Mosques (Sacred Sites)

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The story of the world’s great mosques is intrinsically related to the story and spread of Islam in the world. Against the canvas of the rise and fall of great Islamic dynasties this book takes the reader on a fascinating journey to ancient lands where some of the greatest architectural marvels of history were created. The narrative begins with the birth of the Prophet Muhammad founder of Islam and the founding of the first Muslim congregational place of prayer. It then follows a broadly chronological sequence of the development of the mosque in countries and kingdoms across the world right up to the modern age. The architectural features of great mosques are highlighted through a selection of drawings and brilliant colored photographs. The book brings under one umbrella an unusual selection of architectural masterpieces and in the process documents one of the most dynamic religious movements of all time.

Razia Grover has edited books and magazines for the last twenty five years. Her interest in architectural history was strongly influenced by her late architect author husband Satish Grover and from her years as editor of architecture + design India’s premier professional magazine on architecture.

This book was to have been written by my architect husband Satish Grover. Already an author of four books on Indian architectural history this would have been his first attempt at writing on buildings outside India. On his sudden passing away in 2005 Roli books asked me to complete the book barely begun I am honored by their faith in my being able to accomplish the task. The book is basically in two parts the first part featuring the great historic mosques of the world. These are located chapter wise according to their location and by and large their chronological place in history. For this section I would particularly like to acknowledge the writings of Henri Stierlin Markus Hattstein, Sheila Blair and Jonathan Bloom. Though the basic selection of the mosques for this part had been done by Satish I have added to it. For the chapter on the Indian subcontinent. I have been guided by Satish’s book on Indian architecture. For the second part of the book which is the contemporary section. I have consulted the book by Renata Holod and Hasan Uddin Khan though the selection is completely mine. I also thank Malini Saran for her input on Indonesia. I am grateful to the publishers for giving me this opportunity to learn more about the history and architecture of these timeless buildings.