Exam 2 Flashcards
1200 in India we see rise of Islam
Comes to the subcontinent in the 7th century
Islam
o Founded by Prophet Muhammad 622 CE
o Trace lineage back to Abraham
o “Ibrahim’s Sacrifice” 15th century
o Muslims don’t consider Islam as a “new” religion, understand Islam as purification of Judaism/Christianity
o There is only path, belief in the one true God and in Muhammad as Gods final prophet
o Missionary work and trade went hand in hand in the spread of Islam
o Had to figure out a way to coexist in a diverse culture with many religions
Koran
o Muslims holy text
o 114 chapters
o Not a narrative, or a series of stories. It is a revelation, God revealing his truth to Muhammad
Mecca
o The most holy sight, most sacred place
o Where Muhammad was born and where God reveals himself to Muhammad
Ka’ba
o In Mecca
o Cubical shrine believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael
o Built on a site that previously had been used for worshipping the earlier Gods of the Arabian people.
o Muhammad comes and cleanses it and dedicates it to the one God “Allah”
o The black stone of Ka’ba
The black stone of Ka’ba
o Many theories on where it came from
o Originally white when given from heaven but has become black and red from the sin of man
o Muslims try to touch or point at the stone to get atonement for their sins
o calligraphy depictions of Muhammad
Mosque (masjid)
o Place of worship for Islamic, place to pray, study or rest
o Introduced into pantheon of Indian architecture
o First is modeled after Muhammads house
Sahn
Courtyard
Mihrab
Niche in the middle of Qibla wall
Minaret
Tower
Meant as a declaration of the supremacy of islam
Qibla
Direction wall
Minbar
Pulpit
Qubba
Dome
Babur (descendant of Timur and Genesis Khan)
Established the Mughal empire
Mughal empire
o Early 16th century
o Muslim prince Babur established at Delhi “king of India”
o Mughal: “Descended from the mongols”
o Built mosques to legitimize their rule
Akbar
o Stabilizes and expands empire by easing tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
o Muslims has encouraged Hindus to convert.
o Delhi Sultan were iconoclasts-destroyed Hindu temples, shrines and idols.
o Motivation was religious, a way to demonstrate power and also fear of revolution.
o Ended other policies and initiated new ones.
o Abolished Non-Muslim tax, prohibited enslavement of Hindu prisoners, married a Hindu princess.
Din-ilahi
o Divine Faith
o A consolidation of all the religions practiced in his realm
o Concluded NO single religion had monopoly on the truth.
o A way to suggest a version of invoking divine rights of kings
Badger
Wind catcher a Persian design to create a natural ventilation
Persian miniature painting
o By the 16th centuries restrictions against figurative art was being reconsidered.
o Humayan brought back Persian painters
o Typically Persian painters not interested in conveying a totally convincing 3-D space. More intersted in brilliant color and patterning.
o Mughal court painters merged persian style with Hindu, Buddhist, Jain traditions as well as synthesizing Chinese and European technique.
o Tracings were used from collections of large number of sketches from akbar’s extensive collection of art. Akbar inspected works and handed out rewards to artists.
o Court painters were humble craftsperson’s but talented ones could earn privileged state at court.
o From the Hamzanama- a narrative about Muhammad’s uncle Hamza. Showing interior and expterior views simultaneously.
o Ughal painting has now evolved to be more ficused on naturalism. Artists has access to prints and paintings done by Flemish artists.
o Artists began using more shading and perspective combined with the Persian use of patterns and virant colors
o Multiple perspectives to reveal details in exterior and interior
Nur Jahan
“Light of the world”
Bichitr
o “Jahangir Seated on Aleegorical Throne” 1625 Son of Akbar
o Hindu in the service of the Islamic Monarch. Artists who rose from anonymity in the court were picked out because of their special skill in one area (portraits, calligraphy, hands)
“Jahangir Seated on Aleegorical Throne” 1625 Son of Akbar
o Most Mughal painters worked in anonymity. With establishment of the British East India Company, British ambassadors and merchants become frequent visitors to the palace
o European influence in this work as well
o Hourglass- Baroque theme of time
In this painting suggests that he is above time
o Allegorical portrait with fusion of sun and moon signifying his divine rule.
o Putti- baby angels are inscribing on the hourglass the wish that he will live and reign for 1000 years.
Putti may be saying that time is running out. Jahangir became addicted to wine laced with opium
o Sufi Shaikh receiving a gift of a book. Engaging with the Shaikh implies Jahangir favors spiritual power over material power (man on top left)
o Ottoman sultan. Turkish sultan is next in the hierarchy here. Jahangir’s ancestor Timor/ Tamerlane had conquered the Turks. His dress and pose suggest he is a foreign visitor who is offered
Shah Jahan – Taj Mahal
o 1648
o Accused of not continuing the tradition in painting; a tomb built for his favorite wife
o Jahangir successor
o Was theorized to be create a second Taj-Mahal in the moonlight garden out of black marble
o Later noted it was just dirty white marble and theory was incorrect
“Pietra-Dura”
o Technique used in taj-mahal
o Inlaid stones
