Islamic architecture comprises the architecture styles of buildings associated with Islam. It encompasses both secular and religious styles from the early history of islam to the present day. The Islamic world encompasses a wide geographic area historically ranging from western Africa and Europe to eastern Asia. Early Islamic architecture was influenced by Roman, Byzantine, Iranian and Mesopotamian architecture and all other lands which the early Muslim conquests conquered in the seventh and eighth centuries.
New architectural elements like minarets, Muqarnas and multifoil arches were invented. Common or important types of buildings in Islamic architecture include mosques, madrasas, tombs, palaces, hammams (public baths), Sufi hospices (e.g. khanqahs or zawiyas), fountains, commercial buildings (e.g. bazaars), and military fortifications.
Minaret is a type of tower typically built into or adjacent to mosques. Minarets are generally used to project the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) from a muezzin, but they also served as landmarks and symbols of Islam’s presence..They can have a variety of forms, from thick, squat towers to soaring, pencil-thin spires.
Muqarnas is a form of three-dimensional decoration in Islamic architecture in which rows or tiers of niche-like elements are projected over others below. It is an archetypal form of Islamic architecture, integral to the vernacular of Islamic buildings, and typically featured in domes and vaults, as well as iwans, entrance portals, or other niches. It is sometimes referred to as “honeycomb vaulting” or stalactite vaulting
A multifoil arch (or polyfoil arch), also known as a cusped arch, polylobed arch or scalloped arch, is an arch characterized by multiple circular arcs or leaf shapes (called foils, lobes, or cusps) that are cut into its interior profile or intrados. The first multifoil arches were developed by the Umayyads and can be found in a small mosque at Qasr-al- Hallabat in present-day Jordan.
Madrasa is s the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary education or higher learning.
A khanqah is a building designated especially for gatherings of Sufi brotherhood. In the past and to a lesser extent nowadays, they often served as hospices for Saliks (Sufi travelers), and Islamic students.A khanqah is a building designated especially for gatherings of Sufi brotherhood. In the past and to a lesser extent nowadays, they often served as hospices for Saliks (Sufi travelers), and Islamic students.
Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of architectural styles and forms, reflecting the diverse cultures and regions of the Islamic world. Here are some key features and examples:
Characteristics of Islamic Architecture
1. Use of arches and domes: Islamic architecture often employs arches and domes to create a sense of grandeur and unity.
2. Minarets: Tall, slender towers that serve as visual markers and symbols of Islamic faith.
3. Calligraphy and geometric patterns: Intricate calligraphy and geometric patterns, such as arabesques, are used to decorate buildings and convey Islamic values.
4. Use of water features: Fountains, pools, and gardens are often incorporated to create a sense of serenity and tranquility.
Regional Styles
1. Middle Eastern style: Characterized by the use of domes, arches, and minarets, as seen in the Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem.
2. North African and Spanish style: Influenced by Moorish architecture, as seen in the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.
3. Persian style: Characterized by the use of intricate tilework and calligraphy, as seen in the Imam Mosque in Isfahan, Iran.
4. Ottoman style: Developed in Turkey, characterized by the use of large domes and minarets, as seen in the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.
Famous Examples
1. Masjid al-Haram, Mecca, Saudi Arabia: The largest mosque in the world, capable of accommodating over 2 million worshippers.
2. Mosque of Omar, Jerusalem: A historic mosque built in 638 CE, featuring a distinctive dome and minaret.
3. Alhambra, Granada, Spain: A palace and fortress complex showcasing Moorish architecture and Islamic art.
4. Taj Mahal, Agra, India: A white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, featuring intricate inlays and calligraphy.
5. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey: A stunning example of Ottoman architecture, featuring six minarets and intricate tilework.
Influences and Legacy
Islamic architecture has influenced the development of architectural styles in many regions, including:
1. Moorish architecture in North Africa and Spain.
Moorish architecture is a style within Islamic Architecture which developed in the western Islamic world, including al-Andalus(on the Iberian(SPAIN AND PORTUGAL)peninsula) and what is now Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia (part of the Maghreb).
The use of the term “Moorish” comes from the historical Western European designation of the Muslim inhabitants of these regions as “Moors This architectural style came to encompass distinctive features such as the horseshoe arch, riad gardens (courtyard gardens with a symmetrical four-part division), square minarets, and elaborate geometric and arabesque motifs in wood, stucco, and tilework (notably zellij).
Here are 10 famous buildings of the Moorish Empire:
Alhambra: A palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain, built in the 14th century and featuring intricate Islamic architecture and ornate decorations.
Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral: A historic mosque in Cordoba, Spain, built in the 8th century and featuring a unique blend of Islamic and Gothic architectural styles.
Alcazar of Segovia: A medieval castle in Segovia, Spain, built in the 12th century and featuring a unique blend of Moorish and Gothic architectural styles .
Giralda Tower: A historic tower in Seville, Spain, built in the 12th century as a minaret for the Moorish mosque .
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos: A medieval palace in Córdoba, Spain, built in the 14th century and featuring a unique blend of Moorish and Gothic architectural styles .
Madinat al-Zahra: A historic palace city in Córdoba, Spain, built in the 10th century as the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba .
Tarragona Cathedral: A historic cathedral in Tarragona, Spain, built in the 12th century on the site of a Moorish mosque .
Seville Alcázar: A royal palace in Seville, Spain, built in the 14th century and featuring a unique blend of Moorish and Gothic architectural styles.
Granada Charterhouse: A historic monastery in Granada, Spain, built in the 16th century and featuring a unique blend of Moorish and Baroque architectural styles.
Moorish Castle: A medieval castle in Sintra, Portugal, built in the 8th century and featuring a unique blend of Moorish and Gothic architectural styles.
2. Ottoman architecture in Turkey and Eastern Europe
Ottoman architecture is an architectural style or tradition that developed under the Ottoman Empire over a long period, undergoing some significant changes during its history. It first emerged in northwestern Anatolia in the late 13th century and developed from earlier Seljuk Turkish architecture , with influences from Byzantine and Iranian architecture along with other architectural traditions in the Middle East.
The most important architect of the classical period is Mimar Sinan, whose major works include the Sehzade Mosque, Suleymaniye mosque and Selimiye mosque. Ottoman dynastic patronage was concentrated in the historic capitals of Bursa , Edirne and Istanbul(Constantinople), as well as in several other important administrative centers such as Amasya and Manisa.
After he conquered Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) in 1453, one of Sultan Mehmed 2 ’s first constructions in the city was a palace, known as the Old Palace(Eski Saray).In 1459, he began construction of a second palace known as the New Palace (Yeni Saray) and later as the Topkapi Palace (“Cannon-Gate Palace”). Mehmed II’s largest contribution to religious architecture was the Fatih Mosque complex in Istanbul, built from 1463 to 1470.c
After Mehmed II, the reign of Bayezid 2 (1481–1512) is again marked by extensive architectural patronage, of which the two most outstanding and influential examples are the Bayezid II Complex in Edirne and the Bayezid II Mosque in Istanbul.
The start of the classical period is strongly associated with the works of the imperial architect Mimar Sinan. The long reign of Suleiman the Magnificent is also recognized as the apogee of Ottoman political and cultural development, with extensive patronage in art and architecture by the sultan, his family, and his high-ranking officials
Sinan’s first major imperial commission was the Sehzade Mosque complex, which Suleiman dedicated to Sehzade Mehmed, his son who died in 1543. In 1550, Sinan began construction for the Süleymaniye Mosque, a monumental religious and charitable complex dedicated to Suleiman. The Süleymaniye Mosque complex is one of the most important symbols of Ottoman architecture and is often considered by scholars to be the most magnificent mosque in Istanbul.
In the 1550s and 1560s, he experimented with an “octagonal baldaquin” design for the main dome, in which the dome rests on an octagonal drum supported by a system of eight pillars or buttresses. An example of this is the Rüstem Pasha Mosque (1561) in Istanbul.
Sinan’s crowning masterpiece is the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, which was begun in 1568. The Sultan Ahmed I Mosque, begun in 1609 and completed in 1617, was designed by Sinan’s apprentice, Mehmed Agha.
It is also the only Ottoman mosque to have as many as six minarets
Here are 10 famous buildings of the Ottoman Empire:
Topkapi Palace: The primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, located in Istanbul .
Süleymaniye Mosque: A monumental mosque complex in Istanbul, considered one of the greatest examples of Ottoman architecture.
Selimiye Mosque: Located in Edirne, this mosque is renowned for its massive single dome and considered Mimar Sinan’s masterpiece.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed I Mosque): One of the most famous mosques in Istanbul, known for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and six minarets
Dolmabahçe Palace: A luxurious palace in Istanbul, built in the 19th century and showcasing a mix of Ottoman and European architectural styles.
Beylerbeyi Palace: A beautiful palace in Istanbul, built in the 19th century and featuring a mix of Ottoman and European architectural styles.
Edirnekapı Mihrimah Sultan Mosque: A stunning mosque in Istanbul, built in the 16th century and featuring a beautiful design by Mimar Sinan.
Rüstem Pasha Mosque: A small but beautiful mosque in Istanbul, built in the 16th century and featuring stunning Iznik tiles.
Bayezid II Mosque: A historic mosque in Istanbul, built in the 15th century and featuring a beautiful design by Mimar Sinan.
Fatih Mosque: A historic mosque in Istanbul, built in the 15th century and featuring a beautiful design by Mimar Sinan.
3. Mughal architecture in India
Mughal architecture is the type of Indo-islamic architecture developed by the Mughals in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries throughout the ever-changing extent of their empire in the Indian subcontinent. It developed from the architectural styles of earlier Muslim dynasties in India and from Iranian and Central Asian architectural traditions, particularly Timurid architecture.
The Mughal dynasty was established after the victory of Babur at Panipat in 1526.. His grandson Akbar built widely, and the style developed vigorously during his reign. Among his accomplishments were Agra Fort, the fort-city of Fatehpur Sikri, and the Buland Darwaza. Akbar’s son Jahangir commissioned the Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir.
Mughal architecture reached its zenith during the reign of Shah Jahan, who constructed Taj Mahal, theJama Masjid of Dehli, the Shalimar Gardens of Lahore, and renovated the Lahore Fort.
The last of the great Mughal patrons was Aurangzeb, who built the Badshahi Mosque, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Moti Masjid. Mughal architecture was derived from three main architectural traditions: local Indo-islamic architecture, the architecture of Islamic Persia and Central Asia, and indigenous Hindu architecture.
Here are 10 famous buildings of the Mughal Empire:
Taj Mahal: A stunning white marble mausoleum in Agra, built by Shah Jahan as a tribute to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It’s considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Red Fort: A historic fort in Delhi, built by Shah Jahan as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. It’s now a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jama Masjid: One of the largest mosques in India, built by Shah Jahan in Delhi. It features three imposing gates, four towers, and two 131-foot-tall minarets.
Humayun’s Tomb: A beautiful mausoleum in Delhi, built by Empress Bega Begum as a tribute to her husband Humayun. It’s considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fatehpur Sikri: A historic city in Agra, built by Akbar as the capital of the Mughal Empire. It features a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles
Bibi Ka Maqbara: A beautiful mausoleum in Aurangabad, built by Azam Shah as a tribute to his mother Dilras Banu Begum. It’s often referred to as the “Taj of the Deccan.
Pari Mahal: A stunning palace in Srinagar, built by Prince Dara Shikoh as a summer retreat. It features a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles.
Agra Fort: A historic fort in Agra, built by Akbar as a military base. It features a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles.
Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah: A beautiful mausoleum in Agra, built by Nur Jahan as a tribute to her father. It’s considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Badshahi Mosque: A stunning mosque in Lahore, built by Aurangzeb as a tribute to his father Shah Jahan. It features a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles.
Buland Darwaza
Moti Masjid
4. Islamic Revival architecture in the Middle East and beyond
Islamic architecture continues to inspire architects and designers around the world, with its unique blend of aesthetics, symbolism, and functionality.
Here are 5 important mosques in India:
1. Jama Masjid, Delhi: One of the largest mosques in India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656, with a capacity to hold 25,000 people .
2. Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad: A historic mosque built in 1694, made with soil and bricks brought from Mecca, with a capacity to accommodate 10,000 people.
3. Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal: One of the largest mosques in India, built in the 19th century, with a stunning pink facade, marble domes, and a capacity to hold over 175,000 people.
4. Jamali-Kamali Mosque, Delhi: A 16th-century mosque built in red sandstone with marble embellishments, featuring a unique blend of Indian and Islamic architectural styles.
The Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb is a Sufi mosque and mausoleum complex that contains the tombs of Jamali and Kamali, The mosque and the tomb were constructed in c. 1529, and Jamali was buried in the tomb after his death in 1535.
- Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar: A revered mosque housing a relic believed to be a hair of Prophet Muhammad, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists.
The Hazratbal Shrine, popularly called Dargah Sharif ( ’Holy Shrine’), is a Sufi Dargah and mosque, located in Hazratbal locality of Srinagar, in the union territory of J&K, India.
Hazratbal Shrine was established by Inayat Begum, the daughter of Khwaja Nur-ud-Din Eshai and the custodian of the relic. The first building of the shrine was constructed in 17th century by Mughal subedar Sadiq Khan during the emperor Shah Jahan’s reign
Here are 5 of the most important mosques around the world:
1. Al-Haram Mosque (Mecca, Saudi Arabia): As the largest mosque in the world, it surrounds the Kaaba, one of Islam’s holiest sites. The mosque can accommodate up to 4 million people during Hajj.
It is also known as the Sacred Mosque or the Great Mosque of Mecca is considered to be the most significant mosque in Islam.
2. Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Medina, Saudi Arabia): The second-holiest mosque in Islam, it’s also known as the Prophet’s Mosque. It has a capacity of 1.5 million people and is a major pilgrimage site.
It is the second mosque built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in Medina, after the Quba Mosque, as well as the second largest mosque and holiest site in Islam after the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca.
3. Hassan II Mosque. (Casablanca, Morocco): This stunning mosque is the 7th largest in the world, with a capacity of 105,000 people. Its impressive architecture features a retractable roof and a 689-foot-tall minaret . it was designed by Michael Pinseau under the guidance of King Hassan II and built by Moroccan artisans from all over the kingdom.
4. Al Aqsa Mosque (Israel): Located in Jerusalem, this mosque is the third-holiest site in Islam. It’s a significant pilgrimage site and a symbol of Islamic heritage.
also known as the Qibli Mosque or Qibli Chapel is the main prayer hall in the Al Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The present-day mosque, located on the south wall of the compound, was originally built by the fifth Umayyad caliph Abd-al-Malik(r. 685–705)or his successor al-Walid 1(r. 705–715) (or both).
5. Faisal Mosque (Islamabad, Pakistan): This beautiful mosque is the third-largest in the world, with a capacity of 300,000 people. Its unique architecture features a Bedouin tent-like design.
Here are the Top 5 Largest Mosques in India:
1. Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal: Known as the Crown of Mosques, this magnificent structure has a capacity of over 100,000 worshippers, making it the largest mosque in India.
It is a Sunni mosque, affiliated with Tablighi Jamaat part of the Deoband movement located in Bhopal, in the state of MP, India. The Taj-ul-Masajid largely takes inspiration from Mughal architecture. The mosque has a pink facade topped by two 18-storey high octagonal minarets with marble domes, an impressive main hallway with attractive pillars, and marble flooring resembling the likes of Jama Masjid in Delhi and the Badshahi mosque of Lahore.Built by Begum Shahjahan and her daughter Sultan Jahan Begum in the late 18th to early 19th centuries.
2. Bara Imambara, Lucknow: With a capacity of over 300,000 people, this mosque is not only one of the largest in India but also a significant cultural and historical landmark.
It is also known as the Asafi Imambara, is a significant imambara and mosque complex located in Lucknow, in the state of UP, India. Built by Asaf-ud- Daula the Nawab of Awadh in 1784, it is the world’s second largest imambara, after the Nizamat Imambara. The design of the imambara was acquired through a competitive process. The winner was a Delhi architect Kifayatullah.
3. Jama Masjid, Delhi: This iconic mosque in Delhi has a capacity of 25,000 worshippers and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in India. is one of the largest sunni mosque in India.
Its builder was the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. The mosque is located within the historic city of Shahjahanabad today known as the locality of Old Delhi.
4. Jamia Masjid, Srinagar: Located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, this mosque has a capacity of 33,000 people and is a significant cultural and religious center in the region. The mosque was commissioned by Sultan Sikander in 1394 CE and completed in 1402 CE, The Jamia Masjid is heavily influenced by Persian architecture, with similarities to the Buddhist pagodas.
5. Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad: With a capacity of 10,000 worshippers, this historic mosque in Hyderabad is one of the largest and most significant in India Muhammad Qutb Shah the sixth ruler of the Qutb shahi dynasty, commissioned bricks to be made from the soil brought from Mecca, the holiest site of Islam, and used them in the construction of the central arch of the mosque, thus giving the mosque its name.