Islamic architecture in India showcases a unique blend of Persian, Central Asian, and local ancient indigenous styles. The most iconic examples include the magnificent Mughal structures like the Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb, and Jama Masjid in Delhi. These architectural marvels feature intricate geometric patterns, calligraphy, domes, minarets, and ornate entrances, reflecting the grandeur and elegance of Islamic aesthetics. Islamic architecture in the Indian subcontinent serves as a reminder of the historical and cultural significance of Islam in the region.

Until the 12th century, it remained a marginal phenomenon influenced by Middle Eastern Persian architecture. However, the Sultanate of Delhi in the 12th century marked the beginning of Islamic architecture in the region . Indo-Islamic architecture originated in the subcontinent and was influenced by both Persian and Indian styles. The main architectural styles in northern India are the Sultanate of Delhi and the Mughal Empire. The earliest surviving examples of Islamic architecture date from the late 12th century in Delhi, with notable structures like the Qūwat-ul-Islām mosque and the Quṭb Mīnār tower .

Shape and Form :

As the Indian Islamic architecture draws influences from Central Asia and Persia as well as the local ancient Hindu artistic heritage, we can see clearly the elements from each of these cultures and represented in the architecture of Islamic Indian Subcontinent.

Indian minarets are commonly slender with a number of balconies along the minaret itself, usually in threes. The general shape of the minaret follows closely Persian and Central Asian style. However, there are also elements from the ancient Hindu architecture ; Chattris (domed pavillions) usually top these minarets with notched corbel arches. The minarets are often fluted, giving an impression of the minarets is in the shape of a lotus stalk with the Chattris as the bloom of the flower. The lotus is an important motif in Hinduism and Buddhism, as such it influences the art and architecture in India.

Examples :