Chapter Two: Disccusion Questions Flashcards
What historic event in 1192 marked the significant transformation of South Asian society, religion, and art?
The Battle of Tarain
What does the name of Delhi’s first mosque, Quwwat al- Islam, mean? How does the significance of the Qtub Minar’s status as the “tallest extant minaret in the world” contribute to its use and symbolism? How tall is it? What do the inscriptions in Arabic and Persian proclaim?
- Quwwat al- Islam (might of Islam)
- Victory of Islam
- 238 foot
- Inscriptions in Arabic & Persian proclaim- the minerat casts a shadow of Allah over the conquered Hindu city
What architectural features of the Alai Darvaza illustrate the entrance pavilion as a blend of both Hindu and Islamic architecture? How else does Quwwat al- Islam utilize other Hindu elements?
• It combines Islamic pointed arches, decorative grills over the windows, and a hemispherical dome with a crowning finial that recalls the motifs at the top of many Hindu temple towers
While Muslim sultans controlled northern India, Hindu rulers controlled central and southern India. The “most powerful” Hindu kingdom of the era was the Vijayanagar Empire founded in 1336 by King Harihara. From where does the name of the empire originate? What contributed to success of Vijayanagar, under who did it flourish as a center for culture and learning?
- The name of the empire originated from the name Vijavanagara “City of Victory” on the Tungabhadra River
- Under its greatest King, Krishnadervaraya, who was also a renowed poet, the Vijayanagar Kingdom was a magnet for the learned and cultured from all corners of India.
Where is the Lotus Mahal? What does the Lotus Mahal, built in the15th or early 16th century, have in common with the Alai Darvaza? What architectural elements are clearly of the Dravida southern style? What are Islamic?
- Lotuc Mahal is located in Vijavanagara, India
- Architectrual elements of Dravida: tall pyramid vimanas (towers) over the garbha griha, the inner sanctuary
- The windows of the upper level as well as the arches of the ground-floor piers have the distinctive multilobed contours of Islamic architecture
How did rule of India become unified under the Mughal Empire, 1526 - 1857? What is the origin of the term Mughal and how does it differ from the Mughals’ identification of its lineage?
- Babur defeated the last of the Ghorid sultans of northern India at the Battle of Panipate
- A western term, means “descended from the Mongols” although the Mughals considered themselves descendants of Timur
What is the Hamzanama? By whom was it commissioned, where were the artists who worked on it trained, how many paintings did it contain, and how long did it take to complete?
- Hamzanama: the story of Hamza, Muhammad’s uncle
- It had 1400 large paintings on cloth
- It took 15 years to complete
What is the Akbarnama? What is the significance of the miniature, Akbar and the Elephant Hawai, ca 1590, both artistically and politically? What artistic elements did the designer, Basawan, incorporate to induce drama? With whom did Basawan collaborate? Why is it significant that we know their names?
• Akbarnama: History of Akhar
• “Akbar and the Elephant Hawai” significance:
artistically-
politicially: and allerogy of Akhar’s ability to govern- that is, to take charge of an unruly state.
• Artistic elements:
• Basawan collaborated with Chatar Muni
• It is significate that we know their names because they were the 1st noted artist to be credited for their work
Who was Bichitr and how does the composition Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaykh to Kings, ca. 1615 – 1618, demonstrate the significance of English trade in the Mughal court? What does the miniature-within-the-miniature painting signify? What is the personal relationship of the Sufi to Jahangir?
- Bichitr- Akbar’s son & successor
* The miniature-wintin-a-miniature signifies Bichitr bowing deeply before the emperor
What is the origin of the tomb in India? Who is entombed in the Taj Mahal at Agra? How does the plan differ from traditional Iranian garden pavilions? What impression does the architect intend to make and how do the reflecting pools contribute to that impression? How was the balance of horizontality and verticality achieved? What do the excerpts from the Koran inscribed on the gateway to the gardens and walls of the mausoleum indicate about the interpretation of the site’s design? Where is the most revered place of burial according to Islamic tradition?
- The origin of the tomb in India:
- Entombed in the Taj Mahal: Mumataz Mahal & Shah Jahan
- Traditional Iranian pavilion difference: the building stands at one end rather than in the center of the formal garden
- Architect intentions: shadowy voids with light-reflecting marble walls that seem paper thin creates an impression of translucency
- Balance of horizontally & vertically by strictly applying an all-encompassing system of proportions
- Inscribed on the gateway to the gardens and the walls of the mausoleum are carefully selected experts from the Koran that confirm the historian’s interpretation of the tomb’s symbolism
- Most revered place of burial according to Islamic tradition: beneath the Throne of God
Where are the Hindu Rajput kingdoms and how do they relate to the Moghul Empire? How does Rajput painting compare to Mughal and Persian painting? What is the most popular subject of Rajput paintings? What is bhakti and how did the Gita Govinda by the poet Jayadeva inspire artists to depict it? What stylistic elements identify the Pahari School? What does lightening symbolize?
- Hindu Rajput Kingdoms location: northwestern India (persent-day Rajasthan) & relation to Moghal Empire:
- Rajput painting compre to Mughal & Persian painting: its formate & material
- Bhakti: love as a model of devotion & the Gita Govinda: related to the story of Krishna & Radha
- Lightening symbolize: sexual excitement
Under the Nayak Dynasty, 1529 -1736, in the far south of India some of the largest temple complexes in India were constructed. What are the gopuras at the Great Temple of Madurai? What are their architectural elements? How is the vibrancy of the stuccosculptures maintained? What other Hindu architectural elements are part of the Madurai Nayak temple complex? How are they used today?
- The gopuras at the Great Temple of Maduria: gateway towers
- Architectural elements: decorated from top to bottom with painted sculptures
- Stuccosculptures maintained: Reconscration of the temple occurs at 12 year intervals (receive a new coat of paint)
- Other Hindu architectural elements of the Madurai Nayak temple complex: mandapas
- Yearly festivals
When was the East India Company chartered, by whom was it chartered, and for what purpose? How did the East India Company’s trading activity lead to its rule of India? How did its replacement lead to Queen Victoria assuming rule of all India?
- East India Company charted: December 31 1599 by Queen Elizabeth I to compete with the Portuguese and Dutch in the lucrative trade with South Asia
- Parliament abolished the company and replaced its governor-general with viceroy of the crown, which lead to Queen Victoria to assume the title of Empress of India.
What contribution did British rule bring to India? What is the symbolic meaning of the Victoria Terminus, begun in 1878? How does the allegorical statue of Progress present an ironical counterpoint to the architectural design of Frederick W. Stevens?
- British rule in India: Industrial Revolution & railroads
- Symbolic meaning of the Victoria Terminus: named after the new empress of India and is a European transplant to the subcontinent & colonial rule
- The design looks backwards, not forwards
How is Western influence demonstrated in Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar, ca. 1880? What elements and symbols of traditional Indian miniature painting remain?
- Western influence demonstrated in “Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Marwar”: sitter sits in an ordinary chair, arm resting on simple table with bouquet of flowers and a book “pses as an ordinary British gentlemen in his sitting room”
- Symbols of traditional Indian miniature remain: same scale & materials “opaque watercolor on paper”
