History of Domes in South Asia and Its Evolution

Domes in South Asia have a rich history that spans over 2,000 years, with the earliest known examples dating back to the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE.

The Mauryans built the famous Stupa at Sanchi, a large stone structure that still stands today and is considered one of the earliest examples of a dome in South Asia.

The use of domes in South Asia continued to evolve over the centuries, with the Mughal Empire building many iconic domes in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Mughals' use of domes was heavily influenced by their Persian heritage, as seen in the design of the Taj Mahal, which features a large central dome surrounded by smaller domes and arches.

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Persian origin and Indian influence merged into an autonomous architectural unit in the early modern period, bringing many stylistic and structural innovations to the region.

The Persian style of architecture, introduced by the first Mughal emperor Babur, was a fusion of Islamic architectural styles with indigenous Indian styles, creating a unique architectural language.

This style was characterized by simplicity and firmness in structures, extensively using patterns and handwriting in designing their layouts.

The Indo-Islamic architectural style was neither entirely Islamic nor Hindu; it was instead a fusion of Indian and Islamic architectural components.

The Mughal Empire, which ruled India for over three centuries, was responsible for introducing Islamic architecture to India and developing the Indo-Islamic architectural style.

Key Architectural Elements in Islamic Buildings include distinctive features such as arches, domes, minarets, and courtyards, which are typical in Islamic architecture.

Ornamentation and Symbolism in Islamic architecture are not merely decorative but laden with deep symbolic meaning, often reflecting spiritual concepts of the infinite and the divine.

Arabesque patterns, calligraphy, and geometric patterns are particularly significant, as they represent the unchanging laws of God manifest in the natural world.

The development of the pointed arch, a significant innovation in Islamic architecture, not only strengthened structures but also enhanced the aesthetic and spatial dynamics of Islamic buildings.

The use of red sandstone and marble, decorative arts like intricate carvings and calligraphy, bulbous domes, and emphasis on symmetry are notable characteristics of Mughal Architecture.

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Here are some of the key architectural elements and innovations that contributed to the development of Islamic architecture in South Asia:

The Sultanate of Delhi was a major Islamic state in India that emerged in the 13th century. It was founded by Qutb al-Din Aibak in 1206, and its architecture was heavily influenced by Central Asian styles. The Qutb complex in Delhi was begun under Muhammad of Ghor in 1199 and continued under Qutb al-Din Aibak and later sultans.

The Qutb complex is home to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, which was the first structure built in the Sultanate of Delhi. It reused elements from destroyed Hindu and Jain temples, including columns, to create a unique Islamic style. The style was Iranian, but the arches were still encircled in the traditional Indian manner.

The Qutb Minar, a minaret or victory column, is one of the most iconic structures in the Qutb complex. It stands at 73 meters tall and has four original stages, with a final stage added later. Its nearest comparator is the 62-meter brick minaret of Jam in Afghanistan, which dates back to around 1190.

The Sultanate of Delhi experienced its greatest expansion under the Tughluq dynasty, which ruled from 1320 to 1413. During this period, Islamic architecture in India adopted certain features of earlier Indian architecture, such as the use of a high plinth and moldings around its edges.

The Deccan style, which emerged in the Deccan region of India, is characterized by a unique blend of Persian and Hindu influences. This style developed during the rule of the Deccan sultanates, particularly in the cities of Bijapur, Golkonda, and Bidar.

The Deccan style is often divided into three main phases: the Gulbarga phase, the Bidar phase, and the Golkonda phase. Each phase saw significant developments in the style's evolution.

Some notable buildings constructed during this period include the Jami Masjid in Gulbarga, the Haft Gumbaz, and the Madrassa of Mahmud Gawan. These buildings showcase the style's characteristic features, such as the use of Persian arches and the incorporation of Hindu building techniques.

The Bijapur School, which developed during the reign of Adilshah, is a notable example of the Deccan style. The Gol Gumbaz, a mausoleum in Bijapur, is the largest domed construction in the world, covering an area of over 1,600 square meters.

The Deccan style's influence can be seen in various aspects of its architecture, including the use of octagonal drums and stilts to elevate domes, the emphasis on parapets above eaves, and the wider spacing of doors and windows.

Here are the three main phases of the Deccan style, along with their notable features:

These phases demonstrate the Deccan style's evolution over time, from its Persian roots to its unique blend of influences.

The Mughal Empire, which ruled India from 1526 to 1764, left a lasting impact on the region's architecture. This Islamic empire was a blend of various architectural styles, including Islamic, Persian, Turkish, Arab, Central Asian, and Indian.

One of the key features of Mughal architecture is its symmetrical nature, which was a major aspect of the buildings and courtyards designed during this period. Akbar, who reigned in the 16th century, made significant contributions to Mughal architecture, systematically designing forts and cities in similar symmetrical styles.

The Mughal era saw the fusion of Persian-Islamic architecture with Indian styles, giving rise to playful forms of Hindustani art. Lahore, a city that was occasionally the residence of Mughal rulers, boasts a multiplicity of important buildings from the empire, including the Badshahi Mosque and the Lahore Fortress.

The Mughal style was widely adopted by rulers of princely states and wealthy individuals of all religions for their palaces and tombs. Hindu clients often mixed aspects of Hindu temple architecture and traditional Hindu palace architecture with Mughal and European elements.

Here are some key examples of Mughal architecture:

Regional variations in Islamic architecture are a fascinating topic. The Arabian Peninsula, for example, is characterized by the use of local materials like mud brick and coral stone.

From the deserts of Arabia to the forests of Southeast Asia, Islamic architectural principles have been interpreted in diverse ways. In China, Islamic architecture blends traditional Chinese elements with Islamic design motifs, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange.

In Kashmir, a unique style emerged due to the region's independence from Delhi architecture. Mosques were built on the model of Hindu temples, with curved roofs and slim towers. Local carvings and inlays alternate with Persian painted wall tiles in the decoration.

Here are some notable examples of regional variations in Islamic architecture:

Kashmir is a unique region in the Indian subcontinent where Islamic architecture was heavily influenced by local traditions. Its stunning mosques blend in with the surrounding landscape, making them difficult to recognize as such.

The region's mosques were built on the model of Hindu temples, resulting in compact cubic buildings often made of wood and brick. These structures feature curved roofs supported by pillars, similar to Kashmiri houses.

A typical example of a Kashmiri mosque is the Shah Hamadan mosque built in 1400 in Srinagar. Local carvings and inlays alternate with Persian painted wall tiles in the decoration of these mosques.

Kashmiri tombs differ little from mosques, showcasing the region's distinctive architectural style. The Mughal period saw the emergence of typical features of Indo-Islamic architecture in the region.

Srinagar's Friday Mosque, which took its present form in the 17th century, features kielbogige Ivane and pishtaqs surrounding a courtyard. The pagoda-like structures of the pishtaqs reflect the region's national style.

Islamic architecture is incredibly diverse, reflecting the unique cultural contexts of different regions. From the deserts of Arabia to the forests of Southeast Asia, architects have adapted Islamic design principles to local climates, cultures, and building traditions.

One of the most striking examples of regional variation is seen in Arabian Islamic architecture, which makes use of local materials like mud brick and coral stone. In contrast, Chinese Islamic architecture blends traditional Chinese architectural elements with Islamic design motifs, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange between Chinese and Muslim communities.

In the case of Kashmir, Islamic architecture was heavily influenced by indigenous traditions, resulting in mosques that look more like Hindu temples than traditional Islamic buildings. These mosques often feature curved roofs, pillars, and local carvings and inlays, which are quite different from the more familiar Islamic architecture of the Middle East.

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The Mughal Empire also had a significant impact on Islamic architecture in the region, introducing features like kielbogige Ivane and pishtaqs surrounding a courtyard. However, even in the Mughal period, Kashmiri architecture retained its unique character, with pagoda-like structures that reflected the local style.

Here's a brief overview of some of the different regional variations in Islamic architecture:

Mughal architecture's design and construction techniques were truly innovative. They extensively used red sandstone and marble to give their structures a distinctive appearance.

The double dome structure, pioneered by Humayun's Tomb, provided an imposing profile and enhanced acoustics. This structural innovation allowed for a more aesthetically pleasing design.

Chhatris, small domed pavilions, were used extensively in both Hindu and Mughal architecture as an element of decoration or as a pavilion structure. They added a touch of elegance to the buildings.

Mughal gardens, influenced by Persian concepts of paradise, were divided into quarters with water channels and pools. This design symbolized the four rivers of paradise described in Islamic scripture.

The use of jalis (perforated stone screens) in Mughal architecture added a mystical quality to the structures, creating an interplay of light that embellished the interior spaces. This innovative use of light and shadow added depth and beauty to the buildings.

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Roof and ceiling constructions in Mughal architecture are a marvel to behold. Early Indo-Islamic buildings often featured ceiling constructions inspired by Hindu temple halls, with flat ceilings and lantern ceilings made from layers of stone slabs.

Lantern ceilings were built with a unique design, featuring a square opening above the center of the room that narrows until it can be closed by a single angular stone. This innovative design was a departure from traditional ceiling constructions.

Mirror ceilings, made of stone studs, were also a popular feature in Mughal buildings. These ceilings resemble mirror vaults but do not rest on radially grooved arch segments. Instead, they are supported by curved stone beams connected by skeleton-shaped horizontal beams filled with stone slabs.

The Bengali builders incorporated the convex barrel-shaped roof of the traditional Bengal bamboo hut into the mosque's local architecture. This design feature was later adopted for the pavilions of imperial residences during the time of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.

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Here are some notable roof and ceiling constructions in Mughal architecture:

These innovative designs not only added aesthetic appeal to Mughal buildings but also showcased the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the era's architects.

In northern India, sandstone is the main building material, with colors varying greatly from region to region.

Red sandstone is typical for the western stage, while in other regions, brown and yellow varieties dominate.

White marble was used for decorative purposes, especially during the Mughal era when they built complete projects in marble.

The Deccan region preferred grey basalt as its building material.

In the alluvial plains of Bengal and Sindh, brick buildings made of bricks and mortar dominate due to the lack of natural stone.

Brick buildings in these regions have been given great stability by the use of strong, quick-setting cement-based mortars.

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The history of domes in South Asia is a rich and fascinating one, spanning thousands of years. The earliest known example of a dome in South Asia is the Sanchi Stupa in India, built around 50 BCE.

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The Sanchi Stupa's influence can be seen in the later construction of the Great Stupa in Sarnath, India, built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. This stupa was a major milestone in the development of Buddhist architecture.

The use of domes in South Asian architecture continued to evolve over the centuries, with the Mughal Empire playing a significant role in its development. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's construction of the Jama Masjid in Delhi, India, in the 17th century CE, is a testament to this.

The Mughal style of dome architecture was later adopted by other rulers in the region, including the Nawabs of Bengal. The Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka, Bangladesh, built in the 17th century CE, features a stunning example of Mughal-style domes.

In conclusion, the history of domes in South Asia is a story of evolution, innovation, and cultural exchange.

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