Encyclopaedia of Islamic Architecture (Set of 3 Volumes)

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About the Book This well-researched work on Islamic Architecture of Arabia, Central Asia and Iran is an updated encyclopedia of its win kind being first of the three volumes set it deals with the varly concepts of Islamic place of Worship, and its evolution in terms of formation and its summation as a well-designed masjid and also that of other religious and secular buildings like mausoleums, hospices, madrasas, palaces, forts. gardens minars etc. This book throws light on different styles of Islamic Architecture in Asia, particularly on variations during the time of different houses of rulers in Arabia, Iran, central Asia, Anatolia and Iran. Separate chapters have been drawn to depict varieties of styles and material used under different dynasties and houses of Seljuq, Ilkhan, Ottoman, Safavi and Timur.

A little touch of political history while describing the essence of architectural styles, and factors responsible for blending between different styles, makes this book worth reading.

Meticulously done plans, high resolution color photographs on glossy art paper and lucidity in the narrative are some of the characteristics of this work. Much has been written on Islamic Architecture but since the invention of modern gadgets oftentation and assistance cred photography ending the presentation in art and architecture e this work more eloquent It is a good research tool for art lovers in general and those who have genuine interest in Islamic Architecture in particular. It will surely carve out a good recognition world over.

About the Author Dr. G.S. Khwaja (Khwaja Ghulamus Syedain b. 1956) is a serious scholar of Arabic and Persian Epigraphy, Medieval Numismatics. Islamic Calligraphy and Architecture, trained under Late Dr. ZA Desai A post graduate in both Arabic and Persian Literature. Dr. Khwaja obtained post graduation degree in Journalism also and then Ph.D. in Hadith Literature from Nagpur University, later on he did his Advance Diploma in Mass Media from JNU, New Delhi. He started his career as a broadcaster with All India Radio and then worked as journalist for an English Newspaper. He is a khattat (professional calligrap too.

Archaeological Survey of India in 1985 at Nagpur where he now heads the Epigraphy Branch for Arabic & Persian Inscriptions. He is member of the Board of Studies and Faculty at the Institute of Archaeology Delhi, for Historical Archaeology and Epigraphy.

He has contributed many research articles on epigraphy and numismatics in reputed national/international journals and seminars. He is on the editorial board of Puramanthana periodical of archaeological discoveries. He has to his cdit books namely: Archaeolo cal Glimpses of Indian Cu ar (1995), Diwan-i-Husain-Dec an Anthology (1998), Achaipur TarikhaurThaqafat (2001), Mashaheer-i-Berar-Biographies (2005) and Akbar keAhdmein Farsi TarikhNawisi-Persian Historiography (2009).

He visited Syria under UNESCO's cultural exchange programme in 2005 and also participated in World Heritage Society's Workshop of Asian Countries on Conser vation of Timurid Monuments in 2009.

Introduction To draw the history of Islamic architecture we need to study the early Islamic buildings in Israel, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jonlan and erstwhile Hejaz (ie modem Saudi Arabia) and Yemen Then of course Central Asia and Iran played a very important role in shaping the features of this style of architecture as directly or indirectly the building activities in these regions started taking shape when the strong currents of Islam reached Iran and other Central Asian countries.

So far as artistic temperaments of Arabs are concerned it is well known to the world of art that they were nomads and also great warriors, a strong current of bluntness was about their attitude. They used to bury their daughters, kill any foe on a small pretext. It was Islam's philosophy which made them considerate tolerant. After the revelations they became faithful to one God. As a matter of reality the unity of God was the foremost thing before them. Servitude before Allah was to be performed as a obligatory duty five times a day in the form of salat. A dawn to dusk abstaining from food, drinks and bodily pleasures was observed in the month of Ramadan to be called saum. Alms were to be given in the form of zakat- a one-fortieth part of the cccess wealth accumulated for complete calendar year, and pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina once in a life time, as hajj, was to be performed by every devout Muslim. These acts being the duties of Islam which needed no specific edifices to perform. So Arab never nsisted upon lofty and pompous buildings in the beginning. Even the holiest of the holy uildings of Islamic world was a simple four wall building of black stone called Ka'ba, without my architectural merit.

It was arrival of Muslims to Iran and Central Asia where they came into contact of the ople who believed in luxuries of life, inherited legacy of royal houses, subtleties of Persian try and had elegance in the attitude.

A blending in the pure belief of Arabs and Persian's love for art resulted into fine building he history of world architecture.

The basic need of the Muslim society to perform duties of Islam has a very limited sce fty edifices. The salat, daily prayer was to be performed at two levels; individually at ho th jama 'at daily, and in a weekly congregation on Friday. The id prayer twice a year performed at ground specified for it or at an idgah, again a structure without any architect Fiction except a qibla wall.

**Contents and Sample Pages**